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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Rachelle
Love this post!! How long does the stain remover last before it can no longer be used? Trying to decide if I need to halve the recipe or not.
Bren
Rachelle, I’ve had bottles sitting around for 4 months with no problem. Hope you enjoy the stain remover!
Marie
Thank you for this recipe! Any reason why I couldn’t halve it? I live alone so this would take eons for me to use up
Bren
You can halve the recipe!
Sharifa
Hi, if I’m using a bowl instead of mason jars, can I just add the balance of the water into the pot that has the soap n washing soda mix already and allow and then blend? Or do I need to use a separate bowl?
Alisia
Could you use liquid castile soap in place of the bar soap? I have tons of liquid that I made earlier this year and use it in everything. I’m excited to try this recipe! I also have a bunch of washing soda that I had been using in my dishwasher I no longer have a use for since finding your Lemon Dishwasher Gel recipe. Oh and I can’t not mention that I absolutely love your fabric softener recipe!
Bren
Alisa, I’m sorry to say I’ve not tried it with liquid soap so I can not promise how well it works or how much to use. However, it should be okay. Thank you for the kind words!
Sharon
Trying to get my husband away from his weekly bottle of Spray n wash habit and looking for something gentle for my super sensitive skin. I’m making this right now. I already buy washing soda, so I’m eager to have less stuff to buy at the store and fewer plastic jugs in the house. Thanks so much.
Bren
Hope it works well for you!
Tree
How do u use this stain remover? How long do u let it dry on a stain?
Bren
I squeeze some onto the stain and then toss the garment into the wash. If it is a stain on white fabric I will give it a little time to rest before washing.
Tree
Do u ever have to scrub or rub the stain remover into the clothing if you have set in stains or tough stain?
Tree
Does the stain remover/sauce with washing soda/bar of soap work better than the all purpose cleaning paste with baking soda/liquid Castille soap in whitening clothes and get rid of stains?
Bren
I think they both work equally well.
Ron
Do the store bought washing soda clean better than home made version?
Bren
I’ve never made homemade washing soda so I can not compare the two. Let me know if you try! 🙂
Marissa
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
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!
Indi16
What do u use to whiten your clothes? Does this stain remover get out old dry stains that have set in the clothes?
Bren
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.
Angela Yeung
what is the recipe for if I use liquid castile soap?
Bren
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.
Claudia
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
I would not let it sit for more than a few house on fabric. I’m glad you like the detergent!
always
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
I use which ever one I have on hand. They both work great!
Kristina
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
You can leave it for a few more days to thicken or use as is… it will still work great!
Amanda Hoard
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
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!
Corina Mathis
Thank you for good ideas and for helping us to save money God bless you
Bren
Thanks, Corina!
Elissa
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
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.
Angela
I followed the directions exactly and only the bottom few inches became white and solid. What happened? It’s been 6 hours.
Bren
You can wait overnight then go ahead and blend. Your water is just not incorporated.
Rhonita
This sounds amazing! Can I half this recipe without losing the stain remover power?
Bren
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
Great!! Thank you so much! Will be making this as soon as I buy the bar soap!
Alana
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
According to Lisa Bronner, 1 cup of liquid Castile soap equals approximately 3.64 ounces of bar soap.
Tammy
Can you use the liquid Castile soap for this recipe? Also, have you ever tried adding hydrogen peroxide ?
Bren
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
I know this thread is old, but would you omit all the water? Or maybe just enough water for the consistency?
Bren
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
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
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!