Set-in stains are not always impossible to remove. Flores suggests pre-treating the stain before washing it. Another method she recommends is to soak the stained item in a solution of water and vinegar for 30 minutes before washing.

The OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder is the best laundry stain remover to use when evidence of your wine night is visible on your clothes. While several of the other stain removers on our list significantly lightened red wine stains, this was the only product we tested that completely removed the stains. The grass, marker, and syrup were all totally removed and no residue from the stain or cleaner remains,” says our tester. “I was worried about the stain transferring based on the sudsiness of the application process, but it all washed away cleanly.” Even though this laundry stain remover comes in a small bottle, our testers found that a little goes a long way. For best results, apply the product to a stain, gently scrub using the applicator brush, let sit for five minutes, and wash like normal. Beet Juice, Carbon, Tea and Grape Juice (yes it is odd that grape juice is different from wine but we tested it!) Brandi Fuller is a commerce editor for Better Homes & Gardens who writes about the best home and products. For this list, she researched important factors to look for in laundry stain removers and compared her findings with the insights provided by our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa. She also received expert insight from Angela Brown, CEO of Savvy Cleaner, and Kathy Cohoon, operations manager at Two Maids and a Mop. What Is BHG Recommends?For best results, simply spray the product directly onto the stain and wait five to 10 minutes. After the product has saturated the stain, wash your garment as usual. Overall, because of its ability to remove fresh food stains, the Tide To Go pen earned a spot as the best pen stain remover on our list. Our testers stated they would recommend this product since it is affordable, portable, and effective. Out of all the laundry stain removers we tested, the Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam was the most impressive. This reliable stain remover is our favorite for its ability to effectively remove various types of stains, including set-in makeup, oil, and grease. (It struggled to remove fresh foundation and set-in wine stains, though.) Our testers found this product very easy to use: Simply spray the foam on stained clothes and wash as you normally would. The fast-acting foam is tough on stains while still being gentle on fabric.

When testing this product, our testers noticed that this product completely removed both fresh grass stains and set-in grass stains. In addition to the grass stains, the stain remover also completely lifted the marker, chocolate syrup, and olive oil stains. However, the formula struggled to remove red wine and makeup stains. Testers also noted that the spray bottle was simple to point and spray, and no scent was detected. For those everyday stains that occur anywhere from the office to a restaurant, we love Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover. This compact and portable stain remover pen is effective at removing small stains, both fresh and set-in, caused by food, grass, ink, and oil. While the red wine and foundation stains needed a bit more work, our tester says “the grass, marker, and syrup were all totally removed.”Even though the pen stain remover is formulated specifically for common food stains, our testers were impressed by how well it removed non-food stains, too. It easily removed fresh chocolate syrup and olive oil stains and also, completely dissolved grass and marker stains. When testing the pen against a red wine stain, it significantly reduced the appearance of the stain but didn’t completely remove it. Our testers pointed out that the pen had a very light chemical scent, but it was hardly noticeable. Grass stains may seem easy to remove since they come from organic matter, but they can be a challenge to get out once they’ve set in. Whether you’re an outdoorsy person yourself or have active children who love to roll around in the grass, the Shout Advanced Ultra Concentrated Gel Brush is about to be your new go-to on laundry day. In our tests, we found that this gel stain remover was the best at eliminating both fresh and set-in grass stains. This laundry stain remover received high scores across all tested categories, and the testers noted that the bar of soap made it easy to apply the stain remover in the exact stain area. They also noted it lathered well and smelled fresh and clean but didn’t have an overwhelming aroma. Natural laundry stain removers will usually contain ingredients such as enzymes, sodium citrate, glycerin, and sodium carbonate. They’ll also usually be free of synthetic fragrances and dyes.