Whether you are living in a studio with your new puppy or in a home filled with young children, stains are inevitable. You go to the grocery store, look through all of those products they offer for the many different type of stains that can occur. You choose the one, then spray the product on your stain, and it has this smell that screams “chemicals“- and you know this smell means it cannot be good for you.
In an effort to create a healthier home environment by getting toxins out of our homes, essential oils are a great addition to homemade cleaning products. We’re exposed to toxic chemicals regularly, so doing our part to decrease the amount of exposure is what DIY cleaning products are all about.
For instance, Perchloroethylene or “PERC” is a common ingredient in stain removers and does pose a health hazard. Also, if fragrance is listed, manufacturers are not required to tell any trade secrets, which could include toxic materials.
Lemon, with its clean and fresh scent, seems to be the most popular essential oil to use in stain removers.
As a matter of fact, you could just use lemon by itself. Apply it over the stain then immediately throw it in the washer. Don’t apply and let it settle in. Wash it right away.
Here are a few DIY Stain Remover recipes to try on your family’s clothes. See which works best for you.
STAIN REMOVER RECIPE 1
This recipe calls for hydrogen peroxide, a powerful oxidizer that can be used to disinfect, sanitize, and deodorize not only your laundry, but numerous items around the house. Like lemon essential oil, you could simply soak a stained garment for a few minutes or so in 3% hydrogen peroxide before putting into the washing machine.
In a dark spray bottle (dark so the hydrogen peroxide maintains its potency), combine:
1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide (3%)
2 tablespoons castile soap
20 drops lemon essential oil
Shake and spray the stain. Throw it into the wash.
STAIN REMOVER RECIPE 2
Combine in a spray bottle:
2 tablespoons vegetable glycerin
2 tablespoons castile soap
3/4 cups of filtered water
10 drops of lemon essential oil
Shake and spray. You can lightly rub the fabric together and/or soak before washing.
STAIN REMOVER RECIPE 3
This recipe calls for washing soda, a natural cleaner and water softener. If you don’t have any, you can make your own. Heat the oven to 400F. Sprinkle baking soda on a cookie sheet and bake for approximately a half hour, stirring occasionally.
This stain remover recipe is a little more involved. In a saucepan, combine:
1 bar solid castile soap, shaved into small pieces
1/3 cup washing soda
2 tablespoons white vinegar
½ cup filtered water
Heat on low until the soap shavings are melted, then remove from heat.
Add 4 drops of lemon essential oil and ½ cup Thieves® Laundry Soap, a plant-based formula that gently and naturally cleans your clothes without chemicals.
Let the mixture cool slightly and then put into a zipper storage bag. Cut off a corner of the bag so that you can squeeze the contents into an empty deodorant container (you may have other ideas for containers). Put the lid on and let it cool. When you’re ready to use it, use a wet cloth to dampen the stain remover before applying it to the stain. Throw in the washer.
These DIY Stain Remover recipes are one more way to start eliminating toxic products from your household in order to create a healthier home for you and your family.
