Whether it’s a bit of Bolognese down your front or dirt and grass stains on your kids’ clothes, whatever the reason, stains happen!
The good news? Most stains can be tackled using ingredients you already have at home. I tested this DIY stain remover spray on my son’s white shirt, and I’ve got photos to prove it works.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- You don’t need fancy products: two everyday ingredients can remove most common stains.
- Timing matters: treating stains before washing makes a huge difference.
- Cold water works best: hot water can lock stains into fabric.
- Sunlight is a secret weapon: a final vinegar spray plus sun can lift stubborn stains like tomato and grass.
- It’s not just for clothes: this method works on collars, armpits and even upholstery.
A DIY stain remover that actually works
Nicole Gibson, also known as the Laundry Queen from Soka Australia, swears by her homemade stain remover, made from just two ingredients: white vinegar and dishwashing liquid. She says it works on about 70 to 80 per cent of common household stains — and it’s affordable, gentle, and chemical-free.
“You’ve got dishwashing liquid, and you’ve got vinegar. Dishwashing liquid is perfect for removing oils. The vinegar component is beneficial for deodorising and whitening, and it also helps remove oil. Still, I think the combination works well,” she says.
She adds, “There are no harsh chemicals, so it’s not damaging the fabric. You aren’t breathing it in, and you aren’t touching it on your hands if people have sensitive skin.”
Different types of vinegar
Nicole says three types of vinegar are available (cooking, cleaning, and double-strength), but they all have different acidity levels. While they will all work the same, Nicole prefers a double-strength version.
Meet the experts
- Livia Gamble is a Senior Content Producer and journalist with more than seven years of experience in digital content. She’s passionate about helping readers find simple, practical ways to make everyday life easier.
- Nicole Gibson, also known as the Laundry Queen, is a laundry expert and founder of Soka Australia. She’s best known for her easy, at-home stain removal techniques that rely on everyday ingredients rather than harsh chemicals.
Nicole’s DIY stain remover recipe
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup white vinegar (Nicole uses 8% white vinegar available in the condiment aisle).
- 3/4 cup clear dishwashing liquid (Nicole uses clear Palmolive eco).
Method:
- Heat in microwave for 1 minute (once only – no need to reheat before use).
- Stir gently
- Pour into a spray bottle
- Swirl before use
How to use the stain remover
Whether it’s dirt, oil, grease or grass, Nicole will start by spraying the stain with her combination stain remover and let it sit for five minutes.
Next, give the stain another spray and rub the fabric together. Alternatively, you can scrub the stain with a soft-bristle toothbrush to help loosen it.
If the garment can be soaked, place it in a bucket of cold water in the laundry for at least 30 minutes (you can leave it overnight if you prefer). Don’t add any more detergent as it’s already on the stain.
Put a bit of bicarb on it and throw it in the wash.
I tested it on my son’s stained white shirt – and it worked
As a parent, I’ve tried every stain remover under the sun, especially when it comes to keeping white clothes clean. So when I heard about Nicole’s simple mix, I had to give it a go.
My son had a tomato-based stain on his white shirt (among other things) — the kind that usually lingers even after washing. I followed Nicole’s method step by step: I sprayed the stain, let it sit, gently scrubbed it with a toothbrush, soaked it in cold water, and then added bicarbonate of soda before tossing it into the wash.
The result? The stain was almost completely gone. There was a slight tinge of tomato sauce left in one tiny spot, so I gave it a final spray with vinegar and placed it in the sun. After a few hours, the stain had disappeared.
I’ve since used it on grass stains, sweaty collars, armpit marks, and even the couch. It’s now my go-to stain solution.
How to remove stains with the sun
As mentioned, if there are still traces of the stain, there’s one more step you can try.
Nicole suggests trying her combination stain remover spray first for tough-to-remove stains, such as the tomato Bolognese stains that have been there for a few days. If the stain is still visible, Nicole recommends placing it in the sun.
“Now spray it in vinegar and put it in the sun, and that will finish removing the tannins.”
How this DIY stain remover compares to other stain removers for clothes
There’s no shortage of stain removers for clothes on supermarket shelves, from oxygen soakers to enzyme sprays and whitening formulas. But Nicole says many commercial options work in similar ways, just with added chemicals.
Here’s how her DIY stain remover stacks up:
DIY vinegar and dishwashing liquid spray
- Best for: fresh food stains, grease, grass, sweat and everyday mess
- Uses ingredients most people already have at home
- Gentle on fabrics and skin
- No added fragrances or harsh chemicals
- Needs time to sit and sometimes a second step (like soaking or sun exposure)
Store-bought stain removers
- Best for: heavy-duty, set-in or unknown stains
- Often contain enzymes or bleaching agents
- Can work faster on tough stains
- More expensive over time
- Some formulas can be harsh on fabrics or irritate sensitive skin
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