Washing

[ExcitingTimes2023]

I’ve always struggled getting the stains and marks out of my children’s clothes but generally as they where both under 4 and at nursery they looks grubby 90% of the time anyway so I tried not to stress too much about it.

However my eldest has started school this week and even after a few days I can see the white polo shirts being a problem. Iv been trying vanish recently but pre treating and putting the stuff in the drawer isn’t shifting the stains. Also… why are the stains always orange and brown?? the hardest stains to shift!!

Can anyone share their tried and tested methods to get these stains out. Do I need to save up for a new washing machine, change my detergent, a different stain remover or a different method for using it.

I would also add me and my partner both work full time shift work so time kind methods are also massively welcomed. I try to peg out in the sun where possible but ofcourse winter is approaching and I live in a rather wet part of the country (typical)!

thanks in advance wise mums.

Sorry I have no advice but am interested in tips so commenting for reach!

I personally find vanish works really well!! And I don’t think I do anything different to you? Followed by direct sunlight (may be hard now summer is over…)

@choccychipcookies1988 how are you using the vanish? Even when I throw the stuff straight in the wash the stains aren’t coming out. I’m thinking I need to save for a higher quality washing machine which isn’t ideal. Iv tried pre treating with the vanish. Tonight I’m trying soaking but it’s all very time consuming. X

Oh interesting we do have a brand new washing machine (last year). We also do treat overnight for tough stains. So I guess it is time consuming but I do find it works. Admittedly the sun in summer thing helps any final stubborn bits the next day post wash

What temperature do you wash on ?

I do whites separately, and at a higher temperature.

M&S stain remover wipes in the bag at all times for initial treatment. Mostly that gets it right out. If not dr Beckmann stain remover (meant for upholstery) is amazing and I would also use vanish in the wash sometimes.

Whites separately and at a higher temp - polo shirts are cotton and will be ok at 60 usually.

40 and the longest wash if not.

loads of detergent - a full dose - and a quality detergent - Ariel was my go to - and an extra rinse.

soak in ace beach overnight and add it to the machine as well (I have an old dosing ball I stick it in). I never had any luck with vanish, I prefer Ace.

Old Fashioned scrubbing board (thanks granny) to pre-treat and scrub white socks before the above.

The pink stuff spray. Spray on stains and leave to sit probably overnight and wash.

napisan, leave to soak over night and wash.

Your best tackling stains on white polos on the day it happens

I find vanish hard soap works well.
Soak stain in cold water.
Rub in the hard soap and give it a bit of a scrub.
Wash as normal. Some stains are best washed at lower temperatures.
Ideally, dry in sunlight but it's not always possible.

I find the soap bar stain removers work best. I've used vanish and elbow grease ones.

White polos are a pain, does your school allow another colour? We have a choice of 2 so my children wear the other colour most of the time.

For things that have obviously come on marked - paint or fruit stained etc i soak in a bowl overnight in cold water, this gets most stains out.
For daily use staining like mud and grass stains I do a quick rinse wash - 30 minutes at 30 Deg
Then I look over and use various stain removing methods. I had a soap bar which is probably the best method, a stain removing gel and then powder that goes in the machine.
The best method really is a cold water soak as soon as possible - so much comes out then. As soon as they have been through a 40deg wash even with stain remover I find it so so much harder to get marks out.

@CarpetKnees i usually wash almost everything at 40. Im toying with the idea of a 60 degree wash to see if it salvages anything. They are already ruined so i guess whats the worst that could happen… x

Thanks for the advise everyone. Lots to try. I’m going to try this soap bar thing I think aswell as the vanish powder isn’t doing much for me to be honest. X

Overnight soak in cold water with napisan and bio washing powder. Hot wash for whites. Acceptance that you will need to buy replacement polo shirts at some point in the year, possibly twice if you have one like my DS

I’ve always found vanish very hit or miss. Now I tend to use a bit of washing up liquid and cold water and rub it into the stain, leave for a few minutes before washing, then put it in the sun. I’ve found that a sunny window sill works just as well even if it’s too wet to peg out!

My top tip for keeping school uniform clean is making them change when they get home. And, ideally, put it on after breakfast (although I know this can’t work for everyone’s morning routine). Mine were such spillers that it just worked best to eat as few meals as possible in school uniform

Try rubbing washing up liquid on the stain then vanish

I treat stains with freezing cold water and washing up liquid. If that doesn't work I soak them overnight with washing up liquid, bicarb of soda and detergent. Sometimes you need a small amount of bleach for stubborn stains! Then wash as normal x

Vanish is crap.

Orange brown stains - possibly oily foods on dry clothes try washing liquid yes diah soap neat just on the stain rub it in a little and let it sit for 10mins then wash on the hottest setting. Usually 60 or above. Thats how they did things back in the day a hot boiling wash to remove all atains aaaand kill germs.
Hopefully the polo's are cotton and can stand a proper hot wash.
I add Napisan or Bicarb to help brighten whites in the drawer.

Back in the day people used boiling water. 40 is only giving germs a nice warm baths. 60°c is what kills germs and starts to remove stains. The lables on clothing pee me off. Why make clothing that can not withstand hot washes. Besding and towels say 30° I am like oh hell no those need 60 at minimum

Like @Bogpinkbear I have always relied on Ace for treating stains. It's great for stains of organic origin. Brown /orange sounds like some sort of food stain similar to bolognaise sauce so it might have tomatoes and oil and Ace cleans these.

If they’re white cotton, firstly I’d:

Soak in cold water. I used to have a Napisan bucket at the back door.

End of the week - all white cotton stuff - shock including cloths and towels - mega dose of washing powder/liquid (no pods), double dose of ace and the longest hottest wash possible (should be a 90 or 95 degree wash). Stick it on a bit before bed on a Friday night and feel the washing machine to see when it’s hot. before it rinses, while it’s still in the washing phase.

Then turn the machine off and leave it overnight. Soaking in the hot soapy water.

and restart the hot wash in the morning.

That’s not too intensive in terms of labour and I found it got most stuff out (my kids are now adults the youngest is 26 so I’ve been at this game a long time).

Vanish powder you can dilute with water is the best. I leave anything stained to soak in a bucket for awhile and then wash.

100% agree.

Over the years, between my 6dc, soaking polo shirts overnight has been the only way to remove stains. Always bio washing powder too.

I replace them through the school year.

All whites definitely on 60 degrees. Nothing but whites in the wash. Use powder. I use Aldi, add Napisan to the drawer. Line dry when possible. My whites are always pristine.