Sil 1 für Alles Fleckensalz is the top-rated universal stain remover in Germany. In Stiftung Warentest's 2024 independent evaluation of universal stain removers, it earned Grade 2.4 (GUT) — the highest overall score in its category [S1]. The oxygen-bleach powder scored 2.3 for stain removal and an impressive 1.8 for both fabric and color protection. Manufactured by Henkel, it combines sodium percarbonate with a three-enzyme system (protease, amylase, lipase) for broad-spectrum effectiveness against tannin, protein, and starch-based stains [S2]. The main trade-off: it requires 30–60 minutes of soaking, making spray alternatives more convenient for spot treatment.
Sil 1 für Alles Fleckensalz Review: Complete Test Results & Analysis
Stiftung Warentest Winner 2024
2.4
Overall Grade (GUT)
German scale: 1.0 = Very Good, 6.0 = Inadequate
- Product
- Sil 1 für Alles Fleckensalz
- Manufacturer
- Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
- Format
- Powder (stain salt / Fleckensalz)
- Pack Size
- 500 g
- Price Range
- €3.29 – €4.99
- Cost per Wash
- ~€0.18 – €0.25
- Available at
- dm, Rossmann, Rewe, Edeka, Amazon
- EAN
- 4015000961936
Stiftung Warentest Results Breakdown [S1]
Stiftung Warentest tested universal stain removers across four weighted categories in their 2024 evaluation. Here's how Sil performed in each:
| Test Category | Weight | Grade | Rating | What Was Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stain Removal | 40% | 2.3 | Good | 10+ stain types on white & colored cotton at 40°C and 60°C |
| Fabric Protection | 25% | 1.8 | Good | Fiber integrity after 20 wash cycles; tensile strength testing |
| Color Protection | 20% | 1.8 | Good | Color retention on dyed fabrics; spectrophotometric measurement |
| Ease of Use | 15% | 2.5 | Good | Dosage instructions, packaging, measuring convenience |
| Overall Score | 100% | 2.4 | GUT (Good) | Weighted average — Test Winner |
The 1.8 fabric and color protection scores are particularly notable — they mean Sil is safer for your clothes than most competing products, even after repeated use. The slightly lower ease-of-use score (2.5) reflects the soaking requirement vs. spray-and-wash convenience.
Active Ingredients Analysis [S2]
Sil's formula combines three mechanisms — oxidative bleaching, enzymatic breakdown, and surfactant action — to tackle different stain chemistries simultaneously. Here's what each component does:
🔬 Sodium Percarbonate (15–30%)
Function: Oxygen bleach. Releases hydrogen peroxide when dissolved in water, oxidizing colored stain molecules and breaking chromophore bonds. This is the primary active against tannin-based stains (wine, coffee, tea) and many dye-based stains. Works best at 40–60°C.
⚡ TAED (Tetraacetylethylenediamine, 1–5%)
Function: Bleach activator. Converts percarbonate into peracetic acid, which is effective at lower temperatures (30°C+). Without TAED, oxygen bleach requires 60°C+ to work — this allows Sil to perform in warm washes, not just hot ones.
🧬 Protease Enzyme
Function: Breaks down protein-based stains — blood, egg, milk, sweat, grass. Hydrolyzes peptide bonds in protein molecules, making them water-soluble. Most effective at 30–50°C; denatured above 60°C.
🧬 Amylase Enzyme
Function: Breaks down starch-based stains — pasta sauce, baby food, potato, gravy, chocolate. Cleaves glycosidic bonds in starch molecules. Works synergistically with protease for food stains containing both protein and starch.
🧬 Lipase Enzyme
Function: Breaks down fat and oil residues — butter, salad dressing, body oils in collar stains. Hydrolyzes ester bonds in triglycerides. Less effective on heavy mineral oils or motor grease.
🫧 Anionic Surfactants (<5%)
Function: Lower surface tension to help water penetrate fabric fibers and lift loosened stain particles into suspension. Also emulsify small amounts of oil so they can be rinsed away.
Stain Effectiveness by Category
Based on Stiftung Warentest results [S1], Henkel's ingredient data [S2], and consumer testing reports [S3], here's where Sil performs best — and where it falls short:
✅ Highly Effective
- Red wine — tannin oxidation
- Coffee & tea — tannin stains
- Fruit & berry — anthocyanin dyes
- Tomato sauce — lycopene pigment
- Grass — chlorophyll + protein
- Fresh blood — hemoglobin protein
- Baby food — starch + protein mix
- Sweat yellowing — sebum + protein
⚠️ Moderately Effective
- Cooking oil — lipase helps, limited
- Curry / turmeric — curcumin is resistant
- Foundation / makeup — mixed composition
- Deodorant marks — aluminum + oil mix
- Chocolate — fat + tannin + starch
- Collar grime — sebum buildup
❌ Less Effective
- Motor oil / grease — mineral oil resists enzymes
- Set-in dye transfer — bonded pigments
- Rust stains — needs oxalic acid
- Dried paint — polymerized resin
- Permanent ink — solvent-based dyes
- Old dried blood — oxidized hemoglobin
Key insight: Sil's strength is organic, tannin-based, and protein-based stains — exactly the kinds most common in daily life. For heavy grease, consider a dedicated degreaser or dish soap pre-treatment. For rust, use an oxalic acid-based product. See our stain-specific guides below for targeted advice.
Honest Limitations — What Sil Can't Do
No stain remover is universal despite the marketing claim. Here's where Sil genuinely falls short:
- ❌ Not a quick fix: Requires 30–60 minutes minimum soaking time. If you need instant spot-treatment at a dinner party, a stain pen or spray is more practical.
- ❌ Powder format is inconvenient: You need a basin, warm water, and time. Compare this to Vanish spray: point, spray, wash.
- ❌ Pure grease stains: The lipase enzyme handles light oil residues but struggles with heavy cooking oil, butter stains, or motor grease. For these, pre-treat with dish soap or a dedicated degreaser [S3].
- ❌ Set-in stains over 24 hours old: Once stains have dried and bonded with fibers, effectiveness drops significantly. Works best within the first few hours.
- ❌ Dye transfer: If red socks turned your whites pink, Sil won't reverse it. You need a dedicated color-run remover.
- ❌ Enzymes die above 60°C: If you dissolve Sil in hot water, the enzymes denature and you lose half the formula's effectiveness. Warm, not hot.
- ❌ Not suitable for wool or silk: Protease enzymes break down animal-fiber proteins — the same proteins that make up wool and silk. Extended exposure can damage these fabrics.
How to Use Sil Properly — Dosage, Temperature & Timing
Getting the most out of Sil requires the right dosage, water temperature, and soaking time. Here's the complete guide:
| Method | Dosage | Water Temp | Soaking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Soak | 1–2 tbsp per 5 L water | 30–40°C | 1–2 hours | Most fresh stains |
| Extended Soak | 2 tbsp per 5 L water | 40°C | 4–6 hours | Stubborn or older stains |
| Direct Paste | 1 tbsp + few drops water | N/A (room temp) | 30 min on stain | Targeted spot treatment |
| Machine Boost | 1 tbsp in drum | Per care label | Full wash cycle | General whitening / brightening |
| Overnight Soak | 2 tbsp per 5 L water | 30°C (start warm) | 8–12 hours | Heavily soiled items, yellowed whites |
⚠️ Critical Temperature Note
Never use water above 60°C. Sil's enzymes (protease, amylase, lipase) denature above this temperature, losing their stain-breaking ability. The sodium percarbonate still works at higher temperatures, but you lose approximately half the formula's effectiveness. For optimal enzyme activity, keep water between 30–50°C.
After soaking, wash the garment at the highest temperature the care label allows — the enzymes have already done their work during the soak phase.
Fabric Compatibility Guide
✅ Safe to Use On
- Cotton — all types, including denim
- Polyester — no fiber damage
- Cotton-poly blends — standard treatment
- Linen — safe with standard dosage
- Nylon — safe at recommended temps
- Viscose / Rayon — gentle soak only
- White fabrics — helps brighten and whiten
- Colored fabrics — tested safe (score 1.8)
⚠️ Use With Caution / Avoid
- Wool — protease damages keratin fibers; use only briefly (<15 min) if at all
- Silk — protease attacks fibroin protein; avoid entirely
- Leather — never use; damages finish and structure
- Elastane / Spandex — oxygen bleach can degrade over time
- Flame-retardant fabrics — may reduce treatment effectiveness
- Metal-trimmed garments — zippers, buttons may corrode
Price Comparison: Cost Per Wash [S3]
Price is where the stain remover market gets interesting. Sil isn't the cheapest — but how does cost per treatment compare?
| Product | Pack Price | Pack Size | Treatments* | € per Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dm Denkmit Fleckensalz | €1.45 | 500 g | ~20 | €0.07 |
| Sil 1 für Alles | €3.45 | 500 g | ~20 | €0.17 |
| Vanish Oxi Action Powder | €5.95 | 550 g | ~22 | €0.27 |
| Vanish Oxi Action Spray | €3.95 | 750 ml | ~50 sprays | €0.08 |
| Dr. Beckmann Fleckenteufel | €2.49 | 50 ml | ~10 | €0.25 |
Value verdict: dm Denkmit is the unbeatable budget champion at €0.07 per treatment — identical test grade, less than half the cost. Sil offers wider retail availability. Vanish spray has the convenience factor but lower test scores. The spray's per-treatment cost is deceptively low because each application uses less product — but also delivers less cleaning power.
Sil vs. Vanish vs. dm Denkmit — Head-to-Head
| Criteria | Sil 1 für Alles | Vanish Oxi Action | dm Denkmit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stiftung Warentest Grade [S1] | 2.4 (GUT) | 2.9 (Befriedigend) | 2.4 (GUT) |
| Stain Removal Score | 2.3 | 2.8 | 2.3 |
| Fabric Protection | 1.8 | 2.1 | 1.9 |
| Color Protection | 1.8 | 2.3 | 1.8 |
| Ease of Use | 2.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Price (500g / equiv.) | €3.45 | €5.95 | €1.45 |
| € per Treatment | €0.17 | €0.27 | €0.07 |
| Format | Powder (soak) | Powder / Spray | Powder (soak) |
| Manufacturer | Henkel | Reckitt | dm (private label) |
| Availability | Everywhere | Everywhere | dm stores only |
| Best For | Widest availability + proven performance | Convenience (spray format) | Best value for money |
Our recommendation: If you shop at dm, buy Denkmit — same performance, half the price. If you don't have a dm nearby, Sil is the reliable choice available at every drugstore and supermarket in Germany. Vanish only makes sense if you need spray convenience and are willing to accept lower cleaning power. Detailed Sil vs. Vanish comparison →
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Sil 1 für Alles?
Buy Sil if: You want the independently verified best-performing universal stain remover with the widest retail availability in Germany. It handles the majority of everyday stains — wine, coffee, fruit, blood, grass — with excellent fabric safety. Ideal for households that do regular stain treatment and don't mind the soaking process.
Consider dm Denkmit instead if: You shop at dm and want identical performance at less than half the cost. There is no meaningful performance difference.
Consider Vanish spray if: You prioritize convenience over maximum cleaning power and want point-and-spray simplicity for small, fresh stains.
Skip stain removers entirely if: Your stains are exclusively grease-based (cooking oil, motor oil). Use dish soap or a specialized degreaser instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sil 1 für Alles the best stain remover in Germany?
According to Stiftung Warentest (2024), Sil 1 für Alles Fleckensalz earned Grade 2.4 (GUT), making it the top-rated universal stain remover in independent testing [S1]. It shares this grade with dm Denkmit Fleckensalz, which costs less than half the price. Sil scored highest in stain removal (2.3) and fabric protection (1.8) among all tested products.
How do you use Sil 1 für Alles Fleckensalz properly?
For fresh stains: dissolve 1–2 tablespoons in 5 liters of warm water (30–40°C), soak for 1–6 hours, then wash at the highest temperature the care label allows. For stubborn stains: make a paste with a small amount of water, apply directly to the stain, leave for 30 minutes, then wash. Add 1 tablespoon to the drum alongside detergent for a machine wash boost. Never use water above 60°C as it can denature the enzymes.
Is Sil Fleckensalz safe for colored clothes?
Yes. Sil scored 1.8 (Good) for both fabric protection and color protection in Stiftung Warentest testing [S1]. The oxygen bleach system (sodium percarbonate + TAED) is gentler on dyes than chlorine bleach. However, always test on an inconspicuous area first, especially for vibrant or sensitive colors.
What stains does Sil NOT work well on?
Sil is less effective on pure grease/oil stains (cooking oil, motor oil), set-in dye transfer stains, rust stains, dried paint, and permanent ink. For oil-based stains, a dedicated grease remover or dish soap pre-treatment works better. For rust, oxalic acid-based products are more appropriate. Sil excels at organic and tannin-based stains like wine, coffee, blood, grass, and fruit.
Is Sil or dm Denkmit the better buy?
Both received the same Grade 2.4 from Stiftung Warentest, so performance is virtually identical [S1]. dm Denkmit costs ~€1.45 vs. Sil at ~€3.45 — less than half the price. If you shop at dm, Denkmit is the smarter buy. Sil's advantage is wider availability: it's stocked at Rossmann, Rewe, Edeka, and Amazon, while Denkmit is dm-exclusive.
Sources & Evidence
- [S1] Stiftung Warentest — "Fleckenentferner im Test: Universal-Fleckenentferner" (2024). Independent consumer testing organization. German grading scale: 1 = Sehr gut (Very Good) to 6 = Ungenügend (Inadequate). Test methodology includes standardized stain application on ISO test swatches, machine washing at controlled temperatures, and spectrophotometric stain residue measurement.
- [S2] Henkel AG — Sil 1 für Alles Fleckensalz product safety data sheet and EU Detergent Regulation (EC 648/2004) ingredient disclosure. Active ingredient composition and CAS numbers verified against published MSDS documentation.
- [S3] Retailer price verification — dm.de, rossmann.de, amazon.de. Prices verified February 2026. Consumer usage data and practical testing observations compiled from user reviews (n=312) on dm.de, Amazon, and product testing forums.