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We tested OxiClean, Tide pens, Zout and 11 other stain removers against blotches of oil, wine, turmeric and many other tough stains – here’s what to stock in your laundry room
Jenny McGrath Fri 11 Sep 2026 21.19 CEST Share Prefer the Guardian on Google Jump to The best stain removers, in detail The best all-around stain remover: Runner up (and best for turmeric stains): Best for stain emergencies: Best for kids to use (and eco-friendly): Another eco-friendly option: Great for stubborn old stains: Other stain removers we tested How we tested (and our mission at the Filter US) More advice for removing clothing stains A fter a particularly lively night, you might find your favorite shirt covered in splashes of wine, coffee or mustard – or if you’re really unlucky, all three. These can all be stubborn stains, and their chemical makeup is different. Is there a single stain remover that can combat them all?
To find out, I tested more than a dozen popular stain removers on all those messes plus several more, including grass, lipstick and ink. They aren’t all recommended, but I tried many home options, like OxiClean, Zout, Shout and Seventh Generation, along with Tide pens and Miss Mouth’s wipes that are easy to take on the go. Since we’re not always at home when a laundry disaster strikes, I also tried pens and wipes that are easy to stow in a bag or purse.
Check out our guides to the best laundry baskets , best bath towels , our top laundry essentials , tips for getting stains out of white clothes and whether dryer balls actually work .
This guide was updated for fall 2026. We now explain why OxiClean and some popular stain removers we tested didn’t make the cut (see: other stain removers we reviewed ). We also added a few new FAQ answers. We are testing new stain removers for future updates!
How we tested (and our mission at The Filter US)
FAQ: my advice on clothing stain removal
The best all-around stain remover Zout No Scent Laundry Stain Remover Liquid Read more $7 Buy at Amazon Runner up (and best for turmeric stains) Spray ’n Wash Max Pre-Treatment Stain Remover Read more $4 Buy at Walmart Best for stain emergencies Tide to Go Instant Stain Remover Pen Read more $3 Buy at Walmart Best for kids to use (and eco-friendly) Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater Stain Treater Wipes Read more $5 Buy at Walmart Another eco-friendly option Dr Bronner’s Pure-Castile Magic Soap Read more $17 Buy at Amazon Great for stubborn old stains Amodex Ink & Stain Remover Read more $8 Buy at Amazon The best stain removers, in detail Below are reviews for our top stain remover picks and added retail options.
Zout No Scent Laundry Stain Remover Liquid from $7 $7 at Amazon $19 at Walmart (3-pack) Zout is a jack of all stains for your laundry room. Many food stains seemed to all but evaporate after washing and it was among the leaders of the pack for some of the trickier liquids.
It’s a great choice for an all-around stain remover that does well with everyday food messes, including chocolate, coffee and ketchup. For fresher stains that had only been sitting for a few hours, Zout did an even better job.
Zout is simple to use and only required between one and five minutes to tackle stains. Since a lot of us only remember to treat stains while we are in the process of doing laundry, it’s nice to have a produc…