The Laundry Hack That Helps Remove Stubborn Stains In No Time

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Stains happen. Getting them out of your favorite shirt or slacks so they look like new again? That's a different story. Why? Certain substances — coffee, chocolate, or red wine to name a few — sink right into fabric's fibers, resulting in tough laundry stains that feel impossible to remove. But a stubborn stain doesn't mean you have to relegate your favorite tee to the "at-home" clothes drawer yet. Instead, try presoaking overnight, a tried-and-true laundry hack, to save your stained clothes.

Presoaking isn't a new concept; in fact, it dates back to at least the Middle Ages. Its stain-fighting magic results from exposure to water (a.k.a., the universal solvent) and the power of today's laundry detergents, not to mention the extended timeline. The hours-long soak allows water and detergent to work into the stain and loosen it from the fibers without damaging your clothes, and, better yet, with almost no elbow grease. In other words, presoaking overnight may just be the hands-off stain treatment you've been looking for.

While presoaking is relatively simple, it's more than tossing dirty clothes that could use an extra soak before washing into a bin. First, select the right stain-fighting weapon — ahem, presoak detergent. If you've spent any time in the laundry aisle, you know there are products for pretty much every laundry task there is. But which presoak treatment actually removes stubborn stains? When it comes to store-bought options, oxygen bleach such as Molly's Suds Oxygen Whitener or enzyme presoak like ACTIVE Enzyme Laundry Booster are the most sworn by. Make sure to check that garments are bleach-safe if using oxygen bleach, and always spot test beforehand to make sure the color doesn't bleed.

Next, decide where you're going to do the presoak. If you have just a few items, you can probably fit them in the bathroom sink or a small bucket in the bathtub. If you have a lot of stained clothing to tackle at once, the bathtub or a five-gallon bucket is ideal. Whatever you choose, we recommend picking a space where you can close the door to keep kids and pets out of the presoak mixture.

Or, if your washer has a presoak setting, it can do the work for you in one easy step. However, check your instruction manual first to see if you can do an overnight presoak. Many washers' presoak timers range from three minutes to two hours, and may have a setting to automatically drain the drum after a set amount of time.

Ready to soak away tough stains? Start with the right water temperature. While there's not an agreed-upon ideal temperature for presoaking, many store-bought presoaks include temperatures in the directions. If the temperature isn't listed, a good rule of thumb is lukewarm to warm water (maximum 104 degrees Fahrenheit) if permitted by the garment's care label, unless you're dealing with a protein-based stain. Protein-based stains, like blood, egg, or milk, can actually sink into the fibers with warm or hot water, making them even harder to remove. Delicate fabrics should also be presoaked in cold water. If you're not sure what the stain is from or the item's care tag has been removed, use tepid water.

Adjust your faucet to the right temperature, then fill up your bucket or sink. (If you're doing a presoak in your washing machine, follow the manufacturer's instructions.) Then, following the product label, mix in the presoak or oxygen bleach. Pull on rubber gloves, then submerge the garments. Stir the clothes and let them soak. Stir again every few hours before you go to bed. In the morning, rinse them out, then wash according to the care tag. Check to make sure the stain has fully removed before drying. If there are still remnants, don't tumble dry; this could set the stain and make it harder to remove. Instead, let it dry on the line, then try again.