Utamaro - one of Japan's best-known stain-removing laundry soap

Utamaro

Brand: Utamaro

Price: 168 yen

Place of purchase: Don Quijote

Rating:

Utamaro is a household name in Japan. Maybe not everyone uses it, but I am pretty sure every adult who has ever done laundry, is aware of the product. I am also pretty sure it is one of the best-selling stain removing soaps nationwide. The price certainly helps with its popularity and accessibility. Generally, you can get a bar of it for less than 200 yen, including tax. And it lasts forever! Obviously, it depends how much you use it, but I get years out of one bar. I only use it for stubborn stains though, and more often than not, it does what it is supposed to.

Although Utamaro Soap has an excellent reputation, it may not be the perfect solution for everyone. The biggest drawback is that it requires a bit more effort than simply throwing clothes into the washing machine. To get the best results, you need to wet the stained area, rub the soap directly onto the fabric, and often spend time working it into the fibers. It is also best to leave it soaking for a few minutes for a stubborn stain. For busy households looking for a completely hands-off solution, that extra step and added time can become inconvenient. The soap is most effective on white or light-colored fabrics, which may limit its usefulness for some users. Because it is designed to enhance whiteness, people with wardrobes full of darker colors may not find themselves reaching for it as often. However, I also use it on darker colors and denim and have found it effective.