A stain remover is a household chemical product that effectively removes complex, stubborn stains from clothing. It comes in different release forms, is intended specifically for children's or adult items, and is hypoallergenic.
Modern stain removers also differ in the type of fabric for which the chemical product is suitable, the method and time of application. In this article I will talk about the best products for removing stains from clothes, and the criteria for choosing them in the store.
How to choose a quality stain remover
To eliminate the problem of old stains or clean the product from newly formed ones, you must be guided by a number of basic criteria. When choosing a product, carefully read the instructions about its purpose, suitability for universal or individual use, content of toxic and other ingredients harmful to health. Below is a list of key points to consider when choosing the best cleaning product.
- Composition of the product. Depending on the purpose of the cleanser, the ratio of active agents varies. To cleanse water-soluble food contaminants (juices, coffee, wine, sauces, etc.), products with active oxygen in the form of hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate are used. When removing stains from sweat, blood, and dairy products, a special group of enzymes is used - enzymes. Contaminants in the form of greasy stains (vegetable and synthetic oils, fat-containing cosmetics, mayonnaise, etc.) are eliminated by a group of anionic or nonionic surfactants.
- Type of material. Fabrics of different structure and color respond individually to contact with the cleaner. For natural (wool, silk, cotton, linen, etc.) and synthetic fabrics (silk acetate, nylon, organza, etc.), the recipe and ratio of the active ingredients of the stain remover may vary. In universal products, the amount of polar ingredients is balanced.
- Form factor. There are different types of stain removers; let’s look at the most popular ones. In the form of a powder or gel - to remove extensive stains that washing powder cannot cope with. In the form of a stick or tube with a brush - for targeted removal of particularly heavy stains; usually this is the type of specialized products for certain types of stains. In the form of a spray - to remove stains from fabric that cannot be washed in a machine, such products are very different from those intended for washing and soaking.
Only a careful study of the composition and rules for using the cleaner will make the process of removing stains at home effective and safe. The best stain removers have a balanced composition of effective and safe reagents.
Useful materials to choose from
Pros and cons of stain removers
Each type of product of a certain brand has its positive and negative sides. But, all stain removers in general have the following advantages and disadvantages:
| pros | Minuses |
| The ability to easily clean any item from any type of contaminant at home. | Sometimes the structure of the fabric deteriorates, but this often happens when the instructions for using the stain remover are not followed. |
| You can easily wash soiled children's clothes. | Chemical reagents in the composition can thin out the fabric fibers over time. |
| Saving on dry cleaning. | |
| A wide range allows you to choose any product for removing stains, even from delicate fabrics. |
Bleach or stain remover should not be used on items made of acetate fibers or impregnated items, because the composition of the product may dissolve the threads of the material.
FAQ
What is the difference between bleach and stain remover?
Essentially, both products have a cleansing effect, but, nevertheless, the differences are significant:
- Bleach not only removes stains but also eliminates the yellowness and grayness of white fabrics. Due to the ingredients introduced into the composition, the fabrics have a dazzling white or white with a slight blue color. There are bleaches for colored fabrics (to remove stains and restore color), but this is very rare.
- Standard stain remover - removes stains from any fabrics, including colored ones. A properly selected product does not change the color or pattern applied to the fabric, but only removes dirt.
Bleach is better suited for removing stains over a large area, and stain remover for precise use.
What substances in the composition can be dangerous?
A number of active components, along with a good cleansing effect, can have a negative effect on the skin, respiratory tract and the body as a whole. They should either be completely absent from the product formulation, or their content in stain removers should be kept to a minimum (they can be replaced with ingredients of a similar cleansing effect).
A selection of basic toxic substances is given below:
- Chlorine has a good bleaching and disinfectant effect, but causes irritation to the skin and respiratory tract. In recent years, manufacturers have sought to eliminate its content in bleaches and stain removers by replacing it with compounds with active oxygen.
- Phosphates (salts of phosphoric acid) - create stable foaming, enhance the effect of anionic surfactants, and reduce water hardness. Cause skin irritation and allergies. The content in the product is not higher than 17%.
- Anionic surfactants (a-surfactants) are a group of compounds that remove fatty stains. Causes allergies, itching and other skin lesions. The percentage is not higher than 5%.
Stain removers for spot use rarely contain such substances, but if you regularly add them to the powder, it makes sense to check the composition.
Ask your question
What to do with stains on clothes
Effective stain removal depends on how much time passes from the moment of contamination to the start of cleaning. The shorter this interval, the better the effect will be achieved. If it is not possible to begin removal immediately, blot the stain with a damp cloth. It is not recommended to use dry wipes in this case, since they only aggravate the subsequent cleaning process by pressing dirt into the fibers of the fabric.
Despite the abundance of stain removers, not every housewife has the treasured bottle on hand at the right time. However, having a standard set of available products, you can make a remedy for stains on clothes at home.
The best stain removers for furniture and carpets
Starwax
- Express stain removal
- Country: France
- Price: 423 RUR
- Consistency: liquid spray
- Functions: cleans
- Rating (2021): 6.7
An effective product aimed at quickly removing stains from carpets, upholstered furniture, and car upholstery. Convenient ergonomic packaging, finely dispersed application allows you to quickly moisturize and neutralize the stain without resorting to lengthy treatment.
- Advantages
- Compact packaging
- High concentration of active ingredients
Vanish Oxi Action for carpets and furniture
- Best for furniture and carpets
- Country: UK
- Price: 355 RUR
- Consistency: liquid spray
- Functions: cleanses and refreshes
- Rating (2021): 8.6
Fast-acting cleaner removes stains of various natures. To remove old stains, it is necessary to re-treat the area being cleaned. It is easily and locally applied, quickly penetrates the material, contains nonionic and anionic surfactants, which significantly increases the effectiveness of the stain remover.
- Advantages
- Effective on a variety of stains and dirt
- Refreshes the coating
The best stain removers for baby clothes
Eared nanny
- Best for baby clothes
- Country Russia
- Price: 101 R
- Consistency: liquid
- Functions: cleans
- Rating (2021): 8.2
A cost effective product for removing food stains on children's underwear. Does not contain fragrances or chlorine, added during washing or soaking. Hypoallergenic. Suitable for all types of fabrics.
- Advantages
- Budget effective product
- Suitable for any fabric
Meine Liebe
- Local stain removal
- Country: Germany
- Price: 210 RUR
- Consistency: solid, pencil-shaped
- Functions: cleans
- Rating (2021): 6.7
A compact cleaning product of a German brand, produced in Russia. Quickly and effectively removes stains of various natures from children's linen. Does not change the structure and color of the fabric. Does not contain chlorine and phosphates, hypoallergenic. Contains active oxygen and can also be used for adult underwear.
- Advantages
- Safely
- Effectively
Which brand of stain remover is best to choose?
Surveys have shown that users prefer well-advertised products, but experts recommend taking a closer look at little-known ones. When choosing, you should focus not only on the brand name, but also on the composition of the product, as well as on the active ingredients. The rating provides brief characteristics for each manufacturer for readers’ reference:
- Clean Home is a company from Russia that produces semi-professional household chemicals. The brand offers a large selection of laundry and home cleaning products at low prices.
- Beckmann is a brand from Germany founded more than 30 years ago. Offers high-quality products that do not contain aggressive acids that destroy delicate fabrics.
- Vanish is an international manufacturer from the USA, established in 1937. It sells stain removers/bleaches in more than 60 countries and has awards for sustainable development.
- Lotta is a Russian company created more than 15 years ago. It produces environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic stain removers, as well as premium and medium-class household chemicals.
- Grass is another large Russian corporation producing cleaning products and household chemicals. It has its own research institute, where products undergo thorough testing.
- Cotico is a trademark owned by the B&B holding. The brand's partners are the largest federal chains that sell products in Russia and the CIS countries.
- Meine Liebe is a German manufacturer of safe household chemicals. It produces products without phosphates, aggressive components, or chlorine that cause allergic reactions.
- Ushasty Nyan is a brand owned by the Russian company. Produces washing powders and stain removers that meet safety standards.
- Baby Speci is a European brand that produces household chemicals for children's things. The stain removers from this company comply with EU standards, have a hypoallergenic composition and are suitable for cleaning clothes for newborns.
The best stain removers and bleaches
Clean Home
- Perfect cleanliness
- Country Russia
- Price: 340 RUR
- Consistency: powder
- Functions: cleans and whitens
- Rating (2021): 7.8
A product that combines 2 functions: removing stains and dirt, whitening. Does not contain chlorine, phosphates, preservatives. Environmentally friendly. Effective at any temperature and for various types of fabrics. Convenient polymer packaging.
- Advantages
- Works equally well in hand and machine wash
- Hypoallergenic
Chirton Oxygen
- The best stain remover for white laundry
- Country Russia
- Price: 105 RUR
- Consistency: powder
- Functions: cleans and whitens
- Rating (2021): 8.9
Suitable for fabrics of any structure, effectively removes stains from food, cosmetics, etc. and gives white linen a rich, pure color. Does not contain chlorine and phosphates.
- Advantages
- Combines the functions of a stain remover and bleach
- Can be used for hand and machine wash.
