Oxy Clean - great for all types of stains - soaking clothing in a sink with water and Oxy Clean is the first treatment for most stains. Great for stained shoe laces and cuffs. Just soak and then wash as directed in the washer. On white fabrics, add a little Clorox bleach to the Oxy Clean on a toothbrush to spot remove.
Goop - hand cleaner - good for grease - goes on without water - apply liberally and let sit, then put in regular wash cycle. Has been found to remove stains from clothes that were washed and dried with a crayon.
Mother's Miracle - cleaning solution new mothers can't do without! Great for spit-up, urine, blood, etc.
Carbona Stain Remover - various solutions for many types of fabric - the rust solution is a very good one.
Tilex - great for mildew stains on white fabrics. Remember, it is a bleach! Must be used carefully, especially on colored fabrics. On whites, spray on and let sit - just rinse if blue spots occur. On colored fabrics, it's easy to cause bleach spots, but carefully spray on and rinse quickly. Using Tilex on colored fabrics is really a last resort.
Rit Dye Color Remover - another last resort, but can be effective. Follow the directions carefully. On small stained areas, it is easier to use the stove-top method. For larger loads, use the washer.
Hot Water is great for kool-aid and jello-type stains. Hold fabric taut and pour from a height. Soak or repeat if necessary. Comes out every time!
White oxford-type shoes: Use a spray preparation solution (found at shoe stores) on scuffs and marks. For scratches that have taken off the original color, use shoe spray. Instead of spraying directly on the shoe, causing a caked-on look, spray onto wax paper. Then dab at the scratch with a foam paintbrush. This will give a smoother finish. Don't forget to soak the laces in Biz while you're doing this! Oops - latex paint remover - great for getting all kinds of stains, marks, and stickers off plastic toys. If the toy is made of thin plastic, test a small area before cleaning. On most thick plastic such as Little Tikes toys, Oops will take off scratches, scuffs, crayon, pen, pencil, etc. On stubborn marks, use steel wool. Will also take crayon off chalk boards without damaging the finish. Wear rubber gloves.
Power wheels - local repair stores have decals - can clean fuses and switches with a Q-tip and alcohol.
Non-acetone Nail Polish remover - takes of ink and marker.
Amour All - restores the luster to all types of plastic and metal.
Fabric Link Website has a long list of problem stains and how to fix them.
Recipe for Stubborn Stain Remover
1 cup Calgon bath soap
1 cup Clorox 2 Powder
1 cup Powder Detergent (any brand)
Add ingredients to washer and fill with hot water. Agitate until ingredients are mixed. Add clothing. Agitate for 2-3 minutes. Stop cycle and allow clothing to soak overnight. Run through normal wash cycle in the morning with an extra rinse. Note: Recipe is not guaranteed to work on every stain and may cause fabric discoloration or shrinkage.
Goo Gone - removes tree sap, gum, tape residue, and crayon. Just spray on, let sit for 10 minutes, and wash as usual.