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Laundry detergents

Stain remover reviews

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Last updated: 20 November 2020
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When you spill your lunch down your top (it's bound to happen one day), you'll need a trusty stain remover in your arsenal. We lab test and compare the latest products to help you find the best stain remover for you. Read how we test stain removers to see how we get the results. 

Note: All products in this test have been tested as pre-wash treatment stain removers.

  • Did you know CHOICE tests more than just stain removers? Check out our top 50 reviews.
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  • We've partnered with Shop Ethical on this update to show the ratings the Ethical Consumer Group give to each company.
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Our test covers spray, powder and gel stain removers (testing them as pre-treaters) and compares them to washing with:

  • water only
  • water and a mid-tier laundry detergent.

Our expert testers give every stain remover a thorough trial to find the products that:

  • perform the best for stain removal
  • work well on 10 common and difficult-to-remove stains
  • are best for specific stains.

Our interactive comparison tool helps you easily see which stain removers claim to be septic safe, biodegradable and antibacterial, as well as how they compare to washing with a mid-tier laundry detergent only. 

Just like our washing machine reviews, our Recommended list will help you see quickly which products come out on top.

Matthew Steen
By Rebecca Ciaramidaro
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List of brands we tested in this review.

    Price

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    The price we paid for stain removers. The laundry detergent is used as a comparison only so no price paid is shown.

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    Type

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    We've tested a range of popular spray, spray can (aerosol), powder, gel and liquid stain removers. All products have been tested as pre-wash treaters.

      Cost per 100mL

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      How much does the product cost, per 100mL.

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      Where the product is made, according to the packaging.

        Shop Ethical Rating

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        Shop Ethical utilise formulas based on third party independent ratings to derive an Ethical rating for each company (not product) ranging from A for the best to F for the worst. See the link to their website at the top of this review page for more information.

          Included in this review

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          • Recommended
          • Overall score
          • Perspiration
          • Grass/mud
          • Olive oil (cooking oil)
          • Blood
          • Tomato
          • Mineral oil
          • Chocolate ice cream
          • Baby food
          • Make up
          • Ground nut oil (simulates collar grime)
          • Colour safe
          • Active ingredient listed
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          • Price ($)
          • Status
          • Shop Ethical Rating
          • Company
          • Cost per 100mL
          • Type
          • Size of pack tested
          • Claims to be septic safe
          • Claims to be biodegradable
          • Claims to be antibacterial
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