Best Stain Removers of 2023
1. BEST OVERALL STAIN REMOVER
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.
2. BEST STAIN REMOVER FOR OLD STAINS
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.
3. BEST OXI 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.
4. BEST STAIN REMOVER FOR OIL & GREASE STAINS
Shout Advanced Foaming Grease and Oil Stain Remover
PROS
- Very easy to use
- Excellent performance across most food stains tested
CONS
- Can not be allowed to dry on fabric
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.
5. BEST INSTANT STAIN REMOVER PEN
Tide to Go Instant Stain Remover Pen
PROS
- Even worked on silk in our tests
- Easy to use
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, 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.
6. BEST INSTANT STAIN REMOVER WIPE
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.
7. BEST STAIN REMOVER FOR WINE STAINS
Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover
PROS
- Works on carpets too
- Rinses clean from carpeting and fabrics
CONS
- Not very effective on oily stains
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.
