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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber is the strongest overall pick in Good Housekeeping Institute’s current testing, while OxiClean Max Force Laundry Stain Remover Spray is the best choice if you specifically want a spray. There is no single remover that is best for every fabric and stain: OxiClean powder is the leading presoak, Shout Advanced Gel is a strong option for set-in marks, and Tide Pen Pro and Shout Wipe and Go are convenient for treating accidents away from home.
This guide is based on reported testing from the Good Housekeeping Institute and Consumer Reports, not independent testing by this publication.
Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber is the strongest overall pick in Good Housekeeping Institute’s current testing, while OxiClean Max Force Laundry Stain Remover Spray is the best choice if you specifically want a spray. There is no single remover that is best for every fabric and stain: OxiClean powder is the leading presoak, Shout Advanced Gel is a strong option for set-in marks, and Tide Pen Pro and Shout Wipe and Go are convenient for treating accidents away from home.
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This guide is based on reported testing from the Good Housekeeping Institute and Consumer Reports, not independent testing by this publication. Good Housekeeping’s February 2026 category test evaluated more than 40 clothing stain removers against more than 1,500 individual stains and 608 pounds of laundry. Its current protocol applied 20 common food, drink, outdoor, and makeup stains to white cotton, then measured results after cold- and warm-water washing with a Verivide DigiEye System.
The 10 best laundry stain removers
| Rank | Product | Best for | What the testing found |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber | Best overall | Top overall Good Housekeeping score; especially effective on lipstick, mascara, and ink. |
| 2 | OxiClean Max Force Laundry Stain Remover Spray | Best spray | Very strong on grass and oil, with good results on grape juice, ketchup, and mascara. |
| 3 | OxiClean Stain Remover Powder | Best presoak | Top performer in Good Housekeeping’s recent six-product presoak test. |
| 4 | Shout Advanced Gel with Scrubber Brush | Best for set-in stains | Completely removed nine of 20 evaluated stains in Good Housekeeping’s testing. |
| 5 | Puracy Stain Remover Spray | Best plant- and mineral-based option | Removed several food stains completely and contains 92% USDA biobased ingredients, according to the source. |
| 6 | Tide Pen Pro Stain Remover | Best portable pen | Performed well on common food and drink stains across cotton, polyester, and silk. |
| 7 | Shout Wipe and Go Instant Stain Remover | Best wipe | A practical choice for small fresh spills in cars, bags, offices, and travel kits. |
| 8 | Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover | Best for wine | Completely removed wine in Good Housekeeping’s laboratory testing. |
| 9 | Persil ProClean Stain Fighter | Best detergent pretreatment alternative | Consumer Reports found it outperformed most dedicated stain removers when applied directly to stains. |
| 10 | Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release | Best detergent for pretreatment and washing | Produced strong pretreatment results and was particularly effective on grass as a detergent. |
1. Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber: Best overall
Carbona earned the highest overall score in Good Housekeeping’s reported testing. It was particularly good at removing lipstick, mascara, and ink, and it was the only formula in that test to completely remove ballpoint pen ink from the test fabric.
#1 Best Overall
- 12 FL OZ OXICLEAN MAX FORCE STAIN REMOVER SPRAY; this newborn and baby essential helps parents power out tough set-in laundry stains the first time; spray now and wash up to 7 days later
- SPRAY NOW, WASH UP TO 7 DAYS LATER; this convenient baby stain remover spray penetrates tough laundry stains
- 5-IN-1 STAIN FIGHTERS help remove tough dried-in stains the first time, like berries, baby food, fruit juice, grass, mud, oil, grease, coffee, wine, chocolate, ketchup, blood, ink and washable paint
- TOUGH ON STAINS, GENTLE ON CLOTHES; this color-safe, enzymatic stain remover for baby clothes is a baby and newborn essential that contains no chlorine bleach, no brighteners, no dyes and no phosphates
- FOR ALL MACHINE-WASHABLE FABRICS; a powerful laundry stain remover for onesies, bibs, sheets, towels, denim jeans, t-shirts, workout gear, canvas shoes, dresses, bras; and washable fabrics like cotton, linen, spandex, fleece, polyester, nylon
The built-in applicator helps work the product into residue, making it useful for concentrated spots rather than broad areas of clothing. That same scrubbing action means you should be cautious with delicate fabrics. The formula may be too harsh for silk and similar materials, so check the garment label and test an inconspicuous area first.
Best for: Ink, makeup, and concentrated marks.
Watch out for: Delicates, especially silk.
2. OxiClean Max Force Laundry Stain Remover Spray: Best spray
OxiClean Max Force Laundry Stain Remover Spray is the best-supported spray choice in the current evidence. Good Housekeeping reported very high scores on grass and oil, along with strong earlier results on grape juice, ketchup, and mascara. OxiClean’s product directions specifically describe pretreating stains before washing.
For use, spray until the stain is saturated. The label allows the product to work for as little as five minutes or, depending on the stain and garment, as long as one week. Wash using the warmest water permitted by the care label. Do not assume a longer dwell time is always better: follow the product directions, test for colorfastness, and rinse or wash as directed.
OxiClean’s official guidance excludes silk, wool, leather, and dry-clean-only fabrics. Do not treat clothing while wearing it. Apply the product in an inconspicuous area first, particularly on colored garments.
Best for: Grass, oil, food, and older stains when a spray is more convenient than a soak.
Watch out for: Silk, wool, leather, dry-clean-only garments, and untested colored fabrics.
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OxiClean Stain Remover Powder was the top performer among six products in Good Housekeeping’s latest presoak test. It nearly eliminated spaghetti sauce, chocolate syrup, coffee, and gravy.
Rank #2
- 4 types of stain fighters
- Gets out more of your toughest stains
- Use for grass, grease, oil & more
- Safe for all colorfast, washable fabrics
To presoak, dissolve the powder as directed and soak the garment for one to six hours before washing. A presoak is particularly useful when a stain covers a larger area or has resisted a quick spot treatment. Keep the garment fully submerged and use only the amount specified on the label.
Best for: Food, coffee, gravy, and broad or stubborn stains.
Watch out for: Fabric restrictions and colorfastness; follow the package directions rather than treating every garment identically.
4. Shout Advanced Gel with Scrubber Brush: Best for set-in stains
Good Housekeeping reported that Shout Advanced Gel completely removed nine of the 20 evaluated stains, including grass, ketchup, and grape juice. Its concentrated gel can remain on fabric for up to a week, which gives it a useful role when an old stain cannot be washed immediately.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteApply it according to the label and use the brush carefully. The bristles can be too aggressive for some delicate fabrics. Rinse the brush after use so dried or loosened residue is not transferred to another garment.
Best for: Older grass, ketchup, and grape-juice marks.
Watch out for: Over-scrubbing delicate materials and leaving product residue on the applicator.
5. Puracy Stain Remover Spray: Best plant- and mineral-based option
Puracy is the leading choice here for readers seeking a more plant- and mineral-based formulation, although that positioning should not be confused with universal stain superiority. Good Housekeeping reported that it completely removed spaghetti sauce, chocolate syrup, and coffee, and came close to completely removing mustard after a 15-minute dwell time.
The source describes the formula as containing six specialty enzymes and 92% USDA biobased ingredients. Lipstick and mustard were more difficult for it, so choose another product when those are your main concern or treat the mark promptly and repeat the process if the care label permits.
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Rank #3
- 48 FL OZ OXICLEAN MAX FORCE STAIN REMOVER SPRAY REFILL; this newborn and baby essential helps parents power out tough set-in laundry stains the first time; spray now and wash up to 7 days later
- SPRAY NOW, WASH UP TO 7 DAYS LATER; this convenient stain treater spray penetrates tough messy stains
- 5-IN-1 STAIN FIGHTERS help get out tough dried-in stains the first time, like berries, baby food, fruit juice, grass, mud, oil, grease, coffee, wine, chocolate, ketchup, blood, ink and washable paint
- TOUGH ON STAINS, GENTLE ON CLOTHES; this color-safe, enzymatic laundry stain remover is a baby and newborn essential that contains no chlorine bleach, no brighteners, no dyes and no phosphates
- FOR ALL MACHINE-WASHABLE FABRICS; a powerful baby clothes stain remover for onesies, bibs, sheets, towels, denim jeans, t-shirts, workout gear, canvas shoes, dresses, bras; and washable fabrics like cotton, linen, spandex, fleece, polyester, nylon
Best for: Common food stains and shoppers prioritizing a biobased formulation.
Watch out for: Lipstick, mustard, and the assumption that “plant-based” means suitable for every fabric.
6. Tide Pen Pro Stain Remover: Best portable pen
Tide Pen Pro is designed for immediate spot treatment rather than replacing a full pretreatment and wash cycle. Good Housekeeping reported good results across cotton, polyester, and silk on 10 common food and drink stains, with particularly strong performance on dark red and purple juice stains and ketchup.
It is a sensible item for a work bag, vehicle, suitcase, or event kit. Use it as soon as practical, blot rather than aggressively rub the spill, and launder the garment according to its care label when you can. A pen is less suitable for a large, oily, dried, or deeply set stain.
Best for: Fresh food and drink spills away from home.
Watch out for: Treating the pen as a complete substitute for laundering.
7. Shout Wipe and Go Instant Stain Remover: Best wipe
These individually wrapped wipes are convenient for cars, desks, backpacks, diaper bags, and travel. Good Housekeeping reported strong practical results on common food and drink stains, but the wipes did not undergo the same full 20-stain laboratory test as the leading full-size products.
One wipe is intended for a small stain. Dark or heavy marks may require more than one, and a wipe may only reduce the appearance until the garment can be washed properly. Avoid spreading the stain by working from the outside toward the center with gentle pressure.
Best for: Small, fresh spills when water and a washing machine are not immediately available.
Watch out for: Large, dark, oily, or old stains.
Rank #4
- Tackles stubborn stains like grease, blood, and grass
- Powerful formula penetrates deep into fabrics
- Lifts and removes tough stains with ease
- 12 fl oz spray bottle for targeted treatment
- Includes 48 fl oz refill for extended use
8. Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover: Best for wine
Wine Away is a specialty product rather than an all-purpose laundry pretreatment. Good Housekeeping reported complete wine removal in laboratory testing and strong performance on red food coloring and purple grape juice.
Its limitation is important: the product was not effective on oil stains. Keep it for red wine and similar red, water-based spills instead of expecting it to handle grease, ink, or every food stain. Blot excess wine promptly, apply the product according to its directions, and wash only when the garment label allows.
Best for: Red wine, red food coloring, and purple grape juice.
Watch out for: Oil and grease stains.
9. Persil ProClean Stain Fighter: Best detergent pretreatment alternative
Consumer Reports adds an important counterpoint to dedicated stain removers: a liquid laundry detergent can sometimes perform as well as or better than a specialty product when used as a pretreatment. In its testing, Persil ProClean Stain Fighter performed better than most dedicated stain removers when applied directly to stains.
Consumer Reports found that a five-minute soak handled body oil, dirt, chocolate, and salad dressing. Blood and grass benefited from an overnight soak. Because protein stains such as blood require more careful water-temperature choices, follow the garment and detergent directions rather than assuming that hot water is best.
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Best for: Readers who want one laundry product to pretreat and wash.
Watch out for: Leaving detergent on fabric longer than the label or fabric-care instructions permit.
10. Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release: Best detergent for pretreatment and washing
Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release is another dual-purpose choice. Consumer Reports found that applying a dab directly to stains produced strong pretreatment results. As a detergent, it was particularly effective on grass.
Best Value
- One 6.2 fl oz OxiClean Max Force Laundry Stain Remover Gel Stick tackles your stubborn and dried-in laundry stains
- OxiClean Max Force gel lets you pretreat stains now, then wash up to seven days later for cleaning that fits your schedule
- Powerful laundry spot remover for oil, grease, makeup, blood, grass, soil, clay, ink, food, drinks, and kid and baby stains
- Laundry stain remover for clothes is color safe, dye free, chlorine free, and safe to use on all machine-washable whites and colored fabrics, even kid and baby clothes
- Rub gel directly on stains until saturated, let stand five minutes or up to seven days, then wash with detergent in warmest water garment will accept; to get clothes extra clean, add OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover powder to washer per label directions
This is a practical option if you do not want to keep a separate stain-remover spray in the laundry room. Apply it directly to the mark as directed, allow the recommended treatment time, and then wash using the warmest water safe for the garment.
Best for: Grass and households that prefer a detergent-based stain routine.
Watch out for: It is not a portable pen, wipe, or specialty wine treatment.
Which stain remover should you choose?
| If you need to remove… | Start with… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ink or makeup | Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber | It led the reported results for lipstick and mascara and uniquely removed ballpoint ink completely in the test. |
| Grease, oil, or grass | OxiClean Max Force | It scored very highly on grass and oil in Good Housekeeping’s testing. |
| A broad or stubborn food stain | OxiClean Stain Remover Powder | It was the leading presoak product in the recent test. |
| An old or set-in mark | Shout Advanced Gel or OxiClean Max Force | Both support extended dwell times, subject to their labels and fabric restrictions. |
| A more biobased option | Puracy | It combines strong results on several food stains with the reported biobased formulation. |
| A spill away from home | Tide Pen Pro or Shout Wipe and Go | Both are compact spot-treatment tools. |
| Red wine | Wine Away | It completely removed wine in the reported laboratory test. |
| A separate pretreatment-free routine | Persil ProClean or Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release | Both can be applied directly to stains and then used as laundry detergents. |
How to use laundry stain remover without making the stain worse
- Check both labels. Read the garment-care label and the stain-remover instructions before applying anything. Pay special attention to dry-clean-only clothing and fabrics such as silk, wool, leather, rayon, and other delicate materials.
- Remove excess material first. Lift solids gently with a dull edge. Blot liquids with a clean cloth or paper towel. Rubbing can push a spill farther into the fibers.
- Test a hidden area. Apply a small amount to an inside seam or hem, wait as directed, and check for color change, fading, or damage.
- Use the right temperature. Good Housekeeping advises cool water for protein stains such as blood. For many other stains, use the warmest water allowed by the garment label and the product instructions.
- Allow the stated dwell time. Some products work after a few minutes; others permit hours or up to a week. Longer is not automatically safer or more effective.
- Inspect before drying. Never place the garment in the dryer while the stain is still visible. Dryer heat can set some stains permanently. Repeat pretreatment and washing instead.
- Stop when the fabric is at risk. Rust, bleach damage, dried paint, ink, and certain dyes may be impossible to remove completely. Repeated aggressive scrubbing can damage fabric even when the stain might otherwise have faded.
What the testing does—and does not—prove
Laboratory rankings are useful comparisons, not guarantees. Results depend on the type and age of the stain, the fabric, the color, how long the product remains in contact with the material, the wash temperature, and whether the garment has already been dried. Good Housekeeping’s wipe results, for example, came from practical testing rather than the full 20-stain laboratory protocol. Consumer Reports’ detergent findings also measure a different use case from a concentrated spray or pen.
For that reason, the ranking is best treated as a set of starting points. Carbona is the strongest overall tested pick, but OxiClean may be more useful when you need a spray, Wine Away is more appropriate for red wine, and a Tide pen is more useful than a large bottle when the accident happens during a commute. Always follow the current package directions, since formulas, packaging, and fabric restrictions can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best laundry stain remover overall?
Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber is the best overall choice based on Good Housekeeping’s reported testing, where it earned the highest score and performed especially well on lipstick, mascara, and ink. The best choice still depends on the stain, fabric, and whether you need a spray, presoak, wipe, or detergent pretreatment.
What is the best spray stain remover?
OxiClean Max Force is the strongest supported spray choice in this guide. Good Housekeeping reported very strong results on grass and oil, while the manufacturer’s directions explain how to spray, wait, and wash. It should not be used on silk, wool, leather, or dry-clean-only garments.
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Should I dry clothing after treating a stain?
Do not put the garment in the dryer while the stain remains visible. Heat can set some stains permanently. Pretreat and wash again instead, following the garment-care and stain-remover labels.
What water temperature is best for stains?
For blood and other protein stains, start with cool water, as recommended by Good Housekeeping. For many other stains, use the warmest water permitted by the garment label and the product instructions.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Choose Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber for the strongest overall reported performance, OxiClean Max Force for a versatile spray, and OxiClean Stain Remover Powder for presoaking. Shout Advanced is a good set-in-stain candidate, Puracy is the leading researched biobased option, and Tide Pen Pro, Shout Wipe and Go, and Wine Away solve portable and specialty problems. If you prefer not to buy a separate pretreatment, Consumer Reports’ results make Persil ProClean Stain Fighter and Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release credible detergent-based alternatives.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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