Review Methodology

At Stain Wiki, we earn our opinions in suds, swatches, and science. We test stain removers, detergents, and cleaning tools on real messes and standardized stains across multiple fabrics—then document every variable. No guesswork. No fluff. Just rigorous, repeatable testing so you know exactly how we arrive at our conclusions.

Our Testing Philosophy

  1. Real‑world, repeatable. We don’t stop at label promises. We apply measured amounts of common stains—red wine, coffee, cooking oil, blood, grass, turmeric—on cotton, denim, synthetics, wool, and upholstery. We control water hardness, temperature, dwell time, and agitation. We run every test in multiple passes and log outcomes like stain lift, residue, odor, and re‑soiling. Safety matters: we follow garment care labels, patch‑test on hidden areas, and never mix incompatible chemicals.
  2. Uncompromising independence. We buy most products at retail. When samples are provided, we disclose that clearly—and it never guarantees a high score. Brands don’t preview, edit, or approve our findings. If a unit is on loan, it’s returned or donated after testing. Our editorial team operates with a strict firewall from revenue. If you spot an error, we investigate and correct it. Reach us anytime at https://stainwiki.org/contact-us/.
  3. Comparative and long‑term. We test side‑by‑side against top competitors to see who actually lifts the stain fastest—and who protects fabric best. We check immediate results and performance over repeated wash cycles, monitoring colorfastness, fiber wear, and lingering residues. When methods evolve, we retest. When formulas change, we retest. Because your laundry—and your linens—deserve current, reliable data.

The Scoring System

We rate products on a 1–10 scale with weighted categories that reflect what actually matters in stain removal:

  • Stain Removal Performance (40%): How effectively and consistently it lifts tough stains across fabric types in our controlled tests.
  • Fabric Safety & Color Care (25%): Protects dyes and fibers with minimal fading, no bleaching halos, and claims that match safe use on delicate materials.
  • Ease of Use (20%): Clear instructions, practical dwell times, smart applicators, manageable scent, low residue, and suitability for sensitive skin.
  • Value, Transparency & Support (15%): Cost per effective use, ingredient clarity, environmental considerations, and quality of instructions and customer support.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some links in our reviews may be affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That support funds our test swatches, detergents, lab time, photography, and the editorial team that does the messy work. Our scores come first—set before any monetization—and are never influenced by affiliate partnerships. No brand pays for a positive rating. Partners do not preview or approve our content. If a product changes or your experience conflicts with our results, tell us and we’ll investigate and retest as needed. Questions or corrections? Contact us at https://stainwiki.org/contact-us/.