This day’s NYT Strands clues are straightforward if you’re well-acquainted with laundry chores.

Strands, the New York Times‘ refined word-search puzzle, offers players a distinctive twist on the classic word search. Words can be created from adjacent letters in any direction, including diagonals, and can alter direction, resulting in unique shapes and configurations. Each letter in the grid contributes to an answer. A central theme links all solutions, along with the “spangram,” a notable word or phrase that encompasses the day’s theme and covers the entire grid either horizontally or vertically.

By providing an obscure hint and leaving out the word list, Strands delivers a mind-bending game that requires more time to complete compared to other games such as Wordle and Connections.

If you’re lost or lack 10 minutes or more to tackle today’s puzzle, we have all the NYT Strands hints necessary to advance at your own speed.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Out, cursed spot!

The words pertain to cleaning.

Today’s NYT Strands theme clearly articulated

These words outline techniques to cleanse garments.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

This day’s NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

This day’s spangram is Stain Removal.

NYT Strands word list for November 13

• Spray

• Stain Removal