Yes, I swear by Tide. And it’s even better now with a cool new cap and extra tough cleaning power for getting the stains really gone. This whole video is a summary of our fun Tide Stain Challenge about how to remove messy stains. We also have a general stain guide for you too. 

As dirty as we got, smearing ourselves and our crisp white t-shirts with red wine, teryiaki sauce, tomato soup or crayon, soil, and jam, we could not beat Tide Ultra Stain Release.

The next time we try this, we’ll head over to Stain Removal 101 for more tricks – like how to remove butter, grease and grass.

General Stain Rules:

1. Be fast – don’t let the stain sit because the longer it remains, the tougher it is to remove.

2. Always treat a stain before laundering. And don’t buy crappy detergent – you will just use more with less success.

3. Never blot with hot water, and never rub.

4. Special outfits, neckties, your grandmother’s wedding dress? Just don’t spill on them. Period.

Stain Removal Cheat Sheet

Lipstick: Blot with a wipe or a washcloth moistened with rubbing alcohol.

Blood: If it’s fresh, blot repeatedly with cold water, an ice cube, or club soda; if it’s dried, use a drop of hydrogen peroxide in a cup of water and blot.

Oil: Cover with baby powder or cornstarch immediately and allow it to sit for half an hour. Brush it off, apply some Tide, and wash in the hottest water the fabric can stand.

Ink: On cotton, apply rubbing alcohol to the spot, then wash. On polyester, spray liberally with hair spray and pat with a clean, dry cloth. Then wash.

Red wine: Douse with salt, dunk in cold water, blot until the stain disappears, and wash as soon as possible. If you can’t strip immediately in the middle of a fancy restaurant…… soak the spot with soda water, skip dessert and head to your nearest washing machine. (Or go buy a new outfit and change in the restaurant ladies’ room, asking the establishment to launder the item for you!)