While they may be picky eaters, babies are not known for being the neatest eaters at the table. Everything from strained carrots to innocent-looking formula can leave its mark (and smell) on baby's little clothes and no amount of washing seems to get them clean again. When clothes are handed down from one child to another, they may come with stubborn old stains of unknown origin. Fortunately, there are a few simple tricks to help you remove old or new stains from baby's clothes.

Gentle is Best

You want everything that touches your baby to be clean, fresh and gentle to the touch because babies have tender skin that may be irritated easily. That's why using bleach or other harsh cleansers on baby's clothing is not an option. When combined, club soda and baking soda make a powerful stain remover that can even help lighten old, set-in stains. Simply sprinkle the stain with baking powder and drizzle some club soda over it. Use a soft toothbrush and give the stain a light scrub, then let it set until the paste dries. Rinse the paste and let the garment dry naturally. Repeat if needed and wash the garment as usual. A nice addition to the stain-removing power of baking soda is its ability to remove unpleasant odors. An alternative to the baking soda and club soda combination is to use hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar mixed with an equal measure of water. While slightly more harsh against the skin than the soda paste, both vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are far more gentle than commercial stain removers. Apply these solutions in the same manner as the soda paste.

Stain Prevention

While bibs are helpful in preventing spills from staining baby's clothing, they don't catch everything. When a spill does happen treat it as quickly as possible to avoid a stain. Dab, do not rub, excess food or material from the clothing. If baby has a change of clothes available, remove the messy garment and rinse thoroughly with cold water. Squirt some liquid soap, even hand soap, on the stain and let it set until wash time. After washing, check the garment to see if a stain has occurred. Remember to never place a stained garment in the dryer or iron it as heat may cause a stain to set.

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Removing Stains from Babies' Clothing

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Tips for Removing Baby Food Stains from Clothing