The Wirecutter Show: The Art of Stain Removal Part 2 – Detailed Summary

Release Date: March 26, 2025

Introduction

In the second installment of "The Art of Stain Removal" series, The Wirecutter Show delves deeper into tackling some of the most stubborn and perplexing stains encountered in everyday life. Hosts Christine Cyr Clisset and Kyra Blackwell, alongside producer Rosie Guerin, join forces with Andrea Barnes, Wirecutter’s esteemed laundry expert, to provide actionable solutions to listeners' tough laundry woes.

Recap of Part One

The episode begins by briefly revisiting the foundational steps for stain removal discussed in the first part of the series. Andrea Barnes emphasized five key steps:

1. Identify the Stain: Understanding the nature of the stain is crucial.
2. Blot or Scrape: Remove excess residue gently to prevent further embedding.
3. Choose a Stain Remover: Selecting the appropriate product based on the stain type.
4. Pre-Treat or Soak: Applying detergent or soaking in water and detergent to loosen the stain.
5. Wash and Air Dry: Cleaning the garment thoroughly and allowing it to air dry to prevent setting the stain with heat.

Kyra Blackwell highlights the importance of being prepared to repeat the process multiple times:

“[02:04] Kyra Blackwell: And you have to be prepared to do this more than once. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes multiple cycles for you to really get that stain out.”

She also introduces the "dissolves like" rule to match stains with their appropriate treatments:

• Fat and Oil Stains: Use liquid laundry detergent and warm water.
• Protein Stains: Opt for liquid detergent or zout with cold water.
• Dyes and Pigments: Apply oxygen bleach on cold.

Listener Questions and Expert Solutions

The bulk of the episode is dedicated to addressing listener-submitted questions, each presenting unique stain challenges. Andrea Barnes provides expert advice tailored to each scenario.

1. Ink Stains on Cotton (Lucia from Minneapolis)

Listener's Dilemma:
Lucia struggles with stubborn ballpoint pen ink on a 100% cotton comforter. Despite trying isopropyl alcohol, Dawn detergent, a vinegar and baking soda paste, and even professional cleaning, the stain persists.

Andrea's Advice:
Andrea suggests using Amodex, a soap-based stain remover recommended by pen companies. The process involves:

• Wearing gloves for protection.
• Applying Amodex directly to the stain.
• Gently massaging the remover into the fabric.
• Blotting the ink away gradually.

She cautions that this method is time-consuming and requires patience:

“[05:52] Christine Cyrclassette: Item that you're trying to clean. How much is your time worth?”
“[05:57] Andrea Barnes: Yeah, I mean, I would do it and it can be done...”

If unsuccessful, Andrea suggests considering a comforter cover as a last resort.

2. Cat Urine on Fabrics (Mary from Savannah, Georgia)

Listener's Dilemma:
Mary's elderly cat intermittently urinates on soft furnishings. Despite washing with liquid detergent on cold, the lingering odor sometimes remains.

Andrea's Advice:
Andrea recommends enzymatic cleaners like Nature's Miracle, which break down the proteins in urine. For rugs or upholstery, she suggests using a steam vacuum with an enzymatic cleaner:

“[09:17] Christophe Cyrclassette: [Mary's issue] but if it's really bad, I might try soaking it with some sort of enzymatic or liquid laundry detergent...
[09:27] Kyra Blackwell: Okay, Andrea.”

3. Fish Oil Smell on Chambray Jumpsuit (Chen Yi from Los Angeles)

Listener's Dilemma:
Chen Yi spilled tinned fish oil on her jumpsuit. While the oil was removed, the fishy odor remains despite attempts with dish soap, Oxiclean, and laundry detergent.

Andrea's Advice:
Andrea outlines two potential solutions:

1. Soaking: Immerse the garment in water with a robust laundry detergent for 1-2 hours.
2. Odor Rinse: Use acid-based odor removers like Sonnet or Downy Rinse and Refresh, added to the fabric softener dispenser to eliminate lingering smells.

She underscores the dual benefit of these products in cleaning both the garment and the washing machine:

“[10:06] Christine Cyrclassette: Ooh, stinky, stinky, stinky, stinky.
[11:37] Rosie Guerin: So a reminder to not use fabric softener.”

4. Dried Paint Stains on Clothing (Rayanne from Virginia & Dena from Manhattan)

Listener's Dilemma:
Rayanne, a painter, faces dried acrylic paint on her clothing despite multiple attempts with various cleaners. Dena accidentally got oil-based subway paint on her dress during a parade.

Andrea's Advice:
For acrylic paint:

• Use rubbing alcohol and Dawn Power Wash.
• Gently dab to loosen the paint before washing.

For oil-based paint:

• Employ mineral spirits like Clean Strip, ensuring proper ventilation and safety measures.
• Andrea advises caution due to the hazardous nature of these solvents:

“[16:13] Rosie Guerin: What is a minute?
[16:13] Andrea Barnes: What’s that? It’s called clean strip...”

5. Blood Stains on Hoodie (Leah's Question)

Listener's Dilemma:
Leah's child frequently has bloody noses, leaving grayish marks on a hoodie despite using detergent and oxygen bleach.

Andrea's Advice:
Andrea suggests pre-treating the remaining marks with liquid laundry detergent before another cold wash. She speculates that prolonged exposure to oxygen bleach might have caused dye fading:

“[19:11] Christine Cyrclassette: ...
[19:35] Rosie Guerin: So again, it's like it's just putting a little bit of liquid laundry detergent on these stains, letting it sit for a few minutes and then washing on cold.”

6. Black Tea Stains on Fleece Vest (Olivia from Chicago)

Listener's Dilemma:
Cheryl from Chicago spilled hot black tea on a high-pile off-white fleece vest. Despite repeated treatments with Oxiclean, vinegar, and baking soda, the stain remains partially visible.

Andrea's Advice:
For synthetic polyester fleece:

• Apply an oxygen bleach paste or a hydrogen peroxide-based stain remover like Tide Ultra Oxy or Clorox 2 directly to the stain.
• Monitor the stain's reaction to determine effectiveness before proceeding to wash.

For natural fibers like wool, Andrea recommends consulting a dry cleaner to avoid damaging the fabric.

7. Deodorant and Antiperspirant Stains (Dena from Portland & Matt from Los Angeles)

Listener's Dilemma:
Dena deals with white deodorant residue from her sons’ Axe body spray, damaging dark T-shirts. Matt faces persistent pit stains despite numerous attempts with various cleaners.

Andrea's Advice:
For white deodorant stains:

• Create a paste using baking soda and water or powder detergent and water.
• Apply to the stain, let sit for 20-30 minutes, then scrape and rinse before washing.

For pit stains:

• Use a liquid laundry detergent on warm water settings.
• For white shirts, opt for detergents containing oxygen bleach like Tide Ultra Oxy.

Additionally, Rosie suggests using a citric acid-based laundry odor rinse to combat pervasive odors:

“[25:44] Rosie Guerin: ... citric acid based laundry odor rinse.”

8. Red Clay on White Baseball Pants (Olivia from Georgia)

Listener's Dilemma:
Olivia seeks a method to keep white baseball pants clean despite frequent red clay exposure during games.

Andrea's Advice:
Andrea recommends:

• Soaking the pants in water with a powder detergent, which is effective against clay and mud stains.
• If necessary, switch to a detergent with oxygen bleach for more stubborn stains:

“[27:24] Christine Cyrclassette: So it doesn't need to have oxy in it.
[27:26] Andrea Barnes: It doesn't need to...”

9. Invisible Stains

Discussion:
Andrea introduces the concept of "invisible stains" that only become apparent after washing, such as those caused by:

• Champagne: Sugar can caramelize under heat.
• Bubble Residue: Common in clothes washed with warm water after children blow bubbles.
• Sunscreen: Leaves pink stains post-wash.

Andrea's Tips:

• Preventive Measures: Wash garments in cold water and dry on low heat to minimize setting stains.
• Treatment: Soak in laundry detergent or oxygen bleach.

Final Tips and Takeaways

As the episode concludes, the hosts and Andrea share key insights and personal takeaways:

• Patience is Crucial: Stain removal often requires multiple treatments.

  “[31:15] Rosie Guerin: ... it might take multiple cycles to get out any given stain.”

• Read Product Instructions: Ensure proper usage of products like oxygen bleach to avoid damaging fabrics.

  “[31:29] Kyra Blackwell: ... read and follow the instructions.”

• Featured Products:

  • Tide Ultra Oxy: Andrea cites this as her "holy grail" laundry product.
  • Clorox 2: Recommended for its hydrogen peroxide content, effective against various stains.

• Invisible Stains Awareness: Being mindful of activities that can lead to unseen stains helps in proactive stain management.

Notable Quotes

• Andrea Barnes on Ink Removal:

  “[05:57] Andrea Barnes: ... it's gonna take you a long time. Yeah, it's gonna take you a long.”

• On the Complexity of Oil-Based Paint Removal:

  “[16:46] Christine Cyrclassette: It's just really stinky.”

• On Invisible Stains and Fermentation Chemistry:

  “[28:15] Kyra Blackwell: That happens to me all the time.”

• Andrea's Holy Grail Laundry Product:

  “[30:01] Andrea Barnes: I mean, I'm going to come out. I'm sure you're all going to be stunned to hear that it's tied ultra oxygen.”

Conclusion

The Wirecutter Show delivers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of stain removal techniques, empowering listeners with expert advice to tackle even the most persistent stains. Andrea Barnes’ insights, combined with the hosts' thoughtful discussion, make this episode an invaluable resource for maintaining spotless and fresh laundry.

For More Information

To delve deeper into Wirecutter's coverage or to explore the recommended products discussed in this episode, visit Wirecutter's website or refer to the show notes linked in the podcast episode.