I Tried This $4 Stain Remover, and Now I'll Never Use Anything Else
When I first stepped into motherhood, I did the things you do when you have your first kid. I baby-proofed my home, bought all the gadgets, and washed my baby’s clothes separately from mine with a gentle, hypoallergenic detergent. Spoiler alert: By the second kid, the baby clothes all go in the same load with anything you have on hand.
In hindsight, I could’ve taken a bit more of a laid-back approach, but the best thing that came from experimenting with baby-safe products was finding the most effective stain remover I’ve ever used — a powerhouse proven to be a lifesaver for everything.
As a parent, a special kind of chaos unfolds in your home once the little ones arrive. From food spills to mysterious stains, it seems there’s nothing in your entire house that doesn’t have some kind of spot on it. I first discovered Dreft when my first child was born, and I quickly became a devotee of its products — especially the Laundry Stain Remover.
The clear liquid is designed to tackle various stains, including food messes, spit-up, urine, and even baby formula stains (notorious for ruining cute little clothes). And while my kids are technically not babies anymore, I keep it in my cleaning closet because it’s safe for all fabrics and effective at any temperature, from clothes to our very lived-in couch.
Dreft Laundry Stain Remover
Target
$3.99
Buy Now
What I’ve Used Dreft Laundry Stain Remover On
My first bottle was mostly used on tiny tops and microscopic socks. I spritzed the ones soaked in puke and baby poop before throwing them into the washer. When everything emerged from the laundry looking brand new, I experimented more with the powerful formula. I started using it on my own stains, like the time I spilled a drop of bronzer on my white dress when I was already running late. I soaked the stain with the spray and let it sit while I finished my makeup. By the time I set my face, the stain had almost disappeared. A light scrub with a towel finished the job and I was on my way without having to find a backup outfit.
Since then, for every stain I’ve come across a bottle of Dreft’s stain remover isn’t far behind. My two toddlers sit at our kitchen island on cloth-covered stools, which bear the brunt of snacktime messes. Even though they often spill and always wipe their hands on the fabric, a quick spray-down followed by a light scrub with a wet towel always does the trick. By the time the stools have dried, they look good as new. I do this about once per week when the chairs are trashed.
But by far, the largest child-induced stains are in the aftermath of my 3-year-old son’s nosebleeds. He often gets them in his sleep, and by morning the sheets, pillowcases, and duvet are stained from the headboard to the foot of the bed. And while I can easily opt for cheap, dark sheets in preparation, I’m happier to preserve my personal style and rely on Dreft when needed. To remedy the stains on my expensive, cream-colored linen sheets, I spray them down in the morning, give them a light scrub, and throw them in a cold wash. Stains are removed, the off-white color is unaffected, and the soft, lived-in texture is preserved.
Why I’ll Keep Using It
While this $4 bottle lives in the baby section, the formula is no child’s play. However, the baby-safe formula makes me feel good about dousing my home from top to bottom almost daily. The spray is hypoallergenic, dye-free, and made with plant-based ingredients. I wish I had known about Dreft before I became a parent, but now that I’ve discovered it I find myself singing its praises any chance I get. This stain remover is not just for those with children — it’s a must-have for anyone looking to keep their home spot-free.
Buy: Dreft Laundry Stain Remover, $3.99
Further Reading
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