Which stain remover works best?
Consumer group CHOICE put 32 different stain removers through their paces in its latest testing, seeing how they fared against everything from cooking oil to makeup to chocolate ice-cream.
“CHOICE put stain removers through a rigorous testing process,” explained CHOICE’s Ashley Iredale.
“We tested 10 different types of stains that people commonly get on their clothes, including perspiration, mud, cooking oil, chocolate ice-cream, makeup and blood.
“We used cotton material swatches that had specific formulas of these stains applied to them.
“Before washing, we applied a set amount of each stain remover to the stained swatch and let it sit for five minutes. Then a front loader washing machine and a mid-performing laundry detergent is used to measure the degree of stain removal.”
Aldi’s Di-San Oxy Action with Enzymes Pre Wash Stain Remover was the clear winner in this test, receiving a score of 75 per cent from the CHOICE experts.
“Aldi’s Di-San Oxy Action Stain Remover performed particularly well at removing blood, tomato, make-up and mud stains,” said Ms Iredale.
Here are the three stain removers that scored the highest in CHOICE testing:
1. Aldi Di-San Oxy Action with Enzymes Pre Wash Stain Remover with Eucalyptus Oil
CHOICE Expert Rating: 75 per cent
Price per 100mL: $0.25
Particularly good at removing:blood, tomato, make-up, and mud stains
2. Coles Ultra Prewash Stain Remover
CHOICE Expert Rating: 70 per cent
Price per 100mL: $0.26
Particularly good at removing: tomato and make-up stains
3. Aldi Di-San Ultra Degreaser with Enzymes Pre Wash Stain Remover Lemon Fragrance
CHOICE Expert Rating: 69 per cent
Price per 100mL: $0.25
Particularly good at removing: tomato and mud stains
CHOICE experts put each stain remover to the test, attempting to remove:
- Perspiration
- Grass/mud
- Olive oil (cooking oil)
- Blood
- Tomato
- Mineral oil
- Chocolate ice cream
- Baby food
- Make-up
- Ground nut oil (which simulates collar grime)
OzKleen Prewash Power (55 per cent CHOICE score) came last in the laboratory testing, performing worse than a regular wash.
Check the full results at CHOICE.com.au
Which stain remover do you use at home? How did your stain remover perform on the CHOICE test?
Some elbow grease and Sard's Wonder Stick usually works for me. Also old fashioned Sunlight Soap. Sometimes I use a spray, or enzyme soak if stain is difficult. Note that blood stains are easily washed out with cold water plus/minus soap.