Laundry supplies are some of the most important cleaners in the home, but they can also be some of the most toxic. This All-Natural Homemade Stain Remover for Laundry makes a powerful stain fighter and laundry pre-treater that you can feel safe using in your home. PLUS it only cost pennies!
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I've been using my homemade Laundry Detergent for several years and I love the way it cleans and the fact that it is non-toxic. However, I still wanted a non-toxic stain remover to use as a pre-treater for difficult laundry stains. ‘Cause you know, kids… dogs…. and my love of chocolate.
Why I Make Homemade Laundry Supplies
A few years ago I read an article about hazardous chemicals in household products and began investigating the cleaning/household products I used on the Environmental Working Group’s Consumer Guide.
I found some pretty shocking information!
For years I had been using a commercial stain treated that did a great job and cost about $5.00 for 60 ounces. But, my trusty stain remover scores a F for problems such as skin irritation and development toxicity.
Yuck! I decided I could do better.
Non-Toxic Stain Remover DIY
I adapted a recipe for liquid laundry detergent into Non-Toxic Stain Remover. I used this basic recipe from Budget 101 and replaced the ingredients that scored high in toxicity with ones that scored better.
| Original Recipe | EWR Rating | New Recipe | EWR Rating |
| Super Washing Soda | A | Super Washing Soda | A |
| Borax | F | Eliminated Borax | – |
| Fels-Naptha | C | Kirk's Original Coco Castile Soap (Fragrance Free) | A |
Non-Toxic Stain Remover Cost
My new homemade stain remover rates an “A” on the EWG scale and is cost effective. I make 64 ounces for $1.11! Here’s the breakdown:
- Washing Soda, $0.47
- Castile Soap, $0.64
- Total cost = $1.11 for 64 ounces
How to Make Non-Toxic Laundry Stain Remover
Ingredients
- 1/2 of a 4 oz. bar Kirk's Original Coco Castile Soap, Fragrance Free, grated
- 1 cup (8 oz.) Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
- 8 cups of water
- 2 – 1 quart canning jars or 2 quart bowl with lid
- Blender or immersion blender
- 2 quart sauce pan (not aluminum)
Directions
- Grate or finely chop soap (1/2 bar).
- Heat 4 cups of water to boiling in 2 quart saucepan.
- Add grated soap to boiling water and stir until melted (this happens quickly, about 30 seconds).
- Add 1 cup washing soda and stir until fully dissolved (this takes about 2 minutes).
- Pour 2 cups of soap and washing soda mixture into each quart jar or the 2 quart bowl.
- Add 2 cups of water to each jar, leaving room for blender top (or four cups to a bowl). Seal jars, shake lightly to combine and place upside down to cool. (if using bowl, stir lightly to combine and cover.
- Let mixture cool until it is gelatinous and white. This takes from 4-6 hours (go do something fun).
- Blend each jar to combine by attaching blender bottom to mason jar. If using bowl use a hand mixer or immersion blender to blend into a creamy mayonnaise-like sauce.
- Store in a recycled soap pump or squeeze bottle for easy laundry application.
Non-Toxic Laundry Routine
Use this stain fighter on tough stains then wash you laundry with Borax Free Grade A Laundry Detergent. Fill the washer’s fabric softener dispenser with Homemade Fabric Softener or white vinegar for softening.
This laundry routine is cheap and healthy plus it is keeps clothes in top shape AND you can feel good about using it in your home.
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Tammy says
Can you use the liquid Castile soap for this recipe? Also, have you ever tried adding hydrogen peroxide ?
Bren says
Yes, you could use liquid Castile just skip the water. I have not tried adding hydrogen peroxide. Let me know how the changes work you you!
Sheryl says
I know this thread is old, but would you omit all the water? Or maybe just enough water for the consistency?
Bren says
Liquid Castile soap is less concentrated than solid Castile bars. 2/3 cup of liquid Castile soap equals the 2 ounces of bar soap in the original recipe. I would reduce the water by 2/3 of a cup (use 3 1/3 cups of water). Good luck!
Sheryl says
ok I made it with the liquid castile soap, but it is not congealing at all. I let it sit over night and it is the consistency of water still. is there something I can thicken in with? or just leave it at this water consistency?
Bren says
Sheryl, did you boil the water before adding the soap and washing soda? If you want it to thicken I would try leaving it sitting uncovered for a day or two. It is also fine to use as a liquid… it’s got the same stain fighting power!
Alana says
I don’t have bar just liquid. What do you think the conversion would be? Half a bar equals how much liquid? Thank you
Bren says
According to Lisa Bronner, 1 cup of liquid Castile soap equals approximately 3.64 ounces of bar soap.
Rhonita says
This sounds amazing! Can I half this recipe without losing the stain remover power?
Bren says
Rhonita, you should have no problem reducing the recipe as long as you keep the ratios the same! Hope you like the stain remover!
Rhonita says
Great!! Thank you so much! Will be making this as soon as I buy the bar soap!
Angela says
I followed the directions exactly and only the bottom few inches became white and solid. What happened? It’s been 6 hours.
Bren says
You can wait overnight then go ahead and blend. Your water is just not incorporated.
Elissa says
Hi, Can this sit on fabric for several days before washing? I usually do laundry once a week and I like to catch stains as I notice them, not just on laundry day. Thanks!
Bren says
I wouldn’t leave it on for days as washing soda is caustic, I would use this stain treater if you like to leave the laundry sitting for some time.
Corina Mathis says
Thank you for good ideas and for helping us to save money God bless you
Bren says
Thanks, Corina!
Amanda Hoard says
I love your laundry detergent and have fully switched over to it! The only problem I have with it is it does not seem to get grease out. My husband is a tow truck driver and comes home covered in engine grease. The clean towels and laundry do not smell or feel greasy but they are stained black from it. Do you know if your stain remover works on this type of stain? Yes, I did wash in hot water. Thank you for the great cleaning recipes and the EWG site info.
Bren says
I use my all purpose cleaner or stain remover on grease stains or simply squirt on a little natural detergent such as Sal’s Suds or dish detergent. For really greasy items I rub in the stain treater and rinse in the sink so it doesn’t spread to the rest of the laundry in the machine. Hope this helps! My husband used to come home covered in jet fuel… petroleum stains are tough to wash!
Kristina says
I know this is an older post but hoping you can help! I followed directions exactly and my liquid has not congnealed at all. None of it has turned thick and white. Any ideas? I’ll leave on overnight to see what happens. It’s been 6 hours so far
Bren says
You can leave it for a few more days to thicken or use as is… it will still work great!
always says
hi, thanks for all the great recipes. which you do you find is more effective, or which do you prefer to use for laundry stains…this recipe, or the all purpose cleaner/sprayed with hydrogen peroxide?
Bren says
I use which ever one I have on hand. They both work great!
Claudia says
Hi, for how long can this sit on fabric, before i wash it?
Just for info, we are using your laundry detergent and it works great. Thank you for the post.
Bren says
I would not let it sit for more than a few house on fabric. I’m glad you like the detergent!
Angela Yeung says
what is the recipe for if I use liquid castile soap?
Bren says
Angela, I’m not sure I understand your question. Are you asking why you would use the stain remover if you are using the liquid laundry detergent? You don’t have to use both. I like to use this pre-treater with my powdered homemade laundry detergent.
Indi16 says
What do u use to whiten your clothes? Does this stain remover get out old dry stains that have set in the clothes?
Bren says
I use a little extra washing soda in a load of all whites or add a little hydrogen peroxide. Yes, this stain remover works on old stains. You might also want to check out my all-purpose cleaner, it works great on laundry too.
Marissa says
I was wondering could you replace the castile soap with Sals Suds? If so how much Sal Suds would you reccomend? I am so glad I found your site you answer all my questions I have about natural cleaning. I am just starting the transition I realized after having my daughter how bad commercial cleaners smelled and started looking into how bad they are!! I always felt like I couldn’t clean with cleaners when she was in the house that was a major sign we needed a change. Your recipes seem simple and effective I cant wait to try them all out!! Thank you for all your post!!!
Bren says
Marissa, I’ve never made this recipe with Sal’s Suds so I’m not sure it would work. You could make my all-purpose cleaner with Sal’s Suds. It works greaat on laundry stains!
Ron says
Do the store bought washing soda clean better than home made version?
Bren says
I’ve never made homemade washing soda so I can not compare the two. Let me know if you try! 🙂