What's your successful stain removal/laundry routine?

HesitantBride

I need new products for both stain removal and laundry detergent.  I use Shout and Purex usually (because they are cheap), but stains are still there, especially on my husband's dress shirts.  I am pretty committed to buying Tide next, but what about a stain remover?  What works well for you?

BunnyMendelbaum

I use method free detergent because of my husbands eczema, but when I have stain issues w my daughters stuff, I use resolve spray and oxo clean. Always worked, but honestly the method detergent world great for me alone. 

Mrs Acorn Blue

I use Tide Free and Clear, white vinegar and occasionally Oxiclean or Chlorox 2 Free and Clear.  If I have a specific stain to treat, I either use Shout or a paste of oxiclean and water.  I really think the vinegar does a good job getting out unnoticed stains, as does treating and washing them quickly when I notice them.  

kcpokergal

Spray and wash in the aerosol can. Maybe it has been renamed to say it has Resolve in it or something like that?  It works better than anything else I've found. The stain sticks are pretty worthless IMHO. 

And I do like Tide.  

MommyLiberty5013

We use Arm & Hammer detergent. (I just can't stomach spending so much for Tide). And, for stains we use Oxyclean. For me with stains, my pretreating process also involves rubbing the fabric together vigoriously in my hands under COLD running water.

And in my experience, when you're on the go and you get a stain if you try to rub it out with bathroom soap and water it seems ot make the stain set in even more. So, now I just avoid doing that at all and I leave it be until I can get it home and properly pretreat it.

But, I have had some success with those Tide On The Go Stain Pens.

 

emoflamingo

I usually put Shout on the stain as soon as possible and then use some oxiclean in the wash. I had a shirt of DS that was covered in dirt and cherry slush from Sonic -- and it was a white shirt -- and it came out this way. I use any kind of "Free & Clear" detergent that I can find for HE (I think I usually get All from Sam's Club). I think I'd invest in some Tide to Go Sticks for your H's dress shirts lol. (I carry one at all times in my purse, I saved many of my own shirts from dirty hands covered in ketchup that way.)

becomar

For stain removal, the sellers we just bought our house from recommended Motsenbocker's Lift Off 3... apparently it's a graffiti remover or something? but the wife said it was the best thing ever... even got pen ink and red win off their white sofas! I haven't bought any yet, but i'll def be getting some to keep at the house. She said you can get it from home depot I think... maybe only online, I'm not sure, but just thought I would throw the name out there .:)

mrs.jacinthe

We use All Free and Clear.  Always have.  Most likely always will (H has skin sensitivities and most name brand detergents will make him itchy).

For stains, I use Resolve stain remover or Shout (I buy them alternating, just in case they have any ingredients that could potentially bother H).  I spray on, rub it in, then wash.  I've never had a problem with stains.  If I have a greasy stain, I will actually pretreat with a tiny bit of Dawn - not too much, or it'll make your washer bubble pretty amazingly.  A dab about the size of a dime will do.

KRHagen

The best stain remover that I have every used comes in this super cheesy bottle. It?s called Grandma?s secret spot remover. I swear by it. Found it at a quilt store and the woman running the counter convinced me to buy it. I have never looked back.

http://www.amazon.com/Grandmas-Secret-Spot-Remover-2-Ounces/dp/B0021JD2S0

dairygirl19

Get the Tide.

Since I switched I do way less rewashing, require less stain removers and oxiclean in general. And I wash some pretty nasty stuff.

It is worth the price. Cheap detergent always leaves my clothes faded and still stained I swear.

I'll admit to being fussy about detergent, but hey we all have our non-negotiables.

I do use Oxiclean 2xs the Power stuff (it's liquid in the blue bottle) once in a great while. Sunshine is helpful too.