With targeted pretreating, using the right stain-fighting products (we’re partial to ours, of course) and proper cleaning, most stains can be overcome.

Unlike a coffee or an ink stain, some stains build up over time, such as ring around the collar or the dreaded “pit stains.” For a while, you won’t notice any changes to the fabric and then, one day, you find an embarrassing or frustrating stain! To prevent stain creep, pretreat targeted areas with stain-fighting products.

Colors looking dull or lackluster? Whites looking a bit gray? If so, you’re dealing with “dinginess.” Dinginess is usually caused from a buildup of fiber, minerals, or soap (especially powered detergent). To remove all kinds of buildup, simply soak dingy items with stain-fighting products before washing.

To remove and treat old and new odors (body odor, smoke, cooking odor, musty odor from storage, etc.), prewash or presoak the item with odor-removing products.