Stain Removal Products
Sharon Stevens, Former Assistant Coordinator, Missouri Textile and Apparel Center,
College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia

Products used for stain removal can usually be found in grocery, drug, hardware, general merchandise or paint stores. Check labels to be sure the chemical content is the one recommended for your stain removal problem.

Detergent
	Light duty, liquid Woolite, Lux, Dove, Palmolive, Ivory
	All purpose, laundry Oxydol, Tide, Cheer, Wisk
	Soaps (use in soft water only) Ivory Flakes, Fels Naphtha.
	Note: Do not use dishwasher detergents, which may set some stains.
Bleach
	Hydrogen peroxide
	Note: Use a 3 percent solution sold as a milk antiseptic. Test fabric for colorfastness. Hydrogen peroxide loses strength when stored for a long time. Rinse fabric thoroughly after using.
	Powdered, all-fabric: (sodium perborate) Biz, Clorox 2, Purex
	Liquid, all-fabric Snowy, Vivid
	Liquid, chlorine (sodium hypochlorite)  Clorox, Purex
	Note: Liquid chlorine bleach has a limited shelf life. After six months, it may need replacing. It also may damage some fibers, dyes and finishes. Check care label for restrictions. To test for colorfastness, mix one tablespoon of bleach with 1/4 cup of water. With an eyedropper, put a drop on a hidden seam. Let stand two minutes. If there is color change, do not use bleach. Do not pour into bowl. Do not breathe fumes.
	Do not use chlorine bleach on wool, silk or spandex fabrics. Do not use on flame-retardant fabric unless the care label states that it is safe. Do not use in metal containers or with metal objects.
Pretreatment products
	Aerosol sprays Shout, Spray 'n Wash, Magic PreWash.
	For use on all stains. Especially effective on grease-based stains. Item should be laundered immediately after treatment.
	Pump-type liquid  Shout, Spray 'n Wash.
	May be used on all stains, but less effective on grease-based stains than aerosol products. Item should be laundered immediately after treatment.
	Sticks  Magic Wand, Shout, Spray 'n Wash.
	For use on all stains. Washing of treated items may be delayed for several days if necessary.
Odor-reducing agents
	Activated charcoal
	Calcium carbonate
	Soda
Other useful chemicals
Caution Many of these chemicals are poisonous and/or flammable. Observe all warnings on the label. Use in well-ventilated area. Do not breathe the vapors. Avoid getting on the skin.
	Alcohol (rubbing or denatured; 70 percent or 90 percent concentration; no perfumes or color added)
	Note: Alcohol fades some dyes, so check colorfastness. For use on acetate, dilute with two parts water to one part alcohol.
	Ammonia (ammonium hydroxide) Ajax, Bo Beep, Top Job.
	Note: Ammonia changes the color of some dyes. To restore color, rinse with water and apply a few drops of vinegar. Rinse with water again. For use on wool and silk, dilute ammonia with an equal amount of water.
	Color remover (sodium hydrosulfite)  Rit, Tintex, usually located in the display of home dyes and tints.
	Note: Fades or removes many dyes. If a distinct color change occurs (not just fading), the original color may be restored by rinsing the areas with water immediately. Hang the garment to dry. If color fades, original color cannot be restored. Do not use metal objects or store in metal containers.
	Dry cleaning fluid (perchloroethylene, trichoroethylene petroleum distillates, Varsol) Energine, Carbona.
	Caution: Extremely toxic. If spilled on skin, wipe off with paper towel and wash skin. If spilled on clothes, change at once and hang clothes outdoors until all solvent odor is gone. Do not use in room with open flame or gas pilot light or where there is a chance of electrical sparks from refrigerators, fans, vacuum cleaners or static. Do not smoke. Non-flammable solvents give off very poisonous vapors and are especially toxic to persons who have drunk even small amounts of alcohol. Never use in washing machine or dryer.
	Enzyme presoak products (amylase, protease, lipase): Axion, Biz Bleach.
	Note: These products are bleaches with enzymes in them. They must be used at body temperature for enzyme action to occur. Chlorine bleach and hot water deactivate enzymes. These products lose strength when mixed with water and stored.
	Nail polish remover (acetone).
	Note: Do not use on acetate, triacetate, or modacrylic fabrics. Will dissolve plastic. Most nail polish removers are the oily type: use dry cleaning solvent following use.
	Rust removers (hydrofluoric acid, oxalic acid)  Whizz, RoVer, Whink
	Note: Do not use these products with chlorine or oxygen bleaches.
	Vinegar (acetic acid).
	Note: If color change occurs, rinse well with water and add a few drips of ammonia to the area. Rinse well with water. Do not use colored vinegar, as it will leave a stain.
In spite of claims made by some commercial products, there is no such thing as an all-purpose stain remover. The proper stain removal product to use is determined by the type of stain being treated. No endorsement of companies or their products mentioned is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar companies or their products not mentioned. For more stain removal information, refer to the Textile and Apparel Management section at MU Extension Publications