Babies sure are cute, but they can also be messy. Even if you manage to keep your baby clean and fresh throughout the day, there’s a good chance that accidents will happen overnight, and spit-up stains on your baby’s clothing are almost inevitable.
Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to get these stains out, as long as you treat them promptly and correctly.
How to Get Old Spit Up Stains Out of Baby Clothes
Spit-up stains can be hard to remove from fabric, especially since they are often left to sit for a while before being treated. With the right products and techniques, however, you can get spit-up stains out of baby clothes and other fabrics.
Brush Off Old Stains
Use a stiff-bristled brush to remove as much of the old spit-up stains as possible. Brush in a downward motion on the stain to avoid getting any spit-up on the parts of the garment that are not stained.
Treat with Baking Soda
Treat the stain with baking soda paste by adding water to make a stiff paste that can be applied directly to the stain. Let dry, then brush off residue and repeat if necessary until stain is gone.
Apply Club Soda
Pour club soda directly on the stain, and let it soak in for 15 minutes before washing as usual according to garment label directions. The acidity in club soda is great for removing stains from fabrics.
Wash the Garment
Wash the garment in the warmest water that is safe for fabric with detergent and 1/2 cup of ammonia or white vinegar–both are good for removing stubborn baby spit-up stains.
Sun Dry
Air dry your finished clothing item outdoors (if possible) to get rid of any lingering odor.
Breast Milk Spit Up Staining Clothes
Removing milk stains doesn’t have to be a hassle. This helpful guide will show you how to get milk stains out of clothing, carpets, and upholstery.
- Mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach such as OxiClean and cool water, according to package directions.
- Saturate the stain with the oxygen-based bleach solution, using an eyedropper to apply the solution directly to tough stains.
- Allow the stained fabric to soak for at least 15 minutes.
- Launder the affected fabric as usual in the hottest water recommended for the fabric.
Getting Yellow Stains Out of Baby Clothes
Unfortunately, the yellow stains on baby clothes are one of those things new moms almost have to accept as a given.
Luckily, with a little bit of elbow grease and some household products, you’ll be able to get your white clothes back to their original luster.
- You can start by soaking the stained clothes in a mixture of lemon juice and warm water for about an hour.
- After that, throw them in the washing machine with a cup of baking soda and the usual detergent.
- Then add another cup of baking soda to your rinse cycle.
- If you still see some yellow stains after all that, try soaking the clothes in a bucket filled with ½ cup of dishwashing liquid and 1 gallon of warm water for about an hour before throwing them in the wash again.
- You can repeat these steps if necessary until satisfied with how clean they are.
How to Get Stains Out of Baby Clothes That Have Already Been Washed
The explosion of color on your baby’s clothing is a cheerful reminder that his food is nutritious-and still quite messy. As you discover stains after a load of laundry has been washed, you may assume that the stains are permanent.
Rather than tossing the item in the trash, there are some things you can do to remove the stain and restore the garment to its original beauty.
Spray With Distilled White Vinegar
When you use distilled white vinegar to pre-treat a stain, it helps to break down any protein molecules that may be on the fabric. This process allows for easier removal when you run the clothing through a wash cycle with detergent.
Liberally spray the stained area with vinegar and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. Then, run it through a regular wash cycle with hot water and detergent.
Use Oxygen Bleach
Oxygen bleach is an effective way to remove hard-to-manage stains like formula or breast milk, that have already been set in place. Oxygen bleach doesn’t contain chlorine and is safe for use on baby clothing as well as all other fabrics that are colorfast.
Sprinkle a small amount on each stain and allow it to sit for 5 minutes and then wash.
Homemade Stain Remover for Baby Clothes
For some of the most persistent and stubborn stains, like those on baby clothes, you can turn to this easy homemade stain remover that gets out everything from grass and dirt to mustard and blood. Made with non-toxic ingredients, this cleaner is safe to use on even the most delicate items. Here’s what you’ll need:
What You Need
- 1½ cups baking soda
- ½ cup hydrogen peroxide
- 2 tablespoons dish soap
- A few drops of essential oil (optional)
How to Make It:
- In a small bowl or bucket, combine all ingredients. Stir well until thoroughly mixed.
- Separate your stained clothes into piles by color.
- To treat each stain, apply some of the homemade stain removers directly onto the spot and gently rub it in.
- Let sit for a few minutes before tossing into the washing machine with detergent and running through a cycle as usual.
