Eco-Friendly Stain Busters

Grass stain on your patio cushion. Wine stain on your carpet. Ink stain on the couch. Let's face it, even when we try our very best, life is messy. I have put together a list of some of the toughest furniture and carpet stains we encounter along with quick DIY eco-friendly fixes that will help get your fabric back to its stain-free state.

• Blood: Mix one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent (POPSUGAR has a great recipe for natural DIY solution) with two cups of cold water. Apply the solution to a clean cloth and blot the stain until it disappears.
• Gum: Put a plastic bag full of ice directly onto the stuck gum. Once it hardens, you should be able to scrap it off. If the piece of fabric is small enough, you can place it directly in the freezer until the gum hardens.
• Chocolate: Rub the stain in a circular motion with warm, soapy water or a borax solution. Rinse with cold water.
• Coffee or Tea: Spot-clean with cool water or vinegar or try an enzyme-based cleaner.
• Grass: Rub the stain with hydrogen peroxide.
• Ink: Wet a clean cloth in vinegar and blot the stain--rewetting the cloth with vinegar as needed. Once the stain is gone, rinse with clean water.
• Grease: Apply dry cornmeal to the spot and let sit for 20 minutes. Once you shake it off, the stain should be gone. You can also try cornstarch.
• Makeup: Carefully put few drops of glycerin on the stain and scrape off.
• Tomato Sauce: Alternately blot the stain using a damp sponge (cool water) and dry cloth. If possible, move the cushion or rug into the sun--the UV-rays will help breakdown the stain. For stubborn stains, rub with a cut lemon.
• Red Wine: Spot clean or soak in cool water. Pour salt over the stain while it is still wet and let it sit until it begins to turn pinkish. Discard the excess salt and vacuum.

Talk to us: What is your toughest fabric stain?