The 411 on stain removal

No doubt about it—a baby can be a messy little monkey. The naughtiest stains can and often do occur on the nicest of clothes, blankets and carpets. Use these tips for getting out the dirt (or spit-up, or poop, or whatever else your baby throws at you), and removing stains will be less of a pain.

Protein stains such as baby formula, baby food, eggs and milk are particularly tough to get rid of. However, mixing a little meat tenderizer and water together to break down the proteins can work wonders on the smudge. Remember to always use cold water when treating protein-based stains.

For spills on the carpet, first remove as much of the dodgy material as possible, either by soaking it up with a sponge or scraping it off with a utensil. Next, treat the stain with a product like OxiClean or Dawn. Work in a circular motion, then soak up the moisture with paper towels.

For messes on baby clothes, the sooner you treat the stain, the more likely you’ll be to get it out. Remove what you can of the mess and treat the area with a pre-wash stick. Also, Shout Wipes and Tide to Go are great for the mom on the go—you can treat that glob of ice cream now, and wash away all evidence of it later.

Ink and jam make dye-based spots, which can often be treated with plain old hot water if you get to it quickly. If stains have been sitting for a while, repeated soakings and washings are in order.

A pre-soak before the wash cycle allows tough grub to loosen up, allowing for better removal in the washing machine. Combine water with things like OxiClean Baby Stain Soaker or even Dawn liquid detergent for an effective stain-busting brew.

When working on a stain, start underneath, rather than on top of it, to avoid forcing it through the cloth. Rubbing in a circular motion will prevent ring marks.

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