10 best stain removers for clothes, tried and tested on heavy stains

Accidents are a part of everyday life – especially when it comes to laundry. Whether it’s a coffee spill on your shirt or breakfast dropped mid-bite, stains on clothes are almost inevitable. That’s why having a reliable stain remover is essential in every household.

In households with children, the mess only multiplies. From the early days of baby spills and nappy mishaps to grass stains, art projects, and school lunch disasters, kids put clothes through a lot.

Acting fast is usually the best way to beat a stain, but that’s not always an option – especially when the mess happens at school or while you’re out and about. For those times, you’ll want a stain remover that can tackle dried-in stains with just one wash.

If you’re ready to take the stress out of laundry day, keep reading. I’ve rounded up the best stain removers that can handle the messiest moments, no matter what life (or your kids) throws at you.

How I tested

Thanks to three school-age children and one toddler who is potty training, I deal with stains on a daily basis. I tested each stain remover for two weeks, which involved at least 15 different stained items. I noted down how well each performed on stains left by food, bodily fluids, pens, grass and mud. As a control test, I stained a white flannel with tomato ketchup and coffee and looked to see how it came out of the wash. I also looked at three things for each product:

• Stain removal performance: I tested how effectively each product tackled a wide range of common stains, from food and mud to pens, grass, and bodily fluids.
• Suitability for sensitive skin: I assessed whether each stain remover was gentle enough for delicate skin, ensuring it could be used safely on children’s clothing.
• Eco credentials: I looked at the environmental impact of each product, including whether it was biodegradable, cruelty-free, or made with sustainable ingredients.

Why you can trust IndyBest reviews

Zoe Griffin has been reviewing products for IndyBest since 2021. For every guide she’s written, Zoe has adopted a thorough approach to testing. She’s an expert when it comes to all things laundry, and her testing experience has seen her review the best fabric conditioners, laundry detergents, and heated airers. She’s also tested many other home products including corded vacuum cleaners and dishwasher tablets.

The best laundry stain removers for 2025 are:

• Best overall – Stardrops the pink stuff oxi powder stain remover, colours: £6.15, Robertdyas.co.uk
• Best budget buy – Ocado stain remover for whites: £2.95, Ocado.com
• Best for whites – Vanish oxi action whitener and stain remover for whites: £5.40, Amazon.co.uk
• Best for low temperatures – Ace ultra for colours: £3, Amazon.co.uk
• Best for removing stains fast – The Lab Co spot stain remover: £9, Amazon.co.uk