Best Stain Removers: Top 5 Products Most Recommended By Experts

You went on a fun night out, had a delicious dinner, some wine… And now you have stains on your favorite top. Simply tossing it in the laundry won't get rid of them. Time to say goodbye? Of course not! Break out that stain remover instead. Which one, you ask? While there's an overwhelming number of options, StudyFinds found the best stain removers for you to choose from. Out, damn spot!

Speaking of laundry: One in three Americans agree that laundry is one of the best chores to do at any time of the day. Nevertheless, it's the most dreaded chore for two in three young adults. They say the biggest reasons are that it's time-consuming (52%), or they dislike a specific part of the process, like loading the machine or folding (50%). But not washing your clothes is of course not an option, especially if you don't own a lot of them.

While women are notorious for retail therapy, 52 percent of men repeat outfits each week and only have an average of five different looks in their rotation, reveals a recent poll. Twenty-one percent wear the same shirt three times a week and 38 percent own a "lucky shirt" to wear to special events such as a job interview. Which such limited options, a stain can really wreak havoc on your wardrobe.

Lucky for your lucky shirt, StudyFinds is here to fight pesky stains with you. We consulted experts across ten websites to build our list of the best stain removers below. Do you have a product (or trick) to add? Please let us know in the comments!

OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder is the leading product for stain removal on our list. Eight out of ten experts recommend it and two absolutely love it. "This three-pound box of OxiClean stain removing powder can pretty much do it all. Throw it in with your laundry (it's great for whites and colors) or use it to pretreat a stain before washing. You can also use it to remove stains from almost any surface — carpets, furniture, patio furniture, grout and more," raves Parenting.com.

"Our selection for the best overall stain remover is OxiClean – Versatile Stain Remover," writes Your Best Digs. "It worked better than any of the other products we tested on each of the four different stain types. The oxygen-based stain remover successfully eliminated the most difficult of substances from white cotton shirts without damaging the fabric. Time is not the enemy of this super-charged stain remover; it worked even on week-old, set-in stains."

And according to Discover, "this powerful powder can quickly and easily tackle a variety of stains such as grass, blood, food, and grease. OxiClean does not rely on harsh chemicals to get rid of stains but instead uses the power of oxygen to boost its stain-fighting power. Unlike other stain removers, OxiClean is color-safe and does not bleach or fade colors."

When washing a stain is not an option, Tide-to-Go is the way to go, according to our experts. It's the second-most recommended stain remover. "This is the OG of to-go stain removers," quotes a contributor from Apartment Therapy.

The Tide pen also received Good Housekeeping‘s seal of approval: "A Good Housekeeping Seal holder and fan favorite with over 32,000 ratings on Amazon, Tide-to-Go Instant Stain Removing Pens have bleach-free stain-removing powers and can fit in even the smallest of handbags. Our Lab experts have put these pens through many rounds of stain testing since they were first made available for purchase in 2006 and have been impressed with the results every time. They are gentle enough to use on washable silk and work well on many common stains like coffee, ketchup and red wine."

Never underestimate grandma! This humble-sounding spray got the experts convinced. "Use this super-powered spot remover for just about anything — including the most stubborn oil and grease splotches," recommends Southern Living. "The brand even claims one little bottle will last you a full year with normal use. You know what might be the best part? There's no scrubbing required. Just apply and let Grandma work her magic."

According to testers at The Spruce, "this spot remover from Grandma's Secret proved to be efficient at clearing all the stains used in testing, except for the trickiest of the group (the wine stain and foundation in particular) and was easy to use, too. Just apply it to the stain, let it sit, and then wash as usual. The bleach-free formula even promises to work with all water temperatures, adding to its very convenient nature."

Real Simple found that "the best laundry stain remover to get rid of food stains is Grandma's Secret Laundry Spray. The easy-to-use spray is gentle on all fabrics, but tough on stains — and it's formulated without bleach, phosphates, or chlorine." However, they write it isn't for "people who prefer a laundry stain remover with natural ingredients."

People who prefer natural ingredients have two great options. Both can boast an equal number of expert recommendations. "This stain remover is made with plant-based ingredients and doesn't contain any perfumes or dyes. The cruelty-free formula is safe to use on washable fabrics and works on both colored and white fabric," knows Better Homes & Gardens about the Method Stain Remover. And the Seventh Generation Laundry Stain Remover is "made with almost all plant-based ingredients and doesn't contain phosphates, fragrances, or dyes. The container itself is made out of post-consumer recycled packaging, and it's recyclable. The brand also doesn't test on animals."

"Method's Stain Remover was a standout in our testing, scoring high ratings across the board. You can use it on pretty much any tough stain you’ll encounter, including grease, blood, grass, oil, food, makeup, and more," states The Spruce about their favorite stain remover. "Even better, the noteworthy results are a breeze to come by, thanks to the brush-and-bottle combination. We love that it was extremely easy to use, especially when working with large stains. While we liked the built-in brush, you could also squirt the product on, especially if you’re spot-cleaning a small stain."

"Seventh Generation's Free & Clear Laundry Stain Remover was very easy to use," writes Real Simple. "We love this laundry stain remover spray because of its naturally-derived ingredients, plant-based enzymes, and ability to effectively get rid of fresh stains. […] For its value and effectiveness, one tester says this enzyme-based stain remover's performance exceeds its affordable price point."

While Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam doesn't have the most recommendations, it's the top stain remover for two experts and the "best budget" pick for The Spruce: "It performed well across the board, removing most stains with ease […] Other highlights were its ease of use, unscented formula, and overall value."

"Our top pick for the best laundry stain remover is the Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam," says Better Homes & Gardens about their favorite. "This affordable stain remover received perfect scores for ease of use, effectiveness, and value. It features stain-removing ingredients that dissolve tough grease stains, and it's safe to use on machine washable fabrics."

"Out of all the laundry stain removers we tested, the Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam was the most impressive," agrees Real Simple. "This reliable stain remover is our favorite for its ability to effectively remove various types of stains, including set-in makeup, oil, and grease."

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.

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