Both Vanish and Astonish claim to tackle tough clothing stains, but a head-to-head test revealed a clear winner. The trial involved removing tomato sauce stains from a white T-shirt using Vanish PowerGel Stain Remover and Astonish Oxy Active Fabric Stain Remover.
The Test
The same white T-shirt with tomato sauce stains was treated with each product on separate areas. Both were left to work for five minutes before a normal wash cycle.
Vanish
Vanish PowerGel Stain Remover comes in a 200ml bottle retailing at £4 from Asda. The gel-like consistency is dispensed from the top and features textured circles to work the product into the fabric. A considerable amount of gel came out with each squeeze, potentially leading to wastage. The gel spread onto unintended areas and hands during application.
Astonish
Astonish Oxy Active Fabric Stain Remover is a 750ml spray bottle purchased for £1.50 at Heron. The instructions advise spraying both sides of the fabric. With just a couple of sprays, the stain was covered. The liquid fizzed upon contact.
Results
Both products completely removed the stains after washing. However, Astonish emerged as the superior option due to its lower price (a £2.50 difference), larger volume, and easier application. The spray allowed precise targeting, unlike Vanish's gel that spread beyond the stain.
Verdict
Astonish delivers better value for money, greater ease of use, and stain removal results equally impressive as Vanish.
