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The Sun
23-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
I've tried 6 viral popular stain remover hacks that claim to be ‘the best ever' – most effective was a bargain
A POWERFUL stain remover is a household essential – especially with kids in the mix. From tomato sauce to mystery smudges of make-up, keeping your whites crisp can feel like a constant battle. 7 Stain removers have come a long way in recent years, with some not even needing a washing machine any more. And they are going viral on TikTok. But which ones actually work – and which are just hype? Yasmin Harisha sees if the most popular online picks have what it takes. Here, she puts them to the test versus grass stains, foundation, red wine, coffee, oil, sunscreen, tomato sauce and even marker pen. Tide To Go stain pen, £12.49 for three, Amazon PERFECT for your handbag or toiletry kit, this stain remover pen is a lifesaver for quick clean-ups before stains set. Just shake, uncap, press on to the mark and rub back and forth — and the stain disappears fast. It worked brilliantly on every stain I tested, but it is definitely best for smaller spots. Larger stains are trickier, you will either spend a lot of time scrubbing or end up using multiple pens, which is not exactly budget-friendly. Still, for everyday mishaps such as make-up smudges or food splashes, it is a handy, travel-friendly option that delivers quick results when you need them. Best at banishing: Coffee. As long as it is a small amount. I've tried 6 viral TikTok stain remover hacks that claim to be 'the best ever' Worst at tackling: Foundation. It ended up smudging the stain into the fabric. Rating: 2.5/5 Bicarbonate soda, fairy liquid & hydrogen peroxide, £1, any supermarket WHEN it comes to viral DIY hacks, this one is a classic — and it actually works. Bicarbonate of soda has been a cleaning staple for years. If you are on a budget and don't mind a little DIY, it is just as effective as shop-bought options. I mixed 1 tbsp of bicarb, 1 tbsp of washing-up liquid and 2 tbsp of hydrogen peroxide into a smooth paste. I applied to the stain then let it sit for 15 minutes (longer for tougher stains), then gently scrubbed with a soft brush, rinsed, and washed. It works but I prefer something ready-made and less labour intensive. Best at banishing: Sunscreen. You could see it working instantly. Worst at tackling: Marker pen. It needed to be soaked still. Rating: 3.5/5 Stain-removing wipes, £1.25, Marks & Spencer IF you need a quick, on-the-go fix, this stain remover is a game-changer. The wipes come in a compact, sleek packet that slips easily into your handbag, perfect for tackling fresh stains in a pinch. From tomato sauce and oil to a splash of red wine or a smudge of blusher, it is your go-to solution. Parents who usually reach for baby wipes might find this a serious upgrade — and it is affordable, too. However, there is one caveat. For larger or older stains that have set in, you will likely need something a bit more heavy duty. Best at banishing: Oil but you need to act quickly. Worst at tackling: Grass stains. This took some elbow grease. Napisan non bio stain remover powder, £4.50, Morrisons A LONG-TIME parenting staple, this germ-killing powder (99.9 per cent of germs, to be exact) has recently become a hit for stains on socks and trainers. It works best when you soak laundry in warm water mixed with the powder before tossing it in the washing machine. Personally, I wasn't impressed. It didn't do much for foundation stains while other marks left behind faint traces. Grass stains were barely touched. It has a lovely, fresh scent but its stain-fighting power felt average. Great for general freshness, just don't expect miracles on tougher stains. Best at banishing: Oil, but be sure to soak it. Worst at tackling: Grass stains. WINNER: Wipe Out stain remover spray £5.50, Homecare Essentials THIS spray is the gold standard of stain removers. It doesn't just lift stains from clothes, it doubles as a powerful multi-surface cleaner. While it didn't completely erase an extra-dark foundation mark, it made serious progress and I'm sure a second go would do the trick. The best part? It is super affordable. Just a few spritzes, wait 30 seconds and you are set. It tackles everything from grease and grime to biro, coffee and even blood. Plus, it works on almost anything — fabric, wood, metal, glass, stone, vinyl, ceramics, you name it. Worst at tackling: Wine. It needed to be put in the washing machine for it to vanish completely. Scrubology stain remover soap, £7.99, I HAD high hopes for this stain remover after TikTok kept serving it up, with cleaning fans calling it the 'best ever'. You are meant to wet the stain, wet the bar, scrub until it foams, then soak the item by hand or pop it in the wash. But for me, it wasn't that simple. Despite plenty of elbow grease, it barely foamed. It felt like nothing was really happening. Honestly, I think a regular bar of soap might have done a better job. This one just did not live up to the hype. Best at banishing: Tomato sauce but only if it was a tiny splatter. Worst at tackling: Foundation. It was the toughest stain across the board, but this soap didn't even make a dent. Rating: 1/5 Can a mini washing machine save you cash? OFTEN spotted on social media, the intriguing Taylor & Brown portable washing machine (£29.99, Amazon/B&Q) was a bit of a puzzle to figure out. Mums online are praising it as the perfect solution for family holidays and the convenience of quickly cleaning the kids' clothes without needing to run a full load. It uses just one-twentieth of the water required by a standard washing machine and, according to Precision Appliance Leasing, a portable washing machine typically uses between 0.2 to 1 kWh per load, whereas traditional machines can consume 1 to 2 kWh or more. With energy costs soaring, this machine sounds a smart, choice. That said, the instructions left a lot to be desired as they were poorly translated and missing key details. You fill it with water, though there's no clear fill line so it is a bit of guessing game, then add detergent and clothes. It doesn't heat the water, so best to add warm water from the tap. Its compact size limits it to one or two tops or smaller items such as underwear – I found overfilling causes spillage and bouncing. It has a touch screen and offers a ten-minute cycle, a two-minute cycle, or just a spin option. But clothes come out soaking wet and could take days to dry. Plus I found it frustrating that the clothes don't come out properly washed and I often put them into a regular washing machine afterwards, which defeats the purpose entirely. It could be handy for washing underwear while camping. But, for me, it wasn't worth the money saved.
Buzz Feed
24-04-2025
- Buzz Feed
30 Things From Walmart That'll Make Your Family's Vacation Go Off Without A Hitch
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. You'll have enough surprises on your trip with kids in tow, so here are a few things to keep your vay-cay sailing smoothly. 1. A do-it-all travel duffel/weekender bag that features a shoe compartment, a wet pocket, two inner and three front open pockets, and plenty of room inside. Works great as a carry-on or in the car. Walmart 2. A pack of four TSA-approved travel bottles for all of the lotions and potions that babies and kids require so you don't have to travel with all of those full-size bottles taking up extra luggage space. Walmart Promising review:"Absolutely perfect! They're easy to fill and come with labels. It's perfect for my busy traveling life!" — Morgan 3. An allergen-free, plant-derived, child-safe, vegan-approved Foot Glide anti-blister balm because you and the kids are going to do a lot of walking on vacation (maybe in sandals), and you can't let any skin irritation slow you down. 4. A Master Lock portable safe with a resettable combination to keep your valuables safe (or at least safer than stuffing them into a shoe at the bottom of a bag) while you're at the beach, pool, or anywhere that allows you to concentrate on fun instead of potential theft. Walmart 5. An eight-piece packing cube set that's not just for organizing suitcases for family trips. Use these to store an extra set of clothes (kids are gonna kid) in your go-bag or in the car. Walmart Promising review:"These bags are perfect! They hold so many clothes. I bought these because they were machine washable. I've washed them a few times now, and they are holding up perfectly! I like being able to organize everything. It's so much easier to go through the luggage when everything is sorted into bags." — Kristina 6. A three-pack of Tide To Go stain remover pens for those trips where you're packing light and there's no washing machine. Little clothes will most likely get stained, so you'll be glad you have this on hand for sauce and juice spills. Walmart 7. A two-pack of portable clotheslines with 12 clothespins because most hotel rooms aren't built for properly drying clothes and there's nothing worse than that not-quite-dry swimsuit smell when you're packing to go home. Walmart 8. A three-pack of kids' sunglasses so little eyes stay protected, and little hands can't break them with any twisting or bending. Plus, every baby looks cool wearing these! Walmart Promising review:"Wow. These glasses are better than I expected. The material is soft and flexible; it won't hurt your kid's skin. They are very well-made and polarized!! I have to say it's the best deal ever !! My kids love them." — Lan 9. A pair of foldable, wired, and wireless (thanks to Bluetooth) cat ear headphones that'll purr for up to 10 hours of listening time. The adjustable headband makes them comfortable, while the light-up kitty ears make them spectacular. Walmart Promising review:"I bought these for my daughter's 8th birthday, and she loves them. The setup was very easy; she connected them to several tablets and my phone without an issue. Bluetooth connects quickly and doesn't have any issues disconnecting. The lights are awesome and charging is a breeze." — Rachel 10. A rechargeable and flexible stroller fan with three settings so the kids (and you) can keep cool throughout your trip. Walmart Promising review:"Worked perfectly for the warm summer day! Very quiet, quick, and easy to set up." — melissa 11. A pack of 80 DEET-free mosquito repellent patches for kids and adults infused with peppermint and citronella oil for 24-hour protection. Stick one on, and those bugs won't be bothering you. 12. A colorful rolling backpack built for school but, like your kids, has earned a well-deserved holiday. Great for wheeling around the airport and carrying on to the plane, and if it'll fit everything from books to lunch boxes, it'll undoubtedly accommodate vacation items too. Walmart Promising review:"I absolutely love this little rolling backpack! It travels well. I went on a vacation for three weeks in Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales, and this little bag went through seven flights, several trains, subways, buses, and car trips, and it is lightweight enough for the overhead compartments. So if you want something lightweight but strong enough to be stuffed with all your traveling belongings, this is the one you need!" — Artsynurse 13. A kids' travel tray, which is like their own little backseat workstation. The "desk" part is actually a dry-erase board, and there are dedicated holders for the two most important things for kids on long car trips: tablets and water bottles. Walmart Promising review:"Used this for my two boys driving over 2,000 miles for vacation and it was A HIT! They loved it and so did I! Very functional! Easy to unclip to go to the bathroom and clip back up! Keeps everything zipped up, and nothing spills over!!!" — Violet 14. A four-pack of sand removers so the beach doesn't follow you and your kids back to your room, car, or anywhere else. If you're someone who hates sand getting everywhere (like me), these are a must. Walmart 15. An Anker PowerCore Select 10000 portable charger because one of the worst moments you'll experience while traveling with kids is when their favorite device runs out of juice at the absolute worst time. This power bank allows for simultaneous charging, so no fighting over it (hopefully). Walmart Promising review:"Good size, easy to handle and hold. I charged three phones, one charger, and two small fans, including one with light. It's great to have during the hurricane season and/or if you're in an area where the power now goes out for no known reason. Great price, too!" — Jaynie 16. A 3-in-1 multi-charging cable so you can cut down on packing an excessive amount of cords, always have the right plug, and be able to juice up several devices at once. Walmart Promising review:"Oh my gosh, this is the way to go when your devices are charged with different cords. I can plug the one into the wall adapter and then into all my devices. And I do mean I plug in my Apple phone, Kindle, and new iPad all at once instead of using three different cords and switching them out all the time. What a game-changer. Little things like this sure do help." — Debra 17. A kids' travel air mattress inflatable bed with raised sides for any trip where the sleeping situation isn't so clear (like when the hotel promises a crib or pack and play and then they don't have one). It's also great for camping and sleepovers! Walmart Note: No air pump included. Promising review:"This inflatable mattress has been a lifesaver for travel with kids! It's comfortable, with raised sides that help keep my little one from rolling off. It's easy to inflate and deflate and fits well in our car. The pink color is a cute touch too." — Walmart Customer 18. A foldable Oxo Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty because when they gotta go, you know they gotta go! Like, right now! No bathroom? No problem; extend the legs, and voilà, you've got an instant roadside commode. This potty also lays flat on regular toilets for a more comfortable seat on the throne. Walmart Includes three disposable bags with absorbent pads and a travel bag. Promising review:"This is perfect for keeping in the back of the car for travelling. Right now, we are potty training, and we can just pull over and have him go on the side of the road. It is also perfect for public restrooms, so he feels like he won't fall in. He likes it too, which is a huge plus." — debbie Price: $20.99 19. A UPF 50+ sun-protective, wide-brim bucket hat to keep kids' heads, faces, and necks safe from that summer sun while the drawstring keeps it secured from blowing away and getting lost. The hat also folds up for easy on-the-go storage. Walmart 20. A pair of Crocs because they're easy to slip on, easier to clean, and protect little toes better than flip-flops, especially when running on hot sand or slippery concrete around the pool. Walmart 21. A six-pack of Munchkin jumbo microwave bottle sterilizer bags so you can thoroughly disinfect bottles or breastfeeding equipment by eliminating 99.9% of the most common bacteria and germs. Just add water and pop it in the microwave for as little as 90 seconds. Walmart Promising review:"I love this sterilizer bag. Before using these I would sterilize all my bottles and pump parts in a pot of boiling water. With this bag, I just toss a bunch of parts in, add a little water, and in a few minutes, I'm done. You can easily dump out the water without opening the bag and avoid burning your hands immediately by handling the bag using the cool tab. I love the check boxes on the front to remind me how many times I've used each bag. These can be used up to 30 times." — sorrycharlie625 22. An Evenflo Hummingbird ultra-lightweight stroller that can be opened and closed with one hand, which is clutch because you'll most likely be holding the baby with the other! Drives well, travels well, and fits almost anywhere. Walmart I used an older Evenflo model on all our family trips with two children. It lasted for years. But I got a chance to test this new model (my youngest hasn't quite grown out of the stroller yet), and it's even better. It is amazingly light, which is the best thing it can be when packing it onto a plane or a car trunk. How light? When the box arrived, I literally tossed it to my wife and said, "Check out how light this is!" Luckily, she caught it and didn't wing it back at my head. 23. A travel white-noise machine because you never know what the sleeping situation is going to be on the road. Choose from four sound options (heartbeat, white noise, ocean, or lullaby). Clip it to the stroller, car seat, bag, or crib, and here comes sleepy time (hopefully). Walmart 24. An eight-count of grape-flavored Dramamine Motion Sickness chewables for kids so you can get through any car trip without stopping, scrambling for a plastic bag, and eventually having to clean up puke. Walmart Promising review:"My family truly enjoys this product. My kids get motion sickness when driving in the car for long periods. They always do great as long as they have Dramamine before our trip. They love the flavor of these chewables! The little container they come in is great for travel. Highly recommend!" — Kady 26. A 12-pack of travel-sized Purell advanced hand sanitizer gels because you can never have enough clean hands, and there's nothing worse than catching a bug while on vacation. Walmart Price: $14.99 27. A waterproof car trash can with a lid and storage pockets for instilling just a modicum of hope that you might be able to keep the car somewhat cleaner than the house. Maybe. Walmart Promising review:"I got this for my car and it hangs over the back of the passenger seat. It is well-made, comes with bags, has side pockets, and is my new favorite gift to buy for people." — TopNun Price: $20.91 28. An inflatable swim tube pool float so that you don't have to pay an outrageous price (tourist pricing) wherever you're staying for something that's probably not going to make the trip back home. Walmart Promising review:"Thick material. We used it in the ocean, and it held up. Buying more." — Jessica Price: $2.47+ (available in four colors and a three-pack) 29. A 28-piece Magna-Tiles set because Magna-Tiles might be one of the best investment toys out there, especially when you travel with the fam to stay with relatives. Everyone will have fun building things with these colorful pieces. Walmart Price: $49.99 30. A Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza card game (a personal favorite of mine) where players take turns calling out the words taco, cat, goat, cheese, and pizza (in that order) until the word matches the card. But watch out for those gorilla, groundhog, and narwhal cards! Walmart Promising review:"My kids and I really like Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza! You go around the circle, and each person says an item. If the card matches what you say, everyone tries to slap the deck. The last person to slap the deck must take all the cards. There are also action cards in the deck. This game keeps you on your toes, and there will be laughing!" — Lisa Price: $9.84 Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
