How Does Tide To Go Work?

We've all been there – out to dinner or another event where food and drink are served, and something spills onto our clothing. Though a bit of seltzer or water can help, nothing is as effective as a stain remover stick. One of the best known is the Tide to Go instant stain remover for clothes, and it is simple to use.

The Tide pen comes in handy for adults and kids and is portable enough to toss in a handbag, pocket, tote or car. In essence, the pen is a food stain remover stick that contains a color-safe bleaching agent. Essentially, when you apply the pen, the stain is broken down into smaller particles until you cannot see the stain anymore.

One of the main ingredients in this stain remover stick is hydrogen peroxide. Other components include benzoic acid, alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, sodium alkyl sulfate, citric acid, ethanol and sodium hydroxide. These all contribute to the product's cleaning power and function, and the tip is made from a microfiber pad that lifts and absorbs the stains. Be sure to follow the directions before using it since some people use too much or not enough.

Once you find the stain, blot away any excess residue and pull out the Tide pen. Gently press the tip onto the stain a few times, and the solution will be automatically released. Do not squeeze too hard or you will waste the solution. Rub the tip carefully across the stain until it is removed. You can squeeze out a bit more as you are working if needed. That's all there is to it! The liquid will quickly dry on its own.

Tide to Go does not contain bleach, so it is safe on most machine-washable, dry-cleanable and colorfast fabrics. It is always a good idea to test any kind of fabric cleaner first, though. If you are out to lunch and spill food on your shirt, test the Tide pen on an inconspicuous area, like the inside of a tucked-in shirttail. If the fabric discolors, do not use the pen.

Tide to Go works best on fresh food stains, so it is less likely to work on older ones, especially if they have already been washed and dried. The product is specifically designed for fresh stains since almost 75 percent of all food stains occur when people are on the go. However, not every kind of stain can be removed with a Tide pen. So, on which messes does this stain remover stick work best?

Tide pens work best on ketchup, barbecue sauce, grape juice, tomato juice, coffee, chocolate syrup, tea and wine. It can also work on other food and drink stains, but it may need to be applied more than once. Some people also report success in using it to remove blood, grease and sweat, but the reviews on these are mixed.