As we gracefully age, life doesn’t slow down – and neither do the stains on our favourite clothes! Whether it’s a splash of red wine during a lively dinner party or grass stains from playing with the grandkids, keeping our wardrobes spotless can feel like a never-ending battle. But fear not, the consumer advocacy group Choice has done the dirty work for us, putting Australia’s stain removers to the test. And the results? Well, they might just surprise you!
The lowdown on Choice’s stain-busting showdown
Choice, our trusted ally in consumer rights since 1959, didn’t mess around when it came to this experiment. They gathered 30 stain remover powders and 23 pre-treater sprays from Australian supermarkets and subjected them to a gruelling lab test. The challenge? Tackling 10 of the most stubborn stains known to mankind or at least to our laundry baskets. We’re talking chocolate ice-cream, baby food, sweat, grass, oil, blood, and makeup – the works!
But before we dive into the results, let’s break down the two main types of stain removers they tested:
1. Pre-treater sprays: These are your go-to for spot-treating fresh stains before tossing your clothes in the wash. They’re particularly handy for those ‘oops’ moments when you’re out and about.
2. Powder stain removers: These are the heavy hitters, designed to tackle more set-in stains. You can use them as a pre-wash soak or add them to your regular wash for an extra boost of cleaning power.
Now, drum roll please… let’s reveal the champions of the stain-fighting world!
Spray superstars: David vs. Goliath
In a twist that would make any bargain hunter smile, the top two performers in the pre-treater spray category were separated by just 1% – but their prices couldn’t be more different!
1. Sard Super Power Stain Remover Toughest Stains (74% effectiveness rating) Price: $1.90 per 100ml
2. ALDI Di-San Pro Ultra Degreaser with Enzymes (73% effectiveness rating) Price: 28c per 100ml
That’s right, folks! The ALDI product costs less than a third of the price of the Sard spray, yet it’s nipping at its heels in terms of performance. In fact, Choice household expert Chris Barnes noted that the ALDI spray ‘outperformed or equalled the performance of the Sard product in some tests on stains such as grass and mud, tomato and mineral oil’.
But wait, there’s more! The bronze medal goes to another budget-friendly option:
3. Coles Ultra Pre-Wash Stain Remover (72% effectiveness rating) Price: 43c per 100ml
It seems our supermarket’s own-brands are giving the big names a run for their money, with ALDI, Coles, and Woolworths products rounding out the top six spots.
Powder power: The heavy hitters
When it comes to those tough, set-in stains, two familiar names tied for first place:
1. Sard Whiter & Brighter Stain Remover Major Stain Types AntiBacterial Soaker (74% effectiveness rating) Price: $1.10 per 100g
2. Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action Gold Pro Advanced Crystal White Stain Remover (74% effectiveness rating) Price: $1.90 per 100g
Both products excelled at banishing stains from grass, mud, tomato, chocolate ice-cream, and baby food. However, they met their match when it came to blood, oil, and sweat stains.
But don’t count out the underdogs! ALDI strikes again with their Di-San Pro Oxy Laundry Soaker & In Wash Booster, scoring a respectable 71% at less than a third of the price of the top performers.
The DIY stain-busting
Now, here’s a little secret for those of us who love a good home remedy. Choice tested a DIY pre-treater made from 200ml of hydrogen peroxide and 100ml of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. The result? A solid 64% effectiveness rating! Not too shabby for a homemade solution, and certainly worth trying on less stubborn stains.
But what about those pesky sweat stains that seem to plague our favourite shirts? Choice found that Sard Super Power Stain Remover Toughest Stains, Woolworths Clean Ultimate Oil and Grime with Enzymes Pre-Wash Stain Remover, and Sard Oils and Grime Stain Remover Expert Action were the top performers in the spray category. For powders, Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action Gold Pro Advanced Crystal White Stain Remover took the crown.
The green clean scene
Now, we know many of us are trying to be kinder to Mother Nature these days. Unfortunately, the eco-friendly options didn’t fare quite as well in Choice’s tests. Earth Choice Ultra Power Stain Remover spray scored 57%, just a smidge above plain laundry detergent. In the powder category, Eco Store Ultra Sensitive Fragrance Free Laundry Soaker and Stain Remover managed 62%.
But don’t lose heart, green warriors! Choice’s audience and engagement editor, Pru Engel, had this to say: ‘If that product works for you and choosing a plant-based or more eco-friendly product is more important to you… We aren’t here to shame anyone.’ Remember, being kind to the environment is about more than just stain removal, so if you’re happy with the performance of your eco-friendly product, stick with it!
Whether you stick to the tried-and-true favourites or explore new budget-friendly options, the right choice can make all the difference. What stain removal products have you had the best results with? Drop your thoughts or experiences in the comments—we’d love to hear what works for you!
Also read: How to save money on your laundry
My go to’s are:
For oil and grease normal dishwashing detergent on the stain for a few minutes before going in the washing machine.
For all other stains : “StainGo” stain remover, Australian made and owned.