How to Remove Baby Formula Stains

Whether you spill some baby formula on yourself making that 2 a.m. bottle, or the baby spits up after a feeding, baby formula stains can be difficult to remove. But before you throw out your clothes (or the baby's), try these tips to get rid of baby formula stains. Common household products make great baby formula stain removers and will save you money and grief.

Meat Tenderizer
Since a biological stain like baby formula spit up has a protein base, the proteins need to be broken down before the stain can release. Meat tenderizer does this well, thus making a great baby formula stain remover. Mix some powdered meat tenderizer with water to make a paste and smear it all over the stained area. Let the paste sit for a couple of hours to overnight, rinse off the paste, and launder as normal. Make sure the stain is completely removed before putting it in the dryer so that the stain doesn't set.

Lemon Juice
You can get rid of formula stains from white clothing with the natural bleaching agent of lemon juice. This is a safer, all-natural alternative to chlorine bleach, which is perfect for baby clothes. Dab or spray lemon juice on the stain and let it sit in the sun for a few hours. This will naturally bleach out the stain. When the stain is gone, launder as usual.

Powder Oxygen Cleaner
To get rid of baby formula stains, mix some powdered oxygen cleaner in a bucket of warm water and soak the stained fabric for at least 30 minutes. Wring out the excess and lay it out in the sun, preferably in colder weather, for several hours. Wash the garment as usual. Make sure the stain is completely out before putting it in the dryer, as this will cause the stain to set further.

Laundry Detergent with Color-Safe Bleach
Begin removing baby formula stains by soaking the garment in cold water to break up the stain. Since baby formula is a protein-based stain, warm or hot water will "cook" the protein, causing it to set further. Treat the stain with some laundry detergent containing color-safe bleach mixed with cold water and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Using more of the detergent, launder as usual, making sure the stain is completely removed before drying in the dryer.

This method is best to get rid of baby formula stains on adult clothing, as this type of detergent is harsher and could irritate babies' skin.

Sources:
thriftyfun.com
ehow.com
laundry.about.com