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

Kara S.
by Kara S.
10 Materials
$5
20 Minutes
Easy

Aaah laundry! The real never-ending story! Makes you want to throw in the towel but then you’d have to wash that as well! If you’ve been looking for DIY laundry hacks to help you get your dirty clothes clean from sweat, dirt and grass stains, chocolate or ink, here’s how to remove stains from clothes!

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
Sweat-stained ball cap

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!

Mixing stain removal solution

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. 

Clean white ball cap

Launder as usual. Clean and pristine!

Dirty, stained sneakers

2. Dirty sneakers

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

Spraying stain remover on sneakers

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

Washing sneakers in a washing machine

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. 

Clean sneakers with stains removed

Now, these sneakers are like new!

Grass stains on white clothes

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.

Oil stains on white clothes

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!

Placing a paper towel under the stain

Place an absorbent paper towel underneath the stain. 

Using baking soda on the oil 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. 

Squirting Dawn dishwashing liquid on the stain

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

Rinsing clothes in hot water to remove stains

Rinse off and wash the garment in hot water.




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Dirt and soil stains on jeans

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. 

Applying dishwashing liquid to dirt stains

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. 

Clean jeans after stain removal

Launder as usual.

Yellow armpit stain on a white t-shirt

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. 

Mixing stain removal paste

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

Applying the DIY stain removal paste to the stain

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

Using a paper towel to remove the paste

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

Clean white armhole of the t-shirt

Launder as usual in warm or cool water.

Ink stain on white clothes

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. 

Applying 91% isopropyl alcohol to the ink stain

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

Dabbing the stain with a washcloth

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

Deodorant stain on black clothes

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. 

Removing deodorant mark with a damp washcloth

Dampen a washcloth and run it over. 

Clean black t-shirt with stain removed

It’s like it never happened.

Chocolate stained kids t-shirt

9. Chocolate stains

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

Applying hydrogen peroxide to the chocolate stain

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

Dabbing the stain with a damp washcloth

Dab with a damp washcloth - do not rub. 

DIY laundry hacks and stain removal tricks

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!


Keep your clothes smelling their best

Want fresh smelling clothes? Check out these 8 Easy Tips on How to Keep Clothes Smelling Fresh in Storage!

Suggested materials:
  • Laundry detergent
  • Stain remover
  • Borax
See all materials

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