Does Anyone Recommend a Good Stain Remover?

We got a small book from Consumer Reports years ago that I keep by my washer and dryer. For almost all stains it recommends:
1) a standard stain remover
2) ammonia
3) vinegar
4) enzyme (We use OxiClean.)

I keep spray bottles and a scrub brush near the washer/dryer, quickly spray and brush in the first three and then sprinkle on some OxiClean. It sounds like it takes a lot of time or effort but it's super quick and effective on practically everything. Hydrogen peroxide helps get out blood too.

Good luck.

Hi M.,
I use Shout and scrub the stain. If it's really bad, I'll add a bit of Clorox 2 (unscented) and scrub the stain with a little brush. I also add Clorox 2 to my load of wash.
- but if you want to treat and then throw the item in the hamper you need to use a stain stick. (I use a stain stick (Spray and Wash when we are on vacation).
I also use All unscented laundry detergent.
The only stains I pre-soak are blood stains and I soak them in the sink with water and Clorox 2 then wash.

So - Shout - Clorox 2 - All - and a little elbow grease.
If that doesn't work - try scrubbing with lemon and salt and laying the garment out in the sun.
Happy Laundering,
Linda

I use OxyClean for babies. It's great! It gets out just about any stain my 9-month old son leaves on his clothes and it doesn't contain bleach. I love it and would recommend it to anyone. I also use it on my own clothes and am always satisfied.

Try Shout Advanced - I won't use anything else. It almost always gets out set-in stains, and if it doesn't get something out the first time, it usually does the second time. I don't end up spraying it until after it has sat in the hamper for a week even...
Good luck!

Had the same problem...now we only use the spray Dreft, even on the adult stains. It comes in a spray bottle like Spray & Wash. Some other products bothered my daughter's sensitive skin or the odor of the cleaner was left in the clothes after washing. Spray Dreft can be hard to find. At Target it is in the laundry detergent section, but next to the liquid Dreft (for baby clothes), not the Spray & Wash & other stain removers.

http://www.mrsmeyers.com/CategoryDetail.aspx?CategoryId=4...

Mrs. Meyers baby stain remover works very well.

M.,

I know this isn't a cheap solution but my kids' clothes come out clean 99% of the time now that I have a high efficiency (front loader) washer. And I don't pretreat them hardly ever. I was really surprised how much of a difference a better washer made when I got my new one.

But other than that, oxyclean works pretty well. You have to use hot tap water, mix in the oxyclean and let the clothes soak at least over night but that will get out most stains. Some really bad stains might need to soak for several days (change the water out and add new oxyclean daily).

Good luck,
T.

Dreft spray - $2.99 at Target. I'm surprised only one other mom has mentioned this stuff. It really is the best! I'll never buy another stain treatmnet as long as this is on the market. Just to illustrate how well it works - I have a favorite sweatshirt that had a set in stain on it for years but I couldn't bring myself to throw it out - so when my son was born and I started using Dreft, I sprayed that stain with each washing, and next thing I knew it was gone!

I use the "spray n' wash stain stick". It's a tall round tube and when you open it it kinda looks like deodorant! lol So far, it's been working great for me. I usually put it on right away though (or as soon as I get home, if I'm not home when the stain happens). But there were a few times that I didn't do it right away and the stain still came out. Good luck!

I have been using a product that Sensaria Natural Bodycare has had in it's line for 30 years. It is natural and it works. I am also a rep for the company.

I use Citrus Cleaner to clean my clothes in my front load washer, to remove stains, to cleaning my kitchen and washing my fruits and vegetables.

www.sensaria.com/J. go to Home Care

(Dr. Sears knows me through my sister and TACA)

Totally Toddler! It works great! We got ours at Babies R Us but I think I've seen it at Target. Smells like baby powder and gets out anything.

Two great stain removers that I have used...one natural from Whole Foods Begley's Best Spot Remover...the other not so much so from 99cent store called Awesome...both work great and have removed all sorts of stains from blood to stool stains. Good luck.

I like oxy clean--I wet the stain with warm water and rub it in before running the wash. You might also try letting the clothes soak in warm water rather than just using spray and throwing in the hamper. I don't think the spray on stuff is usually made to work that way. Good luck!

I use Sol U Mel for those really tough stains. Sometimes I mix it with PreSpot. They are both products from Melaleuca. I have gotten some really tough stains out with them like pen, blood grass stains and chocolate. The nice thing is that they really work and they are safe to have around the house!

I always use Dreft. It never leaves a stain.

I use the Spray n Wash Dual Power stain remover and it works great! I do not pretreat and I usually let the laundry pile up for a week. I am still able to remove the stain (even bad diaper blowouts) by spraying the remover onto the stain just before putting it into the wash machine.

I often have good luck with Goo Gone or Murphy's oil soap repeating and repeating using it, rubbing, and then rinse under the instant hot water. Recently I had a terrible time with some blood spots. Finally after the usual didn't work, I soaked the spots for several hours in Windex. This worked like a charm and the spots are good.
Good luck,
B. V

baby oxyclean...I have seen it only at Target and Albertson's in my area.

I have heard biz, the detergent works really well. I haven't picked any up yet, but its on my list! Good luck!

Hi M.,

I have 3 kids from the age of 13 to 7 and the single best stain remover I've ever used is the Spray-N-Wash stain stick. HANDS DOWN. I have one by each hamper, and the kids are (now) each responsible for putting it on the satins before it goes into the hamper. It even got rid of the nasty stains that the baby spit-up would leave that NOTHING else would wash away!

Good Luck!
H.

I used original Dawn (blue) dish washing liquid. It's safe and doesn't bleach clothes. It works great on grass stains.

If the stains are not coming out 100% of the time, I'd say you are using the wrong detergent. We use Tide 2X, and we rarely have to treat stains AT ALL. My daughter has started coming home with some pretty tough ones from school, so I do treat hers occasionally with Shout or a scoop of OxyClean in the wash. Zout doesn't work at all for us. If you notice a stain before putting something in the dryer, you can rewash it while it is still wet and try again. The dryer will set the stain, though, so once it goes in there you will never get the stain out. Sometimes if it is a load of just kid clothes I will add a cup of regular bleach to the bleach dispenser after the wash cycle has run for about 5 minutes. When the clothes are soaked and sudsed like that you don't get bleach spots on the clothes, provided they have been washed before. It gets out a lot of stains that the stain removers can't get. Good luck!

I will add in my vote for three things that you've already been recommended:

1. Dreft Spot Remover Spray (great for when they're babies and it's poop, drool & vomit stains)

2. Oxy Clean soaking overnight (great for toddlers, works wonders on dirt, grass, blueberries, other food)

3. Carbona (I use this on all of my husband's stains like ink, blood, grease, wine. I imagine that as my toddler gets older I'll use it more on his laundry too!)

Easy Off .... i think if you type in ways to use Easy-Off in your search engine - it comes up ...... totally crazy - but true!! Good luck!

Hi M.,

I swear by Soil-Love. It comes in a mint green squeeze bottle and is often available at the 99 cent only stores. I also find it at Stater Bros. I have had stains slip by me and go through the dryer and this stuff still gets them out.

Have a good day
M.

I love Soilove. It is inexpensive and it works great!

I've been soaking my daughters clothes in Oxy Clean for about an hour before washing them and it is working great. Her socks are actually white again! The only problem is that my daughter has sensitive skin and I've noticed a rash on her foot since I've started using it.

I swear by dish soap!!!! It is made for cutting grease and food so....At first I used it on every little spot. Now with 3 boys I just squirt it straight into the washing machine in addition to detergent and some spray n wash or oxy clean. Good Luck!

Oxyclean. If it is a grease stain, rub it with dish detergent before washing and it gets clean.

I have to say (as a few others did) Dawn Dish Soap. The sooner you get to the stain, the better. Tide makes detergent with Dawn in it. Or try whatever you have at home with out spending any extra money!!

"Mother's Little Miracle" is an awesome stain remover....it removes anything, anywhere.
You can find it online. I get mine from a local store where i live.
Here is the product description:
It's baby/child/adult safe Product Description

Nature's Way For Cleaning Children's Messiest Messes.

* Non-Toxic
* Safe For Use Around Children
* Money Back Guarantee
* Cruelty Free
* Nature's Enzymes Make It Work

Cleans On Contact:

* Food & Beverage Spills
* Baby's Spit Ups
* Vomit
* Urine
* Feces
* Blood
* Dirt

Plus Many Others:

* Toys
* Dolls
* Bibs
* High Chairs
* Furniture
* Carpets
* Clothing
* Bedding
* Etc.

Safe on all surfaces where water is safe.

If not satisfied, for refund send proof of purchase to:
Mother's Little Miracle®, Inc.
27520 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 125
Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274

Mary Ellen's Bye Bye Baby Stains Formula 2 for stains on colors and a clorox bleach pen for stains on whites. You can buy these at amazon.com or google it for other stores. I also soak clothes over night in hottest water appropriate after treating them with stain remover and tide with alternative bleach, then wash. Hope that helps.

Hi M. :)

The Melaleuca products are FANTASTIC. I use them and they work wonders! The Sol-U-Mel w/ Pre-Spot treatment... AWESOME! The Sol-U-Mel is teriffic on it's own. I clean everything with that and don't even have to scrub... it cleans everything effortlessly. I can help you order if you don't already know of a distributor. :)

My best!
J.

Try Soil Love. Available at Ralph's and some 99cent stores. It is in a green oval shaped bottle. Takes out pretty much every stain.

Since I don't use the commercial products for my house or family, I have found Charlies Stain Remover to be THE BEST! WE sell Charlies Soap and Maggies Soap Nuts at our store, Belly Sprout (www.bellysprout.com), but not the spray. You can order it online. I have actually used Charlies on day old blueberry stains and they are gone!

Be careful of using ANY commercial laundering and household products as they are loaded with toxic chemicals. Did you know that the bleach, even in your cabinets, leaks out into the household which means that while you sleep you are breathing in toxic fumes? Go to www.healthychild.org and you can learn more. The research is astounding and I think more parents would go green if they new the long-term effects on their little ones.

Belly Sprout also has an online blog at www.bellysprout.com, where you can learn about all kinds of natural living tips for you and your family!

Good luck!
C., owner of Belly Sprout

Try Carbona. They are smaller bottles (I've seen them at SavOn and Walmart). I've also seen them at Fabric stores. There are several bottles catered to the type of stain you want to remove (grass, ink, chocolate, strawberry,blood, etc.)

If you notice a food stain, spot treat it or soak it right away.

I have THREE boys! Totally toddler works my magic. It is a spray just like Dreft. I get it at Toysrus/Babiesrus. Otherwise you could always try vinegar, I know it gets out my kitchen stains and hardwater gunk, ive never used it on clothes however.

You need OxyClean! I add a scoop to each load of kids' laundry, but for those really tough stains, I soak them in hot water and a scoop of oxyclean. Sometimes it can take the color out of clothing, but I've found for most fabrics it's fine.

Hope that helps!

Try Oxy Clean. If it doesn't work in the laundry machine, try soaking the clothes in it for a while before washing them.

I used OxyClean. I keep a small tub near the laundry sink, throw in a scoop and hot water, let it soak over night. When my daughter was a baby, something was always soaking. : )

Fuller Brush Stain Spray gets everything out. I also use an old soap sometimes call FellsNaptha. That also gets everything out...but requires you to rub it on the clothes just like soap. I recommed Fuller Brush Stain Spray.

SA8 prewash is the very best!!! Mom tested and approved. Go to we-us.mychoices.biz and search for prewash. I have used it forever!!!

i use equal parts of a clear dish soap (like dawn), water and ammonia. this takes stains out like no other!!! i don't even soak it. as i put my laundry in the washer i spray as i go and VOILA! they are gone! its amazing!!
mix in a spray bottle and shake up! the ammonia smell goes away once mixed all together its a miracle spot remover!!!

i use oxiclean and Oil Eater Cleaner Degreaser. good luck!

I've always used Tide detergent as a pre-treater for stains. It works great, you should try it!

Oxyclean spray is great!

Try Dawn blue dish soap it is amazing especially on grease stains Good luck!

M.,

I have found that Melaleuca, the Wellness Company, sells great laundry products! The Mela Power (1/2 ounce per wash!) itself cleans most spots. However, when you add the prespot, or in extreme cases also add Sol-U-Mel, not much stays in. I have old spots on my clothes that have come clean since using these products.

These products are especially safe, as they contain none of the usual cleaning products--phosphates, chlorine, amonia, formaldahyde, etc. No one has ever been poisoned by them, and there are no child proof caps! The price is great, as well, 30-40% less than you could pay for similar products at a grocery store! And, they are shipped to your door, saving you the cost of gas and shopping time. In order to get the great price, however, like many warehouse stores, you must be a member. If you are interested, I will be more than happy to assist you!

http://www.BringingWellnessHome.com/Angel

A.
Working at Home to Live a Healthy Life
http://www.WomansDreamTeam.com/Angel

I use Shout and work it in with a toothbrush.

I love "Totally Toddler" stain remover that they sell at Babies R Us. It's pretty cheap too -- I buy the huge bottle of it. Works well, even on "grown-up" clothes : )

I use the OxyClean spray, and have rarely had something NOT come out. You name it, it takes it out. I do the same thing, strip clothes off kiddo, spray, toss in hamper. :) HIH

Try resolved carpet cleaner..
It works mieacles...
Promise!!!!

Hi M.!
I use to live in Long Beach. Went to school just moved back home to North County San Diego.
Stain Remover, by far the best is Sol-U-Mel by Melaleuca!
I swear by it!
Also Melaleuca makes a Prespot stain remover that is amazing! (Prespot can also be used as an ant and bug killer! Safe for your family and the environment!)
So Sol-U-Mel... It can be used on its own, or in addition with any of the many cleaning products made by Melaleuca to enhance the effectiveness.
All Melaleuca products are biodegradable, don't use harsh chemicals or abrasives, are eco-friendly, good and safe for your family and the environment and can be bought at whlesale prices and shipped to your door so you don't have to do any driving! Saves gas money!
If you'd like to learn more information please feel free to contact me, I'd love to talk to you and answer any questions about Sol-U-Mel and any of the 400+ products Melaleuca has to offer!

Best Wishes!

L. Garcia
____@____.com

Hi, the one thing nobody has really mentioned is that you have to use HOT water, even on your colored items if you want to get greasy food stains out. I have had the same problem as you but then I started using hot on just those clothes that are stained and it works amazing with whatever stain remover you choose.

I simply spray on some Spray n Wash ,then throw some regular old white VINEGAR in with a hot wash and viola! Even the poop stains come out of my baby's diaper wraps! I use it for that and all the food stains on her clothes. Cheap, easy, and non-toxic. (It makes the clothes softer and smell good too!)

I've had really good luck with Oxy Clean. I use the laundry stain spray on all stains and a scoop of the Oxy Clean Versatile powder in the machine. Together, they have gotten out old stains.

Put them in the sink with tons of Oxi Clean and let them sit for a day, and then wash. You will be AMAZED at how things come out. I do this immidiately with any stain that I am concerned about (before putting it through a dryer baking in the stain).

I've had good luck using a combination of Dreft stain remover, OxyClean and Seventh Generation laundry detergent. I don't have too many stains that linger unless one sits for too long or a stained item in the dryer and it cooks the stain in. Good luck!