In my house, even when we used to use commercial detergents, stains are a fact of life. I’ll likely never be able to give away hand me downs because by the time clothes have made it through my kids, they either have holes or stains that can’t be fixed.
Of all the stain removers out there, OxiClean is the most natural option that I’ve found… but it is also one of the most expensive.
Thanks to Pinterest, I found a recipe for homemade OxiClean stain remover, and from my scientific testing (aka: my kids stains for two weeks) it seems to be as effective as the store bought stuff.
It’s also really easy and inexpensive to make! Please note that this is best made fresh and not stored. I keep the ingredients in my laundry area and mix small batches to use as needed.
Homemade OxyClean Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 parts water
- 1 part hydrogen peroxide
- 1 part washing soda
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients as needed to use them. I don’t recomend storing this mixture as it loses effectiveness.
- Use as a pre-treat spray on stains or add the entire mixture to a load of laundry, add water and let soak for 30 minutes before washing.
Notes
I use 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide, and 1 tablespoon washing soda. This is a liquid recipe and also reminds me somewhat of Shout spray.
Also, check out this recipe for homemade laundry detergent if you want to go complete DIY with your laundry.
What’s the weirdest stain you’ve ever had to get out? Ever made your own laundry supplies before? Share below!
Aaaack… make sure you follow the directions in this post about putting in a DARK CONTAINER!! I made too much so i stored the excess in a spray bottle… it all sprayed out during the night! it’s ALL OVER my laundry room. I keep wiping it up but it keeps coming back… it’s like it’s in the wood or something! i have yet to see if it works on the stains!
Did you use BAKING soda?
Washing soda is what you needed. The instructions give a typo.
i made this with washing soda and it blew up…. yes it was in a dark bottle
Hmmmm… I havne’t had that happen. Let me see what I can figure out…
Did you let it sit a bit before putting on the top? Hydrogen peroxide does put off a gas (hense the bubbles). It will lose the efftivness anyway, though, after a few hours.
I so wanted to love this, but I had a similar experience. I tried this twice (using washing soda and a dark bottle) and, sadly, it was a fail for me. Both times it sort of expanded in the bottle the first day after I mixed it, leaked everywhere and made a mess. From the mess that puddled on the counter some turned to crystallized chunks. When I give the bottle a shake I can hear chunks inside, too. Maybe there’s something in my water that is reacting with the other ingredients?
Crystals happend to me once with washing soda when I used hot water and let it sit for a while before using. Since then I only use cold water.
If the mixture is stored for more than a few hours, the oxygen is all released and it becomes ineffective. That’s why oxygen cleaners use powders that, when mixed with water, form hydrogen peroxide on the spot. Just make the amount you need for the wash you are doing and it should work.
You have to mix it when you use it… the reaction from the Peroxide and Washing Soda only last for a short time.
I would like to make this! But I’m a bit confused. The recipe says washing soda and yet the directions and comments talk about baking soda. Which do I use? Thanks!
Technically either will work. It was originally baking soda, and then I discovered that washing soda works even better. SO whichever you have 🙂
OK! Thanks for your quick response! 🙂
Can you use this in a front n Loader washer?
I don’t have one so I haven’t tested it personally, but other readers have told me that they have…
Wouldn’t bleach your clothes? since peroxide bleachs???
Since the peroxide is only 3% and it is in water, the bleaching action just works on the stains and doesn’t actually bleach the clothes.
I use hydrogen peroxide (3%) on clothes/sheets/carpet all the time because it removes blood so well (bloody noses, skinned knees, etc. x6 kids), and it has never bleached the fabric or carpet.
Does this loose it’s umhp after sitting awhile?
Don’t know if someone already said it but DAWN dish soap works wonders on stains in my option- just apply to stain and wash as normal- but i don’t have a clue how natural it is
how much is one part baking soda? a cup, a tablespoon, what?
it could be any of those. Basically, just decide how much you want to make and use the same measurement for each. In other words… if you used a cup measure, you’d use one cup of baking soda, one cup of hydrogen peroxide and two cups of water…