Common stains from kids' clothes and how to remove them

Keeping your children's clothes spotless while they explore the world is a challenge, but with these practical tips, you'll be able to conquer stains like a pro! Say goodbye to the frustration of clothing stains and hello to carefree adventures. We've got you covered.

Best clothing fabrics for kids that don’t stain

When it comes to children's clothing, durability and stain resistance are paramount. Opting for fabrics that stand up to the inevitable messes of childhood is a game-changer. Consider fabrics that are not only durable, but also tend to resist stains more effectively than delicate materials.

Best list of products to use to remove stains

As savvy parents, we equip ourselves with an arsenal of stain removal products to conquer the daily challenges of keeping our children's clothes spotless. There is a wide variety of products on the market, but like everything else in life: less is more! Here we will share with you three ecological, natural, and affordable products that you must have in your pantry. Not only will these products help you get rid of those pesky stains, but they also take care of our environment. Let's get to it!

• White vinegar: It sounds simple, but a mixture of half water and half vinegar is the secret to removing many stains, including grass, chewing gum, coffee, and tea stains. Keep this mixture in a spray bottle and spray on stains before washing. The best part? You can even make this mixture with your kids and have fun together!

• Baking soda: Baking soda is one of the star stain removers alongside vinegar, and when these two combine, their power is multiplied. Make a mixture of vinegar and a tablespoon of baking soda to tackle stubborn stains like cloth diapers and grease. You can also add baking soda to your washing machine to bring back the luster to white clothes. It's like a secret ingredient that revitalizes your garments!

• Salt: Yes, you heard right! A pinch of salt at the right time works wonders! Salt has amazing absorbency, so it can do some of the "hard work" right before your eyes. Just cover blood, sauce, or grease stains immediately with salt and cold water, and voilà! Keep adding cold water and letting it dry until the stain disappears. For stubborn stains, you can apply a paste of baking soda and salt to the trouble spots. And here's a bonus tip: for ballpoint pen ink stains, rub the stain with salt and soak the garment in milk overnight. Wash it as usual, and ta-da! Your garment is good as new!

 Identifying the most common stains

When tackling stain removal, it's crucial to identify both the type of stain and the fabric involved, ensuring you have the magic potion for each.

1. Food stains

In everyday parenting, it is inevitable that our little ones will stain themselves with porridge, fruit, and chocolate. Given this reality, it's crucial to have effective strategies for keeping baby clothes spotless. The key is to act quickly. When your child gets dirty, try to keep the stain moist with a cotton or paper towel, dab gently, and then remoisten with a cloth. Milk and formula stains are recurring, so to treat them, first remove the excess with a soft cloth, and if they persist, apply a solution of water or white vinegar with bicarbonate of soda. For larger stains, soak the garment in hot water with baking soda and vinegar before washing.

For butter, grease, and oil stains, blot the excess with absorbent paper, then cover the stain with talcum powder, cornstarch, salt, or baking soda for about 15 minutes, brush gently, and wash as usual. And for those dreaded chocolate, ice cream, or yogurt stains, apply your usual detergent, rub gently, soak the garment, and rub again to prevent the stain from sticking.

2. Grass stains

When you enter the realm of outdoor mischief, where games in the park, soccer afternoons, or picnics can leave grass or mud stains on your children's clothes, effective strategies are essential. For grass stains, pre-treat with a mixture of eco-friendly detergent and white vinegar before washing.

3. Ink stains

Our creative little ones often leave their artistic mark in unexpected places, and clothes are no exception! But don't worry, there's a solution to these colorful stains: soak the garment in warm milk for an hour. Then gently scrub the stain with a toothbrush and rinse with cold water. That's it! The magic of milk takes care of those ink stains, leaving their clothes ready for more artistic adventures. Simple and effective!

4. Mud and dirt stains

Children's clothes are always full of fun adventures, including stains! So, when mud joins the party, quick action is key. Let the mud dry, then brush it off with a soft brush. Moisten with cold water, scrub some more, and dip the garment in soap and water—ready for another round of fun!

And keep in mind the magic trick: baking soda. Mix it with water, apply, scrub with a toothbrush, and voilà, goodbye stain! Keep playing and exploring!

 5. Paint stains

Paint, creativity, and, oh no, stains on the clothes of little artists. But there's no need to panic; here are a few tricks to turn cleaning into another work of art!

Remember, speed is of the essence. If you don't have the right cleaners on hand, keep the stain damp with water until you can get to it. Now for the rescue phase: use a spoon or blunt knife to remove the paint, taking care not to spread it further. Then rub gently with an old rag or towel to absorb as much as possible.

If the paint is already dry, use a stiff-bristled brush to gently scrape it off. But what to do about stubborn stains?

For acrylics, mix salt, white vinegar, and ammonia. Dip a toothbrush in the mixture and scrub the stain, leaving it to soak overnight. Repeat until the stain is gone!

If the paint is oil-based, blot with a paper towel, then scrub with a brush soaked in alcohol or liquid detergent and rinse with warm water.

And for water-based stains, act fast! Rinse with hot water, apply a stain remover, let it soak, and hand wash— and your clothes are ready for another art session!

Effective stain removal techniques for children clothes

We understand that when it comes to children's clothes, stains happen in a blink of an eye. That's why it's crucial to know the right techniques to tackle them effectively.

The first rule of stain removal is to act immediately before the stain has a chance to set. Whether you notice the stain right away or a few minutes later, follow these steps:

• Soak the garment: The key is to soak the garment to loosen the stain before applying any stain remover or detergent. This step is crucial to your stain-fighting success!
• Keep it damp: To prevent the stain from drying or rusting, keep it moist with a cotton or paper towel. This is especially important for water-based liquids, so make sure you act fast to keep the stain at bay.
• Rub gently: Gently rub the stain with a cloth to absorb as much of the stain as possible, without spreading it. Take care with delicate garments to preserve their quality and original color. We don't want to make it worse!
• Wet again: If the stain has already hardened, wet it once more with a damp cloth. This will help to reactivate the stain and make it easier to remove.

After these initial steps, it's time to bring out your secret weapons - the stain removers we've shared with you. Pair these magical products with a good ecological and neutral detergent, as well as a fabric softener, to avoid irritating your little one's sensitive skin. Remember, aggressive detergents, long soak times, and high temperatures in the washing machine may not be necessary when you have the right tools in your stain-fighting arsenal.

Keeping clothes spotless while your little ones explore the world is a challenge, but with these practical tips, you'll be able to tackle stains effectively!