Formula stains on baby clothes are a common and mostly unavoidable part of a parent's life. These yellow or beige protein stains can sometimes be difficult to remove, especially if they have been allowed to set into the fabric of a baby's garments. There's no need to dispose of stained clothing or turn them into dust rags; with a little patience and forethought, formula stains can be removed.
Step 1
Brush off any dried or crusted formula using a stiff brush.
Step 2
Fill a basin or bowl with cold water and soak the article of baby clothing for approximately 30 minutes. Use your hands to gently agitate the water while the clothing is soaking.
Step 3
Remove the article of clothing from the water, and squeeze the excess out. Rub the formula stain with an enzyme-based pre-wash detergent.
Step 4
Launder the article of clothing in warm, but not hot, water with your normal detergent. Good Housekeeping suggests adding chlorine bleach, according to the directions on the bottle, if needed for white clothing.
Step 5
Rinse the baby clothes with cool water and inspect to see if any of the formula stain remains. If the stain is still present, allow the garment to air-dry and repeat the above steps.
Tips and Warnings
- Fresh stains are easier to remove than older ones; treat the clothing as soon as you notice the stain for the best results. Very old stains may require several hours of soaking before the stain begins to come out.
- Never soak formula-stained baby clothing in hot water, as this makes the stain set in the fabric, according to the Iowa State University Extension.
Things You'll Need
- Stiff brush
- Large bowl or basin
- Enzyme-based pre-wash detergent
- Laundry detergent
- Chlorine bleach
