To remove stains from your children’s clothing you must act quickly. Start with the least powerful stain-removing ingredient and if that doesn’t work, you will have to try something more powerful. Make sure you test the stain remover in an inconspicuous part of the clothes first if you are unsure how the fabric will react. Treat the stain from the opposite side of the fabric, with a paper towel under the stain. Be sure to blot not rub the stain. Pre-treat the stain with a commercial stain remover and then wash in the washing machine. Be sure to treat the stain before it goes in the washer and dryer because heat will set the stain and it will be almost impossible to get out once it has been through the dryer.
Here are a few home remedies for treating stains:
- · Berries (Strawberries, blueberries, etc.)-Apply red wine to the stain.
- · Blood-Soak in salt water or flush with club soda.
- · Butter or margarine-Remove any blobs of butter or margarine and then work in undiluted dish detergent.
- · Chocolate-Soak in an enzyme pre-wash solution for about 30 minutes, then rub liquid detergent into any of the remaining stain. Rinse in cold water.
- · Crayon or coloured pencil-Put the stained area of the garment on a pile of paper towels ad spray with WD-40. Spray other side of stain as well. Let sit for 10 minutes then rub in dish detergent.
- · Crayon, melted- Place stain on pile of paper towels, cover with another layer of paper towels. Use a hot iron and press the stained area until the crayon lifts into the paper towels.
- · Food dyes (from flavoured fruit drinks, gelatine, Popsicles, cough syrup) - Use cold water and ammonia (1 tbsp of ammonia to 1 cup of water), then rub salt into the stain. Red, orange and purple stains can be treated with red wine as well.
- · Infant formula-White clothing: Pour lemon juice on garment and lay it in the sun. Colour clothing: Make a paste out of meat tenderizer and apply to stain.
- · Fruit or fruit juice-Treat with club soda or cold water right away, then rub in liquid detergent and flush with hot water.
- · Glue-Soak in hot water and wash as normal.
- · Grass stains-Sponge with rubbing alcohol, vinegar or non-gel toothpaste. Rub in laundry detergent and wash as normal.
- · Ice cream- Sponge with cold water, club soda or seltzer and then any remaining stain with a paste made from cold water and meat tenderizer. Leave on for 30 minutes and then flush with cold water.
