Gentle stain remover: types, fabrics and cost per treatment

Types of stain remover

• Enzyme-based: contain enzymes, which are ingredients designed to break down certain kinds of stains. Commonly used on protein-based stains, such as food and body-related marks. Check the label for what it is meant for.
• Oxygen-based: often a powder you dissolve in water, used on a wide range of fabrics. Check which fabrics the label allows.
• Soap-based bars and sticks: rubbed on the stain before washing. Low in packaging and easy to carry.
• Sprays and gels: convenient for quick treatment. Compare their price per ounce and how much you use.

Fabrics and care labels

• Always read the garment's care label, and the product label, before you use a stain remover.
• Test on a hidden spot, like an inside seam, to check for color change.
• Be careful with delicate fabrics such as wool and silk. Some stain removers are not made for them.
• Do not mix stain removers with each other or with other cleaning products. Some combinations are dangerous.
• Rinse and wash as directed. Check that the stain is gone before putting the item in the dryer, since heat can set some stains.

Our angle: match the product to the job, and count uses

A stain remover that works on one kind of mark may not help on another, so keeping two products for different jobs can cost less than buying several that do not. Think about what you usually spill. Then compare cost per use. For a spray, estimate how many sprays per treatment and how many treatments per bottle. For a powder, divide the price by the number of scoops. For a bar, estimate how many treatments one bar gives you.

1. Decide which stains you deal with most often.
2. Estimate treatments per container for each product.
3. Divide the price by that number and compare.

Buying tips

• Start with one small product, and add another only when you see a gap.
• Compare refills and concentrates with the spray price per ounce.
• Keep products in their original containers, out of reach of children and pets.