My cheap 3-ingredient DIY stain remover works on carpet, rugs, and upholstery – people say a $1 add-in is ‘magic’
SAVE money on a trip to the dry cleaners with a three-ingredient stain remover.
A cleaning pro showed her followers how to make the DIY solution and even demonstrated how it works.
In her viral video, Alissa (@home.and.chaos) revealed the three items she swears by for lifting stains from any surface in her home.
First, the Instagrammer added one cup of baking soda to a measuring jug.
She then measured half a cup of hydrogen peroxide, available for just $1.19 at CVS.
Finally, Alissa poured half a cup of Dawn dish soap into the mixture and stirred.
Once all the ingredients had combined into a paste, she used it to tackle various stains.
First, she poured the solution on top of a stain on her rug before scrubbing.
Alissa also demonstrated the effect of the DIY remover on her carpet and couch.
She even recommended using the mixture to tackle pee stains on mattresses.
Alissa showed her viewers how effective the solution is for tackling stains on clothes too.
Once you have applied the stain remover and scrubbed, she suggested rinsing or steaming away the residue.
According to the experts at Scientific America, hydrogen peroxide doesn’t actually remove stains so much as make them impossible to see.
“It breaks up strong chemical bonds in stains, and in doing so it makes the stains colorless but they’re still there,” they explained.
The professionals at Thought Co broke down why dish soap is an essential ingredient for tackling stains.
They explained that dish soap contains emulsifiers and surfactants, which work together to remove stubborn spills.
“Emulsifiers coat the stain and help to lift it off of the surface,” the experts said.
Tip to remove yellow sweat stains
Yellow armpit stains affects everyone, whether people care to admit to it or not. But there is help at hand. To remove yellow stains from your clothing, experts recommend the following methods:
- Baking soda paste: The pros at The Laundry Cafe recommend mixing one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of salt, and ½ cup of baking soda. Apply directly to the stain with a toothbrush, rub, and let the mixture sit for at least an hour, then wash as normal.
- Oxygen bleach: This method is just as useful for removing yellow stains. Mix one part of oxygen-based bleach with one part of ammonia in a non-metal bowl. Wear gloves during this application. Rub into the fabric with a toothbrush and allow the solution to sit for at least ten minutes before laundering as normal.
- Stain remover or detergent: Stains on collars can be stubborn to remove as armpit stains. So pretreat the area using a solvent-based stain-removing agent or detergent. Work the product into the collar with a toothbrush and allow it to sit for at least ten minutes before washing.
“Surfactants increase the wettability of materials, making it easier for the stain remover to contact and remove the stain.”
According to Grove, the chemical makeup of baking soda helps it act as an effective stain remover.
“Baking soda is an alkali that interacts with acidic ingredients or stains, including coffee, condiments, and body fluids, to help remove them,” the pros explained.
Instagram users shared their thoughts on the hack in the comments section.
“Hydrogen peroxide is magic for stains!” wrote one impressed follower.
“This is my go-to paste for laundry stain removal now, it also takes out marks on walls, thank you,” said another viewer.
“Dawn for the win, every time,” commented a third person.