Remember that red wine stain on your favorite pants from that dinner party last month? There’s hope—but wait, don’t plan to wear them out tonight. Another way that stain removers and detergents differ is that the process takes time. “You’re going to use [a stain remover] prior to washing,” notes Cohoon. She recommends letting it “sit for four hours, at minimum” before tossing it into the laundry. Package directions can vary, but consider this advice your baseline. We researched and tested 30 stain-fighters in The Lab, from well-known name brands to under-the-radar hits, to see which ones do the best job in the face of stains. We evaluated them on ease of use, effectiveness, smell, the types of substances they can tackle, and overall value. Our top overall pick, the Method Stain Remover, works on grass, red wine, makeup, and other dried-up, set-in stains, and it can be applied directly from the bottle using a built-in scrub brush. Here are the best laundry stain removers, backed by our thorough testing. Even better, the great results are a breeze to come by, thanks to the brush-and-bottle combination. Our tester said it was extremely easy to use, especially when working with large stains. While they liked the built-in brush, you could also just squirt the product without using the brush, say, if you’re spot-cleaning a small stain. All of this comes at a fair price, too. “The bottle isn’t huge,” notes our tester. “But, you still get enough to work on really large or tough stains. The bristle applicator is a major bonus as the friction really seemed to help lift some of the tougher stains, like makeup.” Price at time of publish: $11 The directions tell you not to let this foam dry on stains, so if you’re someone who easily gets distracted and could see yourself getting interrupted while doing laundry and chores, or if you like to take your time with laundry steps, this product might not agree with your usual process. Otherwise, though, it’s a super highly performing, budget-friendly, easy-to-use choice that proved to be effective during our testing process. Price at time of publish: $4 In case you’ve never used a bar stain remover, our tester explained, “The instructions were clear and the shape of the bar made it easy to apply.” They noted that it did create a lot of lather, so the formula could easily spread out of the stain. Bar formulas require less packaging, though, so you throw away less waste when you’re finished with this handy, eco-friendly product. Price at time of publish: $10 Our tester said that it’s not difficult to use, either. While the process can be a bit messy in comparison to any spray you might use, it’s not hard. “All the bars are a little messier than just spraying something on,” said our tester. “But, one good part of that is there is no plastic bottle.” As for its performance, the bar was very strong across multiple categories, including ease of use, effectiveness, and scent. When it comes to price, it’s key to note that this one is more expensive but also worth the splurge, given the results. According to our tester, it’s also lightly scented, which they enjoyed. Price at time of publish: $12 With this stain remover, the length of time you let the product sit can make a big difference. “The longer you let the product set, the more it removes the stain,” our tester advised. A heads-up that applying the cleaner to the stain takes some effort, since you have to mix the powder in a spray bottle and the process can get messy. You can also use it when pre-soaking laundry, though, and overall our tester noted it was relatively easy to use. Keep in mind that OxiClean is formulated with oxygen-based bleach. Extra care is recommended when using it or a product like it. Be mindful of all safety precautions noted on the container, and check that it’s suitable for the fabrics you’re hoping to clean. You should never mix cleaners with each other, and always wear protective eyewear and gloves when working with products with bleach. Price at time of publish: $15 While this is a higher-priced option than others we tested, we appreciate that the formula includes ingredients certified by the EPA Safer Choice Program, and that it’s versatile enough for carpets, upholstery, and even car seats. If you’re looking for a stain remover that’s effective on clothing and useful around the home, and boasts environmentally friendly ingredients, Defunkify is a more than solid choice. Price at time of publish: $25 Most importantly, it removed the majority of stains in our testing, and those that were left behind—foundation and red wine—were lessened. Also worth noting is that the “well-designed spray nozzle made it easy to apply,” according to our tester. They’d recommend this product, as long as you’re not going to be washing lots of wine or makeup stains. If you can avoid those types of stains and you like your laundry to smell like fresh citrus, then you’ll likely be very happy with this pick. Price at time of publish: $6 The pen contains a bleach-free formula that can be used on many different fabrics, even some that are dry-cleanable. All you need to do to use it is press the tip of the pen onto the stain to dispense the liquid. Rub it gently across the affected area. Keep in mind that it’s not meant to be a substitute for a traditional wash. “The small size and slow application process make this more of an emergency product, or better suited for small areas,” our tester observed. In fact, the design and packaging help with that. “The pens come in a three-pack—perfect to stash in one’s purse, car, or desk.” Price at time of publish: $8 When it came to the specific categories we tested, it scored perfectly for ease of use, effectiveness, and scent while still earning a strong rating for value. Our tester thought it worked well, but that the price was a bit high. Most importantly, though, they would recommend it, even with the price caveat. “It worked well and was easy to use,” they said. Price at time of publish: $19 You have up to 24 hours to wash clothes after you’ve sprayed them, giving you a bit of flexibility that can be helpful, too. You don’t have to completely stop your day to start a load of laundry after a single spill. We also appreciate that there are no dyes or fragrances in the plant-based formula, either. Keep this choice in mind if you’re looking to keep a budget and eco-friendly stain remover on hand for quick action on recent spills. Price at time of publish: $17 Our tester said it was incredibly easy to use, too, noting that “the top is a scrub brush so you don’t get your hands in the product.” It also carries a “pleasant” smell, so if you enjoy a gentle scent with your cleaners, it’ll likely do the trick. Just keep in mind that you’ll want to double-check the directions, since there are different recommendations for fresh stains (soak for one to five minutes) and set-in stains (set for up to eight hours). Price at time of publish: $4 Of the scrubber itself, our tester said they enjoyed the applicator: “The brush makes me feel like I’m working in the treatment. . . . The only problem with the applicator was when I treated a fresh chocolate stain; for example, the applicator picked up chocolate and would smear it on the next stain. I adapted to avoid that happening. If you treated a fresh, messy stain, you’d want to wipe off the applicator when done.” As long as you’re mindful of that, this is a solid option for you and all of the set-in stains in your life. Price at time of publish: $19 Grove Co. Stain Remover Spray: While we like the plant-derived ingredients and sustainable mission behind Grove Co., the performance of this stain remover just wasn’t impressive enough to warrant a top spot. While it fared well in two categories (ease of use and scent), stains were left behind on each test, including grass stains, which the label says the stain remover can tackle. It earned a low score for overall value, too. Cleancult Stain Stick: This was the only bar we tested that didn’t require water in its process. While others instruct you to either wet the stain or produce a lather with the bar, in the case of the Cleancult Stain Stick, you apply it straight to the stain. While the instructions were simple enough, and the bar fit well in our tester’s hand, it received a 4-star rating for ease of use because “extra force needed to be used to make sure the soap was rubbed in the stain.” This struggle, plus the fact that it wasn’t a standout for stain removal, means that it wasn’t competitive overall for us.

How We Tested the Laundry Stain Removers

We rolled up our sleeves and did hands-on testing of 30 different laundry stain removers in The Lab. To test stain removers’ performances on fresh stains, two shirts were provided. On one, testers made four stains: red wine, chocolate syrup, grass, and blue washable marker. They then circled the stains with permanent black marker, so a clear record of size was made. On the other shirt, they made two oil-based stains: foundation and olive oil, also circled. Testers then treated the stains according to manufacturer guidelines, taking careful observations at each step and evaluating effectiveness. Testers were then provided with two more garments containing the same sets of stains, which had been previously made and allowed to set in. They then treated each stain the same way, comparing and contrasting the remover’s effectiveness on set-in versus fresh stains. Each stain remover was evaluated in the same four categories: ease of use, effectiveness, scent, and value. For ease of use, testers noted how easy or messy the application process was, and whether any additional features—like a built-in brush—made the process more intuitive. They rated the strength and pleasantness of the product’s scent. For value, they took all of their experiences into consideration and compared them to the price of the product. Both a numerical score and tester observations were recorded for each stain remover’s performance in each category. Once the tests were complete, we boiled down all of the data to narrow down what we consider the very best laundry stain removers.

What to Look for in a Laundry Stain Remover

Application Method

Stain removers tend to fall in one of four main application categories: sprays and foams, pens and brushes, bars and sticks, and soaks. During testing, we found strong performers in every category, so rest assured that whatever your preference is, you’ll be able to find an option that best suits your laundry routine. Not sure which is right for you? Consider some of the key differences. Sprays and foams—like our “best budget” pick, Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam—are applied straight from their bottle or container, directly to the stain. Pens and brushes—like Method Stain Remover, our “best overall” choice—are often packaged in compact containers, and you can “draw” right on spots with them. Bars and sticks are often concentrated solids. Like a bar of hand soap, you typically wet and apply them to the stain. One of their key differences is that they tend to use minimal packaging, so they can be eco-friendly options for many households. Finally, soaks take some (hands-off) time and require additional water and a container, like your washing machine basin or bathtub, or even a bucket. OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder, our recommendation for “best powder,” is a great example. No matter which application method you go with, keep the advice of Kathy Cohoon, field representative at Two Maids, in mind. When using an oxygen-based cleaner, in particular, look for “at least 20 percent” of your ingredients to be peroxide or another suitable oxidation agent, since that’s ultimately what will treat your stain and help remove it.

Effectiveness

The good news is that most stain removers can work well across your wardrobe. When asked whether she recommends for people to keep more than one on hand for treating various types of stains, Cohoon says it’s really only a factor if someone wants to treat stains on white clothes with bleach, which is a matter of preference. “You don’t want to put anything with bleach on colored [clothes],” she explains. Otherwise, you can just pick your favorite and stock it in your laundry room or closet. As you’re narrowing down choices to find that favorite, keep in mind that stain removers can be made to target specific types of spots, or formulated to be more “generalist” stain removers, and some can be a combination of each. For example, our “best budget” pick, Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam, Laundry Stain Remover, is formulated for grease, yet it performs across the board. Red wine, in particular, has inspired a few different options to hit the market, but general cleaning methods can work, too, to remove red wine stains from clothes. There’s no right or wrong to either choice—it simply comes down to your preference and needs.

Scent

The majority of our tested stain removers were found to have no noticeable scent or to smell pleasant and clean, according to our testers. However, keep in mind that even products marked “unscented” can still carry a light scent—often, it’s a pleasant one, but it’s a scent nonetheless. If you’re considering a product that’s new to you, skim through some reviews so you won’t be dealing with any aromatic surprises when it arrives. HEX Performance Stain & Stink Remover, which we named the “best smelling,” had a slight (albeit very pleasant) lemon scent to our tester’s nose, while the Ingredients Matter Laundry Soap Stain Stick, our “best eco-friendly” pick, was compared to Irish Spring soap. If you’re shopping for multiple types of laundry products that you’ll be using together, Cohoon has some advice for you. “Stay within the same smell,” she says. “You don’t want to purchase one thing that smells like lavender, and another that smells like oranges.” Even if the pairing sounds appealing to you, the blends can complicate what would otherwise seem like a pleasant combination.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Dena Ogden is a lifestyle and commerce writer who’s been writing professionally since 2016 and has been with The Spruce since August 2022. She’s written about everything from baskets and bins to carpet shampoos and robot vacuums. For this piece, she assessed the detailed responses from our savvy laundry stain remover product testers, who tested 30 different stain removers in The Lab. She also combed through product descriptions and listings, and factored in additional features like each stain remover’s ingredients and packaging. Enzymatic cleaners, on the other hand, are a little harder to generalize, but plant-based formulas featuring those beneficial bacteria are indeed common. Our “best overall” pick, the Method Stain Remover, features this type of formula. Finally, Dena spoke with Kathy Cohoon, field representative at Two Maids, who shared expertise on how to approach laundry stain removal and what to look for when purchasing a stain fighter.

What is Spruce Approved?

Here at The Spruce we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.