Best Stain Remover for Baby Clothes
Between the spit-up and leaky diapers that are all part of the new baby experience, you may be wondering what is the best stain remover for baby clothes.
After all, if you have a little one at home, then you know how hard it can be to keep their clothes looking cute and stain-free.
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Fortunately, there are a few options to choose from.
Before you reach for the strongest stain remover you can find, take a look at these baby safe stain removers.
They’ll keep your baby’s clothes looking fresh without any of the harsh chemicals that are commonly found in traditional laundry products.
Why should I consider a stain remover for baby clothes that is non-toxic?
There are several reasons why you might want to use a non-toxic stain remover instead of a traditional one.
For starters, non-toxic options are safer for your little one. Conventional stain removers often contain potentially harmful ingredients that are linked to endocrine disruption and respiratory problems.
They can also be much harsher on a baby’s sensitive skin, especially if they are prone to eczema breakouts.
Non-toxic stain removers also tend to be more eco-friendly options.
What to look for
As you start shopping around for a baby-safe stain remover, here are some factors to keep in mind:
First and foremost, you want to make sure it is indeed non-toxic. Look for something that is plant-based, hypoallergenic, and free from potentially harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrances.
You’ll want to steer clear of parabens, phthalates, brighteners, dyes, etc.
You’ll also want to make sure that the stain remover actually works.
A lot of times, non-toxic products get a bad rap for being ineffective. However, there are plenty of great options out there that work just as well, if not better than, traditional stain removers.
Be sure to read the product’s instructions. Sometimes all it needs is a good soak in order to remove tough stains.
Finally, consider the product’s EWG grade. We prefer an “A” rating but will settle for a “B” if necessary.
The best baby safe stain removers
After doing quite a bit of our own research, we’ve found several baby-safe stain removers that we feel confident recommending.
1. Dapple Baby Stain Remover for Baby Clothes
The first one is the Dapple Baby Stain Remover. It’s a plant-based spray that is perfect for removing diaper stains, spit-up, formula, and more. And, it’s free of any fragrance, which is excellent.
We are quite impressed with its ability to remove fresh stains. All you need to do is spray it on the stain and then toss into the wash as you normally would.
This hypoallergenic formula has a “B” EWG rating and contains no parabens, phthalates, or synthetic dyes.
So while we normally prefer an “A” EWG rating, it’s still a better choice than your traditional chemical-laden stain removers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Zero scent | Best for fresh stains |
| Hypoallergenic | |
| Plant-based | |
| Not tested on animals |
2. ATTITUDE Laundry Stain Remover for Baby Clothes
Next, the ATTITUDE Laundry Stain Remover for baby clothes is an awesome product that works really well on baby stains.
This biodegradable formula is made with only plant and mineral-based ingredients that are hypoallergenic. It’s also fragrance-free and has no irritants to harm your baby.
It’s also vegan friendly and has never been tested on animals.
All you will need to do is spray directly onto the stain, wait 1-5 minutes (wait for the full 5 if the stain is bad), and then toss it into the wash as you normally would.
This product works very well on blueberry stains, grass stains, and milk stains too.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Vegan and cruelty-free | Works better on food stains than poop stains |
| Not tested on animals | |
| Only plant-based and mineral-based hypoallergenic ingredients | |
| Biodegradable | |
| “A” EWG rating |
3. Arm & Hammer Natural Detergent Booster
The Arm & Hammer Natural Detergent Booster is a powder product with only two ingredients – sodium carbonate and water.
It may seem very basic, but it’s actually quite effective for stubborn stains and odors.
To use, simply make a paste and add it to the stain or sprinkle some in your regular wash to give it a boost.
You may also use washing soda around the house just as you would use baking soda.
Best of all, this product is rated “A” by the EWG, which makes it a pretty awesome baby-safe stain remover.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One main ingredient (other than water) | The package is not convenient to use |
| Rated “A” on EWG | |
| Can also be used around the house |
4. Grab Green Natural Bleach Alternative Pods
If it’s whiter whites you crave, then these Grab Green Natural Bleach Alternative Pods are an excellent bleach-free option.
The pods are made without chlorine, phosphates, optical brighteners, and dyes. Instead, they utilize mineral-based ingredients that are naturally derived.
You also won’t have to worry about exposing your baby’s delicate skin to any synthetic fragrances as these are fragrance-free.
For tough stains, use with hot or warm water (although they will work with all water temperatures) and soak before washing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Bleach-free | They look like candy to toddlers (Have to be extra diligent about storing them in a safe spot) |
| Not tested on animals | |
| Works in all machines | |
| Single-use pods | |
| Rated “A” on EWG |
5. Babyganics Stain Eraser Marker
The Babyganics Stain Eraser is made with plant-derived ingredients and was designed for removing common baby stains.
The formula does not contain ammonia, bleach, phosphates, phthalates, sulfates, fragrance, or dye. This is a skin-friendly and allergy-friendly alternative to mainstream stain removers.
This product also comes in a spray version called Babyganics Stain & Odor Remover. They may look very similar, but it’s worth pointing out that this spray version has a “C” rating from the EWG.
The eraser marker, on the other hand, has an “A” rating at the time of writing this.
As far as how to use the stain eraser marker, it’s very simple! Press the tip of the applicator on your clothes where the stain is and rub in a circular motion before throwing them into the washer.
Watch the stains disappear!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Plant-derived ingredients | The cloth cover over the scrubber may fall off easily |
| Cruelty-free | |
| No ammonia, bleach, phosphates, phthalates, sulfates, fragrance, or dye | |
| Can be used on furniture and carpets too | |
| Rated “A” on EWG |
6. Ecos OxoBrite Laundry Brightener
The Ecos OxoBrite Laundry Brightener is a stain remover that has multiple purposes and is created by an environmentally aware company.
All of the Ecos products are made in the United States and use sustainable ingredients and carbon and water neutral facilities. All of their factories are powered by renewable materials.
If you were hoping to find an alternative to bleach, give it a try. It’s also a fragrance-free and chlorine-free product. The EWG gave this an A rating.
It’s also multi-purpose! You may use this stain remover on grout, tile, and carpet too if you need to.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Multi-purpose | Not as powerful as bleach |
| Made with 3 ingredients | |
| Fragrance-free | |
| Chlorine-free | |
| Rated “A” on EWG |
How to wash baby clothes and remove stains
If you want your baby’s clothes to look great and smell awesome, you will need to master the art of baby laundry right away.
Here are some tips for you to help you wash and remove stains from baby clothes.
Wash clothes before wearing
You should always wash anything that touches your baby’s skin with fresh detergent after you get them from a friend or from the store.
Babies have sensitive skin and some of the products that are used on clothing to make them look great in-store can irritate their skin. Wash all materials before your baby arrives to keep baby skin from getting irritated.
Use a good detergent
You may want to use a non-toxic baby detergent that is targeted for washing baby clothes. Dye-free and scent-free detergent can help minimize the risk of allergies.
Do laundry often
Babies go through a lot of clothing daily. There will be endless outfit changes and many burp cloths that are soiled.
You’ll want to have plenty of clean baby clothes on hand to make sure you can keep up with the changes.
Pre-treat stains
Pre-treating stains can help you keep baby clothes looking new and fresh.
Baby poop and baby food can be difficult to remove but taking the time to treat a stain before starting the washing machine cycle could help you save those baby clothes.
If your clothes have been washed and dried, you can use a spray-on stain treatment to handle the stain.
You can also try to soak the stained fabric in water and laundry soap for a while before throwing it into the washing machine.
Use sunlight
Did you know that sunlight is a natural whitener? It is the most natural stain remover out there, and it’s free too.
This is a very effective method for poop stains and milk stains.
Try washing your clothes in regular detergent and warm water and then let the clothes dry in the sunshine. In about 2 hours or so, your clothes should be stain-free.
You can hang the clothes so that the stain faces the sunlight or lay the fabric out flat to dry.
Some colors could fade in the sun, so avoid using this method on very dark colors.
It’s important to choose a safe and effective stain remover for your baby’s clothes.
We have provided a list of the best non-toxic stain removers for baby clothes for you to choose from, so you can keep your little one safe.
If you are having trouble removing a particular type of stain, try using one of the stain removers we have suggested. Sunlight, vinegar, and baking soda are also great natural ways to remove stains.
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