Which Laundry Stains Can Lemon Juice Remove?

Lemon juice is one of the best natural cleaning options you can use in your home, not only in the kitchen but also in your laundry. 

With a bit of patience and the acidic properties of the lemon juice, stains such as grease and oil, organic stains, rust, and other tough marks can be easily removed!

If you’re wondering how something like lemons can help solve your laundry woes and ways to do it, continue reading!

What Are The Stains You Can Remove From Your Fabrics Using Lemon Juice?

There are bleach and other commercial products that are meant to erase stains in clothing easily. Unfortunately, they often come with various chemicals that may not only be harmful to your laundry but yourself and the environment.

Fortunately, lemon juice is known to work wonders for removing even the tougher stains. This is primarily due to the citric acid that makes it react with the stains in fabrics, causing a chemical reaction that will eventually remove them. 

Paired with other natural alternatives like baking soda, salt, and even just sunlight, you can expect to remove stubborn stains from your fabrics.

Oil And Grease Stains

Picture this: you’re in the kitchen, whipping up a delicious meal, and a drop of oil or a splatter of grease ends up on your clothing. Don’t panic! Detergent alone may not do the trick, but lemon juice can come to the rescue.

Here’s what you do: squeeze some fresh lemon juice directly onto the stain, then allow it to dry, preferably in the sunlight. Once the oil or grease stain has vanished, rinse the garment with cold water and toss it in the washing machine as usual.

NOTE: Check the care label of your clothing before using lemon juice. Delicate fabrics such as wool may not work well with the acidity of the lemon.

Sweat And Other Organic Stains

Underarm stains can be a bit embarrassing, but lemon juice will help remove them easily.

All you need to do is mix equal parts of lemon juice and water, then apply the liquid to the stain. Use an old toothbrush to scrub it out. Once you see that the stain is removed, rinse with cold water and put the clothing in the wash as usual.

NOTE: Food and beverage stains can be easily removed with lemon juice, too! As an example, using the method above for a ketchup stain will be an easier experience.

Rust Stains

Rust stains on your garments or bedding can be quite frustrating to remove. Of course, you can try using lemons to fix the situation.

To do this, squeeze some lemon juice directly on the stained spot of your fabric. Then, allow the mixture to sit for around 30 minutes. If possible, let it sit under the sun if the stains are quite noticeable. Then, rinse with cold water and put it in the washer as usual.

NOTE: Rust stain not budging after lemon juice? Sprinkle some salt on top of the lemon juice, then rub lightly, and wait for a few hours. This will likely remove the stain completely.

Ink Stains

Ink stains can be very difficult to remove, but not impossible. Get those lemons out and some paper towels or a cloth, and it will be resolved.

To do this, place paper towels or a cloth under that stained area to prevent the ink from spreading. Then, squeeze your lemons on the stain. Using a clean cloth, blot the stain gently to lift the ink until the stain is significantly faded or removed. Finally, rinse your garment with cold water and wash it as normal.

TIP: You can also use lemon juice to freshen up your washer! Just add about 5 tablespoons to your washing machine and run an empty cycle. This will freshen up your machine and will also remove the limescale if there is any.

Various Stains On White Fabrics

We like how neat and classy white clothing is. Unfortunately, maintaining them can be stressful, as they are very easy to get dirty.

If you have some stains on your white fabrics, whether it’s clothing, bedding or various textiles, the good news is that lemon juice can solve your problem in a snap.

For white fabrics, simply squeeze lemon juice onto the stained area and let it dry for a few hours in direct sunlight. The tougher the stain, the longer you should leave the fabric under the sun. Afterwards, rinse the garment with cold water and wash it as usual!

NOTE: Lemon juice has natural bleaching properties, which makes it a great partner to your white garments so that they’ll appear more crisp and clean. Take precautions when using lemons with coloured garments, as they can potentially affect the dye.

Other Ways You Can Use Lemon Juice For Cleaning

As mentioned earlier, lemons can certainly be a handy solution to many of our cleaning problems.

Using Lemon Juice In The Bathroom

Lemon juice isn’t just for your laundry; it’s a versatile cleaning agent. In the bathroom, it can help remove soap scum and hard water stains. 

Simply mix lemon juice with equal amounts of water and spray it on shower doors, tiles, or faucets. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub away the grime. Rinse with water, and your bathroom will sparkle!

Using Lemon Juice In The Kitchen

In the kitchen, lemon juice is a natural and safe way to clean cutting boards, remove stubborn food stains from dishes, and even freshen up your microwave. 

For cutting boards, rub lemon juice on the surface, let it sit for a few minutes, and rinse. To tackle food stains, a mixture of lemon juice and salt can work wonders. It can even be used to eliminate microwave odours. Just heat a bowl of water with lemon slices in it for a few minutes, and voilà, your kitchen will smell fresh!

When Life Gives You Lemons, Do Your Laundry!

Lemon juice is a natural, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly cleaning solution that can tackle various stains in your laundry and help keep your home sparkling clean. 

So, the next time you face a tough stain or a cleaning challenge, reach for a lemon and put its natural cleaning power to work. Your laundry and home will thank you!

Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask them below, along with some laundry tips you’d like to share!

Frequently Asked Questions