What to do about ruined baby clothes?

[User36258]

I’m currently pregnant with my first baby. My mum (who has been so amazing and generous about this pregnancy) offered to take the baby clothes we have bought and wash them for us so they’re ready for the arrival of the baby. We gratefully accepted this offer of help.

Unfortunately, due to an unnoticed pen which was in the pocket of some of my dad’s trousers when they were washed, the majority of the clothes have been ruined by the pen exploding and ink leaking everywhere. They are still technically usable, but covered in huge, ugly, black ink stains.

My mum is beside herself and has said she will replace everything. The trouble is, we are talking a couple of hundred pounds at least, and it’s money she doesn’t easily have to hand as she is now retired. She has also already paid for so much - she bought all our nursery furniture for instance and has spend days helping us paint and decorate.

We can’t really afford to replace the clothes either. But I feel guilty accepting her offer of replacements when it was a total accident, and it’s not easy for her to replace them. So I’m thinking I could just buy some inexpensive basics to replace what has been ruined, knowing that people will likely gift us nice things when the baby is born anyway.

My mum is really pressing us to let her replace the clothes, and I think she might feel less guilty if she did. But I don’t want her to feel guilty, she was doing a nice thing and accidents happen. So should I just insist that it’s fine and she doesn’t need to replace them, or should I accept her offer?

I couldn't accept in that circumstance, although it is lovely of her to offer despite her financial situation. I would possibly try to get the stains out or if not just use them anyway if you can and like you say get some cheap extras too.

I'd let her buy a couple of bits and make up the rest with basics. As you say you are likely to receive some gifted clothes.

Is there any way a specialist stain removal product would work? Hopefully someone here may know of something?

Let her replace a few special items if she really wants to but not the lot. You are very likely to have had far more than necessary anyway. I do sympathise with her, she must feel awful!

I would accept her replacing the majority of the clothes or the nice outfits at least, purely because the baby wash should have been done alone and not mixed with other people’s clothing.
There are things you can try for removing stains so go with that first, if there’s no luck then replace the worst clothes but not everything as the majority will be stained with poo and sick any way.

They might be too far gone but there’s specific stain removers for pen stains, especially if you don’t mind trying and re-washing a couple of times.

I wouldn’t allow her to replace if money is tight for her - it was an accident and like you say you’ll no doubt get gifted lots of clothes anyway. If she wants to replace then maybe ask her to hold off for now and purchase items in the next size up when needed.

If you can't get the stains out then try ebay or Facebook market place for bundles of clothes. They grow so fast that the clothes are all pretty much brand new even second hand. If she still wants to replace them then maybe go for a trip out together and hunt for some charity shop bargains. That way she will feel less guilty and you will have had a nice time out together.

You both sound lovely.

If all stain removal attempts don’t work, maybe say she can get a couple of bits but not to replace everything.

Word to the wise, never buy kids stiff you can't afford to replace! They will no doubt ruin it, loose it, shit or piss on it etc!
I would replace between you on a trip to a super market with a good kids section

You buy a few more, she buys a few more, then keep the stained ones as spares

I would just put the baby in them and not worry about it. They'll only fit for 5 minutes anyway.

My mum would be exactly the same OP and I would be the same as you . I would tell her it really doesn’t matter, if she really insists then ask for one specific special outfit from her and then just stock up on vests and babygros. You’re right you’ll be gifted a lot and tbh you don’t need lots of clothes for babies.

Soak in cold milk overnight then rinse with cool water & wash as normal. Or ,soak in washing up bowl of cool water with a dash of washing up liquid & a little white vinegar. Repeat if cold water rinse still leaves a stain. The first one worked best for me. (Old wives tales both of them). Hope you can rescue them.

@Oysterbabe

I would just put the baby in them and not worry about it. They'll only fit for 5 minutes anyway.

Oh good, I was worried I was the only one who wouldn’t really care

Dr beckman do an excellent ink remover.

Milk works on biro.

Otherwise let her buy a couple of cute outfits and get yourselves some packs of babygrows and vests to tide you over the for couple of months. Like you say, people will buy some and she’s bought you the nursery.

I think I'd try a couple of stain removers. Vanish gel & the powder together seems to get most stuff out. If stuff is white I might even try bleach.

Chuck anything at it to try and get the stains out then wash again in a non bio to get the stain remover off.

I'd maybe let mum replace a couple of things that will be seen but wouldn't get excited about baby grows and vests that won't be seen

Another option if stuffs really bad is dye.

Charity shops!? Facebook marketplace? Xx

Could you let her replace them by buying some basic necessities so you've got what you need, but not of the same quality as before? If you think she could afford to do that, it might make her feel better without totally bankrupting her?

Baby clothes get wrecked. They can still be used. I would ask her for a few nice cheap ones for photos and visitors which would ease her conscience.

dye them all black. halloweens round the corner and the puke, milk and shit stains wont show up

If it really is a couple of hundred pounds worth then claim it on your or her home insurance. That’s what it is there for.

Your poor mum - I can imagine she feels awful!

Personally I would just put this down as an unfortunate accident.

Also - this is your first baby so can completely understand how you have spent so much. However, on my first baby - I remember afterwards looking at the piles of unworn, outgrown clothers - that it was such a waste of money.

I would swallow the cost and just buy 6 vests, 6 babygrows, 2 cardigans and 2 hats. You can get some inexpensive but actually nice stuff in supermarkets. People will buy you loads afterwards. If you find there is something else you need - you'll have loads of time afterwards 😊

Were they tumbled or air dried?

I'm kinda in the wouldn't care camp also!

They’ll only fit for five minutes anyway. Just use the stained clothes. No one will care.