My washing powder works; I have hundreds of testimonials I could share on its brilliance! But sometimes stubborn stains just need an extra kick up the bum.
Here are 2 simple stain treatment paste recipes for you to try when that oil/blood/sweat/grass stain won’t budge!
A few handy tips when it comes to spot-treating stains (apart from avoiding them in the first place) is to get to them quickly! Throw stained clothing into a bucket of water (not hot, as this can set stains), and get them soaking, pronto! You can add a tablespoon of washing soda or borax to help stop the stain from setting in between the fibres.
You can also help treat stains by attacking them from behind; avoiding hot water when washing; avoiding the dryer on stained clothing as heat-set stains are harder to remove; by giving sunshine and its natural bleaching capabilities some credit – hang those clothes outside!
There isn’t usually a one-answer-for-everything spray or solution. Sometimes you will have to try a few methods, or even repeat a treatment.
Simple Stain Treatment Paste
Makes: enough for single use Prep time: < 5 min.
Ingredients - Recipe 1
- 1 tbsp sodium bicarbonate (bicarb)
- 1 tbsp water – approx. (enough to make a smooth, slightly runny paste)
- 2 drops of essential oils
Ingredients - Recipe 2
- 1 tsp sodium bicarbonate (bicarb)
- 1 tsp sodium carbonate (washing soda)
- 2 tsp liquid castile soap
- 2 drops of essential oils
My Choice of Essential Oils
My favourite essential oils in this recipe are lemon and eucalyptus but don’t be limited by my suggestions. Use oils that fit your budget, or those that you already have in your collection. Read here for more information on essential oils.
Method - For Both Recipes
Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix until combined.
To Use
Apply to stain and massage in, or use a small brush to scrub gently. Allow resting for at least 60 minutes, before washing as usual.
Recipe Notes
I encourage you to patch test – I have to say that!! I haven’t had issues with colour fading but I can’t be held accountable if your clothes do!
It helps if you get to your stains as soon as possible after they appear.
Recipes can be doubled/tripled if you have multiple stains to treat. Be mindful that the paste can’t be stored for future use – it will dry out.
If you have blood stains, try spraying directly with hydrogen peroxide (3%).
1 Comment
This Simple Stain Treatment Paste is amazing. I’ve used it to get blood stains, coffee stains, and dirt stains out of clothes and it works perfectly. It is much better than the store bought versions, and it is natural with no nasties. This is now my “go to” stain remover.