Remove Laundry Stains Naturally

Lemon and Sunshine

When it comes to getting stains out of whites, bleach really can't be beat. Unfortunately, bleach is too harsh to use on delicate fabrics like lace or silk and can eventually wear down the fibers of all fabrics. Likewise, some people have skin that is sensitive to the residue that bleach leaves behind--this is particularly true for babies. Luckily, there are two gentle, effective, and all natural ingredients for removing stains: lemon juice and sunshine. Here's how to do it.

1. First, wash the garment with detergent in cold water. This will help to remove much of the surface stain without setting it permanently. Do not dry the garment.

2. While the garment is still wet, pour lemon juice over the remaining stain, making sure to fully saturate the stain.

3. Hang the garment out in direct sunlight. If you do not have a clothesline, lay the garment over the railing of a deck or porch, on a clean patio table or chair, or spread out on a towel. For best results, take advantage of the mid-day summer sun when the sunlight is usually at its brightest.

4. Allow the garment to dry completely and check the stain. If it is still visible, saturate it again with lemon juice and hang in the sunlight. One treatment with lemon juice and sunshine will often do the trick but stubborn stains may require two or three treatments.

5. When the stain is gone, wash or rinse the garment to remove the lemon juice residue.

Keep in mind that the sooner you treat a stain, the more likely it is to come out. However, even very old and set-in stains can often be removed using this method. As a final word of caution, lemon juice and sunlight can fade clothing so this method is only recommended for whites.