Recently, it seems like everyone on Instagram has been posting “before and after” pictures of Folex stain remover spray next to miraculously spotless (formerly soiled) shirts, chairs, and carpets. After seeing the same product over and over alongside claims like “you NEED this in your life!”, I needed to see for myself what all the fuss was about.
The product is Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover, and unbeknownst to me, it’s actually been around for decades. I ordered some on Amazon and put it to the test, and even in my limited experience with it, it certainly seems to be living up to its 5-star average rating.
Today, I’ll be sharing the most important things for you to know about this stain remover. My goal is to give you the information you need to decide whether it could make a useful addition to your cleaning arsenal.
6 Things You Should Know About Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover
1. It Works on a Variety of Stains and Fabrics
Old stains, new stains, carpet stains, clothing stains, furniture upholstery, car interiors—so far, this stain remover seems to work well on just about any stain on any sort of fabric. For example, I tried using Folex on an outline around a pet stain I had treated a few months previously, and it had no trouble removing that months-old mark.
2. It’s Easy to Use
This stain remover is not only easy to use, but it’s pretty fun to use too! It’s especially great to use on fresh stains because you get to watch them essentially disappear before your very eyes!
It’s a gentle yet powerful formula, which means you can keep elbow grease to a minimum. No rinsing or scrubbing is required—simply spray and blot, and the stain will be gone in no time.
3. It’s Unscented
Harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances in cleaning formulas can easily irritate allergies, and you don’t necessarily want to use them around children or pets. But this formula doesn’t have any fragrance or harsh chemicals, so that’s one less thing for you to worry about.
4. It’s Water-Based
One of the downsides of stain removal is that they can sometimes—regardless of whether they’re homemade, natural, store-bought, or commercial—leave marks behind, especially if they’re difficult to “rinse” or lift out after you’ve applied them. But Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover is a water-based formula, which makes it much less likely to leave behind residues, marks, or discoloration.
5. It Can Be Expensive
There are a couple of potential downsides to this stain remover that you ought to be aware of, the first being its price. If you buy Folex at a home improvement store, the price is more reasonable, but it’s fairly expensive to get it on Amazon.
So I would say that if you already have a compelling reason to stop by Home Depot, you might as well add it to your shopping list if you’re interested in trying it. Otherwise, it’ll be more cost-effective to make your own stain remover at home.
6. It’s Not Ideal for Every Stain
The other downside (well, it’s more of a reality check, really) is that it isn’t great for pet stains. The best stain remover for pet stains is an enzyme cleaner (as opposed to water-based Folex), which is more effective at eliminating the odors associated with bodily fluids, feces, etc.
The Takeaway
Overall, I would give Folex Instant Stain Remover a score of 9/10. It lives up to its reputation and it’s extremely user-friendly. For me, it has enough advantages to make up for the steeper price and the fact that it isn’t ideal for every single stain under the sun (which I don’t think any stain remover actually is).
If you decide to give it a try for yourself, let me know what you think!
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Have you tried any new cleaners or stain removers lately?
“The product is Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover, and unbeknownst to me, it’s actually been around for decades.” hehe maybe you just forgot, Jillee :-) You published about Folex in 2018, and again in 2022. It’s a great product!
For those asking about pet stains, my gotos for enzyme cleaners are Odoban and Nature’s Miracle, both are well known brands. For laundry Persil is an excellent enzyme cleaner. But you can achieve similar results with liquid household hydrogen peroxide (3%) on anything that can be wet but not laundered. Spray, let sit 30 minutes or more, and blot. (If colored do a test spot first as HP can lighten some fabrics.) May need to be repeated once or twice. If you can launder, use oxygen bleach in hottest water the item can take (even if that’s just lukewarm), soak for a few hours – full oxygen bleach reaction time is 4-6 hours – then launder as usual. Oxygen bleach is essentially dry hydrogen peroxide. I usually reach for HP liquid or oxygen bleach first, then try an enzyme cleaner if those don’t get the stain. 95% of the time they do.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Bought and tried Folex many years ago to try removing a stain on one of our oriental carpets. After numerous attempts, the stain went nowhere.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have used Folex for over 20 years. One time my mom broke a vein in her leg and sprayed blood from her bedroom to the living on a light cream rug going for her phone. The next day I sat on my rear and used the Folex thru her bedroom, hall and living room. Every speck came out. The housekeeper at her condo told her about Folex long before that and I have used it ever since.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I recently discovered Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover, and I was amazed at how it worked. I sprayed it on a couple of old carpet stains, and the stains literally disappeared as I watched. I don’t mind paying a little more for something that works, and this stuff works!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve used this for years and find it as good as you do, with the exception of pet stains as well. What stain removers (enzyme based) work best for pet stains?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I found it on Amazon for $6.65 – cheap enough. We don’t have a Home Depot locally but it’s not cheap at Lowe’s either.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I was glad to see you can find it at Target and Home Depot. Their prices for it are under $10.00. Not outrageously high. I was also showing the spray to my mom. I’ve also had good luck with peroxide in a spray bottle for blood stains on carpet. It has been great for taking care of the blood with accidents.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just went to Amazon to check it out and ended up buying. 32 oz for only $6.65 do I bought 2
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve used Folex for many years … I absolutely love it and think it’s well worth the price.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you have a Smart and Final they sell it for $15.98 a gallon. Also if your a senior pick it up on the first Wednesday of the month and get their discount.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Years my mother scrapped her leg and sprayed blood from her bedroom all the way to the phone in the living room. The next day I sat on the floor with a rag and her Folex.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Easy Peasy. It all came out. Have never been without a bottle since!!
Totally off topic, but I had to come back & add that, Jillee, I LOVE your navy & golden yellow outfit. Such a pretty top & those colors look gorgeous on you!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have used Folex for years. Years ago, I spilled Chili on my living room carpet (white). I had a carpet cleaning company come out, and they got most of the stain out, but not all. I turned to Folex and it got the rest of the stain out. Ever since then, Folex has been my go to.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve used Folex for years, but I buy it at Bed Bath & Beyond for $9.99 for 34 oz, or $17.99 for a gallon, and can use their coupons on it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you. What homemade stain remover do you think works almost as well? Would it be the baking soda/peroxide combo?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Anytime Jillee includes colored words they are a link, so if you click on “make your own” it will take you to her stain remover formula. I find that a mix of equal parts ammonia and hydrogen peroxide get out most stains if I run out of stain remover.
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