How to Use Vanish on Laundry & Carpet

If you’re trying to remove stubborn stains from your clothes, Vanish has multiple products you can use to get them out. Pre-treat fresh stains or soak clothes with older stains to help break them down in the wash. You can even clean carpet with Vanish stain remover. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through how to use each kind of Vanish stain remover to get your fabrics looking good as new!

Things You Should Know

Pre-treat stains by applying a paste of Vanish powder and warm water to the stain. Let it sit for up to 5 minutes before washing your clothes as usual.
Soak stubborn stains in a solution of warm water and Vanish. Let colored clothes soak for up to 1 hour and white clothes for up to 6 hours.
Add a dose of Vanish liquid or powder to each wash load to remove stains and clean your clothes more thoroughly.

Section 1 of 4:

Pre-Treating Stains with Vanish

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Apply Vanish directly to the stained area. Pre-treating stains works best on whites or colors made from any fabric, including cotton, polyester, wool, linen, silk, and even velvet. ^{[1]
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Research source} Brush off any excess dirt or debris before applying Vanish to the stain, following the instructions on the package.
- For Vanish powder , mix 10 grams (0.35 oz) of the powder with an equal amount of water until it forms a paste. Spread the paste over the entire stain and let it sit for up to 5 minutes
- For Vanish liquid cleaner , apply 2 millilitres (0.41 tsp) of the cleaner directly onto the stain and rub it in with your fingers. Leave the cleaner for up to 10 minutes. ^{[2]
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- Try Vanish Power Gel on tough stains. Press the applicator on the stain, squeeze the bottle, and rub it in small circles against the fabric. Let the gel sit for 5 minutes max. ^{[3]
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- Alternatively, use Vanish stain remover spray for an easy application. Just spray both sides of the fabric to wet the stain and let it sit for 5 minutes. ^{[4]
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- Avoid leaving Vanish on your clothes for longer than the time listed on the packaging because it could damage the fabric.
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Wash your clothes as you normally would. Immediately toss your clothes in the washing machine and set it to the cycle you’d regularly use for them. Add in standard detergent to wash out the leftover stains on your clothes. ^{[5]
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- If you don’t have the time to wash your clothes, thoroughly rinse out the cleaner with running water. Rub the stain with your fingers to help break it apart more.
- If you still notice the stain on the fabric after washing it, try applying Vanish and washing your clothes again. It may take multiple times for old, stubborn stains.
- Avoid putting your clothes in the dryer if you still notice stains because heat can set stains in fabric.

Section 2 of 4:

Soaking Stubborn Stains

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Put your clothes in a container with warm water and Vanish. Soaking works best for stubborn stains that have already dried. It works on any color and any type of fabric, like cotton, polyester, wool, silk, and linen. ^{[6]
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- For Vanish powder , fill a large container or tub mix 4 litres (1.1 US gal) of warm water and 60 grams (2.1 oz) of Vanish powder. Then, submerge your clothes in the container. ^{[7]
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- For Vanish liquid cleaner , pour 100 millilitres (0.42 c) of the cleaner onto your clothes and rub it into the stains. Then, place them in a container with 4 litres (1.1 US gal) of warm water.
- Test Vanish on an inconspicuous spot of each garment to make sure the colors don’t run or bleed. If they do, keep them in a container separate from other clothes.
- Avoid soaking garments that have protective coatings or metal fasteners because the cleaner could damage them.
Let colored clothes soak for up to 1 hour. Leave white clothes to soak for up to 6 hours. Once your clothes finish soaking, rub the stain between your fingers to help remove it even more. ^{[8]
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Wash your clothes as normal. Toss the stained fabrics into your washing machine as soon as they finish soaking. Use your standard detergent and the cycle recommended on the garment’s care tag to fully wash out the stain. ^{[9]
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- If you can’t wash your clothes right away, rinse out the Vanish with clean water.
- If you still see the stain after washing your clothes, soak and wash your clothes again. It may take a few tries to remove the oldest, most stubborn stains.
- Avoid tossing stained garments in the dryer because the heat might set the stain.

Section 3 of 4:

Adding Vanish to Laundry Loads

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If you want extra stain-fighting power to keep your clothes looking their best, just add Vanish to your washing machine with your regular detergent. Use 50–100 millilitres (3.4–6.8 US tbsp) of liquid Vanish or 30–60 grams (1.1–2.1 oz) of powder cleaner with each load. ^{[10]
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Section 4 of 4:

Using Vanish Carpet Cleaner

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If the stain is still wet, blot up as much as you can with a clean towel. Run a vacuum over the stained area to pick up any dirt or debris that is left in the carpet. ^{[11]
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Apply the Vanish cleaner directly onto the stained section. There are multiple carpet-cleaning products from Vanish, and how you apply them depends on the type you’re using.
- For Vanish Vacuum Powder , shake the bag to evenly cover the stained area of your carpet. Work the powder into your carpet with a soft-bristled brush and let it sit for about 20 minutes. ^{[12]
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- For Vanish Vacuum Up Foam , dispense the foam over the stain and let it dry for about 2 hours. ^{[13]
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- To use Vanish Manual Shampoo , combine 1 part shampoo with 9 parts water to create a foam. Spread it evenly over the stain and leave it to dry. ^{[14]
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- To use Vanish Carpet Spray , apply it directly onto the stain until it’s completely coated. Let the spray sit for about 5 minutes. ^{[15]
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Blot or vacuum the cleaner out of your carpet. If you applied stain remover spray, use a clean towel to blot up the cleaner and the stain. ^{[16]
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Research source} For Vanish powder, foam, or shampoo, just vacuum up any leftover residue. ^{[17]
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- If you still notice a stain, try applying Vanish again. Older stains may take multiple tries to completely lighten them.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can I mix Vanish with peroxide?

Nat Ismaeil
Cleaning Expert
Nat Ismail is a Cleaning Expert based in Howel Township, New Jersey. He is the President of Pure Surface Care, a residential and commercial cleaning company. Pure Surface Care provides a wide range of professional cleaning services, including carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, area rug cleaning, upholstery cleaning, hardwood floor cleaning, laminate and vinyl cleaning, and pet odor treatment. The company’s services cater to both residential and commercial clients, and they are dedicated to delivering top-quality service for all of their clients.

Nat Ismaeil

Cleaning Expert

Expert Answer

You can use Vanish with peroxide to clean carpets. However, I recommend using them separately for better results. So, what you do is blot up the stains first with hydrogen peroxide, then clean the stained area with Vanish afterward. Also, don't forget to spot-test the carpet before using these products, as they may potentially cause bleaching or discoloration on your carpets.

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Tips

Test Vanish on an inconspicuous spot of fabric or carpet before applying it to the stain to make sure it doesn’t cause any colors to bleed. ^{[18]
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Instructions may vary depending on what Vanish product you’re using, so always double-check the label to learn how to use it properly.

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Warnings

Avoid exposing Vanish to direct sunlight because it could damage the fabric or make the cleaner work less effectively. ^{[19]
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How to Use Vanish on Laundry & Carpet

Things You Should Know

Steps

Pre-Treating Stains with Vanish

Soaking Stubborn Stains

Adding Vanish to Laundry Loads

Using Vanish Carpet Cleaner

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

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References

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