Time to get messy!!! I love my job. Tide Ultra Stain Release has challenged my family to a little game. They sent along a few white t-shirts (hope it doesn’t rain…) and Tide Ultra Stain Release with a special ‘Zap Cap’ that has texture for you to scrub nasty stains with. After each activity, I throw the shirts in the wash to see how great this detergent really is. Such Fun!!! Each video shows how I removed the stain using the Zap Cap. My first task is for the kids and I to see how well Tide Ultra Stain Release can remove soil, crayon and jam stains!

Here are our tasks:

1. Mud Gardening. Here on the left coast, spring begins a tad sooner than in the east, and yet as usual we are a bit soggier as well. The boys and I love our gardens (although growing watermelon is still a challenge). I grabbed oodles of soil and some hearty plants in order to beautify the yard…. and test soil stains on white t-shirts!

Soil Removal Instructions:

a) Before you start the cleaning process, remove excess stain debris.
b) rinse in cold water to dilute stain
c) Create a soak solution using 1/2 use of Tide per gallon of cold water
d) soak up to 30 minutes
e) wash in warm water

2. Jam Session. One of the best ever after school snacks is warm toast adorned with jams. I make blackberry and peach rosemary each summer – the canning of which invariably turns into a sticky mess. I’m hoping to goodness the Tide works out.

Jam Removal Instructions:

a) Before you start the cleaning process, remove excess stain debris.
b) rinse in cold water to dilute stain, gently but firmly blot fabric to dilute stain
c) Where needed, pre-treat stain using Tide Ultra Stain Release with its Zap!Cap
d) wash in warm water

3. Mother’s Day Crafts. Not only am I sometimes the horrible daughter who calls the florist just before Mother’s Day – she lives 4000 miles away so handmade cards require planning – but I selfishly want my boys to make me a card. From scratch though. Crafts are not looked kindly upon in my house if the mess lingers, but to make a stack of cards that will make Moms out there feel great, I’m willing to give it a try. Let’s see if Tide can deal with the crayon messes from my monkey boys!

Crayon Removal Instructions:

a) Before you start the cleaning process, remove excess stain debris with a dull knife.
b) Place stained garment face down on white paper towel and place another piece of paper towel on top of garment
c) Press with warm (but not hot) iron, being careful to iron on paper towel.
d) Keep changing paper towels until no stain transfers
e) Pre-treat stain using Tide Ultra Stain Release with its Zap!Cap
d) wash in warm water on regular wash cycle

I love Tide. I’ve always used it, but to be honest I was highly doubtful that the stains my kids managed to rub into the new shirts would come out. (Heaven help me in the future trying to get them to eat properly without spilling!)

I was shocked. Completely and utterly shocked at what happened. Bright white shirts! There was a bit of crayon left, but I don’t think I spent long enough allowing the towel to absorb the stain. Even so, it was hardly noticeable. My excitement was so great, that I have decided to try even tougher things next week: Tomato, Red Wine and Soy Sauce. Stay tuned!!!!!

• Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom/mamanP&G ambassador. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and have been compensated to put Tide to the stain test. The opinions on this blog are my own.