The best natural stain remover for baby clothes
Most stain removers contain harsh chemicals that are terrible for your health and our planet. They’re a bad choice, especially for your baby’s clothes. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives that are effective, safe for your baby, and environmentally friendly.
Let’s explore some of the best natural stain-removal options for baby clothes.
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If you’re seeking a non-toxic stain remover that is effective and convenient, buy our stain stick. This eco-friendly and compact solution contains only the safest plant-based products, so your baby's clothes are treated with care.
What are the main causes of baby clothing stains?
Baby clothing stains are an inevitable part of parenting. From messy meals to artistic endeavors, here are the main culprits behind those stubborn spots:
- Food: Purees, formula, or your baby's first explorations into solids, food stains are a constant companion. Spills and smears of baby food can leave their mark on delicate fabrics.
- Diaper leaks and blowouts: Unexpected diaper mishaps are a routine challenge. Baby poop and leaks create hard-to-remove stains that require immediate attention.
- Drool: Teething babies produce copious amounts of saliva, which leads to damp collars and bibs. While drool might seem harmless, it can cause noticeable stains on clothing over time.
- Grass, dirt, playground messes: As your little one starts to explore the world, outdoor adventures can result in encounters with grass, dirt, and playground grime. These natural stains are tough to eliminate.
- Ink, markers, arts, and crafts: Creative play is important for your baby's development, but it can result in stains from ink, markers, and arts and crafts materials. These stains require careful handling to avoid permanent damage.
With the right natural laundry stain remover, you can erase tough stains on baby clothes without worry.
What are the best natural stain removers for baby clothes?
Natural stain removers effectively clean your baby’s clothes without the harsh chemicals in conventional cleaners and detergents that irritate sensitive baby skin.
Luckily, there are several effective, non-toxic ingredients you likely already have at home.
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Club soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Table salt
- Sunlight
Baking soda
Baking soda is a natural cleaning powerhouse for baby clothes. Its alkaline composition breaks down stains and odors without added perfumes or dyes.
To use baking soda for baby clothes, follow these steps:
- Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part cold water to create a paste.
- Apply the paste directly to the stain.
- Gently rub the paste into the fabric.
- Let the paste sit on the stain for at least 30 minutes.
- Wash the garment as usual in your washing machine.
Baking soda works best on protein-based stains such as milk, formula, and spit-up. It also neutralizes odors, which is useful for smelly diaper accidents or persistent food smells on baby clothes.
White vinegar
White vinegar’s acidity combats stains and odors without harmful chemicals, which is beneficial for a baby's delicate skin.
To use white vinegar on your baby's clothes, follow these simple steps:
- Pour 1/2 cup of vinegar into the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine.
- Add your regular laundry detergent to the main wash compartment.
- Load the baby's clothes into the machine.
- Run a normal wash cycle.
White vinegar removes acidic stains such as those from fruits, vegetables, and diaper accidents. It also acts as a natural fabric softener and removes soap residue, which can irritate baby's skin.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice's natural acidity cuts through tough stains on baby clothes without harsh chemicals. The citric acid in lemons breaks the chemical bonds between fabric fibers and pigments, which lifts stains.
Use lemon juice on baby clothes with these steps:
- Squeeze the juice from a fresh lemon into a bowl.
- Soak the stained area of the garment in undiluted lemon juice.
- Let the lemon juice sit on the fabric for 10–15 minutes.
- Rinse the garment thoroughly with cold water.
- Wash the item in your washing machine as usual
Lemon juice works best on fruit, vegetable, and rust stains. The natural bleaching effect of lemons can also brighten white cotton baby clothes over time. Be cautious on colored fabrics, as lemon juice's bleaching properties could fade or discolor the garment.
Club soda
Club soda (carbonated water) removes common baby stains, including breast milk, baby food, and sweat stains. Its carbonation gently lifts stains, while its mild acidity tackles protein stains.
To use club soda on baby clothes:
- Blot excess liquid or debris with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Pour club soda directly onto the stain, saturating the area.
- Let it bubble for 5–10 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water.
- Wash the item with your usual baby detergent.
Club soda is safe for cloth diapers and garments for babies with sensitive skin, as it lacks harsh chemicals.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide, a mild bleaching agent, effectively removes stubborn stains from baby clothes. Its oxidizing properties break down organic compounds, which is perfect for tackling food, grass, and blood stains.
To use hydrogen peroxide on baby clothes, follow these steps:
- Perform a spot test on an inconspicuous area to check for colorfastness.
- Apply a small amount of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain.
- Let it sit for 5–10 minutes.
- Rinse the garment thoroughly with cool water.
- Wash the item as usual.
You can use hydrogen peroxide on white and light-colored baby clothes made from sturdy fabrics such as cotton or linen. But, on delicate fabrics or dark colors, it may cause discoloration.
Table salt
Table salt, a common household item, removes stubborn stains from baby clothes. Its abrasive texture lifts stains, while its absorbent properties draw out liquid from the fabric.
To use table salt on baby clothes:
- Sprinkle a generous amount of salt directly onto the stain.
- Let the salt sit on the stain for 10–15 minutes.
- Gently rub the salt into the fabric using a damp cloth.
- Rinse the garment thoroughly with cool water.
- Wash as usual.
Table salt is good for wet, fresh stains, such as mud, coffee, or juice. Its effectiveness on these types of stains lies in its ability to absorb moisture quickly, preventing the stain from settling deeper into the fabric fibers.
Sunlight
The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays have a natural bleaching effect that breaks down stain molecules and freshens fabrics.
To use sunlight on baby clothes follow these steps:
- Wash the stained garment as usual.
- While the garment is still damp, lay it flat in direct sunlight.
- Let the garment sun-dry for several hours, repositioning it occasionally for even exposure.
- If the stain persists, rewash the item and repeat the sun-drying process.
Sunlight is most effective on natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, and bamboo. It is good for yellow stains caused by breast milk, formula, or baby food, as well as for mud and grass stains. The sun's UV rays also have a natural disinfecting property; they eliminate odor-causing bacteria from cloth diapers and well-worn baby clothes.
To maximize sunlight's stain-removing power, choose a clear, sunny day and avoid leaving the garment in direct sunlight for too long; this may cause fading or damage to some fabrics.
Useful tips on how to remove stains from baby clothes
Here are some tips for effectively removing stains while keeping fabric gentle on sensitive skin:
Test on a seam first
Before applying any natural stain remover, do a patch test on an inconspicuous area such as an inside seam or shirt tag. To start, blot up the stain using a clean cloth to absorb as much of the mess as possible. Then, gently scrub the area with a soft brush to lift the stain residue.
Check for any discoloration or irritation. Babies have extremely sensitive skin so you don’t want to trigger a negative reaction.
Rinse thoroughly after treating
Once you've treated a stain, rinse the fabric in cold water thoroughly before washing. This prevents any residue from remaining on the clothing that could still irritate your baby's skin. Rinsing also washes away any loosened stain particles.
Think about stain type
Match your stain-busting solution to the type of stain for best results.
- For oil-based stains such as food, breastmilk, or formula, use baking soda solution.
- For organic stains such as spit-up, urine, or blood, hydrogen peroxide works well.
- For fading or discoloration, lemon juice or sunlight helps brighten.
Bonus tip: If you’re dealing with protein-based stains, such as egg, meat, grass, or blood stains, use cool water. If you wash them in hot water, you can “cook” stains into the fabric.
What is the top baby stain remover?
The Smart Sheep stain stick is the best store-bought stain remover for baby clothes. It is a compact, portable, and eco-friendly solution for treating stubborn stains on baby clothes. This convenient alternative to traditional gel and stain remover sprays features a plant-based formula with safe ingredients that effectively lift stains with minimal time and effort.
Gentle on all fabric types and the environment, the Smart Sheep stain stick is easy to use and preserves the quality and appearance of your favorite baby garments. Simply apply the stick directly to the stain, gently rub it in, and then launder as usual.
Our stain remover tackles a variety of stains babies frequently create, such as:
- Breast milk
- Baby formula
- Food spills
- Grass stains
- Poop stains
- Spit-up
- Dirt stains
The Smart Sheep stain stick's compact size is perfect for on-the-go use, so you're always prepared to handle stains wherever they happen. Keep one in your diaper bag, purse, or car for quick and easy stain removal.
“This really works great. I use[d] it on some stains on the kids clothes and I got them out. They were mostly grass, mud and grease stains. I think this is a great product. I look forward to using it more on stains… I was pleased with the product. I would recommend it.” —Harley Girl, Amazon purchaser (five stars)
Stain remover FAQ
What is the best homemade stain remover?
A paste of baking soda and warm water is an effective homemade stain remover. Apply the paste to the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse with cool water. This method works well on protein-based stains such as milk, formula, and food.
Is liquid dish soap good for fresh baby food stains?
Liquid dish soap is an excellent choice for treating fresh baby food stains. Apply a small amount directly to the stain, gently rub it in, and then rinse with cool water. The dish soap's grease-cutting properties lift the stain from the fabric.
What can I use on stained baby clothes?
Several natural ingredients are effective on stained baby clothes:
- Baking soda paste for protein stains
- White vinegar for odors and general stains
- Lemon juice for fruit and vegetable stains
- Hydrogen peroxide for stubborn, set-in stains
Are laundry whiteners safe for baby clothes?
Many commercial laundry whiteners contain harsh chemicals that irritate a baby's sensitive skin. Opt for natural alternatives such as sunshine, which naturally bleaches and disinfects baby clothes, or use a baby-safe, non-chlorine oxygen bleach sparingly.
How can I remove greasy stains naturally?
To remove greasy stains naturally, sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda on the stain to absorb excess oil. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then gently brush off the powder. Next, apply a small amount of liquid dish soap to the stain and rinse with hot water.
What is the best natural laundry detergent?
The best natural laundry detergent for baby clothes is one that is free from harsh chemicals, fragrances, and dyes, such as Smart Sheep detergent strips.
Further reading
How can I keep my sheets from balling up in the dryer?
How do I recharge wool dryer balls?
Detergent sheets vs liquid laundry detergents: who wins?
How to use dryer balls for down jackets
What are the benefits of natural clothing stain removers?
