Country Lore: Homemade Stain Remover

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PHOTO: MAKSIM SHEBEKO/HSAGENCIA/FOTOLIA
For an effective homemade stain remover, mix dish detergent and white vinegar.

To remove persistent stains from white clothing, I mix one part dishwashing soap and one part white distilled vinegar in a small medicine cup. I dab this mixture on the stain and let it sit overnight. The stain usually fades completely by morning, but if it hasn’t, I rub more of the mixture on the spot and let it soak in again before washing in cold water.

It’s a safe and effective chlorine bleach alternative, and it works with many fabrics, although I would recommend testing the fabric before treating the whole garment. My homemade stain remover has been effective against red fruit juice that spilled onto a white sweater and sweat stains under the arms of white cotton shirts.

Heidi Holliday
Lawrence, Kansas

  • Published on Feb 19, 2009
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