Set-in stains do not need a pep talk, they need a quick pre-treat that you can spray on and move on with your day. This simple laundry pre-treat spray mixes right in the bottle, uses ingredients you probably already keep on hand, and tackles dingy spots before they hit the washer (because scrubbing every shirt by hand gets old fast).
Making your own costs less than buying a separate stain spray. Using current Walmart pricing, 1/2 cup clear ammonia from a 64-ounce bottle at $2.12 and 1/2 cup liquid laundry detergent from a 100-ounce bottle at $10.82 comes to about $0.81 per pint, before water, which is far less than most ready-made pre-treat products. It also lets you choose the detergent you already use, whether you want a scented option, a fragrance-free version, or a formula that matches the rest of your laundry routine.
You only need 2 materials plus water to make this batch, and the mixture goes straight into a pint spray bottle. Grab a measuring cup and the bottle, then give it a good shake before each use so everything stays well combined.
- 🧰 Materials You'll Need
- 🔧 Tools/Equipment
- 🛠️ How to Make Laundry Pre-Treat Spray
- 🛠️ How to Use It
- 🎨 Customization Ideas
- 🛡️ Safety Information
- 📦 Storage
- 💸 Cost Breakdown
- 🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Laundry Pre-Treat Spray
- 📌 Love this Laundry Pre-Treat Spray? Pin it!
- 🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Laundry Pre-Treat Spray
Materials You’ll Need
- 1/2 cup ammonia
- 1/2 cup liquid laundry detergent
- Water
Tools/Equipment
- Pint spray bottle
- Measuring cup
How to Make Laundry Pre-Treat Spray
- Pour 1/2 cup ammonia into a pint spray bottle.
- Add 1/2 cup liquid laundry detergent.
- Fill the remainder of the bottle with water.
- Shake well before using.
How to Use It
Spray the mixture directly on stained or heavily soiled areas before washing. Work on collars, cuffs, food spots, and everyday grime, then launder as usual with your regular detergent. If you like making your own laundry products, you might also want to browse Make Your Own Laundry Detergents, Stain Removers, Pre-Wash Sprays and More!
Customization Ideas
- Match your detergent: Use the same liquid laundry detergent you already wash with to keep scents consistent.
- Go fragrance-free: Choose an unscented detergent if you want to skip added fragrance.
- Make a larger batch: Double the ingredients if you want to fill a larger bottle, keeping the same ratio of ammonia, detergent, and water space in the bottle.
Safety Information
Label the bottle clearly and keep it out of reach of children and pets. Do not mix this spray with bleach or use it on fabrics that have been treated with bleach products, since bleach and ammonia should never be combined. For a clear household cleaning warning on that point, see the CDC’s bleach cleaning guidance. If you are treating a delicate or unfamiliar fabric, test the spray on a hidden area first.
Storage
Store the spray bottle tightly closed in your laundry area and shake well before each use. Since this mixture contains liquid detergent and water, a quick shake helps redistribute everything before you spray.
Cost Breakdown
This batch is inexpensive to make. Based on current Walmart pricing, the ammonia costs about $0.13 for 1/2 cup and the liquid laundry detergent costs about $0.68 for 1/2 cup, for an estimated total of $0.81 per pint bottle, plus water. Prices vary by brand, store, and detergent choice.
🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- Great Value Clear Ammonia, 64 fl oz
- Great Value Our Promise Free & Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent, 100 fl oz
- Pint spray bottle
- Make Your Own Laundry Detergents, Stain Removers, Pre-Wash Sprays and More!
- Liquid Laundry Detergent
Frequently Asked Questions about Laundry Pre-Treat Spray
Yes. Just keep the same proportions of 1/2 cup ammonia and 1/2 cup liquid laundry detergent per pint bottle, then fill the rest with water.
Yes. Give it a quick shake before each use so the detergent and liquid stay evenly mixed and spray more consistently.
You can use the liquid laundry detergent you already like for your clothes. That makes it easy to match scent, pick a fragrance-free option, or stay with the formula you already use on your regular loads.
It works best as a general pre-treat for stained or heavily soiled areas before washing. For delicate fabrics or specialty garments, test a hidden spot first so you do not learn an expensive lesson the hard way.
No. Do not mix this spray with bleach or use it where bleach residue may still be present, because ammonia and bleach should never be combined.
Use a pint spray bottle. The formula is written for that size, with the measured ingredients added first and water filling the rest of the bottle.
Use it as a pre-treat before washing by spraying directly on the stained or soiled area. The method does not require you to pre-wet the garment first.
You can make other homemade pre-wash sprays, but this specific formula uses ammonia, liquid laundry detergent, and water. If you change that, you are making a different spray.
Using current Walmart prices for a store-brand ammonia and liquid detergent, one pint batch costs about 81 cents plus water. Your actual cost will vary with the brand you choose.
📌 Love this Laundry Pre-Treat Spray? Pin it!
Did you try this laundry pre-treat spray? Tell us what detergent you used or what stain you tackled first.
this is great. can’t wait to try it. i need to treat stains a lot with toddlers and new puppies.
thanks for sharing this 🙂
cynthia
Hello i am new to the world of budget 101. I have a question about this recipe. I know ammonia is a great cleaner especially for cigarette and smoke contamination.
My question is, would you have to use a vinegar rinse to neutralize the ammonia to keep dogs or puppies from resoiling the cleaned clothes or areas you have sprayed?