There is nothing worse than wearing a new shirt out to lunch and coming home to find it splattered with sauce that will never wash out. Luckily, famous girl-on-the-go Zooey Deschanel wants to make sure it never happens to you again.
The actress shared the stain removal products she takes everywhere with The Strategist, and we're taking notes.
Zooey explains: 'You need different things for different stains. You have to have Shout wipes [available at Walmart] in your purse because they are abrasive and take out stains really fast, and they’re a great product. Tide Pens (at Amazon), also great.'
The actress keeps even more stain removal essentials in her laundry room. Zooey states: 'Sometimes you have to saturate a stain, but there’s not enough product in there. If you have a huge stain, that’s where you need Puracy. I always have these with me in my suitcase. I have Shout wipes and the Tide Pen in my purse. I also have a Magic Eraser [also available at Amazon].'
Shop Zooey's Essentials
These individually wrapped stain remover wipes are perfect for using in every bag you have. That way, you'll never have to go without again.
This stain fighting stick is a classic. It's easy to store in your bag or pocket, just like the wipes.
If you prefer an eco-friendly method for removing stains, this spray is the choice for you. It can be kept next to your washing machine for easy use.
Why does Zooey take her tools everywhere? According to the actress, immediacy is one of the golden rules of stain removal.
She recommends: 'Nothing sucks more than when you have a nice thing that gets ruined because you spilled tomato sauce on it, and if you don’t treat that stain right away, you just ruined something awesome. And then the kids just destroy nice stuff all the time, so I try to be really on top of that.'
This proactive approach is even more necessary when travelling with children.
'Especially for the holidays when they’re traveling with their nice clothes,' says Zooey. 'Sometimes, they insist on wearing their fancy clothes on the plane or something insane, so you have to be ready with your stain remover, and usually you can get stuff out.'
Editor's Laundry Picks
Whether or not you have a stain stick on you at all times, setting up an at home stain station is the ideal way to keep your clothes in tip top condition. Here are some of our editor's top picks for preserving your wardrobe.
This baking soda is free of harsh chemicals and gentle enough to use on many surfaces. You can add it to laundry, cook with it, clean surfaces and carpet stains with it, as well as deodorize mattresses, fridges, and couches with it.
This is three times more concentrated than most liquid soaps. Dilute and use for mopping, laundry, and household cleaning.
I love these 100% wool laundry balls and how they reduce static and help clothes to dry faster. Add a few drops of essential oil for an extra scented boost.
Constantly on the go with some of the world's most beautiful clothes, there's no better stain removal advice than that from a Hollywood actress. When the options are so affordable, it's all the better.
