OxiClean Stain Remover: How It Works and Where to Buy

OxiClean is an oxygen-based stain remover powder that lifts tough spots from clothing, upholstery, and hard surfaces without chlorine bleach. Billy Mays pitched it in one of the most recognized As Seen on TV campaigns ever aired, and the tub earned a permanent shelf in laundry rooms nationwide.

What Is in OxiClean, and Why Does It Fizz?

The key ingredient is sodium percarbonate, a dry blend of washing soda and hydrogen peroxide. In water it splits apart: the peroxide releases oxygen (the fizz) that breaks down dye, food, and tannin marks, while the soda softens water and loosens oil so detergent can rinse it away.

Max Appel launched the formula in 1997. Church & Dwight, the Arm & Hammer parent, has owned the brand since 2006 and publishes the Versatile Stain Remover ingredient disclosure. Mays, one of the most famous infomercial pitchmen, gave it a “Billy Mays here!” opener that still sits among the most iconic infomercial catchphrases.

Soak or Scoop: Two Ways to Use It

A scoop in the drum treats a whole load. A soak treats one problem garment, and it wins on set-in coffee and grass because the oxygen needs contact time a wash cycle can’t give it.

1. Dissolve it in the hottest water the care label allows.
2. Submerge the garment fully.
3. Soak one to six hours; older marks need the long end.
4. Wash as usual with regular detergent.

For loads, add it to the washing machine drum before the clothes, not the dispenser drawer, where granules can cake. Never store mixed solution in a capped bottle. The oxygen keeps releasing and pressure can burst the container.

Which OxiClean Product Matches the Mess?

Formula	Form	Best for
Versatile Stain Remover	Powder	Soaks, boosting, carpet, grout
Max Force	Spray	Pre-treating one fresh spot
White Revive	Powder or liquid	Graying whites
Odor Blasters	Powder	Sweat and pet odor
Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean	Liquid laundry detergent	Everyday loads with a built-in booster

Buy one, and the Versatile tub is the pick. The same scoop will clean carpet spots, tile grout, faded patio furniture, and plastic containers tinted orange by tomato sauce. That range puts it alongside other As Seen on TV staples like Flex Shot rubber sealant and the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 robot vacuum. A breakdown of whether As Seen on TV products actually work shows which pitches hold up.

Where It Falls Short

• Rust: iron oxide ignores peroxide; use an oxalic acid remover.
• Old grease: pre-treat with dish soap and plan on a second soak.
• Ink: rubbing alcohol works better first.
• Wool, silk, leather: the alkaline mix damages protein fibers. Skip anything labeled dry-clean only.

Don’t add vinegar, which neutralizes the soda, or chlorine bleach, which reacts with the peroxide instead of the soil.

Where to Buy OxiClean and What It Costs

It’s available at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Costco, Sam’s Club, and most grocery chains. A 3-pound tub usually runs $8 to $12, and a 5-pound tub costs around $14. Amazon and Walmart delivery usually takes about two days, but prices shift often, so compare before you order. As an Amazon Associate, allfromtv.com earns from qualifying purchases.

• Versatile Stain Remover powder: Check price on Amazon
• Laundry stain remover spray: Check price on Amazon
• White Revive: Check price on Amazon

Start with a 3-pound tub of OxiClean and one six-hour soak on your worst garment. If a mark survives two soaks, it’s likely rust, ink, or dye transfer and needs a different product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OxiClean just bleach?

No. It relies on oxygen-based power from sodium percarbonate, which stays color-safe on most fabrics, while chlorine bleach can strip dye and weaken fibers.

What stains does it remove?

It removes grass, wine, blood, coffee, grease, and food stains from most washable fabrics. Oil-based marks need a longer soak in warm water.

Can you use it in every load?

Yes. It’s sold as a laundry booster, so a scoop per load is fine. Lightly soiled clothes come out clean with detergent alone, though.