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How to Get Formula Stains Out of Baby Clothes

Feeding a baby gets messy… fast! Formula seems to make its way everywhere, sometimes even ceilings, so learning how to remove baby formula stains from clothing is knowledge that won’t go to waste. But before you throw that onesie or bib in the wash, review the instructions and tips below on how to get formula stains out and keep your baby clothes fresh, soft, and clean in the process.

How to Remove Baby Formula Stains

Mealtime stains don’t have to be a laundry disaster for parents. If you’re wondering how to remove formula stains from baby clothes, Dreft’s got you covered.

Dreft® Stage 1: Newborn Detergent is a gentle detergent that’s tough on all the stains your newborn baby’s clothes collect but gentle enough to protect sensitive baby skin. Dreft baby detergent is EPA Safer Choice certified, which means its safe ingredients reduce pollution, are easier on your baby’s skin, and still fight tough stains.

Always consult the care label on the garment before washing. Once you have, read this easy-to-follow guide on how to remove tough stains with tips from start-to-finish on getting the laundry done with ease.

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Step 1 - Pretreat

Using a clean bucket, sink, or bowl, create a soaking solution by adding 1 ounce or 1.5 tablespoons of Dreft per gallon of warm water. Allow the stained clothes to soak for up to 30 minutes, keeping them submerged with a white towel.

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Step 2 – Dose

Using the detergent cap, measure the correct amount of Dreft detergent. Pour it into the dispenser or directly in the drum.

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Step 3 – Load & Wash

Place the clothes in your washing machine and select the appropriate cycle. Remember that some baby clothes are delicate and prone to shrinking, so it’s important to use cold water and a “Delicate” or “Hand Wash” cycle if your machine has one.

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Step 4 – Unload

Check the garment once the cycle completes to ensure the stain is gone. If it is still there, repeat the steps until it is gone. Drying the garment before the stain is completely removed can set it, making it even more difficult or impossible to remove.

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Step 5 – Dry

For baby clothes, it’s best to either tumble dry without heat or air dry to avoid shrinkage or damage to the soft fabric.

How to Remove Old Baby Formula Stains

Whether it’s a stain you accidentally missed or an old stain on a hand-me-down item of baby clothing, it can seem impossible to remove set-in formula stains on baby clothes. The good news is that with Dreft, no stain is truly permanent. Follow these simple steps on how to remove old baby formula stains with ease.

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Step 1 - Pretreat

Using Dreft Laundry Stain Remover , spray directly onto stain, soaking fabric. Rub in. Wait 3-5 minutes. Then wash with detergent in warmest water that fabric will accept.

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Step 2 – Dose

Using the detergent cap, measure the correct amount of Dreft detergent. Pour it into the dispenser or directly in the drum.

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Step 3 – Load & Wash

Place the clothes in your washing machine without rinsing the pre-treatment solution and select the appropriate cycle. Remember that some baby clothes are delicate and prone to shrinking, so it’s important to wash in cold water using the “Delicate” or “Hand Wash” cycle if your machine has one.

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Step 4 – Unload

Check the garment once the cycle completes to ensure the stain is gone. If it is still there, repeat the steps until it is gone. Drying the garment before the stain is completely removed can make it even more difficult to remove.

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Step 5 – Dry

For baby clothes, it’s best to either tumble dry without heat or air dry to avoid shrinkage or damage to the soft fabric.

Dreft liquid detergent for getting food stains out of baby clothes on top of a washing machine

How Do you Get Formula Stain Out of Carpet.

When it comes to how to remove a formula stain from carpet, things can get a little tricky. Care should be taken to treat the problem spot quickly and prevent liquids from soaking into carpet pads where the smell can linger.

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Step 1

Using white paper towels, sop up as much of the formula as you can from the carpet, carefully blotting to remove and not scrubbing it deeper into the fibers and carpet pad.

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Step 2

Rinse the area with cold water without fully saturating the carpet and pad below. Carefully remove any excess water.

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Step 3

Spray Dreft Stain Remover onto the stain area and work inward until completely treated. Spilled liquids tend to spread, so taking this step to surround the stain will ensure you get the whole thing.

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Step 4

Allow the cleaner to dry naturally (or with the help of a fan) and then vacuum.

Carpet can also be tricky due to dyes and different pile heights. Care must be taken for darker carpeting as certain cleaning solutions may cause some of the colors to bleach or fade. If you’re unsure, it’s best to spot check your cleaner in an inconspicuous area of your carpet to see if any discoloration or fading occurs.

Conversely, using a dyed cloth or paper towel to clean formula from lighter carpets can transfer dye from the cloth into the carpet itself, so it’s always recommended you use white paper towels or cloths for cleaning.

Baby Formula Stain Removal Tips

Keep in mind that you may have a bunch of natural stain-busters around the house that can also help troubleshoot tough stains.

  • Dish Soap

  • Vinegar

  • Baking Soda

  • Lemon Juice

If you’re looking for a natural way to remove old stains from clothes, there are a few things you can try, but natural sunlight is one of our favorite tricks!

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Step 1

Rinse the garment under warm water, getting it completely saturated, then treat with regular lemon juice. No scrubbing is needed.

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Step 2

Place the garment in strong, direct sunlight with the stained area facing the sun.* Place the garment outside on a drying rack, if possible, to get the maximum benefit of the sunlight.

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Step 3

Check the garment repeatedly over the next few hours to ensure it stays in direct sunlight.

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Step 4

After a few hours, the stain should be gone. The garment will likely be stiff from the lemon juice, so run through the wash using Dreft Detergent to fully clean and soften the garment.

*This trick seems to work better in hotter climates, but it’s worth a shot on any sunny day. This method works for set-in poop stains as well.

While baby formula may not be the messiest thing new parents have to deal with, it can create tough stains nonetheless. By taking some extra time to treat stained baby clothes with Dreft® Stain Remover and washing in a gentle Dreft Detergent, not only will you be able to remove baby formula stains, but you’ll extend the life of your favorite baby clothes for years to come.

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