Whether it's food grease or red wine or grass and mud or sweat stains, it is almost inevitable that your clothes will, at some point, fall victim to staining. We’re here to help de-mystify stain removers for you with our buying guide, which will help you unravel which are best for your particular needs from trusted brands like Ecover, Tide and Dr, Beckmann all available on Amazon and eBay.
There are three main types to choose from, which act on different types of stains, and you also have the option of different formats for added convenience. But which do you choose? From white shirts to baby clothes, read on to find out the best stain removers for getting those pesky blood, ink, oil, or other marks out of every fabric!
Quick List - Top Stain Remover for Clothes
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There are a few key factors that will help you determine which stain remover for clothes will best suit your needs. The prime consideration for choosing the best stain remover will be the type of stain you need to treat; treating a red wine stain requires a different type of stain remover to treating greasy stains. The format of the stain treatment is also a consideration as this affects how convenient it is to use.
Choosing the best stain remover to get stubborn stains out of your clothes starts with identifying the type of stain you need to get rid of. Stain removers generally fall into one of three different types, based on their key ingredients. These work in different ways and it’s best to choose which suits your needs based on the type of stain you need to treat.
However, be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions on your garments and on the stain remover before using them as some coloured garments can fade following stain treatments.
Oxidising stain removers work best on stains such as coffee, tea, wine and ink and include ingredients like hydrogen peroxide and bleach. They work by attacking the chemical bonds in the molecules that make up the stains, changing their chemical structure and making them colourless.
The drawback of this is that they can also attack the chemical bonds in the dyes used in clothing, causing them to fade or have patchy colouration - we’ve all had accidents with bleach! It’s important to read manufacturers’ instructions carefully before use and be careful when using these stain removers on coloured fabrics.
Surfactants work - as indicated by their name - on the surface between the fabric and the stained area. They reduce the surface tension at this interface to allow the agitation of the machine cycle to lift the stains from the fabric.
These types of stain removers work particularly well on oil-based stains like grease, as well as water-based stains. These are one of the more common types of stain removers and often include ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate or soap.
Although enzyme-based stain removers are less commonly found than the other two types, they are the best choice for stains such as chocolate or blood. Enzymes are chemical compounds that break down particular molecules such as fats, starches or proteins.
From stain removal pens or wipes you can carry in your bag for on-the-spot treatment to sprays that target specific areas and gels to cling to the stain to maximise contact time, there are many different application methods to consider. Think about whether you want a stain remover for out and about or for use at home, as well as what types of clothing and stains you might need to treat.
Stain removal sprays are a great way to treat stains before adding them to the wash. These are usually liquids or gels but come in a spray bottle.
Great for treating fairly large stains like collars and underarm areas on shirts, sprays can be used on its own or in conjunction with in-wash stain treatments to pre-treat the stain and ensure that your clothing comes out of the wash looking pristine.
Stain removal liquids from bottles offer easy, targeted application. As liquids can drip more than other formats, it’s advisable to place the garment flat while treating the stain. However, a great benefit is that the treatment will soak right into the stain to get working quickly.
Ideal for instant action while you’re out and about, stain removal pens offer the convenience of being travel-sized and precise. These are perfect for treating small stains like a little splash of wine or coffee but are not really practical on larger areas. Stain removal pens are just the thing to take with you when travelling or to keep in your bag for touch-ups on the go.
Wipes are also an excellent option for fast and convenient stain removal on the go. By treating stains quickly, you improve your chances of getting the stain out for good, so wipes are a great way to get rid of small, localised stains.
Powders are probably the most popular format for stain removers as many can be used as a pre-soak as well as an in-wash general stain remover. While stain removers sold as powders are usually oxidising type removers, other types are available, so it’s important to check the product details and ingredients.
Checking on the manufacturer instructions is important as some powders can fade colours. Make sure you wash on a low temperature, particularly when washing colours, as higher temperatures can often set stains.
Possibly the best value is offered by the solid bar form of stain removers. These are usually available under £3 and last for a long, long time. Stains are easy to treat by simply rubbing the bar on affected areas before placing in the wash and the treatment stays on the stain until you wash it out.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Vanish Gold Oxi Action Trigger Spray | ![]() | Tried and Trusted Stain Removal on a Variety of Stains | |
2 | Bio-Tex Stain Remover Powder 500g | ![]() | Effective at Low Temperatures, Tough on Stains | |
3 | Napisan Non-Biological Stain Remover, 800g | ![]() | Brightens Whites, Removes Stains and Disinfects Clothes | |
4 | Astonish Stain Remover Bar | ![]() | Long-Lasting Bar That Tackles Clothing, Carpets and Upholstery Stains | |
5 | ECover Stain Remover 200ml | ![]() | Plant-Based Stain Remover With Applicator Brush | |
6 | Ace Gentle Stain Remover | ![]() | A Great Choice for Stain Removal on a Budget | |
7 | Wine Away Stain Remover in Plastic Canister, 12fl.oz | ![]() | Red Wine Stain Treatment Made from Plant Extracts | |
8 | Shout Wipe & Go Stain Removal Wipes | ![]() | Convenient Stain Treatment in a Wipe | |
9 | Dr Beckmann Stain Devils | ![]() | Effective Targeted Stain Remover Range | |
10 | Tide Tide To Go, Instant Stain Remover Pen | ![]() | A Great Choice for Fast Stain Treatment on the Go |
Vanish is one of the best-known brands for stain removers in the UK market, and offers a range of high-performance stain removers in a variety of formats. This spray stain remover boasts super-boosted action and promises to remove some stains in just 30 seconds. Safe to use on both colours and white if used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
This is an oxidising stain remover that works primarily based on oxygen-based bleaching, although it has added surfactants to offer a wider range of stains. It claims to work on over 100 types of stain. As the UK’s number 1 stain remover, this is a good choice for use as a pre-wash treatment too.
Bio-Tex’s enzyme-based stain remover powder uses its Novozymes enzyme system to eliminate grass, fruit, blood, grease, chocolate and a variety of other stains, including ground-in dirt and grime. It is a safe but tough formulation that’s free from bleach, making it safe for use on coloured fabrics.
Working fantastically even in low temperatures, Bio-Tex promises to give you cleaner, brighter clothing by removing general grime and stains that normal washing alone doesn’t touch. This powder is ideal for hand washing and for use at low temperatures and works especially well if stained clothing is soaked prior to washing.
Napisan’s non-biological stain remover is an oxidising stain remover that also disinfects and whitens clothing. Working well even at 30 degrees, this powder can be added to your normal wash cycle to remove stains as well as kill germs. It can also be used as a pre-soak for really heavy stains.
This powder works really well at keeping whites a pristine white and works well on all types of colourfast clothing, including the nappies for which this product is famous.
Designed to be used like a bar of soap, rubbing the Astonish Stain Remover Bar on a stain is an effective way to treat fresh stains not only on clothing but also on carpets and upholstery. This ease of use makes it a great way to tackle stains quickly and target affected areas.
This stain remover is easy on the pocket while being tough on stains. Ecover is an eco-friendly brand that makes plant-based products that are not tested on animals, and this powerful stain remover is no exception to their ethos.
As a hybrid stain remover that includes both enzymes and surfactant actions, this liquid tackles a wider range of stains. The special applicator brush helps target really stubborn marks to get your stains out.
Promising to be tough on stains yet gentle on clothing, Ace for Colours gentle stain remover is safe to use on all types of fabric, even silk and cashmere. So you need not worry about fabric damage with this one!
As part of a range of stain removers focusing on colours and whites, this stain remover not only eliminates stains but also tackles odours, leaving clothes smelling fresh. For the great performance, this product offers great value for money.
Wine Away stain remover was formulated to deal with red wine stains and has been featured in many high profile magazines as being great at removing problematic stains quickly; it also works well on coffee, blood, ink, juice and other stains. Also formulated to be child and pet safe and made from a secret blend of fruit and vegetable extracts.
It works not just on clothes, but also on carpets and upholstery, so if you regularly deal with wine and other drink stains, this is an excellent stain remover to keep on hand. Its spray format makes it easy to use, but it can be difficult to get hold of as it is a US brand.
The convenience of these wipes is very hard to match and these wipes pair ease of use with unbeatable stain removal. Sold in packs of 12 individually wrapped wipes, they’re perfect to keep in your bag or even a pocket for stain removal wherever you are.
Made by Shout, a brand from the USA, these wipes are not always easy to get hold of and are not the cheapest option, and if you're adamant to reduce your waste, these may not be a great option. However, they are both effective and easy to use.
Stain Devils are a well-known range of specific stain removers that target different types of stains. Available in small 50ml bottles, each of the five types available offers fast treatment in as little as three minutes. From pen and ink stains, fat and sauces, to nature and cosmetics, lubricant and grease.
These stain removers are formulated to target specific types of stains in order to ensure stain removal. However, it does mean that you will need to purchase several different bottles or the survival kit to ensure you have your bases covered.
Tide is a popular US brand of laundry products and their stain removal pen offers amazing convenience in stain removal. Pop one in your bag for on-the-go stain removal to ensure that you treat your stains as soon as they happen. These pens are really handy for inevitable coffee, wine, juice, or food stains.
These pens are a great choice for those who need to stay looking pristine on the go but who might come across food or drink stains on a regular basis. However, Tide to Go does not work well on tougher stains like blood or grease.
To guarantee clean, fresh-smelling clothes, you'll need more than just stain remover. However, with so many options available online nowadays, it can be hard to decide on which laundry detergent and fabric conditioner to purchase. Luckily we've already found the best products available to buy online, so check out some of our other articles!
There are so many stain removers available that it can be confusing to work out which one would work best for you. However, we hope that by identifying the different types of stain remover and which stains they work best on, as well as considering which format would cater to your needs, we have helped you better understand which type you need most.
Author: Sonata Winchester
No. 1: Vanish|Gold Oxi Action Trigger Spray
No. 2: Bio-Tex|Stain Remover Powder 500g
No. 3: Napisan|Non-Biological Stain Remover, 800g
No. 4: Astonish|Stain Remover Bar
No. 5: ECover|Stain Remover 200ml
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