Poop happens, and sometimes it can’t be contained in a diaper, even if you change it straight away.
So something every parent needs to know is how to remove a poop stain from your baby’s clothes.
If you act quickly, use a stain remover and wash the item in your washing machine, there’s a good chance the stain will come out.
But what temperature should you wash the clothes in?
How should the item dry?
And will using vinegar or baking soda help remove the stain?
Let’s see.
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Removing Poop Stains From Baby Clothes (Step By Step Guide)
At some point every parent will have the unfortunate job of dealing with a major blowout, especially if you’re using pull-up diapers.
For some babies, these explosions are more common than others, but if you follow the steps below once you’ve changed your baby into a fresh diaper you should hopefully be able to remove the stain.
Act Quickly
The longer you leave the garment before cleaning, the more the stain will set.
So to improve your chances or removing the stain from your favorite organic clothing, you should act as quickly as possible.
If you’re busy or out and about, try to rinse the poop off in cold water immediately and follow the other steps later.
Remove The Poop
Wipe off any poop.
If you don’t have a cloth wiper spray, then try using baby wipes to wipe off as much as you can.
Rinse In Cold Water
Once you’ve removed as much of the offending article as you can, rinse the garment in cold water.
A good tip is to rinse from the opposite side of the fabric, as this may help prevent the stain from going deeper.
Use A Stain Remover
The next step is to apply some stain remover directly onto the clothing.
Scrub the stained area with a stain remover, using either a scrub brush or an old toothbrush.
Then then let the item sit for 10 – 15 minutes before moving on.
Machine Wash
After applying stain remover, wash the clothing on a warm setting in your washing machine using a baby-friendly detergent.
Dry Naturally
It’s best to dry the clothing naturally, and ideally in the sun if possible.
Are you wondering why you shouldn’t use a dryer, even on a low heat setting?
Because if you haven’t removed all the stain, then the heat from a dryer will set in the stain and make it harder to remove.
What If the Stain Still Hasn’t Come Out?
It can sometimes take several goes attempts before the stain comes out.
So if you find the stain hasn’t been removed on your first go, you should repeat all the steps again until necessary.
Do Poop Stains Come Out In The Wash?
If you act quickly then there’s a good chance you can remove the stain.
However, lighter colors are obviously more difficult to treat, with white being the most challenging.
Hot Or Cold Water
You should use a mix of both cold and warm water to remove poop stains.
Once you’ve removed the poop, rinse the item in cold water.
Then, after scrubbing with a stain remover, wash the clothing on a warm setting.
What about hot water?
Hot water can set the stain, so it’s best to only wash at the maximum temperature listed on the care label.
Related: The Complete Guide To Buying & Caring For Baby Clothes
Will Vinegar Remove Poop Stains?
If you’re looking for a DIY baby poop stain remover then you can try using vinegar.
To do so, try mixing equal parts white wine vinegar and water.
Then spray the solution onto the stain and leave to settle, before machine washing.
Will Baking Soda Remove Poop Stains?
Another DIY baby poop stain remover that’s commonly found in the kitchen is baking soda.
To use the baking soda method, mix equal parts baking soda and warm water.
Then pour the solution onto the stain and leave to settle, before machine washing.
How To Stop Diapers Leaking
The best way to stop a diaper from leaking is to ensure the fit is correct.
Here’s a quick guide to help check your baby’s diaper fits correctly:
- The diaper closes easily without having to pull the tabs too tightly.
- The waistband and thigh cuffs appears snug, with no gaps around the edges, but with enough room for you to fit one or two fingers underneath.
- Your baby’s bottom and belly button are covered.
- There are no red marks around your baby’s legs or waist.