Food stains on clothes - what actually works?

[NuzzleandScratch]

Just got back from holidays, and working through the laundry pile. Very irritated to find clothes coming out with stains still on, for example chocolate ice cream, tomato (from the seeds), satsuma juice. Do any of these stain removers you put in with the powder actually work? I currently use non-bio at 40, do I need to use bio powder and/or a 60 wash? I have 2 dds age 1 and 3, so I feel I need an answer to this!

i use Ace bleach directly onto the stain, and then dry in strong sunlight
TBH I think the sunlight is the more important bit

I rub washing up liquid and a little water into the stain before washing with bio powder at 40°C. I used bio even when the kids were babies as there were no skin issues.

Another vote for sunlight - I have a windowsill I put stained clothes on even after they've been out on the line. It might take a few days but it usually works. Avoid tumble drying first though.

Sun for most things though choc icecream is v hard to shift.

Looking for ideas for this myself

Also I gave up on non-bio after weaning as the food stains did my head in!

Thanks for the replies, sounds like sun might be the answer. Will try bio powder too, as I don't suppose the sun will be around for much longer! Interesting that chocolate ice cream is known to be hard to shift, why is that?! Unfortunately dd1 got it all over a white skirt, although I suppose being white, I can put something strong on it.

Fairy washing up liquid works the best directly on the stain then a vanish capsule in with the wash.

Sunshine and rain. Leave all the stained items on the line for a week.

Vanish bar rubbed in with an old toothbrush. I find it works much better if you actually scrub it right in.
Sunlight does work but it will bleach colours along with the stain...

Vanish spray works very well but you need a bio and possibly a60 degree wash . Also next time you go on holiday at the end of the day if there is a stain you need to release it . I.E....get some hand soap and squirt a bit on or shampoo and agitate it until it's loose then rinse it off. Leave it to soak in the sink overnight if necessary , then dry and wash as normal when you get home.... It's the fact that it's has sat on the item for a while that makes it difficult to get out . But vanish spray and in wash vanish with bio will definitely help .

I find non-bio works just as well as bio. Fairy liquid and sun is the best stain removers.

I've found rubbing a bit of fairy liquid into the stain just before putting the item in the washing machine works a treat.

I don't suppose your washing machine has a soak cycle? My last zanussi did and it worked wonders on food stains- just a thought :)
Good luck

I have found the ariel stain removing spray works best. DH can't use bio, but if a stain is bad I use bio with an extra rinse. We usually use persil non-bio liquid, but for bio I use Daz, cheap and cheerful.

Thanks for all the tips, sounds like Fairy liquid is a favourite. Bish, I shall consider my nuckles rapped for not treating the stains on the day! In my defence, we have poo-training problems with dd1, so I was rather preoccupied rinsing pooey pants, oh joy. Wearegoing, we've just got a new machine, which I haven't had a chance to play with yet, so I'll check for that!

I like the tip about using a toothbrush on a Vanish bar, I've got one, but I can see using a brush would be more effective.