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Tips To Remove 3 Common Stains from Kid's Clothing With Natural Ingredients

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The average American household spends approximately 3.8 percent of their yearly income on clothing for the family. If you have kids, you know how quickly a pristine new outfit can become covered in unsightly stains. Instead of reaching for the chemical-laden spot treatments, try these natural ways to eliminate three common kid stains from clothing.

Chewing Gum and Stickers

For many kids, chewing gum and stickers are a fun reward, until they become stuck to their t-shirt or jeans. Luckily, there is a simple, natural way to get the gum or stickers off of clothing without causing damage:

  • Place the garment into a large plastic zippered bag. Make sure the gum or adhesive from the sticker doesn't adhere to the inside of the bag.
  • Next, fill the bag with lemon juice. If the garment is white, you can use white vinegar. For colored garments, avoid white vinegar because it can bleach the garment. Seal the bag and allow it to remain overnight.
  • Pull out the garment and squeeze out the excess liquid. Carefully begin pulling the gum or sticker away from the garment. If you are having trouble removing the gum, try scraping it off with a butter knife.
  • Rinse off the garment with cool water and check for any remaining gum or adhesive. If there is any, carefully pull it off with your fingers or scrape it off with the butter knife.

Once the gum or sticker is gone, wash the garment according to the label's directions.

Blood

Kids and accidents go hand in hand, and chances are you will wind up cleaning some blood stains from their clothing. There is a way to remove all of the stain without the use of chemicals. Here is how:

  • Begin by laying the garment down and isolating the stain. Rinse the affected area with lukewarm water. Create a paste with one-half cup cornstarch and two tablespoons white vinegar. You can add a little more vinegar if necessary.
  • Next, apply a thin layer of the paste directly to the stain. Gently work the paste into the stain with your fingers.
  • Allow the paste to dry completely before scraping it with a butter knife. If there is any remaining paste, wash it away with lukewarm water. If there is any stain left, repeat applying the cornstarch paste.

Get to the blood stain as quickly as possible for the best results, however, this concoction will work effectively for both fresh and older stains, as well.

Crayons

Nothing is more disheartening than pulling your clothing out of the dryer only to find a partially melted crayons mixed in with your garments. It might take a little effort, but it is possible to naturally eliminate all of the melted crayons from the garments.

  • Fill a basin or your kitchen sink with hot water and two tablespoons of all-natural dish detergent. Submerge the clothing in the soapy water and allow it to soak overnight.
  • Fill your washing machine with hot water. Add one-half cup white vinegar, one cup borax and one-half cup all-natural laundry soap. Stir the water before adding the clothing. Run the clothing through all the washing machine's cycles.
  • Remove the clothing and look for any remaining stains. If there are any stains left, repeat soaking the clothing overnight before placing it into a washing machine with the white vinegar, borax and all-natural laundry soap.

From the gum and stickers to blood and crayons, there are several natural alternatives available to get rid of these common kid stains. Remember, whatever kind of stain you encounter, it is important to eliminate the discoloration as quickly as possible. For more help on taking care of clothing, contact services like Love This Life.


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