Tips for Removing Baby Food Stains from Clothing
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The staining of baby clothes is one of those things that every parent or caregiver will have to face at one time or another (and most, quite often!).
Babies tend to make a mess, a lot of mess. They’re clothes can get stained quite easily from all kinds of foods, especially baby food. There are some things you can do to prevent stains though.
Prevention:
• Bibs are a life-saver for any parent. They protect the clothing from getting stained and possibly ruined in the first place.
You can now buy bibs with arms that protect pretty much the whole of the child’s top half.
• If you don’t have a bib handy, try using a burp cloth, some paper-towel or a napkin to protect the clothing.
• If at home, and your baby is learning to self-feed or is just a particularly messy-eater, try taking most or all of their clothing off and then feeding. You can then bathe or wash them straight after.
Tips and Advice:
If you’re out and about and have no means of getting to a stain remover or pre-treater, try dabbing the spot with liquid hand soap as soon as possible. Don’t rub it in; just let it set on the mark. Once home, wash the item as soon as possible.
If at home, take the clothing off and remove as much of the food as possible with a clean paper-towel or rag. Then rub some liquid detergent into the spot. Really rub it in and try to dislodge any left over food particles. Let sit for up to 30 minutes, and then launder.
Some Tried and True Mixes:
Hydrogen Peroxide mixed 50/50 with water, then sprayed onto the stain and let set for at least 30 minutes, will usually get most stains out. Rinse with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water, and then launder as usual.
Foaming shaving cream is another trick you can try. Spray on the spot (no need to rub in) and let set for 30-60 minutes. Make sure you use the foaming cream not the foaming gel.
Shout or Zout are both highly recommended stain removers. Treat the spot as soon as possible and then wash with regular clothing.
Make sure to launder in warm not hot water.
Some Don’ts:
• Do not iron or press stained fabrics; heat will set most stains.
• Never rub a fresh stain with bar soap (liquid is fine), it can set many stains.
• Avoid excessive rubbing, as this can spread the stain and cause delicate fabrics to be damaged or colors to fade.
• Avoid using heat on stains of unknown origin. Hot water can set protein stains such as milk and eggs (and most baby foods).
• Do not tumble dry the clothing if the stain hasn’t been removed after washing.
If none of the above seems to work, trash the clothing and learn from the experience!
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if you have any questions or comments!