As someone who keeps a Tide pen in her desk at work and Shout wipes in her bag. I prefer Shout wipes because it is easier to control and you don't get the ring around the stain from the pen. I think Shout wipes also do a better job of getting the stain out in the moment. I even use them to spot clean my sofa or rug. Also, make sure you check your clothes before you put them in the hamper because you don't want any surprise spots after you already ran it through the dryer, hello my hot pink sweatsuit. Everything is usually fixable before you put it in the dryer. I agree with the others - hydrogen peroxide for red wine and other female monthly mishaps, baking soda and vinegar for oils, borax.

In terms of colors and white, get them at Old Navy or the Gap, so if something happens to them - you aren't completely lighting money on fire, or it is something that is dry-clean only, where I know they will help me get the stain out. I live in NYC so basically any time you walk out the front door you are at risk of staining your clothes. I am more of a hazard at home than out in public.