In part one of our stain series, we tackle your toughest questions–from reviving dingy whites to rescuing clothes from stubborn oils and baked-on gummy bears.
Guest: Wirecutter senior writer Andrea Barnes
Products we recommend:
- The best liquid laundry detergent & a great product for pre-treating stains: Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
- The best powdered laundry detergent (with oxygen bleach) :Tide Ultra Oxi Powder Laundry Detergent
- Another great laundry detergent: Persil Original Liquid Detergent Everyday Clean
- If you want an “eco-friendly” detergent or to support a smaller brand, we like: Dirty Labs Free & Clear Bio Laundry Detergent
- A good stain remover for most starch or protein food stains: Zout
- A good stain remover for ink or sugary stains: Amodex Ink & Stain Remover
Additional reading:
- So You Stained Your Shirt. Now What?
- The 6 Best Stain Removers of 2025
- Skip the Stain Removers. This Detergent Is All You Need.
- The 5 Best Laundry Detergents of 2025
- The Wirecutter Show Episode 1: The Secret to Better Laundry
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›
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