Parenting comes with many unknowns, but one thing is guaranteed: stains on baby clothes. Spit-up, pee, blow-outs, food dribbles, mystery stains from whatever they happened to crawl into on the floor - they're all par for the course when you have kids. Rather than crying over spilled milk (that got all over that cute new onesie), try one of these tried and true methods for getting stains out of baby clothes.
Test an inconspicuous spot first
There's nothing worse than trying to remove a stain and instead destroying the fabric of a favorite clothing item. So before trying any of these methods, be sure to check the fabric type and test out the stain remover on an inconspicuous spot inside the garment. Most Babe Basics items are linen, so any stain remover besides bleach is typically safe.
Work quickly when possible
It's not always feasible to get freshly stained clothes right into the laundry, but the sooner you can treat stains, the better chance you have of getting the stains out entirely. Soak up any excess liquid on the clothing with an absorbent cloth, pressing and dabbing rather than scrubbing in order to pull the liquid out rather than grinding it in. Rinse with cold water before moving on to the next step.
Pre-Treat with a Stain Remover
Even if you can't start a laundry load right away, keep your stain remover right near the hamper so you can treat stains before you toss clothes in. Different stain removers work on different types of stains and fabrics, so it may take some experimenting to find what works.
For small stains, apply remover directly to the stain and rub in lightly with the fabric or a soft brush. For larger stains or to treat multiple clothing items at once, mix the stain remover with hot water in a bucket, then allow clothing to soak in the mixture for several hours or overnight. Many parents also want to be cognizant of the ingredients and fragrances in products they use with their little ones. Here are a few safe, gentle, and effective stain remover options parents swear by:
- Powdered Oxygen Bleach: Despite the name, oxygen bleach such as OxiClean or Molly Suds is color-safe and can be used on any type of stain. It's essentially a mixture of baking soda and washing soda, which makes it a safe option for stain removal. Pre-treat by making a paste with the powder and water, then applying it to the stain. If that doesn't do the trick, add a scoop to warm water in the ratio directed on the package, then soak clothes overnight.
- Puracy: This spray-on remover is all natural and contains six plant enzymes to take on even the toughest stains (yes, even berries on a white romper).
- Rubbing Alcohol or Vinegar: If you prefer to DIY or just have a stain emergency, diluted rubbing alcohol is safe on most fabrics. Use one part water and one part rubbing alcohol and soak for 15 minutes. If the stain is still there, repeat the process using one part water and one part vinegar for soaking.
Wash as Usual
Once you've pre-treated the stains, toss clothes into the wash on a warm or hot cycle. If the stain is still there, repeat the stain removal steps before drying.