Baby Formula

Run fabric, inside out, under cold water to flush out as much of the formula as possible. You can use baking soda to neutralize the acid from baby’s spit up as well, preventing yellowing stains.

Deodorant

If the deodorant has been sitting for a while, you should apply diluted white vinegar to the affected area, allowing it to sit for approximately half an hour. Rinse vinegar from the fabric and apply prewash stain treatment. Launder in the hottest water the fabric allows.

Coffee & Tea

Soak in warm or cold water immediately. Brush area with a paste of baking soda and water. For a tough stain, spot treat with borax or vinegar after soaking.

Chocolate

Soak in lukewarm water. Brush area vigorously with a paste of baking soda and hot water. For a tough stain, spot treat with borax or vinegar to remove any remaining chocolate.

Gravy

Spoon the excess off as fast as you can. Sprinkle the area with artificial sweetener or flour over the stained area to absorb the grease. Soak in a mixture of mild detergent and lukewarm water for at least 20 minutes.

Grass

Soak the stain for a short time in a solution of diluted white vinegar. For tough stains, buy digestive enzymes for humans at your local health food store or pharmacy. Use the powder or pulverized pills to make a paste with water. Spread the paste onto the stain and allow it to sit for an hour before laundering as usual.

Dirt

Scrape off excess dirt and pre-treat affected areas with detergent. Wash in cold, and then warm water. For clay or other ‘red’ dirt that contains iron, try rubbing in dishwashing detergent and soaking overnight.

Mildew

Use an Oxygen-based bleach to remove mildew easily. Soak in a solution of hot water and oxygen bleach before washing as usual. For a natural alternative, soak overnight in lemon juice or salty water, launder as usual, and dry in the sun.

Lipstick

Lipstick can generally be removed from washable clothing by using isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Use two hand towels; put one down and place the lipstick stain face down on it. Dab the back of the stain with the other towel, after dipping in alcohol. Repeat until the stain is gone.

Ketchup

Run fabric, inside out, under cold water to flush out as much of the ketchup as possible. Apply liquid laundry detergent to stained area and let it soak in cold water for 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water and sponge the affected area with white vinegar. Finally, pretreat the stain and launder the item on the hottest water allowed by the fabric.