Babies can be really messy, especially when it comes to getting their clothes dirty. From spit and burped up formula and mushy baby foods, to spaghetti sauce and chocolate cake, your baby is going to play with his or her food, and this often means getting it onto clothing (yours and the baby’s). Before you toss the stained clothes into your washer and dryer in one and risk setting the stain, try using these tips to get the stains out.
- Pretreat stains as soon as they occur. Use cold water and a small amount of baby-friendly liquid detergent to pretreat stains. Allow the soapy mixture to set on the stain for about five to ten minutes, and then rinse in cold water. If the stain is still there, try a baby-friendly pretreater instead. Liquid pretreaters and detergents work better on food stains than powders.
- Pretreat non-food stains with baby-friendly powders. Stains from baby lotions or baby oils are best removed by pretreating the stain with a powder detergent or pretreater. Make a paste and apply directly to the area, and allow to sit on the stain for five to ten minutes, before rinsing in cold water.
- Dealing with diaper messes. At some point, your baby’s diaper is probably going to overfill and stain their clothing. Powder pretreaters and detergents work will to get these types of messes out of the clothing. Mix a small amount of the pretreater or detergent with some water and apply the paste to the stain. Next, place it in a half-filled sink or mop bucket of cool water and add about a quarter of cup of bleach or color safe bleach. Allow the article of clothing to soak for about half an hour, and then rinse in cold water.
After pretreating stains, if the stain is still present, apply a small amount of detergent or pretreater directly onto the stain and wash the clothing on the cold or warm water cycle in your washing machine. If you have an all-in-one, disable the dry cycle. You want to make sure the stain is removed before drying; otherwise, the heat from the dryer will set the stain.
Even with stained whites, avoid using the hot water cycle, as the hot water can set the stain, too. If you need to wash the clothing in hot water, wash it first on the cold or warm water cycle to help remove the stain, and then wash it in hot water. For difficult stains on whites and light colored clothing, expose the clothing to direct sunlight, as the UV rays of the sun are a natural stain remover.
Keep in mind, it can take up to a few days of direct sunlight exposure to fully remove the stain. For other laundry tips and suggestions, or help selecting an energy efficient LG Washer and Dryer for your home or apartment, do not hesitate to contact FJS Distributors, Inc. today by phoning 1-800-875-1533.
