Stain removal, is this a lost cause?

[treaclesoda]

My darling children seem to have simultaneously ruined a couple of nice items of clothing by way of spilling something on them. Going by the colour of the stains, I'm guessing its something like Ribena, or squashed up blueberries. The clothes are 100% cotton. I tried washing in biological powder, to no effect. Then I tried Ariel stain removal spray, which did fade them slightly but didn't get rid of them. Finally, I have tried soaking in a solution of Vanish liquid. The stains are still there.

Is it time to give up? One of them is particularly annoying as the stain happened on the very first wear of a brand new cardigan, so if there is any way of rescuing it, I'd be keen to try.

I boil water in the kettle, pour it over the stains and put oxi action on it immediately (the powder stuff). Then I leave it for a few hours (I put it in the maschine and leave it there) and wash in the washing maschine with other stuff. Has rescued countless items of clothes.

I'd try pre-treating with washing up liquid, if that doesn't work I'd soak for a day in a bucket of warm water & 3 tablespoons of bio powder.

If that didn't work I'd either give up or put an iron on decoration over it.

Bob that get some fairy liquid on it....the best stain remover I've ever had!! But make sure you soak it before washing it otherwise you get a foamy washer!!!