Green Products: 3 Effective Laundry Stain Sprays

I’ve got stains. With a four-year-old creating magic (and wreaking havoc) every day at home, at preschool, and beyond, stains are part of my daily dose of reality. From caked-on cheese enchiladas and splashed-on minestrone soup to melted crayons and paint in every shade of pink, I’ve got stains.

Many, many moons ago I worked as an intern in the Grundy Testing Laboratory at Philadelphia University’s School of Textiles and Material Technology (formerly known as Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science) under the tutelage of Herbert J. Barndt, one of the country’s foremost spot and stain czars. I spent countless hours in the fabric laboratory counting fabric picks per inch and testing stain-busting solutions. The key thing I’ve retained from my time in the Grundy Lab is that there are natural solutions available for nearly every stain affliction.

Today, with a full work schedule and a preschooler in tow, my life has less room for more complicated solutions. So, when a stain strikes, I reach for the most simple, green solution available—natural laundry stain sprays. Luckily, there are three solid choices on the market today, including the following:

Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Stain Remover

This plant-based, non-toxic, biodegradable stain spray works like a charm. It boasts advanced triple enzymes and powerful plant-derived cleaning agents. It is also a USDA-Certified Biobased Product (97%). Spray directly onto garment, covering stain completely.  While it’s safe for use on all colorfast washables, this stain spray is not recommended for use on wool or silk. Best of all, this stain spray is free of optical brighteners, dyes, perfumes, and synthetic fragrances.

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The Honest Company Stain Remover

Made in the USA, this stain remover is an effective option for removing stains on clothing and other washable fabric items such as carpeting, car seats, upholstery, linens. The concentrated formula is particularly potent when matched against organic stains like baby food, tea, coffee, juices, jelly, chocolate, ketchup, grass, and blood. Non-toxic, pH balanced, and biodegradable, Honest’s Stain Remover is color-safe and skin-safe. It also contains no harsh bleach.

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EnzAway Spot Remover

Made from natural enzymes, peppermint oil, and water, EnzAway Spot Remover gets rid of organic-based stains, such as wine, grass, blood, and pet stains and deodorizes in the process, as a bonus. It works well on clothing as well as diapers, upholstery, and carpet. It’s also safe to use on natural and synthetic fabrics as well as hard surfaces.

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Erinn Morgan

About

After a 10-year career as an award-winning New York City-based editor launching and redesigning urban, style-driven magazines, Erinn Morgan left downtown Manhattan after September 11th, 2001, in search of a less encumbered, freelance lifestyle. A two-year-long trek around the country eventually landed her in Durango, Colo., which she now calls home.

Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Times, Outside, National Geographic Adventure, Bike, Skiing, Delicious Living, American Cowboy, and on away.com.

Erinn is also the author of the eco-focused book, Picture Yourself Going Green, Step-by-Step Instruction for Living a Budget-Conscious, Earth-Friendly Lifestyle in Eight Weeks or Less.

She was previously the editor-in-chief of 20/20 magazine, a special projects editor at Playboy (overseeing the launch of a new, custom magazine), and the founding editor/editor-in-chief of SoHo Style, a much-lauded, avant-garde magazine that covered the culture and style of downtown New York and its reach around the world.

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