An easy guide for how to remove stains from clothes no matter what your kids get into.
Stains are an inevitable part of motherhood. From the early days of spit up and diaper blowouts to my now active preschoolers who love to play in the mud, I find stains on my boys' clothes on a daily basis. As much as I hate doing laundry, I will say that all that experience has helped me to discover a few easy tricks to get rid of stains quickly and easily. This guide will help you treat some of the most common stains you'll find on your kid's clothes and help you keep them looking fresh and new - no matter what they get into.
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Stain Removing Tips Every Mom Needs
Every stain is unique, and that means you will have to treat each one differently. There is no one size fits all when it comes to stains, but catching them early is something that will be crucial to getting them out.Start by always carrying a stain remover stick or stain removing wipes in your bag. These are lifesavers for catching stains before they have a chance to set in. If you don't have stain removers handy, dab the affected area with water, but do not rub! Rubbing can actually make the stain spread.
How to Remove Stains from Kid's Clothes
You never know what your kids will get into, but here are some of the most common stains you’ll have to deal with as a mom and my favorite hacks for treating them.Before you start, be sure to test your clothes for colorfastness and to make sure your stain remover won't damage the fabric. My boys generally wear t-shirts, jeans, or sweats and these removers haven't caused us any issues.
*Please note: remember to NEVER mix ammonia and bleach. Check your labels carefully before using any stain removers or detergents together.
Blood: Soak the clothing in cold water, then dab the affected area with ammonia and wash. If the stain has already dried, soak the clothing in warm salt water for about 2 hours, and rinse.
Grass: Start by making a solution of vinegar and water, and soak the clothing for about 1 hour. Using a toothbrush, scrub the stain to get it out then wash as normal.
Gum: Place an ice cube on the affected area and then scrape off the gum. If you still can’t remove it all, use mineral oil for the residue. Before washing the clothing, blot the area with isopropyl alcohol.
Juice/Food Stains: Mix warm water with OxiClean, and soak the affected clothing for 30 minutes. Rinse and wash in the laundry as usual. Do not place clothing in the dryer until all the stains have been treated.
Mud: Allow the stain to dry, then scrape it off. Soak clothing in the following solution for 15 minutes:
- 1 quart warm water
- 1 teaspoon dish detergent
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
Potty/Diaper Stains: Having just potty trained my boys, I have dealt with more stained underpants than I can count. My secret weapon for these stains is actually pet stain remover - I love Skout's Honor Urine & Stain Remover. Rinse the stain as quickly as possible, then spray the area directly with the stain remover. Wash as usual.
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