Let’s be real—spills and stains are part of daily life. A drop of coffee on your shirt, a smudge of grease on your jeans, or a splash of sauce on the tablecloth—we’ve all been there. That’s where a good stain remover comes in. But not all stain remover are the same; different ones are made to fight different types of messes. From liquid sprays to powder cleaners, knowing which stain remover to use can save you from throwing away your favorite items. Let’s break down the main types of stain remover and when to use each one.

If you’re dealing with organic stains—think food scraps, sweat, blood, or even baby formula—enzymatic stain remover are your best bet. These stain remover use special enzymes that “eat away” at the organic matter in stains, breaking them down so they wash away easily. Unlike harsher chemicals, enzymatic stain remover are gentle on fabrics, so they’re safe for things like baby clothes, underwear, or delicate materials like silk. For example, WhiteCat’s Enzymatic Sterilization Laundry Liquid is a great enzymatic stain remover—it not only gets rid of stains from food or sweat but also kills 99% of bacteria. The best part? You don’t need to scrub hard; just soak the stained area in the stain remover for 15 to 30 minutes, then wash as usual. This type of stain remover is perfect for busy families or anyone who deals with a lot of organic spills.

Oxygen-based stain remover (often called “color-safe bleach”) are a game changer for stains that need a little extra brightening—like wine, fruit juice, or grass stains. These stain remover use active oxygen to break down stains without fading colors, so they’re safe for both white and colored clothes. Unlike chlorine bleach (which can ruin colored fabrics), oxygen-based stain remover work slowly but effectively, and they’re also good for removing odors, like the musty smell from old towels. WhiteCat has products with active oxygen too—their Multi Power Detergent Boost uses this tech to lift tough stains and make whites whiter without harming colors. To use this stain remover, mix it with water (or add it to your washing machine) and let the fabric soak—no scrubbing needed. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to keep their colored clothes bright while getting rid of stubborn stains.

Grease stains—from cooking oil, butter, or motor oil—are some of the trickiest to remove, but grease-cutting stain remover are made just for this. These stain remover have strong surfactants (the same ingredients in dish soap) that cut through oil and grease, separating the stain from the fabric. Many grease-cutting stain remover come in liquid form, like WhiteCat’s Dish Soap—yes, dish soap can double as a stain remover! Its 50% more active matter powerfully cuts through grease, so you can dab a little on a grease stain on your shirt, let it sit for 10 minutes, then wash it. There are also specialized grease stain remover for clothes, like spray-on formulas that target tough spots on jackets or jeans. This type of stain remover is a must for anyone who cooks a lot, works with machinery, or has kids who love to get messy with oily snacks.

When you’re facing really tough, set-in stains—like mud on hiking boots, rust on old clothes, or dirt on couch covers—powdered stain remover are the way to go. These stain remover are usually mixed with water to make a paste, which you can spread on the stain and let sit before washing. The powder’s abrasive texture helps scrub away tough dirt, while its cleaning agents break down stubborn stains. WhiteCat’s Cleaning Powder is a great example of a powdered stain remover—it’s multi-purpose, so it works on clothes, kitchen surfaces, and even ceramic tiles. It’s perfect for heavy-duty stains on thick fabrics, like denim or canvas, and it also kills bacteria to keep your items clean and fresh. Just make sure to test the powdered stain remover on a small, hidden part of the fabric first—some powders can be rough on delicate materials.

Not all stains are on clothes—sometimes you need a stain remover for hard surfaces, like toilets, bathtubs, or glass. These specialized stain remover are made to target the unique stains on each surface. For example, toilet stain remover (like WhiteCat’s 2 in 1 Toilet Cleaner) are acidic, so they can break down tough 水垢 (water stains), rust, and urine stains without scratching the toilet bowl. Glass stain remover are designed to cut through fingerprints, dust, and oily smudges on windows or mirrors, leaving them streak-free. And kitchen surface stain remover, like WhiteCat’s Dish Soap (which works on countertops too), can lift grease and food stains from stovetops or tables. These specialized stain remover are essential for keeping your home clean—they’re made to handle the specific messes that regular laundry stain remover can’t.