Ink and stain removal

A method of preparing a water-based stain removal formulation, the method comprising the following steps:

• provide a lye solution comprising an inorganic hydroxide base;
• provide an oil mixture comprising one or more surfactants, an orange extract, an organic base, and tea tree oil;
• heat the oil mixture to a temperature in the range of from approximately 60° C. to approximately 70° C. to provide a heated oil mixture;
• combine the lye solution with the heated oil mixture to provide a combined mixture;
• blend the combined mixture for a period of time in the range of from approximately 15 minutes to approximately 1 hour whilst maintaining the combined mixture at a temperature in the range of from approximately 60° C. to approximately 70° C. to provide a heated combined mixture;
• allow the heated combined mixture to cool to approximately 35° C. to provide a cooled combined mixture;
• combine an acid mixture comprising acetic acid and a thickener with the cooled combined mixture to provide a combined neutral mixture having a pH of approximately pH 7;
• and
• stir the combined neutral mixture for a period of time in the range of from approximately 3 to approximately 8 hours to provide the formulation.