What could be more peaceful than feeding your baby? Giving them a bottle, feeling their rhythmic breathing, listening to the slurps and sighs … and then finding a ring of baby formula on your new blouse, or even worse, spit-up on the couch or carpet! So relaxing, right?
Cherish the moment and forget the stain! Just follow this great advice from our trio of cleaning experts.
How to remove baby formula stains...
... from clothing
Note: Silk or wool should be professionally cleaned.
As a cleaning expert, Dan Miller, founder/CEO of Mulberry’s Garment Care, wants you to understand the reasoning behind his cleaning tips. “Most baby formulas consist primarily of milk, so their stains are animal-based,” explained Miller. “Such stains can be removed with alkaline solutions like laundry detergent, dish-washing detergent or ammonia.”
- Begin by flushing cold water through the back of the stain.
- Place a tablespoon of dish or laundry detergent or ammonia onto a wet white cloth.
- Gently rub this into the stain.
- Wait five minutes, then flush the back of the stain once again with cold water.
- If the stain remains, spray it with an enzyme stain remover. Animal-based stains are removed by the enzyme protease, Miller said, so make sure your stain remover has protease. (Zout and 7th Generation do.)
- Follow package directions regarding how long to let the cleaner work before washing, then wash in hot water. Repeat as needed.
... from upholstery
Cleaning coach Leslie Reichert recommends using dish-washing detergent to remove these stains from upholstery.
- Mix one tablespoon of dish-washing detergent with two cups of cool water.
- Using clean white cloths, alternately dab the stain with the detergent solution and a dry cloth.
- Repeat until the stain disappears.
- Rinse detergent residue from fabric by dabbing it with a clean, wet cloth.
- Blot to dry.
... from carpet
Chem-Dry cleaning director of training, Jotham Hatch, offers this advice for removing baby formula from carpet.
“Baby formula rarely leaves a stain and when cleaned up quickly with water, will almost always come up,” said Hatch. “It's important to not let the spot sit, however, because this can result in an unsightly stain that could turn your carpet yellow."
- Blot the stain with warm water and a clean towel, rinsing out the towel frequently. Do not rub the area or you’ll drive the stain in deeper.
- Finishing by blotting with a clean, dry cloth until the stain seems to have disappeared.
- If the stain persists, add a very small amount of dish soap to the water and continue blotting as above.
- 4. If the stain is still there after using both methods, contact a professional carpet cleaning service, preferably one that is environmentally friendly, adds Hatch.
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FAQs
Fill up the sink with water, and add some Tide HE Turbo Clean Liquid. Soak the garment in the solution for an hour while making sure it's always fully submerged. Alternatively, pour liquid detergent on the stain and let it set for 5 minutes.
What is the best stain remover for formula stains? ›
... from clothing
“Such stains can be removed with alkaline solutions like laundry detergent, dish-washing detergent or ammonia.” Begin by flushing cold water through the back of the stain. Place a tablespoon of dish or laundry detergent or ammonia onto a wet white cloth. Gently rub this into the stain.
Will OxiClean remove formula stains? ›
OxiClean™ Baby Stain Remover can help parents clean dried-on formula stains, cloth diapers, baby clothes, and crib sheets so your infant can feel cozier. As is the case with VSR and Odor Blasters™, you soak items in Baby Stain Remover powder to help power out those stains.
How to get formula stains out of burp cloths? ›
Using Dreft Laundry Stain Remover , spray directly onto stain, soaking fabric. Rub in. Wait 3-5 minutes. Then wash with detergent in warmest water that fabric will accept.
What's the best thing for baby stains? ›
Simply soak the garment in a solution of one-part cold water and one-part white distilled vinegar, then wash as usual. You can also use plant-based Dreft® Pure Gentleness Detergent as a dye- and fragrance-free method for pretreating and washing your baby's clothes.
Can OxiClean remove old stains? ›
With OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover powder, you can remove old stains from clothes even after they have dried, grease and oil stains included. Plus, VSR is color safe, so you can use it to restore the life of old clothes and avoid having to buy new ones!
How to use hydrogen peroxide to remove stains? ›
Try this method: mix hydrogen peroxide and flour to create a paste. Apply this paste to the stain and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit overnight, and then wash off the next morning. You might need to repeat this process a few times to completely remove the stain.
How to remove dried milk stains? ›
The best stain remover for milk stains is a stain pretreatment with a mixture of cold water and gentle laundry detergent. After dabbing the mixture onto the stain, apply a commercial stain remover like a gel, stick, or spray to remove any hidden proteins or fats from the fabric before machine washing.
What is the best stain remover for breast milk stains? ›
Breastmilk Stains
Since milk is a protein-based stain, you need to use enzymatic stain removers such as Zout, Biz, or Puracy- available in most supermarkets.
How to remove old milk stains from baby clothes naturally? ›
Baking soda is fantastic for cooking, of course, but it's also a natural deodorizer, cleaner, and baby clothes stain remover. If the stain has dried, dampen it slightly with cold water. Mix baking soda and enough water to make a thick paste. Smother the stain with the paste and rub it in gently.
Whether the stain is from breast milk, formula with milk, or baby spit up, all of the stains are considered protein stains. The protein in formula commonly comes from cow's milk whey, casein, or soybean. The best way to combat a protein stain is with a stain fighter that contains enzymes, such as Zout Liquid Spray.
How to get yellow baby poop stains out? ›
How to Get Set-in Poop Stain Out of Baby Clothes
- Rinse the stained area with water and using Dreft baby detergent, scrub the stained area, then rinse. ...
- For an extra stain-busting benefit, mix dish soap with some hydrogen peroxide (a 50/50 mix) and apply to the stained area.
Upholstery
- Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of cool water.
- Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.
- Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
- Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.
- Sponge with cold water and blot dry.
Lemon Juice and Sunlight: Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent that can help lift yellow stains. Apply lemon juice directly to the stained area and let it sit in the sun for a few hours. The combination of sunlight and lemon juice can work wonders on stubborn stains.
How do you remove set-in baby food stains? ›
Pour 4 tablespoons of baking soda (or powdered detergent) and ¼ cup of warm water in a bowl and stir together to make a paste. Rub the paste onto the affected area and let it sit before tossing it in the wash.
