An effective stain remover should remove the majority of common household stains and boost your detergent’s performance. The Laundress Stain Solution is a highly praised liquid formula that can be applied directly to a stain. This gentle yet effective solution can be used on whites, colors, and even the most delicate fabrics. I put The Laundress Stain Solution to the test by using it on various stains and fabrics. Read on to see how it performed. After reading so many glowing reviews, I was convinced this product could eliminate anything, even the toughest food stains. In reality, The Laundress Stain Solution was pretty effective, but it didn’t work on all types of stains. I used it on two long-sleeved cotton shirts. My bright green shirt had a big splotch of olive oil right in its center. A white shirt had a tomato sauce stain on the front about the size of a quarter. Following the bottle’s directions, I applied the solution directly to the stains and then normally laundered the shirts with my regular detergent in my washing machine. After a run through the wash, the olive oil stain came out completely. The tomato sauce had faded somewhat, but it was still visible. To tackle tougher stains, the instructions say to apply the solution directly to the stain and let your items soak in hot water before washing. I let the white shirt with the stubborn tomato sauce pre-soak for 20 minutes before running it through the wash again. The stain faded some more, but it was still there. Since my first results were such a mixed bag, I decided to purposely soil one of my white dinner napkins with some common staining agents: canola oil, lip gloss, and tomato juice. Since pre-soaking didn’t seem very effective, I didn’t soak the napkin in hot water first. I applied the solution directly to the stains and laundered the napkin as normal. The Laundress Stain Solution completely removed the canola oil and the tomato juice, but the lip gloss was still clearly visible. I also used The Laundress Stain Solution on my face masks, which collect plenty of makeup, lipstick, and natural oils after repeated daily use. All the set-in stains were completely gone after one application and a normal wash cycle. I was floored by its effectiveness on the masks. Surprisingly, the same lip gloss that wouldn’t come off the dinner napkin came off the face masks.
Is this stain solution easy to use?
Using The Laundress Stain Solution couldn’t be simpler: Open the cap and squeeze some of the solution onto the stain. Since it is a thin liquid, it isn’t easy to control the exact amount that comes out of the bottle. Even with a light squeeze, the solution comes out very quickly—I had to wipe the excess fluid off the bottle.
What is the scent?
Even though this laundry solution is unscented, I can detect a very faint fragrance. The hardly noticeable smell is fresh and pleasant—similar to a very mild soap.
What is the formula like?
The Laundress Stain Solution is a plant-derived formula that does not use toxic or harsh chemicals. Unless you wear gloves, you may get some of the solution on your hands. I liked that The Laundress formula doesn’t dry out or irritate my skin like harsher products tend to do. On the downside, the liquid formula can get messy. As a personal preference, concentrated spray formulas are more convenient to apply.
Is it safe for use on delicates?
The Laundress Stain Solution is gentle enough to use on delicate items such as cotton, wool, and silk. It doesn’t contain any artificial dyes or bleach; it’s safe to use on colors and whites. After washing my clothes multiple times with The Laundress, I didn’t notice any fading, discoloration, or damage. All of my garments came out looking as good as new.
Is this stain solution worth buying?
The Laundress Stain Solution is on the pricey side—a 16-ounce bottle sells for about $18. It is a highly concentrated formula that goes a long way. I’ve used the solution a dozen times—often applying a generous amount to stains. The bottle is still almost full. The manufacturer states each bottle contains enough solution for 200 applications. Although it’s expensive, you will get your money’s worth.
The Laundress Stain Solution vs. the Competition
For those who prefer a spray-on formula, the OxiClean MaxForce Laundry Stain Remover Spray is equally tough on stains. Like The Laundress solution, it’s quick and easy to use: Apply a dab of detergent to the stain, let it stand for five to 10 minutes, and run your garment through the wash. OxiClean Max Force combines five types of stain fighters to combat tough stains such as oil, blood, grass, and more. This chlorine-free formula is safe to use on colors. Retailing around $12, OxiClean Max Force costs less than The Laundress. If you need to save your clothes from ruin when you’re on the go, a Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover Pen comes in handy. Like The Laundress Stain Solution, these pens can be used on many different fabrics, including wool, polyester, and cotton. When it comes to removing tough stains, I found the Tide To Go pens to be pretty much on par with The Laundress solution. They were able to remove common food stains like soy sauce, oil, and tomato juice. Likewise, they fell short on lip gloss and tomato sauce stains. Reasonably priced at $7 for a set of three, these pens offer the convenience of portability. The Laundress Stain Solution didn’t work on every type of stain, but it was effective enough to earn my seal of approval. If you’re sensitive to laundry products that produce fumes or irritate the skin, you will appreciate this fragrance-free formula. In testing, The Laundress Stain Solution was just as effective as products that contain an oxygenated cleaner, bleach, or sulfites.
