Many of us think that pencil stains are impossible to remove. Actually, there are ways on how you can remove such stain easily off your child’s clothing. Here are the steps on how to remove pencil stains on clothes.

Erase pencil stains. Like pencil marks on paper, you can erase the pencil stains literally off the laundry. You can use the pencil eraser at the tip or a separate pencil eraser. A few gentle passes with an eraser is enough to remove the marks from the clothes.

Apply stain remover formula. Apply a stain remover formula on the stained area. Make sure you follow the correct instructions whenever applying their stain remover formula.

Wash normally. Wash the garment as you normally do using the correct temperature setting for your fabric. Be sure to repeat the above steps if the stain remains before finally drying the stain free clothing.

Hang the clothing to dry. It is better to dry the stained clothing under the heat of the sun instead of your dryer. Drying stained clothes in the dryer may make the stain permanent. Also the sun is a wonderful stain remover.

If the stain persists, you can repeat the following steps until the stain is completely gone. But for special fabrics, read the tag for washing instructions. If the tag says the garment needs professional cleaning, then you must bring the clothing to the local cleaner.

photo credit: GenkiGenki

Here are some tips in using vinegar as stain remover:

1. Vinegar prevents your colored clothes from fading. To keep the colors from running in the wash, soak your child’s garment in vinegar before washing.
2. Vinegar can decrease the lint on clothes. Just add half a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.
3. Vinegar removes tough stains such as coffee, chocolate, jam, wine, and ketchup. Rub the stain with vinegar. Then, wash the garment.
4. Vinegar is a natural color brightener. Add half a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. Your whites will turn whiter and colored shirts will become brighter.
5. Vinegar makes cloth diapers cleaner and fresher. Add a cup of distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle. Vinegar breaks down uric acid and removes lingering stains and scents.
6. Vinegar can also remove scorch marks from an iron. Try rubbing a mixture of vinegar and salt on the stained area.
7. Vinegar can also remove soap residue from the washing machine. Run an empty cycle and add a cup of vinegar in the cycle.
8. Vinegar removes the smell of smoke from clothes. Add a cup of vinegar to a tub of hot water. Hang your clothes in the same room for a few hours.
9. Vinegar can remove deodorant stains. Rub the vinegar into the stain until it disappears.
10. Vinegar can remove grease stains. Soak the stained area in undiluted white vinegar. As soon as the stain has melted, you can wash the garment as usual.

There are more stains that you can remove with the use of a vinegar mixture. However, make sure that you test the garment first before treating them. There are fabrics that are highly sensitive to vinegar’s acidity. Testing it first can prevent further damage to the garment.

photo credit: cafemama

1. Shake out the pollen. Shake the stained garment outdoors. Make sure you shake out much of the pollen as possible off your garment. If the pollen has already been rubbed onto the garment, put a sticky tape on the surface of the stain. Then, gently lift the tape. Male sure the pollen comes up with the tape.
2. Rinse with cold water. Once you have removed the pollen, rinse the stained area with cold water from the back of the stain.
3. Try soaking. If the stain persists, soak the garment in cold water for about 30 minutes.
4. 4. Rinse. Make sure that you rinse the garment thoroughly.
5. 5. Repeat the previous stains. Rinse and soak the garment until the pollen stain is gone or no longer visible.
6. 6. Apply stain remover. Apply a stain remover formula (could be in the form of stick, spray or gel) on the stained garment. Then, wash it in the hottest water that the fabric can take.
7. 7. Hang your garment to dry. Drying stained clothes in the dryer might make the stains permanent. Make sure that you dry your stained clothes outdoors in the clothes line. The heat of the sun is also an effective natural stain remover.

As for special fabrics such as wool, silk, and others, make sure you read the washing instructions on the clothes’ tag. If the tag says it requires professional cleaning, send your child’s clothing to the nearest cleaners right away.

photo credit: gelinh

One of the toughest stains to remove on your child’s clothing is baby poop. If you’re a budget-wise mom like me, you might have experienced purchasing a cheap pair of diapers that didn’t quite do the job well. The task gets tougher with newborn babies or babies who are breast-fed. The stain is more persistent compared to formula-fed babies. But with some work and right stain removal techniques, you will be able to remove most of the stain; or better yet, all of it.

The key to successfully clean baby poop on your child’s clothes is to carefully take out the stain. Make sure that you do it with grace to prevent the waste from spreading. Take off your baby’s clothes and place the stained area directly under your faucet. The running water should help you remove the waste off the garment. Let the water run on the garment until you are able to remove the poop.

Next, fill a bucket with cold water. Soak the garment in it for a few minutes. This should help prevent the stain from setting in. Once a stain dries, it will be tougher to remove. You may apply a stain remover formula on the stained area before you wash it.

Wash the garment. Make sure you follow correct washing instructions especially for special fabrics. Find the tag on the clothing for appropriate washing instructions. Use the hottest water temperature the garment can handle. Cold water won’t be as effective in removing the stain. Turn your washer to normal cycle. For delicate fabrics, turn on the gentle cycle. If the stain persists, repeat the steps.

Do not dry the item in the dryer. This might make the stain permanent. Take your baby’s clothing on your clothes line and hang it to dry. The heat of the sun can also help remove the stain magically.

photo credit: 150hp

Method Laundry Detergent is very effective in removing tough stains of all kinds. For a natural, dye free product, it does the job consistently well. Having two little boys, you can imagine how filthy their clothes get at the end of the day. Method can clean out any dirty clothing in a single wash. This detergent contains active enzymes that break down tough stains and spots. It is also triple concentrated and is packed in a small convenient bottle.

Known for its sweet scent, you can use Method as an alternative to Dreft. If you love fragrant baby clothes, you might want to try out this product. But if your baby is allergic to perfumes, you can go with Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent instead.

Seventh Generation is a prominent manufacturer of eco friendly baby products. Aside from laundry detergents, they also manufacture diapers, wipes and other baby needs. Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent is made from all-natural ingredients tested safe on baby skin and effective on tough stains. It is biodegradable and does not have a damaging effect on the environment.

Seventh Generation is available in liquid and powder form. Unlike other powder detergents, Seventh Generation dissolves easily in the washing machine. It works well and I didn’t have trouble removing tough stains like colored food, liquid waste or milk. This baby detergent works amazing on delicates as well.

In any case your child experience rashes or allergy of some sort with these detergents, consult your pediatrician right away. You may also try switching brands weekly to test which one best suits your child’s skin.

Note: BabyDetergents.com is an online web blog that publishes first hand experience product reviews, wherein Colleen Gossett (author) has personally purchased the product. All products reviewed were items brought INDEPENDENTLY.  Otherwise, it will be noted at the footer.

Below is a short list of stain removal guidelines you can use in washing baby laundry. However, you should always double check the specific laundering instructions for common fabrics such as cotton, silk, wool, etc.

The key to successfully take out stains on baby clothes is to treat them immediately. If there are remnants of the stain, make sure you scrape it all off before you treat it or wash it. Soak the item in cool water to help loosen the stain.

Protein Stains

Protein stains include formula, breast milk, food stains, spit ups, and waste. With this kind of stain, you’ll need a small amount of an enzyme cleaner and a soft-bristled brush. The enzyme cleaner will digest the protein and make it easier to remove. Leave the enzyme cleaner on the stained area as per instruction. If there are stains left, you can treat it with a regular stain remover formula.

Oil or Grease Stains

Oil stains include baby oil, creams, and petroleum jelly. To clean out this type of stain, prepare cornstarch or talcum powder. This should help absorb the oil. After 15 to 20 minutes, scrape off the powder. Apply a combination pre-treater. You can then toss it in with the rest of the laundry.

Fruits and Vegetable Stains

This type of stain is quite challenging. There are certain substances in plants that can leave a mark on clothes for a long time. If not treated properly, it might become impossible to remove. As pre-treatment, create a vinegar solution. Mix one part vinegar and two parts water in a container. Apply it to the stain with an eyedropper. Let the solution sit for 10 minutes max. Apply a combination solvent and wash the garment in regular cycle.

photo credit: dontshoot.me!

BabyGanics is one of today’s leading green household cleaning products manufacturers. From surface cleaners, hand sanitation products, diapering and soaps, BabyGanics has introduced a safer, greener way to household cleaning.

Loads of Love Detergent is a natural liquid detergent, which contains naturally derived ingredients such as plant extracts and essential oils. It is 3x more concentrated, which means it works 3 times better than regular soaps. It is available in scented and scent-free for perfume sensitive children.

What I loved about this product is how effectively it removes stains off baby clothes. For a natural detergent, BabyGanics is a great buy for mothers who want to keep their family safe from chemicals and toxins.

On the other hand, if you are searching for a cheaper alternative to Dreft, Gain Laundry Detergent is a great choice. Gain is manufactured by Procter and Gamble (P&G). P&G is also the company that made Tide detergent. This baby detergent is popular among mothers who love really fragrant clothing. The scent is absolutely long lasting.

What I loved about Gain is how effectively it works even when washing in cold water. You don’t have to heat the water anymore thus a great way to conserve energy. It takes out old and new stains quite well. I’ve used this product over and over and I am always satisfied with its cleaning power. But if your child is allergic to perfumes and scents, you might want to stick with BabyGanics Loads of Love. Gain contains high contents of perfumes, which may cause irritation to your child’s sensitive skin.

In any case your child has severe case of skin sensitivity or allergies, better ask for your pediatrician’s advice on baby detergent brands. You may also try switching brands from time to time to find out which works best for your child.

Note: BabyDetergents.com is an online web blog that publishes first hand experience product reviews, wherein Colleen Gossett (author) has personally purchased the product. All products reviewed were items brought INDEPENDENTLY.  Otherwise, it will be noted at the footer.

BabyGanics has previously sent sample packages for product review which could be read here.

Gain Laundry has been bought independently by the author.

photo credit: theqspeaks

However, avocado stains are one of the toughest stains to remove from any fabric. Its bright green color can stay on clothing for a long time. If not treated properly and immediately, it is quite impossible to remove.

Here’s a step by step guide on how to remove avocado stains:

With a dull knife or a spoon, scoop out any remaining avocado on the fabric. Make sure that you work cautiously or else you might end up tearing a hole in the fabric. Take out the entire avocado residue that you can squeeze out of the clothing.

Apply liquid detergent on the stained area. Rub the liquid detergent gently on the stained area and into the avocado stain. Let the detergent set and allow it to work its magic for at least 5 minutes. This should be enough time for the detergent to penetrate through the avocado and loosen it up.

Soak the avocado stain in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes or until the stain has become more loose. To speed up things, rub the stained area gently between your fingers every 5 minutes.

Rinse the entire area thoroughly under running water. Repeat the process until you removed the stain entirely. If the stain persists, apply a stain remover formula. Let the formula sit for 5 minutes.

Throw the garment in the washer and wash the fabric in the hottest water it can take.  Washing clothes in hot water can effectively clean the garment of the stain. Never dry the clothes in your dryer unless you are sure that there’s no stain left. If the stain persists, repeat the whole process over. Dry the garment on the clothes line.

photo credit:postreconstruction

It is a misconception that silk is a difficult to wash. In fact, it is one of the easiest to clean out. Then again, you have to follow instructions very carefully in order for you not to ruin the quality of the fabric.

Here are some tips on silk fabric care:

• Do not use bleach.
• Do not place in direct sunlight when drying.
• Do not apply alcohol based perfume or cologne on silk.

How to hand wash silk:

Hand washing is the most recommended way on cleaning this fabric. All silk clothes can be hand washed. However, add a spoonful of borax to your basin first if you have hard water. Always use lukewarm water and mild soap in washing silk.

When rinsing, add a few tablespoons of distilled white vinegar to neutralize alkali traces and dissolve soap residue. You can add few drops of hair conditioner to the final rinse for an extra smooth feel.

Never soak silk for more than a few minutes.  Also, do not twist or wring the garment to extract the water.

How to machine wash silk:

Before you put in your silk garment in the washer, make sure it is labeled ‘machine safe’. Use the delicate cycle matched with the shortest spin cycle. Always use a mild detergent or a baby detergent when washing silk. If your washer is a top loading machine, put the silk garment in a mesh bag before washing. This can be considered added protection.

photo credit: Kirsti I.

What reeks about pet odor is the difficulty in removing it. Unlike the stains, pet odors are much more difficult to take out from the air. Unfortunately, the human brain has a way to tolerate a foul scent after a few minutes. We can get use to the scent of our pets but not our friends and guests.

While you can purchase an odor eliminator in the local grocery store, it is still better to create your own pet odor eliminator formula. Not only does this help you save money, but also it is much safer and contains lesser chemicals.

Recipe for homemade pet odor eliminator formula

This pet odor eliminator formula is made from ingredients that you can find in your kitchen and in your medicine cabinet. Just make sure you follow the instructions correctly. You can make it as weak or as strong as you prefer.

Ingredients

1 cup hydrogen peroxide (3%)

Handful of baking soda

1 teaspoon dishwashing soap

Water

Instructions

Combine a part of vinegar and a part of water in a container. Make sure you evenly put this together. So if you have put a cup of vinegar, you must mix in a cup of water. Set aside.

In another container, create a different mixture. Combine baking soda, dishwashing soap and the hydrogen peroxide.

You will use these two separately when removing pet odor. Apply the vinegar solution first on the stained area followed by the baking soda solution. Dab it with paper towels so that there’s not too much liquid on the fabric/item. Leave the baking soda solution on the stained area until the solution has dried up.

Once dried, get a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum the stained area. Make sure there’s no trace of baking soda. And that’s it. Your home should now be free of pet odor.

photo credit: Prograham