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How to remove stubborn stains from clothes: The $8 Laundry Hack that actually works

Oil stains on your favourite clothes? Brown marks around your shirt collars? Before you throw those clothes away, try these simple laundry hacks using products you probably already have at home.\

Leanne Neiland, Registered Nurse and content creator of Home with Leanne, wearing her signature cleaning apron
Leanne Neiland – Home with Leanne

You know those stains that just won’t budge? The oil splatter from cooking dinner, the greasy mark on your kids’ clothes or those stubborn brown stains that appear around shirt collars? I’ve got three laundry stain removal hacks that might just save your favourite clothes. And the best part? You don’t need a cupboard full of expensive stain removers. We’re talking bicarbonate of soda, dish liquid and hydrogen peroxide. But do they actually work? And what’s the science behind them?

Hack 1: Can Bicarbonate of Soda, Baking Paper and an Iron Remove Oil Stains?

I recently came across a laundry hack that involves sprinkling bicarbonate of soda over an oil stain, covering it with baking paper and applying an iron.Naturally, I had to investigate!

How to try this laundry hack

  1. Lay the stained clothing flat on an ironing safe surface.
  2. Sprinkle a generous amount of bicarbonate of soda directly onto the oil stain.
  3. Place a sheet of plain, non-waxed baking paper over the bicarbonate of soda.
  4. If the garment’s care label permits ironing, use a low heat setting with no steam and press briefly, keeping the iron moving.
  5. Allow the area to cool, then brush away the bicarbonate of soda.
  6. Check the stain before washing and repeat only if necessary.

Why might this work?

Bicarbonate of soda is a mild alkaline powder that can absorb some surface oils and grease. The idea behind this hack is that gentle warmth may soften some oily residues, allowing the bicarbonate of soda to absorb some of the grease. The baking paper acts as a barrier between the powder and the iron.

Hack 2: Dishwashing Liquid Is One of My Favourite Oil Stain Removers

If there’s one product I regularly reach for when tackling greasy stains, it’s dishwashing liquid. Think about it. Dishwashing liquid is designed to remove grease and oil from your plates, pots and pans. Whether it’s cooking oil, salad dressing or a greasy food stain, this is one of my favourite laundry hacks.

How to remove oil stains from clothes using dishwashing liquid

  1. Place a small amount of clear dishwashing liquid directly onto the oil stain.
  2. Gently work it into the fabric with your fingers.
  3. Leave it for approximately 5–10 minutes.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water if suitable for the fabric.
  5. Wash as normal, following the garment’s care label.
  6. Check the stain before putting the clothing into the dryer.

Why does dishwashing liquid remove oil stains?

Here’s where a little science comes in. Oil and water don’t naturally mix, which is why simply rinsing a greasy stain with water often doesn’t work. Dishwashing liquid contains ingredients called surfactants. Surfactants help lift grease from surfaces and disperse it into water so it can be rinsed away. That’s why dishwashing liquid can be so effective at breaking down oily stains on clothes.

Leanne’s tip: Use only a small amount and rinse it out before machine washing. Too much dishwashing liquid can create excessive suds in your washing machine.

And remember, don’t put stained clothing into the dryer until you’re happy the stain has gone. Heat can make remaining stains much harder to remove.

Hack 3: Remove Brown Collar Stains with Hydrogen Peroxide and Bicarbonate of Soda

Have you ever noticed those brown or yellowish marks around the collars of shirts? Even freshly washed shirts can develop stubborn discolouration around the neckline. And it’s not necessarily because the shirt hasn’t been washed properly!

What causes brown stains around shirt collars?

These marks are often caused by a combination of:

  • Body oils and sweat
  • Skin cells
  • Sunscreen and skincare products
  • Makeup or foundation
  • Everyday dirt and grime

Over time, these substances can build up in the fabric, particularly around collars and cuffs.

One stain treatment worth trying on suitable white or colourfast fabrics is a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and bicarbonate of soda.

How to treat brown collar stains

What you’ll need:

  • 1 tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda
  • Enough 3% hydrogen peroxide to form a spreadable paste
  • A soft toothbrush or small laundry brush

Method:

  1. Check the garment’s care label and test the mixture on a hidden area first.
  2. Mix the bicarbonate of soda with a little 3% hydrogen peroxide to create a paste.
  3. Apply a thin layer directly onto the stained collar.
  4. Gently work the mixture into the fabric using a soft brush.
  5. Leave for approximately 5–10 minutes, without allowing it to dry completely.
  6. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
  7. Wash according to the garment’s care label.

Check the results once the shirt has dried naturally. Older stains may need more than one treatment.

Why does hydrogen peroxide and bicarbonate of soda work?

Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidising agent. This means it can help break down certain coloured compounds responsible for stains and discolouration. Bicarbonate of soda provides mild alkalinity and gentle abrasive action, which can help loosen surface grime when used carefully.

Together, they may help reduce some collar stains, although mixing them doesn’t guarantee better results than using an appropriate laundry stain remover.

Important: Hydrogen peroxide can lighten coloured fabrics and damage some delicate fibres. Avoid using this mixture on wool, silk, leather or garments labelled dry clean only. Never mix hydrogen peroxide with chlorine bleach or other cleaning chemicals, and don’t store the homemade mixture in a sealed container.

For particularly greasy collars, treating the oils with a small amount of liquid laundry detergent first may produce better results.

Why Pretreating Stains Makes Such a Difference

One of the biggest laundry mistakes I see is putting stained clothing straight into the washing machine and hoping for the best. Your washing machine does a fantastic job of cleaning everyday dirt, but stubborn stains often need a little extra attention.

That’s where pretreating comes in.

By applying the right product directly to the stain before washing, you’re giving it a chance to start breaking down the oil, grease or discolouration. And the sooner you tackle a stain, the better your chances of removing it.

My Golden Rules for Removing Stains

  • Act quickly. Fresh stains are generally easier to remove than old, set-in stains.
  • Identify the stain. Oil, protein and coloured stains may need different treatments.
  • Check the care label. Not every fabric can tolerate the same cleaning products or temperatures.
  • Don’t scrub too hard. Aggressive scrubbing can damage fibres and spread the stain.
  • Avoid unnecessary heat. Some stains become harder to remove after exposure to heat.
  • Check before drying. Make sure the stain is gone before using your tumble dryer.

You Don’t Need Expensive Products to Get Better Laundry Results

One thing I’ve learnt over the years is that effective cleaning isn’t always about buying more products. Sometimes it’s about understanding how the products you already have work. Bicarbonate of soda can help absorb oily residues. Dishwashing liquid contains surfactants that break down grease. Hydrogen peroxide can help reduce certain types of discolouration. The trick is knowing which product to use, when to use it and which fabrics it’s suitable for.

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