By Contributing Writer, Rustina
Stains happen. Whether it’s a ketchup mishap on your favorite shirt, a splash of coffee on the couch, or a toddler’s creative masterpiece drawn on the walls – life is messy sometimes!
But before you reach for harsh chemical cleaners, take a peek into your pantry. Many common kitchen staples double as safe, natural, and effective stain removers.
Natural stain removal isn’t just about getting rid of messes – it’s about using safe, non-toxic ingredients that are kinder to you, your family, and your home. With these simple pantry staples, you can tackle just about any stain without resorting to harsh chemicals.
So next time life gets a little messy, take a deep breath, check your pantry, and clean with confidence!
Let’s walk through some everyday stains and find the best natural solutions to tackle them.
10 Stains (and What to Do about Them)
- Grease & Oil Stains
Best pantry fix: Baking soda or cornstarch
Oil-based stains from cooking, your favorite vitamin D cream, or greasy fingers can be stubborn. The trick is to absorb the excess before it sets in.
- Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch directly onto the stain.
- Let it sit for 15-30 minutes to soak up the oil.
- Brush it off, then wash as usual with laundry detergent.
For set-in grease stains on clothing, apply dish soap (which cuts through grease) and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
If you have Earthley’s Cleaning Paste, it works well for stains that baking soda removes.
- Coffee & Tea Stains
Best pantry fix: White vinegar or baking soda
For fresh spills:
- Blot (don’t rub!) the stain with a dry cloth.
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, then blot the stain with the mixture.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the area, let it sit for 5 minutes, then brush away before washing.
For set-in stains, a paste of baking soda and water gently scrubbed in can help lift discoloration.
If you have Earthley’s Cleaning Paste, it works well for stains that baking soda removes.
- Ink & Marker Stains
Best pantry fix: Alcohol and milk
- Dab rubbing alcohol or other types of clear alcohol onto the stain with a cotton ball (for fabric, place paper towels underneath to catch excess ink).
- Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse.
- For fabric, soaking the stain in milk overnight before washing can also work wonders. Milk contains proteins (like casein) that can help break down and lift certain types of ink.
- Blood Stains
Best pantry fix: Cold water and salt
Blood stains should always be treated with cold water – hot water will set them.
- Dab or rinse the stain with cold water and blot gently.
- If white fabric, apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain (it will bubble as it lifts the blood). It will act as a bleach so only use hydrogen peroxide if coloring doesn’t matter to you.
- Rinse and wash as usual.
- For delicate fabrics, make a paste of salt and water and let it sit before rinsing.
- Sweat & Deodorant Stains
Best pantry fix: Baking soda
Armpit and around the neck stains on shirts can be annoying, but they don’t have to be permanent.
- Make a paste of baking soda and water, rub it in, and let it sit before washing.
If you have Earthley’s Cleaning Paste, it works well for stains that baking soda removes.
- Grass Stains
Best pantry fix: Vinegar and baking soda
Kids (or adults) playing outside can lead to stubborn green stains.
- Soak the stain in white vinegar for 30 minutes.
- Scrub with a paste of baking soda and water, then rinse and wash as usual.
If you have Earthley’s Cleaning Paste, it works well for stains that baking soda removes.
- Mud Stains
Best pantry fix: Dish soap
Dried mud might look daunting, but it’s easier to remove than you think.
- Let the mud dry completely, then brush off as much as possible.
- Mix dish soap and a little water, apply to the stain, and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Rinse and wash as usual.
If you have Earthley’s Soap Bar, it works well for this.
- Tomato Sauce Stains
Best pantry fix: White vinegar
Tomato-based stains are acidic, so treating them correctly is key.
- Rinse the stain with cold water (hot water will set it!).
- Dab with white vinegar (or lemon juice if color doesn’t matter – it will lighten fabric) to break down the stain.
- Wash as usual.
- Chocolate Stains
Best pantry fix: Milk and dish soap
Chocolate melts into fabric fast, but dairy helps lift it out.
- Scrape off excess chocolate.
- Soak the stain in a little bit of milk for 30 minutes.
- Rub with a small amount of dish soap, then rinse with cool water and water as usual.
If you have Earthley’s Soap Bar, it works well for this.
- Crayon Stains
Best pantry fix: Baking soda and dish soap
If little hands have decorated clothes or walls with a crayon, don’t panic.
- For walls: Mix baking soda with water to create a gentle scrub. Use a cloth to rub the marks away.
- For clothing: Apply dish soap to the stain and wash with warm water.
If you have Earthley’s Cleaning Paste and Earthley’s Soap Bar, it works well for stains that this.
