7 Best Stain Removers of 2023, Tested by Cleaning Experts

✔️ Fabric: A stain remover’s label usually states what kind of fabrics it is safe to use on. Some stain removers may contain bleach which may not be safe to use on colored garments. Your garment labels should also be carefully inspected before applying any 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.

The 10 Best Stain Removers for All Your Clothes

Keep your garments fresh and clean with these sprays, sticks, and liquids.

Blythe Copeland is a contributing writer with more than a decade of experience as a freelance lifestyle writer.

Club soda, vinegar, and baking soda can each go a long way toward keeping your laundry bright or white, but sometimes you need to call on stronger stuff—like the stain remover sprays, bars, liquids, and sticks on this list. Whether you’re tackling set-in grass marks, just-spilled pasta sauce, or unidentifiable blotches on your baby’s outfit, these products can dissolve and wash away a variety of stains. Some are designed to use before washing, while others promise to get out even dried, old blemishes. Keep one (or more) in your laundry room to keep your favorite frocks, sports uniforms, toddler t-shirts, and dress shirts looking like new.

OxiClean Max Force Spray

With a combination of five different stain-fighting ingredients, this treatment targets grease, oil, food stains, dirt, grass, and blood. Pre-treat your clothes up to a week before washing them for extra power (or because life doesn’t always allow you to turn laundry into an emergency task).

Price at time of publish: $4

Method Stain Remover

This dye-free and perfume-free stain treatment uses plant-based ingredients to lift out food and dirt stains. Instead of a stick or spray format, the bottle is topped with a scrub brush that makes it easy to work the product into deep-set marks.

Price at time of publish: from $4

7 Best Stain Removers of 2023, Tested by Cleaning Experts

Blood, wine, grease and more are no match for these stain removers.

We updated this story in May 2023 to add more testing notes.

A good stain remover can make doing laundry easier. Most light stains can be pre-treated with your favorite laundry detergent alone, but stubborn, heavy stains require a little extra stain-fighting power (and, sometimes, elbow grease).

Luckily, we’ve tested most of the most popular stain removers on the market, including ones specifically formulated for removing wine from garments, removing stains from carpets and even powerful upholstery cleaners.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Stain Remover

Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber

Best Stain Remover for Old Stains

Shout Advanced Stain Remover for Clothes with Scrubber Brush

Best Oxi Stain Remover

OxiClean Max Force Laundry Stain Remover

Best Stain Remover for Oil and Grease Stains

Shout Advanced Foaming Grease and Oil Stain Remover

Best Instant Stain Remover Pen

Tide to Go Instant Stain Remover Pen

Best Instant Stain Remover Wipe

Shout Wipe and Go Instant Stain Remover Wipes

Best Stain Remover for Wine Stains

Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and testing over 200 stain remover products and laundry detergents to help you keep your laundry looking its best — even whites! In our most recent full-category test of stain removers, we tested 37 products to review the effectiveness, ease of use and overall value of each product. From grass stains to wine spills, we’ve put each product to the test to let you know which ones came out on top.

Expert tip: Before trying any of these stain removers at home, be sure to check the product’s label as well as your garment’s to make sure it won’t do any damage. Always test the product in a hidden spot before applying it to the stain. Blot only. Never rub stain-removing products into a stain, and use applicator brushes with care.

Find more information on how we test laundry products and answers to your most frequently asked questions at the bottom of this guide. For more stain-specific removal information, check out our guide to removing ink from clothes and how to best remove coffee stains.

Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber

Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber

Pros

• The only stain remover in our most recent test to completely remove ink stains
• Removes stains well in both warm and cold water

Cons

• Brush applicator can be too harsh for delicate fabrics

Carbona’s Laundry Stain Scrubber has been a top performer in the Cleaning Lab’s stain removal testing for years. The first time we tested this stain remover from the brand, it received the highest score out of 37 tested stain removers, performing especially well on lipstick, mascara and ink stains. Ink stains are notoriously hard to remove, but this stain pretreatment managed to completely remove ballpoint pen ink from our test fabric (the only one to do so in our tests). When we tested it again in consideration for a previous year’s Cleaning and Organizing Awards, it was the second-highest-scoring product of the 21 laundry detergents and stain removers we tested. It was also one of only three stain removers that noticeably lightened red food coloring stains.

While the popular OxiClean formula on our list was the best-performing stain remover of makeup stains in cold water, Carbona’s Laundry Stain Scrubber was the best-performing in four other categories of stains including outdoor and drink stains in both cold and warm water. The applicator top doubles as a tool to loosen stains and work the stain-fighting formula into the fabric, though it can be too harsh for some delicate fabrics. It contains enzymes that lift protein, tannin and oil stains and is safe to use on most fabrics.

Form	Gel
Setting Time	Up to 10 minutes
Formulated for	All types of stains

Shout Advanced Stain Remover for Clothes with Scrubber Brush

Shout Advanced Stain Remover for Clothes with Scrubber Brush

Pros

• Built-in brush helps loosen tough stains
• Can be left on fabric for up to one week

Cons

• Brush applicator can be too harsh for some fabrics

Shout’s Advanced Stain Remover with Scrubber Brush earned the second-highest overall score in our Lab tests. It’s no surprise that two products with built-in applicator brushes — our best overall pick from Carbona and this product from Shout — earned the top two spots in our stain-removing tests with both showing similar results in the Lab. Shout Advanced completely removed nine of our tested stains, including grass, ketchup and grape juice. We also appreciated its clear and concise instructions.

Especially helpful for homes with infants where vomit and other common baby stains can happen daily, Shout Advanced can be left on fabric for up to a week before washing. Just make sure to rinse the scrubber brush after each use to avoid transferring any food bits or stains to other garments and rub delicate fabrics gently to avoid causing any damage.

Form	Gel
Setting time	Up to one week
Formulated for	All types of stains

OxiClean Max Force Laundry Stain Remover

OxiClean Max Force Laundry Stain Remover

Pros

• Worked well on grape juice, ketchup and mascara stains in cold water
• Safe to leave on garments for up to one week

Cons

• Some reviewers say it needs to sit for longer on a stain to work

OxiClean’s laundry products are incredibly popular with consumers — and for good reason. This particular laundry stain remover spray from the brand effectively lightened some of our toughest stains in cold and warm water. It was among the top five 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 in 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 reviewers that have tried other stain removers before found that this formula from OxiClean 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.

Form	Spray
Setting time	Up to one week
Formulated for	All types of stains

Shout Advanced Foaming Grease and Oil Stain Remover

Shout Advanced Foaming Grease and Oil Stain Remover

Pros

• Very easy to use
• Excellent performance across most food stains tested

Cons

Shout’s foam formula is just one of the three stain-fighting products from the brand to make our list of the best stain removers. With useful laundry tips on the label and a simple spray nozzle, it’s no wonder it earned the highest ease of use score in our tests. But it did not make our list just because of its ease of use. It also earned the fifth-highest overall score among the 37 products we tested and the highest overall score in food stain removal in warm water. Like most other stain removers, it struggled with mustard and red food coloring, but it completely removed six of the 20 stains we tested it with. We were so impressed with this foam, we chose it as a winner in our first-ever Cleaning Awards three years ago.

Unlike our best overall pick from Carbona which is formulated to tackle all types of stains, this formula from Shout is made specifically for oil and grease stains. Consequently, it did not perform as well on dyes and tannin stains. Take note that the manufacturer cautions against letting the foam dry onto garments before laundering so don’t walk away once you’ve applied it.

Form	Aerosol
Setting time	Up to 5 minutes
Formulated for	Grease and oil stains

Tide to Go Instant Stain Remover Pen

Tide to Go Instant Stain Remover Pen

Pros

• Even worked on silk in our tests
• Easy to use

Cons

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, they are a Good Housekeeping Seal holder and fan favorite with almost 34,000 reviews on Amazon. When we tested these pens on 10 common food and drink stains in our Lab, they earned great scores across cotton, silk and polyester fabrics. We were especially impressed by its performance on dark red and purple juice and ketchup stains.

Tide to Go Pens are bleach-free and are conveniently sized to fit even in small handbags. The formula is also gentle enough to use on delicate fabrics. One thing to note is that we noticed that the product’s scent often lingers on garments long after the product has been applied to fabrics.

Form	Pen
Setting time	N/A
Formulated for	Fresh food and drink stains

Shout Wipe and Go Instant Stain Remover Wipes

Shout Wipe and Go Instant Stain Remover Wipes

Pros

• Individually wrapped so they stay moist
• Can be used on carpet and car seat stains too

Cons

• Some reviewers say darker stains require more than one wipe

We think these Shout Instant Stain Remover Wipes are so great for quick fixes, we keep them stocked in the Cleaning Lab for any colleagues that may suffer coffee spills and lunch messes during the day. While we haven’t formally tested these in our 20 test stains 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.

They come individually wrapped so they stay moist and can be easily kept in your work bag or desk drawer. And no worries about walking around with a ring on your shirt where your stain once was. After these dry, there’s no trace left behind. If you do 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 in it to tackle one small stain at a time so you may need more than one wipe for dark, heavy stains.

Form	Wipes
Setting time	N/A
Formulated for	All types of stains

Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover

Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover

Pros

• Works on carpets too
• Rinses clean from carpeting and fabrics

Cons

While you won’t be able to treat every single one of your stains with this product, it is the best stain remover for fresh and dried wine stains. As its name promised, Wine Away completely erased wine stains in our Cleaning Lab’s stain tests. It also worked well on other stains like red food coloring, grape juice and cola. The formula leaves no residue after rinsing, and we found it easy to wash out of carpets and fabrics without causing any damage. 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 rated Wine Away very well and gushed about everything from its pleasant scent and effectiveness to its ease of use and how quickly it worked. It is important to note that this product is not formulated for and not effective on oily stains.

Form	Spray
Setting time	Up to 5 minutes
Formulated for	Red wine stains

How we test stain removers

Philip Friedman

By our last count, the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab has 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 test stain removers, we stain white swatches of cotton fabric with 20 of the most common food, drink, outdoor and makeup stains. After the stains are allowed to set overnight, we wash the fabric swatches in cold and warm water with a Lab-standard regular-size load of laundry.

Philip Friedman

While we previously graded each washed stain according to the AATCC Stain Release Scale in a dark room illuminated by a light set to mimic standard daylight conditions, we recently switched to evaluating stains using a Verivide DigiEye System. This system provides us with 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 stain remover is to apply, 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

Here are a few things to consider when shopping for the best stain remover for your garments.

✔️ Form: There are sprays, gels, powders, solid sticks and liquid stain removers, plus on-the-go options in wipe and pen forms. The form you choose for your stain remover depends on personal preference and where you are when you notice the stains. Gels and sprays are the easiest to apply but powders and liquids offer the most versatility. Solid sticks often require a little extra elbow grease to apply evenly to garments but are convenient to pack 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. For the most effective results, wash protein stains in cool water as heat can cause these stains to become set in. For all other kinds of stains, wash in the warmest water the garment can withstand. There are stain removers made for specific types of stains like our pick for wine stains, Wine Away. Choose a stain remover made for the particular stain you are trying to remove from the garment.

✔️ Fabric: A stain remover’s label usually states what kind of fabrics it is safe to use on. Some stain removers may contain bleach which may not be safe to use on colored garments. Your garment labels should also be carefully inspected before applying any 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: How soon do you need to wear the stained garment? If you notice a stain on your shirt after you’ve already ordered your Uber, you won’t have enough time to apply a stain remover overnight and throw it in a load of laundry. For quick fixes, wipes and pens are your best bet. If you can stand to wait overnight or whenever you’ve scheduled your next laundry day, opt for a spray, gel or liquid formula.

What is the best homemade stain remover?

It’s the enzymes present in dedicated stain removers that work to lift stains out of garments best, so it’s hard to find a DIY solution that can compare to their results, but 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 into the fabric, dish soap is a good alternative to a stain pretreatment if it’s all you have on hand and 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.