Elevate Your Laundry Game with These Clever Hacks Using Everyday Kitchen Items

Monica Gray - February 24, 2023

Photo: The Kitchn

Laundry day can be a tedious and time-consuming task, especially when it comes to dealing with stubborn stains and marks on your clothes. But what if we told you that there are some simple and effective ways to make your laundry routine a breeze? With the help of some everyday items found in your kitchen, you can transform the way you do laundry and achieve spotless results every time. Our team has gathered the most clever tricks and hacks to help you up your laundry game and say goodbye to those frustrating stains. Plus, these tips offer natural alternatives to harsh chemicals, making them not only effective but eco-friendly too. It’s time to simplify your life and take the stress out of laundry day.

Remove Grease Stains Using Chalk

Using chalk to remove grease stains is a simple, necessary laundry hack that’ll save you tons of time and future headaches. Grease stains are a common problem. Chalk is a solution to prevent the problem from becoming a permanent one. Even though it’s not always possible to stop cooking dinner to treat your clothes, this simple hack is fast enough that you won’t waste any time. Keep some chalk in your kitchen and rub it straight on the stain as it happens. The chalk absorbs the grease, so the spot is more likely to disappear once you wash it (Conners Appliance).

NEXT >>

Use White Vinegar To Remove Berry Stains

Did your kid run around your garden and manage to get blueberry stains all over their shirt? You’re not alone. This is a common stain to find on clothing, especially in the summer months when you and your kids are often outside. It may feel like you’ll never get them out, but we have a simple trick using one of the most common kitchen items out there. Soak the garment in white vinegar and laundry detergent for just over an hour, and then hang it out in the sun. Wash it with cool water and leave it to dry. The vinegar will dissolve the stain and your garment will be as good as new. We have another alternative if you can get to the berry stains quickly, and that’s to flush them out with boiling water. Boil water in a tea kettle, turn the garment inside out and pour the water on the stain from the inside. Then, dry your clothes in the sun. Lastly, you can also treat berry stains with a simple mixture of lemon and water (Speed Queen).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

For Speedy Drying, Use A Clean Towel

No one wants to spend hours upon hours doing laundry, especially when there are numerous other chores to do around the house. To speed up drying, grab a dry towel from your kitchen and toss it into the machine with your wet clothes. The towel helps absorb the moisture, so your entire load of laundry dries faster. Take the towel out after 15-20 minutes in the dryer, otherwise the moisture the towel absorbed starts to have the opposite effect (Life Hacker).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Simple Salt Removes Butter Stains

If you accidentally spilled butter on your clothes during your late-night buttery popcorn snack, don’t fret. It’s not game over; you don’t have to throw away your favorite night-time shirt. All you have to do is grab a napkin and cover it with salt. Press it against the butter stain using another napkin. The salt absorbs the grease from the butter by breaking down the oil and then absorbing it (The Kitchn).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Tackle Green Grass Stains With Baking Soda And Vinegar

If you or your kids had an intense soccer game in your backyard, you probably have tons of grass stains all over your shirt and pants. Before sighing and completely giving it up as a lost cause, we have a secret hack you can use to get rid of the stain. Head into your kitchen and grab baking soda and vinegar. Soak your clothes for 30 minutes and then wash them in the washing machine as you normally would. If the stains are still there, use a paste of baking soda and vinegar and scrub it out using an old toothbrush. Then, toss it in the washing machine again. This works, even if you have old grass stains (First For Women).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Remove A Splash Of Gasoline Stains With Baking Soda And Vinegar

While filling up your car, you might splash gasoline on your clothes. Even though it doesn’t happen often, it does happen, and even though it’s clear, it stains and leaves a smell that lingers. Gasoline is sticky! Luckily, you don’t have to throw the shirt away and can instead use your kitchen items to clean it up. First, air the shirt out overnight. The following day, create a paste using baking soda and vinegar. Blot the excess gasoline with paper towels and sprinkle it with extra baking soda to soak up the grease. Using vinegar afterward can help soak up lingering odors. Before you put it in the dryer, make sure all the gasoline is removed. This avoids the risk of combustion (Grove).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Accidentally Shrink Your Clothes? Use Baby Shampoo

If you accidentally tossed your favorite shirt into the dryer, only to take it out and discover that it’s half its size, don’t worry. It’s not ruined forever. This is one of the most common laundry mistakes, and luckily it can be treated with a simple kitchen item. All you need is a bit of baby shampoo. Fill your sink with warm water and the shampoo, soak it for 10 minutes, squeeze the excess water out of the clothes, and lay the garment on a towel to extract the additional water. Stretch the shirt while it’s still wet, and let it air dry. Your clothing should be back to its normal size (One Good Thing By Jillee).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Don’t Fret The Sweat! Clean Those Stains Using Lemon Juice

Lemon is a natural kitchen item that can clean sweat stains and remove them from your clothing. It addresses the discoloration and the stains that sweat leaves. First, spot-clean the stains using detergent. Then, apply lemon juice to the stain and let it sit for a few hours. Throw it in the washing machine and when you take it out, the sweat stains will be gone. If sweat stains are in a garment that can’t be washed in the machine, take it to a dry cleaner. As an alternative, you can also use hydrogen peroxide and water, plus baking soda, to remove the stain (Housewife How-Tos).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Use A Butter Knife And Dish Soap To Remove Your Midnight Chocolate Stains

Did you accidentally smush chocolate all over your shirt during your late-night midnight snacking frenzy? Don’t worry, you can still munch on that delicious chocolate. All you have to do is scrape off the excess chocolate using a butter knife. Then, flush the stain with cold water from the back. Saturate the entire stain in dish soap, soak it in cold water for 15-20 minutes, and rub the stain every few minutes. Toss it in the washing machine to give it a deep clean and remove any more residue (Prohouse Keepers).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Ice Cubes Remove Wrinkles

Not many of us have time to whip out the ironing board and get rid of wrinkled clothes. Even though we know steam removes wrinkles, there’s another way that’s a lot quicker and easier, and is commonly found in your kitchen freezer. Set your dryer on the hottest setting, toss in 2-3 icecubes into the dryer, and when you take it out, your clothes will be wrinkle-free. The ice and heat create steam similar to an iron, that leaves your clothes wrinkle-free. This trick only takes a few minutes and minimal effort. You can take care of other chores while the dryer is taking care of your wrinkles (Good Housekeeping).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Use A Meat Tenderizer To Treat Dried Blood

If you’re secretly a vampire, or if you managed to get blood on your clothes after scraping your knee or slicing your thumb, you don’t have to throw your clothes away. Ironically, you can treat dried blood stains with a meat tenderizer. This works because the proteins that break down meat in the meat tenderizer will also break down the protein found in the blood stains. Simply make a paste out of unflavored meat tenderizer, plus water. Mix it in a bowl until it forms a paste, and then rub it on the stain. Let it sit for a couple of hours, or overnight, and then put it in the washing machine (Starts At 60).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Use Dish Soap To Clean Paint After Your Painting Escapades

If you’re remodeling your home and happen to get paint on your clothes, you can use the most common kitchen item to remove it. Make a solution using a small amount of rubbing alcohol, half dish soap, and half hand soap. Rub the stain with a sponge and rinse it with warm water. It’s important to clean the stain before the paint completely dries, otherwise, it may be difficult to get it out. Continue until the stain is gone, and then toss it in the washing machine (Pro Housekeepers).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Acetic Acid Removes Crayon Marks and Stains

Did your kids accidentally get crayon marks all over their shirts after a drawing session? It’s all too common. Luckily, vinegar will remove the crayon marks. The acetic acid in vinegar works on the pigment and the wax in the crayon stains. This saves a lot of time and scrubbing power. You’ll need those arm muscles for something else. The best part is that it’s non-toxic and cheap to use. It’s likely you already have vinegar in your kitchen, so it’s time to put it to use. All you have to do is soak the clothing in vinegar and then wash it in the laundry (The Spruce).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Put Together A Kitchen Concoction To Remove Tomato Sauce Stains

If you got carried away while making your favorite pasta dish, don’t fret. You can easily eliminate tomato sauce stains on your t-shirt using vinegar, ice, and dish soap. It sounds like a strange concoction, but these kitchen items do the trick. Make sure there’s no tomato sauce residue on the stain. First, apply dish soap to the stain, then rub it with ice and apply vinegar. Blot it with a towel when you’re done before washing it in the laundry as you normally would. When you take it out, you’ll have a clean shirt void of tomato stains. It’s back to making your favorite sauce again! (Drytron).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Rhubarb Juice Or Cream Of Tartar For Rust

It’s essential to work on the garage or car, but that doesn’t mean you’re immune to rust stains. If you accidentally got that caramel-colored stain on your favorite pair of pants, and you happen to have rhubarb in your house, then you’re in luck. Boil rhubarb stalks in a huge pot for about 20 minutes. Then, remove the stalks and soak the entire garment in the rhubarb water for several hours. The rhubarb won’t stain your clothes and will do a fantastic job at removing rust marks. Rhubarb is the safest option because it’s completely natural and won’t affect your clothes. If you don’t have any rhubarb in your home, which is likely since it’s not a common ingredient to have, you can also treat rust stains with the more commonly found cream of tartar and salt. Simply mix the salt and cream of tartar with hot water, rub it into the mixture with a soft brush or cloth, and let it sit for 15 minutes (Rhythm Of The Home).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Lemon And Salt Also Cleans Rust Stains

Don’t have rhubarb juice or cream of tartar? You can also use a lemon wedge and salt to get rid of rust stains. Leave it out in the sun and then wash it in the laundry machine as you normally would. Make sure you don’t leave the salt and lemon on the shirt for too long, otherwise it might damage your clothing. It’s important to wash it off as soon as it dries out in the sun (Farmers Almanac).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Use Vinegar And Water For Coffee

If you were having a bad morning and accidentally spilled your cup of brew on your work shirt, it might feel like the end of the world. Even if you’re in a rush, we have a solution using simple ingredients in your kitchen. To treat coffee stains, use a mixture of vinegar and water. The solution has one-third of a cup of vinegar and two-thirds a cup of water, which you’ll apply to the stain. If you’re short on time, or it’s raining, put the shirt in the dryer, otherwise leave the clothing outside in the sun to dry (El Dorado Coffee).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Replace Fabric Softener With Vinegar

For a cheaper, more natural alternative to fabric softener, use vinegar. After adding detergent to your washing machine, toss a quarter cup of white vinegar into the fabric softener part of your washing machine. The vinegar loosens the fabric and naturally softens them without using chemicals. Your clothes, and the environment, will thank you for not using harsh chemicals (Healthline).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Sick Child? Remove Vomit Stains With Vinegar And Lemon Juice

Whether you’re sick, your kid is sick, or your pet is sick, there’s a chance you’ll experience a vomit stain at least once in your life. Even though it might feel like you’ll never get the stain out, we have great news for you. Treat the vomit stain with one of the most common kitchen items out there, baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice. Rub baking soda on your shirt to remove the smell, then apply vinegar or lemon juice and rub it with your fingers or an old toothbrush. Toss it in the washing machine and wash it as per usual, and before you put it in the dryer, make sure the stain is gone (Today).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Squeeze A Bit Of Lemon To Treat Yogurt Stains

Did you speed through breakfast and end up spilling yogurt on your blouse? Or did your kid come home from school with a huge yogurt stain on their shirt? Yogurt responds well to acids like vinegar or lemon juice. Head to your kitchen cupboard, and grab the items. Clear all the yogurt remains, soak the area in cold water for 10 minutes, and pat the stain with a cloth dipped in lemon juice. Toss it in the washing machine to clear the stain completely (The Spruce).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

A Simple Trick Using Cold Water And A Dab Of Soap Will Get Rid Of Red Wine

The best pleasures in life come as red wine in a bottle. If you accidentally spilled your nightly glass of red wine on your shirt, don’t worry too much. All you need is cold water and some dish soap. Simply dab the stain with dish soap. Make sure not to rub it in. If it’s a dry-clean-only item, dab it with paper towels, soap, and water, and then get it to the dry cleaner as soon as possible. The best possible thing to do is to try and absorb as much of the wine as possible as soon as it happens. Moisture helps break up the wine (Usual Wines).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Treat Tricky Mustard Stains With White Vinegar

Everyone loves hotdogs and hamburgers doused in mustard and ketchup. But what happens when a dollop of mustard falls on your shirt? Don’t fret about it. All you have to do is scrape the mustard stain off of your shirt, rinse it in cold water, rub laundry detergent and white vinegar on the stain, and then toss it in the laundry. It’s best to get the stain right when it happens, otherwise, it may be more difficult to get it out when it’s dried (The Spruce).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Treat Bright Red Cherry Stains With Vinegar Or Lemon Juice

Like berry stains, cherry stains are notoriously difficult to get out. It’s best to treat the color when it first happens. Run it under cold water and rinse it from the inside out to try and force the stain through the shirt. Squeeze lemon juice on the shirt and let it sit for about five minutes. Because cherries are plant-based, they’re easily broken down with the acid in vinegar or lemon juice. Rub detergent on the stain, and then wash it in the washing machine to get the last remnants of the stain out of the garment (Today).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Use Vinegar To Get Rid Of Sticker Residue

Tossing your clothes into the washer and dryer with sticker residue can cause a mess that feels impossible to clean. All you have to do is saturate the sticker residue with white vinegar, an item commonly found in your kitchen cupboards. Use an old toothbrush to work the vinegar into the fabric. These two techniques together should cause the sticker residue to ball up and roll off the fabric. Keep doing this until the sticker residue is completely gone. This technique works for any type of fabric that might have sticker residue on it (BHG).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Get Rid Of Mildew With Vinegar And Salt

Musty smells or mildew spots on your clothes are annoying to treat. It may feel like it’ll never come off, no matter how many times you’ve tossed it into the washing machine and scrubbed it clean. Make a solution of equal water and vinegar, and then add salt. Toss the garment into this mixture and let it sit for a while. The mixture should get rid of the mildew and musty smell. Toss it into the washing machine to get rid of the vinegar. Your shirt is as good as new (Green Orchard Group).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Soak Ink Marks In Milk And White Vinegar

It might seem counterintuitive, but trust us, it works! If you accidentally dropped your pen on your clothes and got a bunch of ink marks on your shirt, don’t fret. You must soak the clothing with ink marks in a bowl of milk and white vinegar. Use two parts whole milk and one part white vinegar. After soaking it, toss it in the washing machine and dryer. The milk and vinegar will pull the ink marks out of your shirt. If you can, soak the garment overnight in a bowl (Life Hacker).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Dish Soap Does The Trick Of Removing Grease Stains

Did you get carried away munching on your favorite burger, only to look down and see a bunch of grease stains splattered all over your shirt? Getting rid of it is simple. Dish soap can dissolve grease stains on any fabric. Just like it does with cookware, dish soap removes the grease out of fabric, too. Dot the grease stains with dish soap using an old toothbrush, let it soak for at least five minutes, and then wash it in the hottest water possible. Repeat if the stain isn’t entirely removed (Apartment Therapy).

<< Previous

Must Read

We Don’t Know How People Used To Live In These Historic Homes

Monica Gray - February 10, 2024

Vintage Items Inside Of Your Parents’ Home That’s Worth A Fortune

Lindsey - December 14, 2023

Terrible Home & Life Habits That Are Harming The Wildlife Around You

Monica Gray - December 6, 2023