9 DIY Laundry Hacks & Amazing Stain Removal Tricks You Need to Know

Tools and materials:

• Laundry detergent
• Stain remover
• Borax
• Baking soda or laundry booster
• Dawn dishwashing liquid
• Hydrogen peroxide
• 91% isopropyl alcohol
• Paper towels
• Washcloth or towel
• Old toothbrush

1. Sweat stains

Super sweaty stained or stinky stuff (SSSS) like wet clothes that sat for too long or dingy, grungy clothes require a bit of a soak before washing. This is perfect for ball caps too!

In a bathtub or a large plastic tub pour these ingredients:

• ¼ cup laundry detergent
• ¼ cup Borax
• ¾ cup Super washing soda/laundry booster

Mix the powders in the tub and then add water. Stir the powders to dissolve. Add the dirty clothes. Let it sit for 20 minutes to presoak. 

Launder as usual. Clean and pristine!

2. Dirty sneakers

If you’re wearing super cool sneakers but they’re stained, get them looking almost brand new.

Remove the laces. Spray the sneakers generously with stain remover.

Once the sneakers are damp from the stain remover, place them in the washing machine together with the laces. Add ½ cup of Borax. Wash on the hot setting. Air dry only. 

Now, these sneakers are like new!

3. Grass stains.

Picnicking or sports can leave hard-to-remove grass stains. 

Mix 2 good squirts of Dawn dishwashing detergent together with ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide. Work this mixture with an old clean toothbrush on the grass stains. 

Launder the garment in cold water.

4. Oil stains

If you cook in your clothes or work with any type of oil, you’ve probably got oil stains on your clothing. One of the more stubborn stains to remove!

Place an absorbent paper towel underneath the stain. 

Sprinkle baking soda heavily on the stain like a heavy snowfall. Use an old clean toothbrush to brush the baking soda deep into the stain and even beyond its borders. 

Then squirt some Dawn dishwashing liquid directly on to the stains. Run the toothbrush over the stains again. 

Rinse off and wash the garment in hot water.

5. Dirt/soil stains

If you’re a gardener with your knees in the dirt or have kids playing on muddy fields you already know the frustration of ground-in dirt. 

Drizzle a healthy amount of Dawn dishwashing liquid to saturate the fabric. Work the Dawn through the entire stain using your fingers. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Use a gentle scrubby to press the Dawn even deeper into the fabric. 

Launder as usual.

6. Armpit stains

These yellowing stains are caused by a reaction from aluminum-containing antiperspirants and sweat. Here’s how to remove these unsightly and dingy stains. 

Mix ¼ cup each of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. 

Apply the paste heavily to the stains. Press the paste down. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Use a paper towel to remove the chunky bits of the paste. 

Launder as usual in warm or cool water.

7. Ink stains

Even though we all seem to use our phones to take notes, pen and ink stains can still happen! Don’t throw the shirt away. Ink stains are super easy to remove. 

Use 91% isopropyl alcohol. Pour it directly onto the stain. Wait 10 minutes. 

Dab with a clean washcloth or towel to remove all the ink.

8. Deodorant stains

It never fails - you’re pulling on a black shirt and as you pull it down, you notice your deodorant has left little trails of white ruining your look. 

Dampen a washcloth and run it over. 

It’s like it never happened.

9. Chocolate stains

So delicious but stains white and light fabrics if any should fall out of your mouth (sacrilege).

Pour some hydrogen peroxide on the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Dab with a damp washcloth - do not rub. 

Launder as usual.

DIY laundry hacks & stain removal tricks

These laundry hacks help you keep your clothes looking fresh and clean! Last thought, don’t you just love those 10 seconds when all the laundry is done?

Seriously though, please comment below if you’ve tried these laundry hacks or have new ones to share with the community!