Children often get their clothes dirty, but there are effective ways to tackle common stains.
This guide provides tips on how to remove different types of stains from baby clothes and how to deal with old stains. By following these techniques, you can ensure that your children’s clothing looks fresh and clean, ready for their next messy adventure.
Food Stains
Baby Food.
Soak the stained garment in cold water and liquid laundry detergent, then machine-wash it according to the label instructions.
If the stain persists, apply a prewash stain remover or liquid detergent to the area before washing.
Chocolate.
Remove as much chocolate as possible by scraping it off.
Pre-treat or prewash the garment in warm water with an enzyme-containing product or a prewash stain remover. Then, machine-wash the garment as usual.
If the stain remains, wash it again with a bleach product that is safe for the fabric.
Fruit Juice.
Soak the stained garment in cold water for approximately 30 minutes.
Avoid using hot water as it can set the stain. Apply white vinegar to the remaining stain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Afterward, machine-wash the garment with bleach-safe detergent.
Gum.
Freeze the gum by rubbing an ice cube over it, and then remove as much of it as possible with a dull knife.
Apply a lubricant like glycerin to loosen any remaining gum, scrape and rinse. Rub liquid Dish Soap onto any remaining stains and machine-wash as usual.
Mustard.
Treat the fabric with the best stain remover for kids’ clothes, then machine-wash it with a bleach product that is safe for the fabric.
Tomato Sauce.
Apply a prewash stain remover or liquid laundry detergent to the stain, then machine-wash it with a liquid laundry detergent using water temperatures safe for the fabric.
Paint Stains
Oil-based Paint.
If the paint-can label suggests a thinner, use that solvent for stain removal.
If not, apply turpentine and rinse. Pre-treat the fabric with a prewash stain remover, bar soap, or laundry detergent.
Rinse, then machine-wash it or take it to a dry cleaner. Note that oil-based paint is more challenging to remove than water-based latex paint.
Water-based Paint.
If the paint is still wet, wipe off as much residue as possible with a paper towel.
Rinse the fabric with warm water before machine-washing. If the stains are already dry, take the clothing to a dry cleaner.
The success of stain removal depends on the paint formulation and the fabric.
Household Stains
Chalk.
Remove loose pieces of chalk and place the stained side of the fabric down on clean white paper towels.
Blot the back of the stain with a cloth dipped in Rubbing Alcohol, then rinse. If the stain remains, rub liquid dish soap into it, let it sit for several minutes, and machine-wash.
Felt-Tip Marker.
Dab dry-cleaning fluid on the stain using a sponge, starting from the outer edge and working toward the center.
Place the garment stain side down on clean white paper towels. Apply the cleaning fluid to another towel and press it down on the fabric to force the liquid through the material.
Rinse and machine-wash.
Glue and Stickers.
Remove as much of the sticker or adhesive as possible with a dull knife.
If any glue remains, apply a lubricant such as glycerin. Scrape off any loosened residue, rinse the fabric, and then rub liquid dish soap into the remaining stain before machine-washing.
Melted Crayon.
Scrape off as much crayon as possible with a dull knife.
Place the item stain side down on clean white paper towels, then spray it with WD-40. Let it sit for five minutes, then turn it over and spray it again.
Rinse well, rub liquid dish soap into the stained area, and rinse a second time. If any discoloration remains, spray a stain remover on it and machine-wash as usual.
Nail Polish.
Place the item stain-side down on several layers of clean white paper towels.
Apply nail polish remover to the back of the stain, replacing the towels as they absorb the polish. Repeat the process if the stain starts to lift.
Rinse and machine-wash the garment.
Different Stains
Grass.
Treat grass stains as soon as possible since the chlorophyll in the grass makes the stain difficult to remove.
Apply prewash spray to the stain, then machine-wash it using an enzyme detergent and the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Blood.
For fresh blood stains, soak the garment immediately in cold water, then machine-wash it.
If the blood stain has dried, pre-treat or soak the garment in warm water and an enzyme detergent. Machine wash as usual.
If the stain remains, use a bleach product that is safe for the fabric.
Feces.
Remove as much of the feces as possible by scraping it directly into the toilet.
Turn the garment inside out and rinse it thoroughly in clean, cold water from the toilet. Pre-treat the fabric in warm water and a laundry detergent containing enzymes, soaking it for at least 30 minutes.
Machine-wash the stained garment in the hottest water suitable for the fabric, using chlorine or color bleach if safe for the item. Repeat the process if necessary.
Remember to disinfect your washing machine before using it for other laundry.
*The information is for reference only.