There isn't much worse than going through a pile of laundry and finding a shirt or pair of pants with a big stain that has been set in and sitting for a few days. There are so many kinds of stains and so many stain solutions listed all over the internet and in books, but if we have any kind of stain in our home, I only use one stain remover. Yep, just one, and it removes every single stain with no issue whatsoever...even pet stains and coffee spills off of my white couch. You are going to want to whip up a batch of this two ingredient homemade stain remover and keep it handy because it is truly a life saver.
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My favorite story to tell about it is from last year. I was at a cook out at a friends house and our friend, Jessie accidentally knocked over her red wine. We were outside, but the wine spilled all over Nancy Beth's pretty new area rug. Jessie was so upset and kept apologizing and Nancy Beth was trying to figure out what to do. I asked her if she had two things...dish liquid and hydrogen peroxide, and she quickly grabbed them for me. I whipped up a quick batch of stain remover and poured it on the wine. It disappeared immediately like magic...not even kidding! The rug was saved, and the cook out went along merrily!
Now, onto the miracle stain remover...
Homemade Stain Remover
Ingredients List
2 parts hydrogen peroxide ( Purchase HERE )
1 part dish liquid ( Purchase HERE )
spray bottle ( Purchase glass bottles HERE ) ( Purchase plastic bottles HERE )
Step 1 - Add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide and ½ cup of dish liquid to a clean spray bottle. I love Dawn dish liquid for this stain remover because of its amazing grease fighting power, but you can absolutely use an all-natural dish liquid like this one if you like.
Step 2 - Mix well before each use.
Step 3 - Spray on stain and work in using your fingers.
The stain will start to disappear instantly, right before your eyes.
Wash regularly, and enjoy your stain free clothes!
This DIY stain remover spray truly does work miracles on so many things. I use it on our clothes, linens, rugs, carpet and even on our sofa and chairs. It works well on wine and food stains, blood stains, pet stains and even set in stains. This homemade stain remover also works on colors...no worries about it bleaching your colored clothing. If you are feeling a little worried about it, test a small spot first. I promise, this stain remover will not disappoint!
Be sure to check out How To Make Your Own Laundry Detergent and How To Make Your Own Fabric Softener!
You can find all of my home tips and homemade cleaning recipes HERE on my Home Tips Page!
You can find my Free Printable Cleaning Labels HERE! Just print them out and use them to label all of your homemade cleaning solutions!
Happy Cleaning!
Sue McRae says
Can this be used on dark colored clothing? I'm wondering if the hydrogen peroxide will bleach out the color from darker items.
Jessica says
Hi, Sue! I have used it on a couple of my black and navy sweaters with no issue. I would do a spot test first, depending on the fabric. I mainly use it for lighter colored clothing since those are where most stains appear. ~Jess
Linda Grove says
Hi my name is linda I would like to know how to get cooking oil out of a light color grey shirt and a dark color hoodie too
Jessica says
Hi, Linda! Try this The Best Homemade Stain Remover It is amazing at cutting through grease stains!
Carla says
Yes, I was wondering the same thing - is this mixture color-safe? I do use it on whites and it is especially good for the yellowing and stains that can occur in the underarm area on shirts. I have a feeling it would be ok on a lighter non-white shirt like shown, but black or dark blue may be an issue!!! Proceed cautiously!
Jessica says
I have used in on some dark colored sweaters with no problem, but would suggest spot testing in the case of using on dark colored fabrics. ~Jess
Sue says
On med scrubs?
Jessica says
Absolutely!
Elaine Rexwinkle says
I use it all the time on dark and colored clothes. Only problem I've ever had with it is don't let it dry on your clothes.
My question is since the hydrogen peroxide bleaches the dawn liquid clear after a few days, does it loose it's stain removal power. Mine seems to do this or is it my imagination?
Jessica says
Not at all...mine loses the color in about 2 days but works until my container is empty :) ~Jess
Rosie says
I have seen it said that stain removers with peroxide need to be in DARK bottle
Jessica says
I have kept mine in the same clear plastic white bottle for years. No need for a dark bottle :)
Shannon says
Why should you not let it dry on your clothes?
Maureen says
what volume of peroxide do U use?
Kim @ be ReInVintaged says
Does this specifically have to be Dawn dishwashing liquid? I am trying to stay cruelty free, and the dish soap I use now seems to do at least as good a job as Dawn - with the dishes. I guess it's worth a try, right?
Jessica says
HI, KIM! You can absolutely use a more eco friendly, plant based dishwashing liquid. I'm actually thinking of rewriting the post because I get this question all of the time. You are going to love it!
Diane says
Works great, thank you.
Barbara Mitchell says
You mentioned that red wine was spilled on a rug? How did you "wash" the rug to get the soap out?
Jessica says
Hi, Barbara! In most cases I would use my carpet cleaning machine that pulls the water back up, but since this was outside, we just rinsed it well with the water hose.
Kiu says
how to remove melted chcolate coated icecream stain on a leather jacket (the jacket color is olive green). I used olive oil but it became a new problem itself. :o(
Kim Watts says
is this the best recipes for poop stains on white diapers/underwear?
Shirley @Housepitality Designs says
Definitely going to make this! My friend and I were just talking the other day how Dawn dish detergent certainly has to many uses! Thanks Jessica!
Jessica says
You are going to love it, and I agree...Dawn is amazing!
Susie Hicks says
My husband evidently scratched his arm in his sleep and got blood on the edge of our new quilt. Since it's new and will never look quite the same after washing, how can I get the blood stain out without washing after treating the stain?
laura bubnis says
Hydrogen peroxide. Pour it over the blood stain and watch it bubble out. If you can, put a towel or paper towels underneath and pour or spray the peroxide over the stain. Watch it bubble up and then blot with a clean towel. Repeat until the stain is gone.
Naleli says
What strength of Peroxide is safe
Sue says
I’d like to know that as well!
Judy Stough says
The carpet stain ingredients you have for red wine, will those same ingredients work on just spot cleaning carpet? For instance, water spot on carpet that looks dirty.
Jessica Kielman says
Yes, ma'am! It works great on all kinds of stains! Another easy carpet stain remover is cheap, foaming shaving cream.
Judy Stough says
Thank you Jessica, and I can't wait to try this. I will let you know how it works on our carpet stains.
Dorothy says
Any suggestions for removing tar like stain from carpet. It’s an area of a 12 inch circle.
Jessica says
That's a tough one...try soaking it in Dawn dish liquid...it's the only thing that I know that works on tar and grease really well. Hope this helps!
Phyllis Lindburg says
I love this spot cleaner. I use it on everything. It did take the color out of one of my knit tops, but otherwise I have used it on everything. I have a dog that has some accidents and so I use it on carpet all the time. Works great. My husband put coffee grounds on the beige carpet to take out dog stains, now I have coffee stains. I have not been able to get them out with anything.
Victoria Helms says
I just made this mixture using the regular 'blue' dawn. I thought of something before I used it, is it okay to use on white clothes? Since it is a blue soap.
Jessica says
Not at all...I use it on all colors and even my expensive rugs!
Heather Taylor says
Hi Jess,
I used this on a white poly cotton lace dress and it has left a yellow stain, has this ever happened to you? Do you know how to get rid of yellow stains on white clothes?
Many thanks
Heather
Jo says
This is fantastic, thank you so much!! I used it on my old light green carpet to remove some set in dirt stains and it worked a treat. Also used it on a stain on my light beige lounge and works really great too. I didn't use Dawn, I used Woolworths Home Brand (Australian product) dish soap - made no difference at all, still worked a treat!
John says
Hydrogen peroxide is a very good oxidizer, so good that it is not recommended for wound care anymore as it destroys healthy tissue. It even works well against skunk odor.
Use a cup of peroxide and 2 T of baking soda mixed for skunk odor. Must be used when mixed and is useless if stored.
Stephanie O'Hara says
How long do you leave this on before putting in the wash?
Jessica says
You don't have to leave it on long at all...just a few minutes!