How do you get tough stains out of white clothes?

Author: Shana Borer  |  Last update: Tuesday, December 9, 2025

You can typically remove a variety of stains from your white laundry with enzyme-based detergent, stain removers, oxygen bleach, baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or grease-fighting dish soap.

How do you get old stubborn stains out of white clothes?

To remove stains from whites, pre-treat the area with a stain remover or a paste of baking soda and water, then wash with detergent in hot water. For tougher stains, add a small amount of hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar to the wash.

How do you get stains out of white clothes that have already been dried?

Steps to get set-in stains out of whites
  1. Add water to the plastic dishpan. Use cold tap water and measure so you know you have 1 gallon (16 cups).
  2. Add ¼ cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach. Measure the bleach and add it to the water in the plastic dishpan. ...
  3. Add your clothes to the dishpan. ...
  4. Machine wash. ...
  5. Air dry.

What is the best stain remover for white?

For those whose whites may need a little brightening and sparkle, the OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder is the perfect laundry care solution. This oxygen-based bleach cleaner also removes hard-to-lift red wine stains and even the green grass streaks that seem almost impossible to remove from clothing effectively.

How do you get tough stains out of clothes that have been dried?

  1. Apply a thick coat of corn starch over the whole stain.
  2. Allow it to soak up the stain for about 15 minutes.
  3. Shake off the excess cornstarch.
  4. Rub any leftover stain with a paper towel dipped in white vinegar.
  5. Wash in the machine using the hottest water your garment can take.

How to Get (Almost) Every Kind of Stain Out of Your Clothes

What is the best stain remover for old stubborn stains?

Strong Contenders
  • Seventh Generation Laundry Stain Remover.
  • Grove Co. Stain Remover Spray.
  • Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber.
  • HEX Performance Stain & Stink Remover.
  • Ingredients Matter Stain Stick.

How do you get super tough stains out?

Soak the stain in a solution of one cup of liquid laundry detergent and a few drops of ammonia (Caution: Never mix chlorine bleach and ammonia - the resulting fumes are hazardous) for at least 30 minutes. Launder using liquid laundry detergent.

What is the best homemade stain remover for whites?

DIY Stain remover recipe ➡️One part Dawn dish-washing liquid soap (approx 1 tablespoon) ➡️Two parts hydrogen peroxide (approx 2 tablespoons) ➡️One part baking soda (approx 1 tablespoon) ➡️ Let sit for about an hour the launder like normal - it's ok to let sit for longer or shorter.

Does hydrogen peroxide remove stains from white clothes?

Hydrogen peroxide and chlorine bleach remove stains and whiten, brighten, and disinfect fabrics.

How to remove a set-in stain?

Create a solution by combining equal parts white vinegar and lemon juice. Soak the stained area in the solution for 15-30 minutes, allowing the acids to break down the stain. Rinse the garment thoroughly to remove any residue. Follow up with a standard wash.

How do you get stains out of clothes that have already been washed?

Douse the stain with white vinegar, then apply a paste made of equal parts baking soda and vinegar. If this doesn't work, immerse the item overnight in a bucket of water containing a few tablespoons of detergent and vinegar. Rinse and wash the following morning.

What is the best stain remover for clothes that have been dried?

With OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover powder, you can remove old stains from clothes even after they have dried, grease and oil stains included. Plus, VSR is color safe, so you can use it to restore the life of old clothes and avoid having to buy new ones!

How do you get tough stains out of white clothes home remedies?

Distilled white vinegar: This is another option for getting white clothes white again. It is generally used for pretreating white clothes and it also works well to neutralize odors. To use, mix vinegar with hot water, letting your white clothes soak in your tub or sink for anywhere from an hour to overnight.

Can you get stains out of white clothes after drying?

If the stain is already dry, apply liquid laundry detergent or stain remover and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing. If the stain persists, apply a paste of vinegar and baking soda for 30 minutes.

Does OxiClean work on old stains?

Don't worry if an item is stained or looks dingy because it's really simple to get used items looking like new with OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover. Plus, by giving new life to old clothes, you're not only helping the planet, you're saving money too.

How long to soak clothes in hydrogen peroxide?

Wash the stained item with cold water and normally used soap or detergent. You can also soak the entire garment in a bowl of hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the stained clothing from the hydrogen peroxide and rinse it out in cold water.

How do you soak white clothes to remove stains?

To remove stains from your whites, grab a can of WD-40 and apply a small amount on a paper towel. Blot the paper towel onto the fabric, to absorb the stain. Then, soak the fabric in a bowl of soapy water for 10 minutes. Wash the fabric as normal and allow it to dry.

When should you not use hydrogen peroxide?

This product should not be used to treat deep wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.

How long to let hydrogen peroxide sit on a blood stain?

Apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stain. Leave it for five minutes and then blot with a paper towel. Rub gently with a clean, damp microfibre cloth until the stain has gone. Rinse the area with cold water until all the hydrogen peroxide has rinsed out.

How do you get stains out of white clothes in 5 minutes?

Detergent isn't just for putting in your washing machine. You can also use it to help with a variety of everyday stains on white clothing, including grass, jam and ketchup. Simply pour a small amount of detergent directly onto the stain and leave it for five minutes, before rinsing it clean under a cold tap.

What is the hardest stain to get out of white?

But for these 8 hardest and stubborn stains to remove, you would be needing more than that to get rid of them.
  • Hot Cocoa. ...
  • Poop. ...
  • Blood. ...
  • Permanent Marker. ...
  • Tomato Sauce. ...
  • Grass Stains. ...
  • Red Wine. ...
  • Chocolate.

Is vinegar or hydrogen peroxide better for stains?

Is vinegar or hydrogen peroxide better for stains? Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide work differently to remove stains. Vinegar is more of a general stain remover. Hydrogen peroxide may have a slight bleaching effect on fabric so it's best to use it on white or light-colored items.

Can you mix hydrogen peroxide and laundry detergent?

Pre-Treat Stains: Apply hydrogen peroxide directly onto stains and let it sit for a few minutes before washing. Boost Detergent: Add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide to your washing machine along with your regular laundry detergent for an extra cleaning boost.

Can you remove old stains from white clothes?

Wash your whites with a quality detergent, on as hot a wash as safe for the fabric. If marks remain, try a natural stain remover like baking soda or white vinegar. For plain fabrics, try bleaching the marks with a diluted solution. Do not try this for delicate fabrics.

What type of stain is the hardest to remove?

8 Kinds Of Stubborn Stains And How To Remove Them
  • Why are some stains harder to remove? As a homeowner, you may have dealt with tons of stains, some far easier than others. ...
  • Red wine. Red wine spills can quickly turn a celebration into a stain-induced panic. ...
  • Tomato sauce. ...
  • Grease and oil. ...
  • Ink. ...
  • Grass. ...
  • Organic stains. ...
  • Makeup.

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