Stains of all kinds find their way onto baby clothes no matter what. Poop stains, milk stains, protein stains, baby formula stains, and especially food stains are a part of raising a child.
In this article I’ll share some great ways to get baby food stains out of clothes. It’s not that hard!
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How to Get Baby Food Stains Out of Clothes
Dealing with Different Types of Baby Food Stains on Baby Clothes
There are four main types of stains you’ll likely run into with babies and baby food on clothes:
- Protein-based food stains
- Vegetable stains
- Fruit stains
- Oil-based stains
Here are some handy tips on dealing with these.
Protein-Based Food Stains
Protein-based food stains don’t usually pose much of a threat to clothing. These stains are easy to clean and you can pick off some of the food before attempting to remove the stain. This helps eliminate the possibility that you rub the stain in deeper.
- Use a mix of a degreasing soap or a natural stain remover plus cool water to pre-treat it.
- Let the clothing soak for about 15 minutes in the solution then wash it as usual in your machine.
Vegetable or Fruit Stains
Vegetable and Fruit stains are often the worst stains to try to remove! The natural pigments and fibers of veggies and fruits can get stuck in the clothing.
- The best way to remove these tough stains is to act quickly and use a vinegar and water solution.
- Put the mixture on the area for about ten minutes then wash as usual.
Oil-Based Stains
Oil-based stains can cause permanent damage to baby clothing for good if it’s on the fabric for too long. To get rid of these stains:
- Use talcum powder or baking soda on the stain as soon as it happens.
- Leave the clothing to sit for around 15 minutes so that the powder absorbs the oil.
- After 15 minutes you can take off the powder and use a regular liquid soap mixture.
For best results, you’ll want the soap to sit for 10 minutes before washing the clothing. Remember, the key to removing oil-based stains is quick action.
Additional Ways To Treat Baby Food Stains
One of the best solutions on how to get baby food stains out of clothes is using a popular DIY stain remover. This spray is a combination of hydrogen peroxide and Dawn dish soap. The ratio is 2:1.
If you prefer a scrub, an at-home laundry scrub consists of:
- One tablespoon of Dawn dish soap
- Four tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide
- Two tablespoons of baking soda
Apply a couple of spoonfuls to a stain and scrub it in. Let it sit overnight before washing like normal the next day.
General Steps Using Laundry Detergent and a Washing Machine
There are five crucial steps to take when using laundry detergent and a washing machine to rid your baby clothes of stains.
1. Remove Excess Baby Food
Start by removing any excess food on the garment. Be gentle. Don’t rub the food farther into the fibers of the clothing.
Rubbing will make it harder to remove and could cause the stain to spread. Always blot.
2. Pretreat the Stain Before Washing
Pre-treating the stain with water and vinegar or a water and dish soap mixture is the best way to get the stain out of clothes.
You can also use the baking soda paste method to pre-treat any heavy stains like oil stains.
3. Load the Clothes Into the Washer
Load the clothing into the washer with like-colored items or on its own. If it’s a heavy stain, wash the item by itself. You don’t want to damage other items.
4. Run the Washing Machine
For best results on stubborn stains, use a liquid detergent or a laundry pod such as Tide pods. Follow instructions on the detergent to ensure you use the right amount for the load size.
Washing with hot water on a normal cycle is the best way to remove a stain with a washing machine. However you definitely need to follow the washing instructions for the garment so you don’t cause it to shrink.
5. Check and Repeat as Needed
Check the garment after washing and repeat the pre-treat or washing process if necessary. Follow the drying instructions for the individual garment.
How Do You Get Stains Out of Baby Clothes that Have Been Washed?
If you come across a stained item after it has been washed, all hope isn’t lost!
- Pre-treat the item with the correct method based on what I listed above. It’s best to treat it as a heavier stain since you might not be able to tell what kind of stain it is.
- Follow the normal 5-step washing cycle and repeat as necessary. Remember, it might be harder to rid clothes of stains after washing and drying, but it’s not impossible.
Can You Use Stain Remover on Baby Clothes?
You can use stain remover on baby clothes but you should be careful – only use it if your baby doesn’t have allergies or skin sensitivities.
You can use powerful stain removers like Oxiclean to remove stains or try a stain remover pen for a more targeted approach. If you’re unsure of allergies and sensitivities, err on the side of caution.
As long as your baby doesn’t put the garment in their mouths or touch it with their hands while it’s soaking, there’s no danger of them ingesting any harmful chemicals from the clothes once they’re washed and dried.
How Do You Get Yellow Stains Out of Wool Baby Clothes?
To get yellow stains out of baby clothes you’ll need a powerful stain remover or vinegar and lemon solution. The stain remover will likely work more effectively but natural agents like white vinegar and lemons also help remove yellowing in clothes.
Wool clothing tends to become yellow over time. Wool will become yellow due to:
- Sweat
- Body oils
- Dirt
- Sun exposure
The most gentle way to get the yellowing out of wool fabric is by using white vinegar. Check your garment’s care instructions for the best results.
What Causes Yellow Stains on Baby Clothes?
There are many reasons yellow stains appear on baby clothes. These include exposure to sunlight, sweat, body oils, food residue, fecal matter, urine, spit-up, and milk or formula spills.
If you notice a yellow stain after washing the clothes, take one of the stains removing measures mentioned above and try it out.
It might be more difficult to remove after it sets into the fibers, but it’s not impossible. Oxiclean or white vinegar, for a more natural option, are optimal choices for removing yellow stains on baby clothing.
Remember to avoid using bleach on colored garments as this can cause even more stains.
Is Vinegar Safe for Baby Clothes?
Yes indeed, vinegar is safe to use as a stain-fighting compound on baby clothes. You can remove food stains with a water and vinegar mix.
It’s a deodorizer and germ-killer as well. It’s also a good choice for removing yellowing and to help make clothes look brand new.
Vinegar is one of the best ways to remove stains without harsh chemicals. In fact, it’s even helpful getting smeared gum out of clothes. It’s a natural substance and most distilled vinegar sold in stores isn’t at a high enough concentration to cause harm.
