The Art of Stain Removal Part 1

In part one of our stain series, we tackle your toughest questions–from reviving dingy whites to rescuing clothes from stubborn oils and baked-on gummy bears.Guest: Wirecutter senior writer Andrea Barnes Products we recommend:The best liquid laundry detergent & a great product for pre-treating stains: Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry DetergentThe best powdered laundry detergent (with oxygen bleach)  :Tide Ultra Oxi Powder Laundry DetergentAnother great laundry detergent: ​​Persil Original Liquid Detergent Everyday CleanIf you want an “eco-friendly” detergent or to support a smaller brand, we like: Dirty Labs Free & Clear Bio Laundry DetergentA good stain remover for most starch or protein food stains: ZoutA good stain remover for ink or sugary stains: Amodex Ink & Stain Remover Additional reading:So You Stained Your Shirt. Now What? The 6 Best Stain Removers of 2025Skip the Stain Removers. This Detergent Is All You Need.The 5 Best Laundry Detergents of 2025The Wirecutter Show Episode 1: The Secret to Better Laundry  We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and WebsiteInstagram: /wirecutterThreads: /@wirecutterTwitter: /wirecutterFacebook: /thewirecutterTikTok: /wirecutterLinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutterWebsite: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.