Stains are simply a fact of life. There are the accidental drips from coffee and red wine, the grass and dirt on your kids' pants, and the dreaded but unavoidable pit stains. But don't toss anything in the trash just yet; check out our list of laundry stain removers to get your clothing, towels, and bedding looking brand new.
For a color-safe option that can fight a variety of stains, we recommend OxiClean's Versatile Stain Remover. The powder formula can be mixed with water to form a paste or a pre-soak liquid, then added to your washing machine to boost the power of your regular detergent. Keep reading to see the rest of our picks, including spray, stick, and powder types! And if you're trying to remove a specific type of stain, check out our buying guide so you know exactly what to look out for.
Quick List - Top Laundry Stain Removers
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When choosing a laundry stain remover, you should know what type of stains you're dealing with so that you can pick the product with the most effective ingredients. You will also want to consider the type of fabric. In this guide, we will help you find the best stain removers for food, grease, sweat, and more.
When it comes to stain removal, the type of stain matters. Red wine and blood may look similar on your white t-shirt, but they actually require different stain removal methods.
Stains can be classified as enzymatic, oxidizable, greasy, and particulate, although they usually fall into more than one category. Because of this, many stain removers contain ingredients to fight multiple types of stains at once.
Enzymatic stains are created by organic materials like blood, grass, urine, and eggs. For these types of stains, you should use an enzyme cleaner, which contains ingredients that target organic particles and help dissolve them. Look for a stain remover that specifies that it contains enzymes.
Common enzymes include protease, which targets proteins; lipase, which targets fat; and amylase, which targets starches. Enzyme stain removers usually contain a combination of multiple enzymes to target all parts of the stain.
Oxidizable stains can be recognized by their bright colors; think red wine, juice, lipstick, and coffee. To treat these stains, you should look for a stain remover that contains a bleaching agent, which will remove the color-causing compounds and render the stain invisible.
It’s best to stay away from bleach itself, as it tends to be quite harsh and can remove the dye from colored garments. Instead, look for hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate, also called oxygen bleach. These ingredients are gentler than bleach and are generally safe to use on both whites and colors.
Greasy stains come from things like motor oil and oil-based cosmetics. Because they naturally repel water, they require a stain remover that contains a surfactant. Surfactants have features of both oil and water. When applied to a greasy stain, they help the grease become more water-soluble so it can be lifted from your clothing.
Dish detergent is a common household surfactant, which is why it’s so good at cleaning oil off your dishes. Common surfactants in stain removers include sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and alcohol ethoxylates.
Particulate stains usually come from being outside and include soil, dirt, and mud. To remove them, use a cleaner that contains components called builders.
Builders work to soften your laundry water by removing certain mineral ions. They help disperse soil particles and also increase the effectiveness of surfactants. Ingredients to look for include polycarboxylates, sodium carbonate, silicates, and zeolites.
Stain removers come in a few different formulas with various application methods. To decide which one will work best for you, consider the size of your stain and how much time you have to clean it.
Spot treatments are applied directly to the stain and come in the form of a spray bottle, squeeze bottle, pen, or bar. Once applied, manufacturers may recommend letting the garment sit anywhere from a few minutes to overnight, depending on the severity of the stain.
Some spot treatments are designed to be used right before your clothes are washed, while others can sit for up to a week in your laundry basket. Spot treatments can also be used on other items, like upholstery and carpets, provided the fabric falls under the manufacturer’s recommendations.
For larger stains, multiple stained items, or general dinginess, a laundry treatment can be more efficient. These are usually powder or liquid stain removers that you add to your washing machine along with your detergent.
They work to boost the performance of your detergent and target an entire load of laundry at once. You can also mix laundry treatments with water to create a pre-soak or a paste for spot treatment, which can be helpful for heavily soiled items.
Portable stain removers are spot treatments that are designed to be easy to use while on the go. They usually take the form of a pen or a stick. If you’re wearing clothes that can be easily stained, you can throw a portable stain remover in your bag in case of emergency. They’re also great for travel.
With portable stain removers, it’s important to choose one that won’t leave any residue behind and doesn’t require washing after using. Also, make sure it has a tight lid and is small enough to fit in your bag.
Not all laundry stain removers are safe for all items of clothing. Before you buy, check the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding what types of fabric the stain remover is safe for.
Pay special attention if you plan to use it on natural surfaces like wool, leather, or linen or delicate fabrics like silk and lace; certain ingredients can be too harsh for these surfaces. In addition, stain removers are usually not recommended for use on clothes marked dry clean only.
If you plan to use the stain remover on colored clothing as well as whites, you will need one that won’t remove the dye from your clothes. Bleach is an obvious ingredient to stay away from but is not the only ingredient that can lift dye from fabric.
The best way to determine if the stain remover can be used on colored clothes is to check the product’s description for an indication that it’s color-safe. It can also be helpful to read reviewer comments to see if anyone experienced unwanted bleaching.
Lastly, if you’re still concerned, it doesn’t hurt to do a spot test before you wash an entire load!
Ingredients in laundry stain removers can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergic reactions from laundry detergents, keep an eye out for common irritants. These include preservatives, parabens, dyes, solvents, emulsifiers, and enzymes.
If you prefer to avoid synthetic ingredients, you can find stain removers made from natural ingredients, which may be less harsh for some people.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover | ![]() | An Oxygen-Based Powder That Doubles as a Household Cleaner | |
2 | Tide Tide To Go |3 pack | ![]() | Take These Stain Remover Pens With You | |
3 | Purex Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar & Stain Remover | ![]() | Get Rid Of Stains From Oil, Grease, and Sweat | |
4 | Biokleen Bac-Out Stain + Odor Remover | ![]() | Plant-Powered Cleaning With No Artificial Scents or Colors | |
5 | Shout Advanced Action Gel|3 pack | ![]() | A Spray Gel That Targets Set Stains | |
6 | Zout Laundry Stain Remover Spray | ![]() | Triple Enzyme Action Fights Proteins, Starches, and Oils | |
7 | OxiClean Max Force Gel Stain Remover Stick|2 pack | ![]() | Concentrated Gel in a Convenient Stick Applicator | |
8 | Puracy Natural Stain Remover | ![]() | A Stain Remover Spray Made From Natural Ingredients | |
9 | Nature's Miracle Laundry Boost | ![]() | A Stain and Odor Buster for Pet Owners | |
10 | Grandma's Secret Spot Remover|3 pack | ![]() | Lift Away New and Old Stains Alike |
OxiClean's bubbling oxygen-based formula helps the power of your regular detergent, breaking down stain-causing proteins and lifting color out of the fabric. Mix it with water to pre-soak, then throw a scoop in with your load of laundry. It's chlorine-free and safe for colorfast material, including carpets and upholstery.
Most negative reviews for OxiClean were due to poor packaging during shipping, although a few people wished the lid fit more tightly. But, overall, the majority of reviewers said it's a must-have, saying it's able to remove sweat, blood, coffee, wine, and more from their clothes. Plus, they noted that it doubles as an effective household cleaner.
From spilled coffee to ketchup drips, accidents happen, and Tide To Go has you covered. Each pen contains a bleach-free formula with a microfiber tip to remove fresh food and drink stains. The pens are mess-free and easy to throw in your bag, luggage, or desk. Tide To Go is not recommended for grease, blood, or ink stains.
A few reviewers warned of an unpleasant smell, while others found the pens dried out too quickly. But most reviewers loved the convenience of this product. They said it's super portable, easy to apply, and saves their clothes from permanent stains while they are out and about.
To keep your white clothes looking fresh, try the Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar from Purex. It's designed to fight greasy and oily stains, as well as sweat stains and the dreaded ring-around-the-collar. Wet the bar and rub it on the stain as a pre-treatment, or grate the bar into your washing machine and let it work its magic on a whole load.
If you've used this product in the past, note that the formula may have changed. Reviewers warned of a strong new perfume scent. But many were impressed by the stain-lifting power of this bar and said it works on multiple types of stains. They added that it works especially well on sports uniforms!
If your laundry problems include both stains and odors, you will want a product that can fight both. Bac-Out is formulated with a blend of enzyme cultures that break down and absorb organic materials, leaving fabric fresh and clean. It contains no bleach or artificial fragrances or colors and is safe for both children and pets.
Some reviewers said that this doesn't work well on carpets and floors to counteract pet urine. However, on clothing, bedding, and general laundry, many noted that it's super effective. Reviewers said it magically removes stains and odors from heavily soiled cloth diapers, gym clothes, blankets, t-shirts, and more.
For the toughest stains, try Shout's Advanced Action Gel. The concentrated formula features extra surfactants to fight old, set-in stains and comes in an easy-to-use spray bottle. For maximum effectiveness, spray the stain and let it sit overnight. This spray is safe to use on all colorfast machine-washable items.
While it can be used on a variety of stains, a couple of reviewers noted that it's not as effective on oil and grease. However, many said that it seems to work well on dirt, food, and sweat stains. In addition, most reviewers found that it removed new and old stains from nearly all of their items and said they use it on their clothing regularly.
Zout's Laundry Stain Remover Spray contains three enzymes to fight different types of stains. Protease targets proteins, like the ones found in blood and grass. Amylase targets starchy stains like baby food and barbecue sauce. Finally, lipase fights oil-based stains from things like salad dressing. Use it on cotton or poly-cotton fabric.
As with most stain removers, Zout doesn't work on all stains. Some reviewers had mixed results but most found that it worked on the majority of stains, including older ones. They reported success with greasy stains, food stains, and blood and said it helped save their soiled clothing from being thrown out.
If your stains need a little bit of rubbing to get out, this stick from OxiClean will make your life easier. It features a concentrated gel formula with a nubbed applicator tip, allowing the stain-fighting ingredients to penetrate deep into the fabric. You can pre-treat your item up to seven days before washing.
If you're sensitive to fragrances, steer clear of this product, as reviewers mentioned that it has a strong perfumey scent. Most users loved this gel stick, however, saying it's super convenient and easy to use. In addition, they found it effective against a variety of old and recent stains, including ones from grease, food, and makeup.
Puracy's spray is made from 99.96 percent naturally-derived ingredients and is biodegradable, vegan, and cruelty-free. The formula contains a blend of six plant enzymes that can tackle all types of stains, including blood, oil, mud, and tomato sauce. It's also free of bleach, sulfates, and dye.
Reviewers weren't huge fans of the nozzle, saying it shoots out a jet rather than a spray. Some also warned that it can stain some fabrics. Still, most reviewers were impressed by how well this natural product works. They said that after letting it sit for a while, it was able to lift dark stains from things like fruit punch, dirt, and chocolate.
Give your favorite detergent some extra oomph with Nature's Miracle Laundry Boost. The bio-enzymatic formula targets severe stains, including urine, feces, and vomit from humans and animals. Squirt it directly on the stain as a pre-treatment, or add it directly to your washing machine.
Reviewers liked the squirt bottle since it allows them to target stains directly. Most users also confirmed that it works well on pet smells and stains, like cat urine. They said it's great for musty towels, workout clothes, and greasy food stains too.
This Grandma's Secret Spot Remover comes in a small bottle that's easy to stash in your car or at work. The environmentally-friendly formula contains no bleach or chlorine and is biodegradable. Use it on all types of stains, including blood, baby food, rust, paint, and turmeric. It's also safe to use on leather!
Some reviewers said it didn't work well on ink and oil stains, but others advised that tough stains may take a bit of elbow grease. On the other hand, many reviewers had excellent results on new and stubborn old stains. They used it for everything from wine to permanent marker.
Who said laundry has to feel like a chore? Make cleaning your clothes easier with more of our favorite laundry products below.
No. 1: OxiClean|Versatile Stain Remover
No. 2: Tide|Tide To Go |3 pack
No. 3: Purex|Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar & Stain Remover
No. 4: Biokleen|Bac-Out Stain + Odor Remover
No. 5: Shout|Advanced Action Gel|3 pack
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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