9 Best Laundry Stain Removers, Tested by Cleaning Experts
Dirt, blood, wine, grease and other stains can come out with the right product.
Reviewed by Carolyn FortéHome Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director
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Our Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab has tested more than 40 of the most popular stain removers for clothes to help keep your laundry looking its best — even the white clothes! "Stain removers get to work even before the wash cycle begins and are formulated to tackle a wide variety of stains on virtually all washable fabrics," said the Lab's Executive Director Carolyn Forté.
In broader testing, we've logged hundreds of hours researching and testing over 200 stain-removal products and laundry detergents, including ones specifically formulated for removing stains from carpets and even powerful upholstery cleaners. We review effectiveness, ease of use and overall value for every product.
Pro tip: Before trying a stain remover for the first time or using one on a new garment, check the product label to be sure it doesn't advise against using it on the fabric you are treating. Then test it in a hidden spot before applying it to the stain. If you don't see any color change or damage, it's safe to proceed. Apply stain remover liberally to the spot and work it in gently with your fingers, a soft brush or the product's applicator brush. Never scrub or rub hard or you'll risk damaging the fabric.
Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber
Pros
- Only one in our test to completely remove ink stains
- Works well in both warm and cold water
- Good for many common fabrics
Cons
- Too harsh for delicates like silk
The first time we tested Carbona’s Laundry Stain Scrubber, it received the highest score of all stain removers, performing especially well on lipstick, mascara and ink stains. Ink is notoriously hard to remove from clothes, and this stain pretreatment was the only one able to completely remove ballpoint pen ink from our test fabric. When we tested it again recently, it was one of only three stain removers that noticeably lightened a red food coloring stain.
Other clothing stains that Carbona's product worked impressively well on included outdoor stains and drink stains, whether washed in either cold or warm water. The applicator top doubles as a tool to loosen caked-on gunk. It's powered by enzymes and should be applied to work on a stain for 10 minutes before washing.
Carbona can be too harsh for some delicate fabrics; for instance, the brand does not recommend it for silk. However, it can be used on cotton, wool, nylon, rayon, polyester, acrylics and blends, according to the brand.
Form: Gel | Setting time: Allow to set for 10 minutes before washing | Formulated for: All types of stains, including ink, dirt, grease, blood, fruit, ketchup, milk and baby food
Pros
- Affordable, easy stain-remover spray
- Fragrance-free and biodegradable
- Trusted brand
Cons
- Not as extensively tested as the others on our list
This brand won one of our Cleaning and Organizing Awards for its multi-surface cleaner for pet mishaps, which uses probiotics to remove dirt and odor-causing “bad” bacteria. The laundry stain remover works similarly, pitting good bacteria against the bad.
Affordable and fragrance-free, this easy-to-use spray formula is biodegradable as well. We found that this laundry stain remover completely removed spaghetti sauce, chocolate syrup and coffee stains and almost completely removed mustard.
The brand notes that this is for color-safe fabric and not for wool or silk. It is also only for washing in warm water. You shouldn't add bleach or other stain removers while using this because they can kill the probiotics. You can, however, use this for stain treatment and then wash with your regular laundry detergent.
Form: Spray | Setting time: Spray generously and wait 1 to 2 minutes before rinsing or washing in warm water. | Formulated for: General stains
Pros
- Works on more than just clothing
- Fragrance-free
- Lifts stains when soaked for a few hours
Cons
- For general stains; look to their other formulas for baby stains or odor removal
"We've tested this many times over the years and it works great, not just on laundry but even on carpet stains when used as directed," Forté said. The brand stresses that OxiClean powder is most effective at removing tough stains when clothes are pre-soaked in warm water before putting them through the washing machine. It's a fragrance-free option, appropriate for many people who have allergies to some cleaners.
The oxygen in an OxiClean product means the powder, when in water, releases oxygen that breaks the bonds between the stain and the fabric, pulling the stain away. It's best to give it between one and six hours to work before running the garment through the regular wash cycle.
This product has over 13,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and OxiClean is frequently recommended on Reddit forums. This targets all the most typical stains such as dirt and grass, coffee and wine. For stains on baby clothes from leaky diapers and baby foods, the brand has OxiClean Baby, and if your goal is to remove musty smells, see OxiClean Odor Blasters.
Related: The Ultimate Checklist for How Often You Should Wash Clothes, Linens and Everything Else
Form: Powder | Setting time: Submerge stained items in solution and soak for 1 to 6 hours, depending on stain severity. | Formulated for: Stains including dirt, grass, grease, blood, makeup and wine
Shout Advanced with Scrubber Brush
Pros
- Concentrated gel can work through old stains
- Built-in brush helps loosen grime
- Can be left on fabric for up to one week
Cons
- Brush applicator can be too harsh for some delicates
Shout Advanced gel with a scrubber-brush top earned the second-highest overall score in our Lab tests after completely removing nine of our 20 tested stains, including grass, ketchup and grape juice. It's a concentrate, making it great for old stains that have set in. This gel can be left on fabric for up to a week before washing, so it's also a good one to put on a stain when you know you won't get the garment into the washing machine for a few days. That's especially helpful for common baby stains.
Our Lab experts appreciated the clear and concise instructions on this bottle. Just make sure to rinse the scrubber brush after each use to avoid transferring any food bits or stains to other garments. Dab delicate fabrics gently to avoid causing any damage.
Related: How to Hand-Wash Clothes in Your Sink
Form: Gel | Setting time: Up to one week | Formulated for: All types of stains including including food, coffee, wine and makeup
OxiClean Max Force Two-Pack
Pros
- Works well on a wide variety of stains
- Safe to leave on garments for up to one week
- Unscented
Cons
- Some say it needs to sit on a stain for awhile to work
OxiClean's stain-remover spray effectively lightened some of our toughest stains in cold and warm water. It was among the top scorers in our Lab tests, just 0.2 points below our best overall pick from Carbona. In our tests, it made grape juice, ketchup and mascara stains vanish when put in a washing machine with cold water.
This product also earned the highest overall score for makeup stain removal in warm water. The label has clear usage guidelines and comprehensive safety instructions on the back making it easy to use too.
Some consumer testers noted that this formula needs to sit on a stain for a little longer to be effective, but it is safe to leave on garments for up to one week before washing. That makes it a laundry-procrastinator's delight! If you are sensitive to smells, you'll be happy that this one is unscented.
Form: Spray | Setting time: Up to one week | Formulated for: All types of stains including grass, grease and oil
Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam
Pros
- Excellent performance on oil and grease stains
- Aerosol spray foam is easy to use
- Laundry tips printed on the label
Cons
- Don't let it dry on fabric; treat then wash within 5 minutes
Shout Advanced spray-foam formula is one of the three stain-fighting products from the brand to make this list — you can tell we are fans. With laundry tips printed on the label and topped with a simple spray nozzle, it earned the highest ease-of-use score in our tests. This winner of one of our Cleaning Awards also earned the highest overall score in food-stain removal in warm water.
Take note that the manufacturer cautions against letting the foam dry onto garments before laundering. In other words, don't spray it on clothes and then toss them in the hamper to launder later; you'll want to apply and then be ready to put it in the washing machine within five minutes. That makes this genius to have on hand if you typically spot things like pizza sauce on your child's clothes as you're loading the washing machine — it acts fast.
Like most other stain removers, it struggled with mustard and red food coloring and it did not perform as well as Carbona on tannin stains like wine and coffee. But it did completely remove six of the 20 stains we tested it with, and it's especially great on oil and grease, as the name implies. (That includes spaghetti sauce!)
Form: Foam | Setting time: Wash within 1 to 5 minutes of spraying on clothes. | Formulated for: Grease and oil stains
Pros
- Pocket-sized stain remover
- Even worked on silk in our tests
- Can handle dark stains without bleach
Cons
- Lingering smell on garments
We've put these instant stain remover pens through many rounds of stain testing since they were first made available for purchase almost 20 years ago and have been impressed with the results every time. In fact, Tide products have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal and are a fan favorite with thousands of five-star Amazon reviews.
When we tested these pens on 10 common food and drink stains in our Lab, they earned great scores across cotton, polyester and even tricky silk fabrics. We were especially impressed by their performance on dark red and purple juice stains, plus ketchup stains. Tide to Go Pens are bleach-free and are now pocket-sized to fit in your pants pocket or in a tiny handbag. One thing to note is that the product's scent can linger on garments long after the product has been applied and rinsed off.
Form: Pen | Setting time: Use as soon as possible on a fresh food or drink stains. | Formulated for: Juice stains, ketchup, BBQ sauce, coffee, wine, tea, chocolate syrup and other messy food and drinks
Pros
- Individually wrapped and highly portable
- Can be used on carpets and car seats too
- Particularly good for food and drink stains
Cons
- Dark or heavy stains will be tough for one wipe
We think Shout Instant Stain Remover Wipes are so genius for quick fixes that we keep them stocked in the Cleaning Lab in case colleagues suffer coffee spills or lunch messes during the day. While we haven't formally put these through our 20-stain test, we have tried these across a large variety of common food and drink stains and have seen excellent results. They can be used on carpets and car seats too.
Each wipe is individually wrapped to stay moist. People keep them in their backpack, diaper bag, work desk or in their car. If, after using one, you notice a ring where the stain once was, wet the wipe with warm water and blot at the area until the ring is gone.
Take note that each wipe only has enough stain remover to tackle one small stain. You may need more than one wipe for a dark or heavy stain.
Form: Wipes | Setting time: Use ASAP. | Formulated for: All types of stains but especially food and drinks
Pros
- Formulated to be particularly effective on red-wine stains
- Can be used on fabrics and carpeting
- Nice scent and works quickly
Cons
- Not effective on oil stains, but is good for other liquid stains
This very targeted product is the best stain remover for fresh and dried wine stains. It completely erased wine stains in our Cleaning Lab’s stain tests. It also worked well on other intensely colored stains like red food coloring and purple grape juice. The formula leaves no residue after rinsing, and we found it easily washes out of both carpets and fabrics.
We've recommended this product countless times, and it was a Good Housekeeping Cleaning Award winner two years in a row. Our panel of consumer testers gave Wine Away high marks and gushed about everything from its pleasant citrus scent to its ease of use and how quickly it worked.
We did not find this effective on oily stains, but the brand lists other liquid stains that this product can get out, including coffee, juice and blood. It's also listed as effective against stains like colored medicine and pet accidents.
Related: How to Remove Red Wine Stains from Clothes, Carpets and more
Form: Spray | Setting time: 5 minutes | Formulated for: Red wine stains
How we test stain removers
The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab is testing and rating consumer products all year long at our headquarters in New York City. We are laundry experts: On a recent count we had tested 132 laundry detergents, 43 laundry pretreat stain removers, 18 instant and red wine stain removers and 22 carpet stain removers. The last time we did a full category test of stain removers, over 1,500 individual stains and 608 pounds of laundry were washed.
To choose the best stain removers, we stain plain white cotton fabric with 20 of the most common food, drink, outdoor and makeup stains. After the stains set overnight, we wash the fabric in cold and warm water using a Lab-standard regular-size load of laundry in a washing machine.
We previously graded each washed stain according to the AATCC Stain Release Scale in a dark room illuminated by a light set to mimic daylight conditions. Recently, our experts switched to evaluating stains using a Verivide DigiEye System. This system provides more accurate color measurements and further standardizes our testing method.
In addition to testing each stain remover for performance, we also evaluate how easy each is to apply, plus the clarity of directions and the thoroughness of the safety information included on the label.
What to look for when shopping for the best stain remover
You'll have four major considerations:
✔️ Form: There are sprays, gels, powders, foams, solid sticks and liquid stain removers, plus portable options in wipe and pen form. What you choose depends on personal preference and where you are when you notice the stains. Sprays, gels and foams are the easiest to apply, but some must then go into the washing machine quickly and others can wait up to a week, so read the label. Powders and liquids can be best for presoaking before you run your load of laundry. Solid sticks (not on our list) often require a little extra muscle to apply evenly to garments but can be convenient for travel.
✔️ Type of stain: There are four types of common stains: protein (e.g., blood and eggs), tannin (e.g., tea and coffee), dyes (e.g., mustard and berries) and oil-based (e.g., makeup and cooking oil). In general, wash protein stains in cool water as heat can cause them to set. For all other kinds of stains, wash in the warmest water the garment can withstand. Since there are stain removers made for specific types of stains, and stain removers that work best in different water temperatures, you'll want to check the stain remover label.
✔️ Fabric: A stain remover's label usually states what kind of fabrics it is safe to use on. Some may contain bleach which shouldn't be used on colored garments. Your garment labels should also be inspected before applying laundry pretreatment or soaking in hot water. Equally important is checking the fabric for colorfastness by applying the stain remover to a hidden spot of the garment, allowing it to sit for five minutes, then rinsing and allowing it to dry. If the fabric color is affected, do not use this stain remover anywhere else on the garment.
✔️ Time: For quick fixes out of the house, wipes and pens are your best bet. If you can wait overnight or whenever you’ve scheduled your next laundry day, opt for a spray, gel or liquid formula, checking to see how long it can be allowed to set. If you'll use a powder for presoaking, factor that hour or more in on laundry day.
What is the best homemade stain remover?
Often it's the enzymes present in stain removers that work to lift stains out of garments, so it’s hard to find a natural DIY solution that can compare to their results. Our experts in the Cleaning Lab have given a few popular DIY cleaners a try and found a few that work well:
• Sprinkling salt on a fresh grease stain will help prevent it from setting.
• Dish soap is a good alternative to a stain pretreatment if it's all you have on hand.
• Sponging hydrogen peroxide on fresh blood stains helps remove the blood before it sets in (only on colorfast fabrics!).
We caution against using any stain-fighting method without trying it on a small hidden area of your garment first.
What are the hardest stains to remove?
The hardest stains to remove are stains that have dried and set into the fabric for an extended period of time. The longer a stain sits, the tougher it will be to get out. Ideally, you should treat a stain as soon as you can after it happens.
For blood stains, soak the stained garment in cold water before applying a stain pre-treatment. Oily stains should be washed in warm water after applying a stain pre-treatment for the best results.
If a stain is still visible after one round of pre-treatment and washing, don’t run it through the dryer. Apply more stain remover and wash it again. Some stains that may be impossible to remove include rust, bleach, dried paint, ink and dyes.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute has always taken the safety and efficacy of home cleaning products seriously. Our Lab experts have been testing product claims for more than 100 years. See our tried-and-tested best vacuum cleaners and a list of our favorite eco-friendly cleaning products. For better laundry days, we have the best washing machines and best clothes dryers.
Testing for this list was overseen by Home Care and Cleaning Lab Executive Director Carolyn Forté. She's the expert who manages testing for major appliances such as front-loading washing machines and for smaller home cleaning products such as air fresheners. For your clean laundry, Forté knows the best clothing irons and the best fabric shavers.
In her former role as a Reviews Analyst, Jodhaira Rodriguez created, washed and graded over 1,000 stains for use when testing liquid, powder, pack and sheet laundry detergents and laundry pretreatments. She also tested the 36 laundry detergents and stain removers that were considered for our most recent Cleaning & Organizing Awards. This list of the best laundry stain removers was updated most recently by Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn in consultation with Forté.
From 2021 to 2023, Jodhaira (she/her) was a product reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab, where she tested and wrote about home appliances, cleaning products and cleaning tips. Prior to joining GH, she graduated from Hofstra University with a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and spent two years as an analyst in an environmental lab in Queens.
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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