This article was co-authored by Sergey Paramonov
and by wikiHow staff writer, Nihal Shetty
. Sergey Paramonov is a Laundry Expert and the Co-Founder of FreshRobe laundry and dry-cleaning delivery service based in San Francisco, California. Sergey has over 10 years of experience in the industry and specializes in laundry, dry cleaning services, and delivery services. His facilities use energy and water-efficient technology to prioritize a sustainable, professional cleaning service for all types of garments.
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Even if you’ve got your baby’s bathroom and feeding routine down pat, it isn’t unusual that they sometimes leave a mess that makes it past their diaper. Whether your baby is formula or breastmilk-fed, or even if they’ve already moved on to solids, poop stains can be a little tricky. But with a few simple steps, you can keep these stains from ruining a great baby outfit, all the while avoiding chemicals that can irritate your baby’s skin. Here’s our complete guide on how to get poop stains out of baby clothes.
Steps
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The faster you start treating the stain, the better the result. Poop stains, especially the yellow kind from breastfed newborns, can be tougher to remove when they set in. Quickly remove the clothes from your baby and place them in cool water if you can’t immediately treat the stain. This will keep the stain from setting in. [1] X Trustworthy Source HealthyChildren.org Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Go to source
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Removing solid poop by hand makes cleaning much easier. Since washing the clothes with a lot of poop on them can cause the poop to spread, use a paper towel or baby wipe to take out as much poop as possible. Gently pick the poop off the clothes, trying not to rub it in, as this can make the stain worse. [2] X Trustworthy Source HealthyChildren.org Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Go to source
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Cold, running water can wash away additional poop particles. Take the clothes to a sink, then turn on the cold water faucet. Let the stream of water pour through the side of the clothes that wasn’t pooped on, so that it can push additional poop particles down the drain. The running water will help you remove more poop than you may have been able to reach by hand. [3] X Trustworthy Source National Eczema Association Nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those with eczema through research and education Go to source
- If the poop stain is very small, you may be able to remove it entirely at this point by using a generous amount of normal dish soap. Lather the dish soap over the poop stain while its wet to form a foam, then wash it off.
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Pre-treat the poop stains for 30 minutes to break them down. Since poop stains are protein-based, it’s best to use an enzymatic cleaner . Spray the enzymatic cleaner on the stains, and allow it to sit for about 30 minutes. The cleaner will break down the protein particles in the poop, allowing it to wash off much more easily. [4] X Research source
- Many parents swear by Fels Naptha as a miracle when cleaning up poop stains. When the clothes are wet, rub this laundry bar on the stain and allow it to sit for a few minutes. [5] X Research source
- If the stain is older or more set-in, soak the clothing in the enzyme cleaner for several hours or overnight. [6] X Research source
- For heavy-duty poop stains, you may need a more intensive pre-treatment. If there’s a lot of poop, soak the clothes in a bucket of hot water mixed with a scoop of OxiClean for a couple of hours. [7] X Trustworthy Source HealthyChildren.org Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Go to source
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Use a normal wash cycle along with a color-safe bleach . When selecting water temperature, either opt for a warm or cold wash, since hot water can make some stains permanent. [8] X Trustworthy Source HealthyChildren.org Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Go to source If the clothes still seem visibly soiled after one wash cycle, run them through the wash one more time. [9] X Research source
- Wash the soiled baby clothes separately from the rest of your laundry. Otherwise, the poop might get on other clothes. [10] X Research source
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Vinegar can be a great alternative to harsher bleaches. After pre-treating the clothes with an enzyme cleaner, wring them out to remove excess water, then put them in the laundry machine along with 2 cups of white vinegar (500 mL). Wash the clothes on a warm cycle. The vinegar is a gentler, albeit powerful, cleanser that can lift even tough stains. [11] X Research source
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A plain water rinse gets rid of any detergent residue. Since baby skin can be sensitive, it’s important to give the clothes an extra rinse with just water before letting them dry. Run the baby clothes through your washing machine one more time, just without any detergent. [12] X Research source
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The sun can naturally bleach any remaining stains. Sunlight has the incredible ability to naturally bleach and lighten any stains. If you want to give the sun a helping hand in lightening any stains, squirt some lemon juice over the stain. After the clothes are dry, rinse off the juice with plain water, since it can make the clothes feel a little rough. [13] X Research source
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The dryer is convenient, but can also make some stains permanent. While the clothes are wet, you might not be able to notice any stains leftover. A harsh heat cycle in the dryer can make these stains permanent, so air-dry the clothes for at least an hour before transferring them to the drier. If you still see stains, run the clothes through the wash one more time, pre-treating the stain again beforehand. [14] X Research source
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References
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Cleaning-Baby-Clothes.aspx
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Cleaning-Baby-Clothes.aspx
- ↑ https://nationaleczema.org/blog/laundry-change/
- ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/stain-removal-guide
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/fels-naptha-laundry-soap-bar-reviews-36636541
- ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/stain-removal-guide
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Laundry-Room-and-Detergent-Safety.aspx
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Laundry-Room-and-Detergent-Safety.aspx
- ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/laundry-basics
- ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/laundry-basics
- ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/laundering-problems-solutions
- ↑ https://www.beyondtoxics.org/wp-content/uploads/GreatNaturalMoldCleaners-Instead-of-Bleach.pdf
- ↑ https://www.beyondtoxics.org/wp-content/uploads/GreatNaturalMoldCleaners-Instead-of-Bleach.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/laundering-problems-solutions