Freshen up your whites and remove those nasty stains with these quick and cost-effective DIY tips.

Perhaps you shouldn’t have worn white when you ate pasta last night. Perhaps you should have spent more time training your dog not to jump when greeting you at the front door. Or perhaps your 12-year-old is an overly enthusiastic cricketer with no concern for grass and dirt stains. Regardless of what your situation is, wearing white clothing with stains on them is not a good look.

Here are 3 DIY, chemical-free methods for freshening up your white clothing and removing those obnoxious stains.

Method 1: Baking soda paste

Baking soda is a handy and cost-effective way to lift stains (and chances are, you have some in your pantry).

1. Create a paste by mixing a small amount of baking soda into a bowl or container and slowly mixing in warm water until it turns into a paste texture. Adjust the baking soda and water ratio as necessary.
2. Apply the paste to the stained area on your clothing and leave to dry.
3. Once dry, wipe off the paste and add your clothing to a wash cycle. Don’t forget to separate your whites from your colours!

Alternative solution: for oily stains, skip the paste step and apply the baking soda directly to the stain and leave it overnight before wiping off and adding to your wash.

Method 2: White vinegar

Much like the baking soda method, using white vinegar is an effective way to remove stains that won’t come out in a regular wash.

1. Fill a bucket with 1-part white vinegar and 2 parts water and add the stained item.
2. Leave the stained item to soak until the stain is no longer visible. Persistent stains may need to be left to soak overnight.
3. Once the stain is no longer visible, add the item to your wash and then leave it to air dry in the sun.

Alternative solution: for some stains such as vomit or blood stains, skip step 1 and spot-treat the area instead.  To do this, apply the white vinegar directly to the stained area and leave to soak until the stain is gone.

Method 3: Lemon juice

When life gives you lemons…use them to remove stains!

1. In a small bowl or container, mix 1 part lemon juice with 2 parts water. Once combined, add the solution to your stained item and gently scrub the stain. Once the stain is no longer visible, chuck your item in the wash.
2. In addition to your normal washing powder or detergent, add 1 cup of lemon juice to your wash. This will help brighten your clothes and lift any subtle stains and discolouration you have.
3. Apply a good squeeze of lemon juice to your stained area and sprinkle salt over the top. Gently rub the stain, then rinse. Repeat this process if needed before adding your clothing to the wash.

When following these methods, always test on the inside or a small area of your clothing first.

Planning to bring your washing to one of our laundromats?

Finish your stain removal process by washing at a Speed-e Laundromat! Once you’ve completed the baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice steps, visit us at Durack (Brisbane) or Kearneys Spring (Toowoomba) to wash at our superfast laundromats!

Speed-e Laundromat is a 24-hour laundromat (laundrette), open every day including public holidays.  With daily cleaning and cashless payment for your convenience, Speed-e is a self-service laundromat enjoyed by all. Find a Speed-e Laundromat near you!

Visit us at Inala, Kearneys Spring (Toowoomba), or Newtown (Toowoomba)! Our Toowoomba locations are only a short drive from Westridge Shopping Centre.