America's Test Kitchen tested 7 products:
Laundry Stain Removers
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powerfin64
Well-known member
good video. I have used/tried all the products that are in the clip, and I will say, the spray pre-treaters are completely worthless.
There is 2 products that are in the video, that I do use and highly recommend using. 1 on them I have used to remove set-in stains that I thought I wouldn't be able ever get out.
1) Oxi-clean versatile. it is good for every load and does a good job at cleaning and some brightening. I do keep some on hand. But I have also found something better AND cheaper and has 5 enzymes in it, that is "Dirty Jobs" found at Walmart. I am keeping that on hand, I have been very happy with it.
2) Tide Ultra stain release liquid. Wow, this stuff is amazing! I use it as my pre-treater. It has removed set-in stains that other stuff wouldn't touch! I use it mostly on any colored fabrics, with no fear of lightened areas. I highly recommend it for getting out hard stains. It hasn't let me down yet! Give it a try!
Do use the warmest water possible, will clean much better than cool water.
There is 2 products that are in the video, that I do use and highly recommend using. 1 on them I have used to remove set-in stains that I thought I wouldn't be able ever get out.
1) Oxi-clean versatile. it is good for every load and does a good job at cleaning and some brightening. I do keep some on hand. But I have also found something better AND cheaper and has 5 enzymes in it, that is "Dirty Jobs" found at Walmart. I am keeping that on hand, I have been very happy with it.
2) Tide Ultra stain release liquid. Wow, this stuff is amazing! I use it as my pre-treater. It has removed set-in stains that other stuff wouldn't touch! I use it mostly on any colored fabrics, with no fear of lightened areas. I highly recommend it for getting out hard stains. It hasn't let me down yet! Give it a try!
Do use the warmest water possible, will clean much better than cool water.
I just bought this copy
of Cooks Illustrated this evening!
OxiClean, in my opinion, used to be even better......
Lawrence/Maytagbear
of Cooks Illustrated this evening!
OxiClean, in my opinion, used to be even better......
Lawrence/Maytagbear
warmsecondrinse
Well-known member
anyone use DiDi7? I've had good luck with that.
Jim
Jim
I don't pretreat stains on kitchen (or any other) whites. The Sanitize cycle on my front-loader with its profile-wash (gradual heating of the water to 153 degrees) and a good detergent takes care of everything--and it should, with a 70-minute wash tumble!
You wouldn't want to wash shirts and pants using that cycle, however, so I pretreat those stained items with Amway's Legacy Of Clean Prewash Spray. Works like a charm on everything, including grease-based stains, with no rubbing/scrubbing. Just spray it on, toss the items in the washer and you're good-to-go. It's spendy, at $10.20 per can, but I purchase four cans at a time and they last a year.
You wouldn't want to wash shirts and pants using that cycle, however, so I pretreat those stained items with Amway's Legacy Of Clean Prewash Spray. Works like a charm on everything, including grease-based stains, with no rubbing/scrubbing. Just spray it on, toss the items in the washer and you're good-to-go. It's spendy, at $10.20 per can, but I purchase four cans at a time and they last a year.
I have found that Oxi Clean Max Force spray does the job for me. I inevitably will end up with spots on my shirts even when I am trying to really be self conscious and trying to avoid it. Not that I'm a slob or shoveling food in and not getting it to my mouth, or something happens while preparing food....you all understand the routine.
I bought the OCMF being a little skeptical about it. I had some shirts that were "clean" but still had some food stains on them. Pre-treated the shirts with the OCMF let them sit for about 15 min. then put them in the machine on the hottest temp. (dumbdown warm thanks to gov. reg) let the machine agitate for a min. to get everything all stirred up. Shut it off and let the shirts soak overnight. Woke up and let the machine finish the cycle. Took the shirts out of the dryer and all the spots were gone! I was amazed.
Now I try to catch the stain before tossing it in the machine and giving it a spritz. On the occasion it doesn't come out the first time (I'd say 95% success) it's guaranteed that it comes out on the second. I no longer do the overnight soaking.
It's the only pre-treater that I have used that I can say that I am happy with.
I bought the OCMF being a little skeptical about it. I had some shirts that were "clean" but still had some food stains on them. Pre-treated the shirts with the OCMF let them sit for about 15 min. then put them in the machine on the hottest temp. (dumbdown warm thanks to gov. reg) let the machine agitate for a min. to get everything all stirred up. Shut it off and let the shirts soak overnight. Woke up and let the machine finish the cycle. Took the shirts out of the dryer and all the spots were gone! I was amazed.
Now I try to catch the stain before tossing it in the machine and giving it a spritz. On the occasion it doesn't come out the first time (I'd say 95% success) it's guaranteed that it comes out on the second. I no longer do the overnight soaking.
It's the only pre-treater that I have used that I can say that I am happy with.
whirlcool
Well-known member
We used to use Spray N Wash in the pump bottle. Strangely enough we have also used the spray can version and it doesn't seem to clean as well as the pump bottle version does. It should be the same product in both containers.
But now we just keep a bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide handy. It gets out most all of our stains, usually protein based food type stains. And it's cheap too!
But now we just keep a bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide handy. It gets out most all of our stains, usually protein based food type stains. And it's cheap too!
polkanut
Well-known member
The original version of Shout when it came in an aerosol can was one of the best pre-treaters IMO. It had a smell that reminded me of the aroma when you walk into a dry cleaners.
strongenough78
Well-known member
I use the Resolve Stain Stick formerly known as Spray and Wash stain stick. It works great. You can treat it when it happens or days later. It's gotten all my stains out.
America's Test Kitchen needs to have the lid on their Maytag stack repaired so it will stay up.
I have found that different products work well on different types of stains. For oil or grease spots, I still use Spray and Wash aerosol spray. It's getting harder to find, but it still works the best. It's petroleum based, different than the S&W in the pump-spray bottle. The aerosol smell is a bit strong, but it works well and after a normal wash, no scent lingers.
Most other stains I usually leave up to the Tide HE detergent and for whites, a long, heated "profile" wash routine. Oil and grease are the hardest for a standard wash cycle and those are usually the only stains that get pre-treated. Detergents are actually pretty good at not needing much more help.
I have found that different products work well on different types of stains. For oil or grease spots, I still use Spray and Wash aerosol spray. It's getting harder to find, but it still works the best. It's petroleum based, different than the S&W in the pump-spray bottle. The aerosol smell is a bit strong, but it works well and after a normal wash, no scent lingers.
Most other stains I usually leave up to the Tide HE detergent and for whites, a long, heated "profile" wash routine. Oil and grease are the hardest for a standard wash cycle and those are usually the only stains that get pre-treated. Detergents are actually pretty good at not needing much more help.
speedqueen
Well-known member
Enzyme Type Pretreaters
Another problem with the enzyme based products is that they take much more time than stated on the bottle to work. Also the temperature needs to be a little warmer than room temperature of enzymes to work.
There is one product that has all those attributes and that is Biz pre-soak. I highly recommend it as working better than Oxyclean. It also has peroxide like Oxyclean.
Another problem with the enzyme based products is that they take much more time than stated on the bottle to work. Also the temperature needs to be a little warmer than room temperature of enzymes to work.
There is one product that has all those attributes and that is Biz pre-soak. I highly recommend it as working better than Oxyclean. It also has peroxide like Oxyclean.
One word
Hascherpur
Nothing more to say.
Ink, dye runs/bleeds, rust, wine, liqueur, fruit and fruit juice stains, yellowing caused by ageing, this stuff takes care.
*LOL*
Hascherpur
Nothing more to say.
Ink, dye runs/bleeds, rust, wine, liqueur, fruit and fruit juice stains, yellowing caused by ageing, this stuff takes care.
*LOL*
polkanut
Well-known member
FOUND-box of original P&G BIZ
<span style="font-family: terminal, monaco; font-size: 12pt;">My mom & I are currently beginning to clean out the house of an elderly woman for whom mom is POA for. Today, while we were at the house, I went down in the basement just to see what all was down there, and stumbled upon this little gem which is about 2/3 full yet. I'm just curious how effective the enzymes and bleach would be after all these years. Amazingly, the basement of this 120 year old house is very dry. The phosphate content is listed as being 8.7%. The contents are loose and free flowing.</span>
[this post was last edited: 3/3/2015-06:54]
<span style="font-family: terminal, monaco; font-size: 12pt;">My mom & I are currently beginning to clean out the house of an elderly woman for whom mom is POA for. Today, while we were at the house, I went down in the basement just to see what all was down there, and stumbled upon this little gem which is about 2/3 full yet. I'm just curious how effective the enzymes and bleach would be after all these years. Amazingly, the basement of this 120 year old house is very dry. The phosphate content is listed as being 8.7%. The contents are loose and free flowing.</span>
[this post was last edited: 3/3/2015-06:54]
I remember that Biz...worked quite well too! I use Biz as well , both liquid and powder. I have to agree about the Shout in the can that says GreaseBuster...that works very well on grease stains and ink. I used to use the Oxyclean stuff too but I find it works ok but not worth the money. I also use the Tide Boost pacs for every load, but now with the new Persil, I am finding no need for those as well.
gmmcnair
Well-known member
I will add another vote for the Shout in the spray can. That and Fels Naptha bar soap are my two main pretreaters, usually followed by a dose of oxi bleach.
