5 surprising stain removers hiding in your cupboard

Sitting right in your cupboard are surprising stain removers that make cleaning a breeze. Ditch common harsh chemicals for these simple and safe alternatives.

Cheap, white shaving foam is a lifesaver for carpet stains. Red wine, fruit juice and grease stains are no match.

• Just blot up the offending liquid before applying a dollop of shaving foam to the stain.
• Work it gently into the stain, then leave it for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Use a damp cloth to wipe up the shaving foam residue, and the stain will come right out.

Why it works: Shaving foam is essentially foamed soap, so it cuts through grease with ease.

Dark soda may be bad for your health, but it's great for your toilet.

• If you have rust stains on the inside of your toilet bowl, pour in a bottle and leave it overnight. In the morning, the stains should be gone.

Why it works: The acid in cola removes the rust from porcelain. This is also the reason that it's bad for your teeth.

Non-gel toothpaste can be used to remove stains from a number of surfaces. It takes crayon marks off of walls, removes ink and lipstick stains from clothing and can remove some stains from carpets.

• To use for fabric or carpet stain removal, work a small amount of toothpaste into the affected area, scrubbing gently.
• Remove the toothpaste with a damp cloth and the stain should go, too.

Why it works: Toothpaste contains mild abrasive and whitening agents that help bleach stains away gently.

If your upholstery has an unsightly stain, clean it with this homemade concoction.

• Sprinkle baking soda onto the area and then spray on a mixture made of equal parts water and white vinegar.
• Scrub the resulting paste into the stain and remove it with a damp cloth.
• You may have to rinse it a few times with a damp cloth to remove the baking soda residue, but the stain should wipe right out.

Why it works: Baking soda absorbs the liquid in stains and then reacts with the vinegar to loosen them.

Hand sanitizer can remove ink and grease stains from clothing in a pinch.

• Simply cover the stain with hand sanitizer gel, rub it into the area and then launder in a hot wash.

Why it works: The alcohol in the hand sanitizer cuts through the ink and grease, pulling it out of the fabric easily.