Neat Tricks: A Guide to Cleaning Your Baby & Kiddie Gear

Read on to learn more about how to deal with dirt culprits.

Get stain-smart!
How to remove stubborn stains on baby gear:


DIRT CULPRITS: Baby poop and baby formula
First, scrape off and toss solid poop into the toilet bowl and flush. Soak the soiled diaper or clothes for half an hour in cold water with detergent.

Wash with warm—not hot—water, rinse, and repeat. Do not scrub as this action may cause the dirt and germs to spread.


DIRT CULPRITS: Food stains
Using bleach to scrub out colored food stains is okay with whites, but it might backfire if the stain spills onto colored clothing.

Try mixing half a cup of Borax with lukewarm water and soak the soiled diaper for a few minutes to half an hour.

Wash using a mild laundry detergent, then rinse, adding a little bit of vinegar to get rid of detergent residue. You may also use baking soda to soften the fabric.

For oily food stains on baby’s clothes, use talcum powder or cornstarch to first absorb the oil before washing. Vinegar is a great stain-removing aid. This is especially so for juice, fruit, berry, and jam stains or spills, says Stacie McClintock, author of Baby Stains: A Guide to Removing Baby Stains


DIRT CULPRITS: Medicine stains
Sarah Aguirre, a writer who specializes in helping families clean and organize their homes for About.com, suggests the following:

1. If the fabric hasn’t completely absorbed the medicine, scrape off the excess fluid first.

2. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain to absorb oil. Let it stay for at least 10 minutes, then brush off the dried up residue.

3. Soak the soiled fabric in warm or hot water with detergent or dishwashing liquid for a few minutes, wash, and rinse. Repeat if stain still won’t come off. the most dirt. Scrub well to remove stubborn stains and excess dirt.

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