We updated this article in December 2022 to remove The Laundress Stain Solution, which was recently included in a list of recalled products by the company. Visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website for more information on this recall and a full list of affected products.

Summertime is the perfect time for barbecues with family and friends, but with barbecues also come ketchup and mustard stains. Plenty of light stains can usually be taken care of in a regular laundry cycle with just laundry detergent, but for stubborn stains that are set-in, unflinching and downright stuck, a little extra stain-fighting power (and, sometimes, elbow grease) is necessary.

There are dozens of stain removers on the market, all formulated to tackle clothing stains, carpet stains, upholstery stains and more. At the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we’ve tested over 200 stain removers and laundry detergents. In our last full category test, we tested 33 stain removers and most recently tested six more in consideration for our upcoming 2022 Cleaning and Organizing Awards. Overall, our experts have dedicated hundreds of hours to researching, testing and writing about everything you need to know to keep all of your laundry looking its best, even your white clothes. Before trying any of these stain removers at home, be sure to check the product's label as well as your garment's to make sure it won't do any damage. Always test the product in a hidden spot before applying it to the stain. Blot only. Never rub stain-removing products into a stain, and use applicator brushes with care. Here are all the stain removers that came out on top in our testing.

Our top picks:

Below our picks, check out our stain remover shopping guide, more about how we test laundry products and answers to your most frequently asked questions. For more on stains, check out our guide to all kinds of stain removal.

Carbona

amazon.com

$24.96

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Carbona’s Laundry Stain Scrubber has been a top performer in the Cleaning Lab’s stain testing for years. The applicator top doubles as a tool to loosen stains and work the stain-fighting formula into the fabric. In Lab tests, it received the highest score out of 37 tested stain removers, performing especially well on lipstick, mascara and ink stains. It was also one of only three stain removers that noticeably lightened red food coloring stains. The Stain Scrubber contains enzymes that lift protein, tannin and oil stains and is safe to use on most fabrics.

• Form: Gel
• Setting Time: Up to 10 mins.

SHOUT

walmart.com

$3.38

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With useful laundry tips on the label and a simple spray nozzle, it’s no wonder this stain-removing aerosol from Shout was chosen by our experts as the easiest stain remover to use. Just spray directly onto a stain and allow to sit for up to five minutes, then launder as usual. It tackled greasy oil stains, lipstick and gravy stains better than any of the other stain removers tested in warm and cold water. Our experts were so impressed with this foam, they chose it as a winner in our first ever Cleaning Awards three years ago.

• Form: Aerosol
• Setting Time: Up to 5 mins.

SHOUT

amazon.com

$3.48

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Earning second place in our stain-removing tests, the Shout Advanced Ultra Gel Brush is just one of three stain-busting products from Shout to make our experts’ personal list of favorites. In Lab tests, it completely removed 14 of the 20 stains we test, including crayon, ink, wine and grass stains. Especially helpful for homes with infants where vomit and other common baby stains can happen daily, the Ultra Gel Brush can be left on fabric for up to a week before washing. Our experts also appreciated its clear and concise instructions.

• Form: Gel
• Setting Time: Up to one week

Shout

amazon.com

$44.28

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For fresh stains that happen while you're away from home, like scuff marks on your white sneakers and ketchup splatters from cafeteria fries, stain-removing wipes are a great option. Shout Wipe & Go Instant Stain Remover wipes are convenient and easy to use and store. They come in individually wrapped packages that you can easily keep in your work bag or desk drawer. In fact, we keep them stocked in the Cleaning Lab for any colleagues that may suffer coffee spills and lunch messes during the day. And no worries about walking around with a wet ring on your shirt where your stain once was. After these dry, there’s no trace left behind.

• Form: Wipes
• Setting Time: N/A

Tide

amazon.com

$7.74

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A Good Housekeeping Seal holder and fan favorite with over 28,000 ratings on Amazon, Tide-To-Go Instant Stain Removing Pens have bleach-free stain-removing powers and can fit in even the smallest of handbags. Our Lab experts have put these pens through many rounds of stain testing since they were first made available for purchase in 2006 and have been impressed with the results every time. They are gentle enough to use on washable silk and work well on many common stains like coffee, ketchup and red wine.

• Form: Pen
• Setting Time: N/A

Wine Away

amazon.com

$9.98

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As its name promised, Wine Away completely erased wine stains in the Cleaning Lab’s stain tests. And it's not just for wine stains. This small spray works well on other stains too like red food coloring, grape juice and cola. Wine Away leaves no residue after rinsing, and our experts found it easy to wash out of carpets and fabrics without causing any damage. Our experts have recommended this product countless times, and it’s been a recipient of our Cleaning Awards for two years in a row.

• Form: Spray
• Setting Time: Up to 5 mins.

The Laundress New York

amazon.com

$20.00

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A little goes a long way with this ultra-concentrated, gentle Stain Solution from The Laundress. Only a few drops of this stain remover are needed to tackle new and old stains on all of your garments. Our experts were impressed with its performance on grass, coffee, chocolate syrup and wine stains. The Laundress also offers a Bleach Alternative that can be used with their Stain Solution on extra stubborn stains.

• Form: Liquid
• Setting Time: N/A

OxiClean

amazon.com

$13.63

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Oxiclean Max Force Laundry Stain Remover effectively removed some of our toughest stains in cold and warm water. Easy to use and safe to leave on garments for up to one week before washing, this spray was among the top scorers in our Lab’s ease-of-use tests. Almost 4,000 reviewers on Amazon swear by the Max Force Spray for their stain-fighting needs. The label has clear usage guidelines and comprehensive safety instructions on the back, too.

• Form: Spray
• Setting Time: Up to one week

By our last count, the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab has tested 132 laundry detergents, 43 laundry pretreat stain removers, 18 instant and red wine stain removers and 22 carpet stain removers. The last time we did a category test of stain removers, over 1,500 individual stains and 608 pounds of laundry were washed. To test stain removers, we stain white swatches of cotton fabric with 20 of the most common food, drink, outdoor and makeup stains. After the stains are allowed to set overnight, we wash the fabric swatches in cold and warm water with a Lab-standard regular-size load of laundry. Each stain is graded according to the AATCC Stain Release Scale in a dark room illuminated by a light set to mimic standard daylight conditions. In addition to testing each stain remover for performance, we also evaluate how easy each stain remover is to apply, the clarity of directions and the thoroughness of the safety information included on the label.