Teach me to be a grown up re clothes care

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Have just discovered a stain hasn’t come out of a lovely new hoodie of DDs. I’ve always felt like stain removal is a kind of adulting that’s beyond me. Time to grow up, can you help? I use vanish powder in most kid clothes washes but most of their clothes have some level of stains tbh. Last night was a kind of ramen, splashes of soya saucey soup, I thought that would come out since I put it straight in but was it maybe a grease stain from the oil in the dish? I feel like there are some science rules I need to grasp here.

Yes, I whipped clothing off when my children were little, until they were old enough to learn to use the washing machine. A quick soak (or a longer one, depending on what was appropriate), then into the wash. I washed smaller loads more often, without being silly with fuel/resources. It worked better for me to just have a daily routine about checking clothing and processing any issues, then washing that night. I didn't have lots of money when my children were little so I needed to stay on top of it in order to keep their clothing as nice as possible for as long as possible. They also had some clothing that I/they didn't care so much about so that they could wear those things when they might end up being very messy. As pp said, bibs/napkins depending on age!

Yes, a top to wear over is a good idea. Or pick your DD's clothing colours carefully so that the most commons stains are nicely camouflaged! 😁

Cold water soak and concentrated salt is the best for blood stains

Tomato based stains come out of even white clothes in sunlight - not so helpful this time of year!

Stick a colour catcher in every wash even if you do a separate darks, colours and white wash. It really keeps things new looking and bright.

I washed a white sheet with blood on it (period) 3 times and it's not come out. Tried ace bleach and vanish and a stain soap bar. Any ideas.

My general @rule is to not let things stain in the first place.
What does that mean in practice?
Get the DC to understand that anything like tomato, blackberry or whatever has to be spot washed immediately, and to think about eating a hot dog with lashings of ketchup in their favourite pale coloured hoodie.

Did the stain dry before you washed it? If so it will be harder to remove. Did you wash in cold water? If you did a hot wash it will have set the stain, and the same if you tumble dried it.

I think I would probably just try bleaching the stain a few times.

My mum used to swear that the best thing for blood stains is milk, just soak the stained area in milk for a while then wash out. It DOES work, even on carpets, but you have the issue of milk in the fabric, which if you are not careful smells!

i cut my foot once and bled all over a cream carpet, treated it with cotton wool pads soaked in milk and the stain was gone. I did scrub the carpet afterwards but the smell for a while was rank. So treat this tip with caution! It would be fine I think on something that can be washed.

Oh that’s a great tip, thanks! I’ll definitely use that with items that can be washed.

It was washed at 40 but not dried, started the soak when it came out wet. I’m out just now but will check it when I get back!

My mum taught me to use table salt. It cheap and it removes beer, wine, blood, grease - basically any liquid stains. Stops colours/darks running and sorts out yellowing in whites.

For stains.
Wet the stain with cold water. Rub salt into the stain. Soak in cold water with 4 tablespoons of salt for 1 hour. Put it in the washing machine straight after while still wet. For really stubborn stains that have been left a while you may have to repeat a second time. Very rarely my mum would use Vanish Soap or Dr Beckmans stain devil.

For Yellowing Whites.
Soak in boiling water with 4 tablespoons of salt for 30 minutes. Put in washing machine straight after while still wet. Items with sweat stains would also have

For Colours/Darks that Run/Fade.
Add 4 tablespoons of salt directly to the washing machine drum.

Smelly Clothes from Sweat/Ciggy Smoke or Musty from storage/wardrobe.
Soak in boiling water with 4 tablespoons of baking soda before washing.

Also turn everything inside out before putting it in the washing machine. It reduces bobbling, reduces damage/fading on prints, reduces colour fading, reduces damage to buttons/ribbons/sequins/beads and any other decorative bits on clothes.

An very important reminder - don't forget to clean your washing machine. I know it's a shit job we hate. Quick wipe of the door seal, empty the lint trap and clean the detergent drawer regular too. Leave the door/drawer open if you can. Once a month run a high temp service/clean wash and add some soda crystals to the drawer/drum because modern low temp quick washes cause bacteria build up.

Im a messy eater and my youngest takes after me. Have you tried seeing if the 7yr old will wear a painting apron as they have sleeves or if you don't have one try an old shirt worn backwards with the cut sleeves to right length. This worked for us.

I’m pleased to report that after using washing up liquid and re washing 2 more times, most of the marks are gone, it looks waaay better so thank you all!

So I will definitely look out for some Dr Beckmanns and try out some of these other tips, thanks wummin.

Tips for getting grass stains out of white clothes?

Just found Dr Beckmann's website - what a treasure he is!

What about a child's apron for dd to wear whilst eating?

All you need is a product called Ace, comes in a tall turquoise green bottle in most supermarkets around £2 or so. Takes care of 99% stains.
Pour some Ace on stain(s), put the garment in the wash machine and wash as normal.
It works on grease, food, blood, mud etc

Wet the stain then sprinkle some salt ( table salt) on it then leave for a good hour before washing. If the stain hasn't gone use vanish or Ace on it. Don't put it in the wash until you're happy that the stain is gone as that will set it.
HTH

@VoluptuaSneezelips

I see you beat me to it!

Thankyou weleasewoderick23. Just checked the clothes now and thought I'd gone blind, the stain has completely gone. Amazing!

@Pr1mr0se

That's brilliant! I'm so glad I could help.