How To Remove Pesky Stains Using Common Household Items

Spilled coffee, pen marks, rust-- no matter what the stain is, they all have one thing in common: they can be very annoying to remove. Thankfully, there are stain-removing hacks using common household products that you probably already own, including baby powder and hairspray. Keep reading because these stain-removing hacks are total lifesavers.

Cooking Spray Removes Soap Scum And Hard Water Stains

Whether it's a shower door or a sink basin, soap scum and hard water stains will ultimately make their way to the surface. The worst part is that both stains are difficult to remove.

PAM: cooking sprays in store shelf. PAM is a brand name by...
Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images
Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images

That's where the cooking spray comes into play! Spray a generous amount on the stained surface and wipe it away with a towel.

ADVERTISEMENT

Baby Powder Soaks Up Oil Stains

ADVERTISEMENT

Oil stains tend to pop up out of nowhere, especially when cooking. They're also one of the more annoying stains to lift, with a load of laundry never doing the trick.

Johnson & Johnson Voluntarily Recalls Baby Powder For Asbestos Contamination
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Thankfully, baby powder can soak the oil up in a pinch. Pour a generous amount of powder on the stain and allow it to soak the oil up overnight!

ADVERTISEMENT

Pimple Cream Can Remove Ink From Plastic Toys

ADVERTISEMENT

Some little kids tend to grab pens and draw on their plastic toys. But those unsightly stains do not have to be a permanent fixture on a doll's face. Pimple cream, specifically those with benzoyl peroxide, is a great agent to help remove the ink.

ADVERTISEMENT
clarissa-watson-lpFTFW9BZSU-unsplash
Clarissa Watson/Unsplash
Clarissa Watson/Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Place a generous amount of the cream on the toy, set it in the sun for a few hours, and then rinse the cream away with water. The toy will look good as new!

ADVERTISEMENT

Coca-Cola Lifts Blood And Grease From Clothing

ADVERTISEMENT

For many people, blood and grease stains are two of the most difficult to get out of clothing. Have no fear, though! Coca-Cola is here to save the day with this magnificent stain-removing hack.

ADVERTISEMENT
Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One - Blue Moon Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted by Rachael Ray
Cindy Ord/Getty Images for NYCWFF
Cindy Ord/Getty Images for NYCWFF
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The carbonic and phosphoric acids found in Coca-Cola will fight blood and grease stains, leaving clothing good as new. Either soak the stained clothing in the drink or add it to a laundry cycle for the best results.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hairspray Is The Key To Removing Ink Stains

ADVERTISEMENT

Ink stains can be a gigantic hassle to remove from clothing. And if the stain is on expensive work clothes, it's a sad day when the ink won't come out. Thankfully, there is a nice hack that will lift that ink away!

ADVERTISEMENT
Marianna Massey/WireImage
Marianna Massey/WireImage
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Spray alcohol-based hairspray directly onto the stain. While the ink won't disappear right away, it will be something of the past after a nice spin cycle in the washing machine.

ADVERTISEMENT

Orange Peels Get Rid Of Water Stains On Appliances

ADVERTISEMENT

Don't throw away those orange peels just yet! They can be very useful in removing water stains from various stainless steel appliances around the house, particularly in the kitchen.

ADVERTISEMENT
Ripe organic clementines or tangerines with leaves over white wooden plank table as background. Close up, space. Healthy eating
Natasha Breen/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Natasha Breen/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The citric acid and the oils found in orange peels makes for a streak-free shine, removing all of the water stains that build up on faucets and sink basins.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lipstick Stains Have Nothing On Rubbing Alcohol

ADVERTISEMENT

Pink, red, or any other color lipstick is tough to remove from clothing, especially if the article happens to be a light color. The lipstick tends to smudge and stay put. That is if rubbing alcohol isn't part of the equation.

ADVERTISEMENT
daria-gordova-ZjotkOqthsw-unsplash
Daria Gordova/Unsplash
Daria Gordova/Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Apply some rubbing alcohol to a towel, avoid saturating the stained clothing, and blot the lipstick until it disappears.

ADVERTISEMENT

Milk And Vinegar Remove Ink Stains

ADVERTISEMENT

For those who are in a rush and need an ink stain out of their clothing as soon as possible, try this hack out for size. Soak the stained clothing in a bowl of one part distilled vinegar and two parts whole milk.

ADVERTISEMENT
ink-vinegar-milk
Lisa Key/Pinterest
Lisa Key/Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Let the garment soak overnight, and in the morning, wake up to stain-free clothing! Of course, throwing it into the washing machine afterward is the best way to ensure the stain is completely gone.

ADVERTISEMENT

Throw A Yellowing Shower Curtain Liner In The Washing Machine

ADVERTISEMENT

Over time, shower curtain liners get mildew-laced and yellow, even though they are in the shower and getting soap and water on them daily. No one needs a yellowing liner, and there is a simple hack that will make it look good as new.

ADVERTISEMENT
washing-machine-gf04b50015_1920
Stevepb/Pixabay
Stevepb/Pixabay
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Just throw the dirty curtain liner in the washing machine with a towel! The towel will help scrub the liner while it gets the bath it's been waiting for.

ADVERTISEMENT

Olive Oil Helps Remove Hair Dye From Skin

ADVERTISEMENT

At home, hair dying is a fast and cheaper way to color hair. The only thing is that the dye might make its way onto the person's skin, which is beyond annoying and difficult to remove.

ADVERTISEMENT
fulvio-ciccolo-Pmkq0yZ80-4-unsplash
Fulvio Ciccolo/Unsplash
Fulvio Ciccolo/Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The color doesn't have to be an issue, though, as long as there is olive oil in the house! Pour a bit of olive oil on a cotton ball and dab it on the hair-dyed skin. The stain will lift.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Nail File Buffs Away Dirt-Stained Suede Shoes

ADVERTISEMENT

Suede is one of the more complicated materials to remove stains from; it's just tricky. When it comes to removing dirt from suede shoes, this simple hack makes life a bit easier.

ADVERTISEMENT
15 Fabulous Hacks That Will Rescue Your Ruined Wardrobe
Harmony Bell/Pinterest
Harmony Bell/Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Using a nail file, gently buffing the dirt, it will slowly but surely be removed from the shoe.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lemon Juice To Remove Rust Stains On Kitchenware

ADVERTISEMENT

Placing dirty knives in a dishwasher is muscle memory for a lot of people. Unfortunately, leaving them in the dishwasher is doing them no favors, as rust is likely to form.

ADVERTISEMENT
lemon-squeezer-g5c49f4cb0_1920
Stevepb/Pixabay
Stevepb/Pixabay
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

By soaking the knives in lemon juice for a few minutes, that pesky rust will come right off!

ADVERTISEMENT

Abrasive Dryer Sheets Lift Deodorant Stains

ADVERTISEMENT

Most people have gone through the hassle of putting a shirt on only to notice a huge line of deodorant left on the side. Those people know that the stain is quite annoying to remove.

ADVERTISEMENT
dryer-sheet-deodorant
Elizabeth Reynolds/Pinterest
Elizabeth Reynolds/Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Thankfully, dryer sheets are a lifesaver. Rubbing an abrasive dryer sheet directly onto the deodorant stain will not only lift but the clothing will be left smelling dryer fresh.

ADVERTISEMENT

White Vinegar For Coffee And Tea Stains

ADVERTISEMENT

Sometimes, coffee or tea makes its way out of the mug and onto a shirt. The thing is, the unsightly brown stains take a bit of elbow grease to remove without this simple hack.

ADVERTISEMENT
28 Surprising Hacks to Remove Pretty Much Any Stain
Lisa Key/Pinterest
Lisa Key/Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Before placing the stained article of clothing in the washing machine, dab it with some white vinegar. The acidic nature of the vinegar will help lift the stain.

ADVERTISEMENT

Citrus Kool-Aid Removes Rust From Concrete

ADVERTISEMENT

Patios, garage floors, and even a driveway can succumb to unsightly rust stains. The good news is there is an easy hack that will lift those stains off the concrete for good.

ADVERTISEMENT
rust-stains-concrete
Susie Hanks Swain/Pinterest
Susie Hanks Swain/Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

By mixing citrus Kool-Aid and a bit of water, an acidic paste will form. Scrubbing that paste directly on the rust stains will remove them from sight!

ADVERTISEMENT

Baking Soda & Peroxide Paste To Remove Baking Sheet Stains

ADVERTISEMENT

After being used over and over, baking sheets tend to produce a brown burn stain, one that isn't easily scrubbed away with soap and water. It takes some else entirely to get this stain removed.

ADVERTISEMENT
baking-sheets
Lisa Key/Pinterest
Lisa Key/Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Measure about 1/4 cup of baking soda and pour it into a glass, adding just enough hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Using a very abrasive sponge, scrub the paste into the stains, allowing it to sit for 45 minutes. After, rinse the paste off with warm water.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cooking Spray Prevents Tupperware Stains

ADVERTISEMENT

Pasta sauce, chili, and even salsa tend to stain the side of plastic Tupperware containers, with no way to remove the stain. Thankfully, there is a way to prevent the stain from ever happening.

ADVERTISEMENT
Cooking Spray
Cheryl Bethel/Pinterest
Cheryl Bethel/Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Before putting the stain-causing food into the container, spray it down with a thin layer of cooking spray.

ADVERTISEMENT

Nail Polish Remover Removes Stains From White Sneakers

ADVERTISEMENT

White sneakers are going to get dirty; it is inevitable. But people don't have to worry about trying to remove stains from their pristine shoes any longer, as long as there is some nail polisher remover nearby.

ADVERTISEMENT
22 Life-Changing Shoe Hacks
SJ Stevens/Pinterest
SJ Stevens/Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Pour a bit of nail polish remover onto a towel or cotton ball and scrub the stains away! It's that simple.

ADVERTISEMENT

Vinegar Demolishes Iron Scorch Marks

ADVERTISEMENT

Over time, irons tend to stain with heated scorch marks. No one wants those stains transferred to their clothing. And this hack is the perfect way to ensure that doesn't happen.

ADVERTISEMENT
How to Clean Iron Plate When Burnt (5 Helpful Methods)
Susan October/Pinterest
Susan October/Pinterest
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Pour a bit of vinegar onto a towel and scrub away at the burn mark. If the scorch is extra bad, try lying the vinegar towel down and add some baking soda to act as an abrasive substance.

ADVERTISEMENT

Vodka Removes Mildew and Mold

ADVERTISEMENT

Bathtub caulking tends to buildup unsightly mildew and mold. Not only are the stains unforgiving when it comes to removing, but they're also downright annoying. Thankfully, there is a hack to remove mildew and mold.

ADVERTISEMENT
towfiqu-barbhuiya-ho-p7qLBewk-unsplash
Towfiqu Barbhuiya/Unsplash
Towfiqu Barbhuiya/Unsplash
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Grab some vodka and a spray bottle, spritzing the liquid directly on the mold and mildew. Let it sit for 15 minutes and scrub it away with a toothbrush.