Tips On Removing Stains From Children’s Clothing

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Being a parent means becoming an expert in all kinds of unexpected things, and stain removal is definitely one of them. From grass-stained knees to ketchup-covered sleeves, kids seem to attract messes like magnets. But don’t worry I’ve got your back (and your laundry pile) with this ultimate guide to removing some of the most common kid stains.

Not all stains are created equal, and some take a little more elbow grease than others. Here’s how to tackle the mess, one splatter at a time.

How to Remove Marker and Crayon Stains

Arts and crafts are all fun and games until your child becomes the canvas. Thankfully, most of the time, you can save their favorite shirt.

✏️ Marker Stains

These are trickier than crayons, but not impossible.

What You’ll Need:

  • Rubbing alcohol

  • Paper towels

  • Patience

Steps:

  1. Place the clothing stain-side down on a stack of paper towels.

  2. Dab rubbing alcohol around the stain, then directly on it.

  3. Keep sponging the stain with a clean paper towel, changing them out as they absorb the ink.

  4. Rinse and wash.

Extra tip: Swap out the paper towels frequently to avoid spreading the stain.

🖍 Crayon Stains

These are easier to handle!

What You’ll Need:

  • Paper towels

  • Warm iron

  • Pre-wash stain remover

Steps:

  1. Place the stained clothing between paper towels.

  2. Press a warm iron on the stain. This melts the crayon and transfers it to the towels.

  3. Change paper towels as needed.

  4. Blot with stain remover, let dry, and then wash.

If that doesn’t work: Try re-washing with chlorine bleach (if fabric-safe).

🔥 Melted Crayon from the Dryer?

Oops! It happens. Just:

  • Pour dish soap and white vinegar over the stain.

  • Add detergent.

  • Wash like normal.

Extra tip: Clean any crayon residue from the dryer before your next load.

How to Remove Ketchup, Jelly, Chocolate & Juice Stains

Mealtime messes are practically a rite of passage for little ones and their shirts. Here’s how to clean up those sticky, saucy accidents.

🍅 Ketchup Stains

Ketchup is stubborn but beatable.

Steps:

  1. Scrape off the extra.

  2. Rinse inside out with cold water.

  3. Rub in liquid detergent and tap with a clean toothbrush.

  4. Rinse, then sponge with vinegar, tap again, rinse, and repeat.

  5. Wash as normal.

Extra tip: Try bleach only if it’s safe for the fabric.

🍇 Jelly Stains

Act fast! Speed is key here!

Steps:

  1. Rinse with cold water.

  2. Soak for 15 minutes in a mix of:

    • 1 tbsp white vinegar

    • ½ tsp laundry detergent

    • 1 quart warm water

  3. Rinse. Still stained? Dab with rubbing alcohol, rinse, and repeat.

Extra tip: White clothes can be bleached after removing the stain.

🍫 Chocolate Stains

Delicious but messy.

Steps:

  1. Scrape off excess chocolate.

  2. Rub liquid detergent into the stain, let sit 5 minutes.

  3. Wash as usual.

Extra tip: Use bleach if safe for the fabric.

🧃 Juice Stains

Surprisingly easy to remove!

Steps:

  1. Soak in cold water for 30 minutes.

  2. Sponge with white vinegar, let sit another 30 minutes.

  3. Wash normally.

Extra tip: Don’t stress. These come out easily!

How to Remove Grass, Mud & Sap Stains

Outdoor play is the best… until it’s laundry time. Here’s how to tackle nature’s stains.

🌿 Grass Stains

Super common and simple to fix.

Steps:

  1. Rub laundry detergent into the stain.

  2. Let sit for 5 minutes.

  3. Wash normally.

Extra tip: Grass stains are basically the juice stains of the outside world.

🪵 Mud Stains

Wait for the mud to dry first!

Steps:

  1. Scrape off dried mud.

  2. Pre-treat with stain remover.

  3. Wash normally.

Extra tip: Check the stain before tossing the clothing in the dryer!

🌲 Tree Sap Stains

Sticky but manageable.

Steps:

  1. Pre-treat with stain remover.

  2. Wash as usual.

  3. Still sticky? Dab with rubbing alcohol and rewash.

How to Remove Other Common Kid Stains

Here’s a bonus round of helpful tips for those random, “how did this even happen?” moments.

🩸 Blood Stains

Ouch. Here’s how to save the shirt.

Steps:

  1. Rinse with cold water.

  2. Treat with stain remover.

  3. Wash normally (it’s okay to include with other clothes).

Still stained? Treat with hydrogen peroxide and air dry.

🍬 Gum Stains

Tricky, but fixable.

Steps:

  1. Freeze the gum with an ice cube and gently scrape it off with a dull knife.

  2. Rub glycerin on any remaining gum and scrape again.

  3. Rinse, then rub in dish soap.

  4. Wash normally.

Extra tip: Always use a dull knife—safety first!

💩 Poop Stains (Because… babies.)

Yes, it happens. Often.

Steps:

  1. Rinse with cold water.

  2. Treat with stain remover.

  3. Let sit 5 minutes.

  4. Wash as usual.

  5. Still stained? Soak in color-safe bleach for 30 minutes and rewash.

Extra tip: Never put it in the dryer until the stain is completely gone.

Final Thoughts

Parenthood is messy, but your laundry doesn’t have to be a disaster. With the right tools and a little know-how, you can fight back against even the toughest stains.

If you’ve got a go-to trick or magical stain solution, share it in the comments below because we’re all in this (messy, stain-covered) parenting journey together!

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