Stress-free mess.
Removing stains and spots is always tricky in any household. Add to that grubby children and babies spilling food all over them and you have trouble!
We asked our Facebook readers for their hints in getting stubborn stains and smells out.
- Soak, soak and soak some more before a good wash, then put it in the sun to dry.
- The trick is to rinse it as soon as you can, don’t leave food to soak through.
- Throwing ruined clothes away and then just buying fresh ones may not work for most of us, but in warm weather it's possible to strip your child down to just a nappy at meal times- especially if it's just before bath time!
- Stain pen works brilliantly - if marks such as pen get onto furnishings, spray it on then wipe with a damp cloth.
- If you don't like using chemicals on your child's clothes, try eucalyptus oil. Tea tree and eucalyptus washing powder is also great.
- You can add a couple of drops of white vinegar in a spray bottle to clean surfaces and bathroom stains.
- Fabric soaps can work well - dampen the stained area as soon as stain appears, rub the soap on then rinse and wash as normal.
- You can make your own paste with bicarb soda - just rub it into the stain.
- Dishwashing liquid applied straight to the stain with some water can work well - scrub the area with a nail brush. Works great on oil stains too!
- If a child has an "accident" on a lounge or mattress, try using a pet stain/odour remover on the area first. Use as directed, then blot with a clean towel and let it air dry.
- If you'd like to freshen up a comforter or blanket, fill your bathtub with warm water and ½ cup of baking soda. Let it soak for a few hours, then wash it as your normally would, adding another ½ cup of baking soda during the rinse cycle.
- Scuff marks on a wooden or tiled floor can often be cleaned away with baby wipes.
- Gumption, is my best friend!
Do you have any handy stain removal tips? Share them with other members on the Essential Kids Forums.
