Not Tide: Consumer Reports Names The Top Laundry Stain Remover In 2026

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Even the best laundry detergents need occasional backup when facing a high-caliber stain, especially after it's had ample time to dry and set in. While you can troubleshoot with everything from pantry staples to hydrogen peroxide to fix common laundry stains, sometimes it's best to opt for a tried-and-true stain removal product. Consumer Reports put several commercial stain fighters to the test to find out which of these laundry treatments are worth the investment. Up against eight store-bought stain removers and one DIY solution (a mix of vinegar and Dawn dish soap), OxiClean Max Force Laundry Stain Remover came out on top.

To compare the products, Consumer Reports stained white cotton fabric with 11 common offenders — blood, coffee, mustard, lipstick, grass, oil, concealer, chocolate syrup, pen ink, chipotle sauce, and sweet potato baby food. Testers allowed the stains to set overnight before treating each one according to the respective product directions and washing all of the samples under the same conditions. OxiClean Max Force produced the most notable differences between treated and untreated stains overall, completely removing oil, blood, and sweet potato baby food. Although none of the products completely eliminated concealer, lipstick, or mustard, Consumer Reports found Max Force lightened those stains the most.

There are a few limitations to keep in mind before reaching for Consumer Reports' winner to treat tough clothing stains. OxiClean says Max Force can be used on washable whites and colored fabrics, but it shouldn't be used on silk, wool, leather, or anything labeled dry-clean only. The manufacturer also recommends testing it on an inconspicuous area first.

Aside from what was published on Consumer Reports, OxiClean has performed well in other independent reviews. Good Housekeeping named OxiClean Max Force its best stain-removing spray, while others rank it well but not necessarily as the top option. It scored high (but not perfect) on the Apartment Therapy stain remover lineup, its effectiveness only ranking behind a liquid detergent pre-treatment. Meanwhile, Ask Jeeves NY had a similar good-but-not-best sentiment, placing it just below the top-tier ranks overall but choosing it as the top pick for makeup removal.

Customer reviews largely echo these positive results. OxiClean Max Force has earned high overall ratings from thousands of shoppers at retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Target, with reviewers frequently praising its ability to tackle food and grease splatters and even remove stubborn older stains. However, a common complaint is that the spray has an overpowering fragrance, with some reports that the scent can linger throughout the rest of the laundry load as well.

To get the best stain-fighting boost, OxiClean says Max Force should remain on a stain for at least five minutes before washing, but particularly stubborn stains may be treated as much as seven days ahead of laundry day. After pretreating, you just wash the garment with detergent in the warmest water specified by its care label. And regardless of the treatment you use, always check whether the discoloration is actually gone before tossing everything into the dryer, since the heat can set stains into the fabric that even the best stain removers would struggle to remove.