Old stains...is There Anything Out There That Will Remove Them?????

Updated on April 29, 2009
N.F. asks from Crown Point, IN
18 answers

I just had my last child and am using hand me downs from my 8 yr old daughter. Some items have stains that I can't get out. Is there anything out there that will remove them? I don't know what the stains are??? Probably spit up?? Breastfed baby poop?? I've tried Zout and Oxiclean, but that's all and the stains haven't budged. Hope someone can help! Thanks a ton for any suggestions.

6 moms found this helpful

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J.W.

answers from Chicago on

What's worked for me is ...
1/2c color safe bleach - poweder
1/2c dishwater detergent - powder
1/2c laundry soap - powder
(they all can be "generic, no name brand needed)

dump those in a 5 gallon bucket, add some hot water, stir it a round some, put whatever clothes in, then let them soak for 12-24hrs.
You can have whites and colors mixed in together and it will not cause any problems.

Put them through the washmaching after .... it's MAJIC! Works on clothes, my girlfriend used it on all her "nice" table clothes that were stained ... I used it on all my pregnancy clothes (got out all those belly stains from the last baby)

So here's the first idea.
good luck

2 moms found this helpful

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J.P.

answers from Chicago on

I use a product called "Restoration" by Engleside. I ordered it on the internet, but I'm not sure of the website offhand. It's fantastic and gets rid of all stains that I've tried to get rid of with other products. It's more expensive than stain stuff at the stores, so I always try that first, but even if it doesn't work and I wash/dry the clothes, the stains will always come out with this stuff!

1 mom found this helpful
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T.O.

answers from Chicago on

I have used lestoil in the past. You can get it at any harware store. It smells very industrial, and you have to rewash your clothes usually twice to get that smell out.
(smells like mechanic's soap). also, use gloves with that!
But... It gets out blood and dried on melted crayon;-)
Works very well for hard stains, best I've used. Also try fels naptha soap. That is available in most gracery stores.
Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.T.

answers from Chicago on

I use a product from Melaleuca called PreSpot stain remover. You should find a Melaleuca distributor. I get mine in ebay since I don't know any distributor. The lady that used to sell it has moved and no longer does the business.

K.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.S.

answers from Chicago on

Hi N.,

Try soaking it with OxoBrite, an environmentally-friendly oxygen bleach that's available at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. You can increase the concentration and soaking time, and I've found that it's really good at getting out organic stains (food, bodily fluids, etc.), especially if you're able to soak it for the maximum time. I wouldn't go beyond the maximum time, though, because it can break down the fibers in the fabric. Wash the clothes right away and do an extra rinse.

Best,
R.

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A.H.

answers from Rockford on

If any of the clothes are white, maybe bleach???

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

Zout and oxyclean are my tricks too for old stains. Did you spray Zout, scrub with a toothbrush and let it sit for a couple of days then add oxyclean with your detergent when you wash it? You may need to keep working at it. I know there were some baby clothes I never could get the stains out of and I just junked or if they were passable kept as nighttime/backups.

M.

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

We always had good luck with the powdered dishwasher soap. (cascaade or the generic of that) put about a cup in a bucket or dishpan, put in warm water and swish around till you get a little bit of bubbles happening. put the clothing in and leave it to soak for a couple hours. then dump the whole thing water and all into your washer. Add more soap and put the washer on the longest running wash you can. and you may need an extra rinse to get all the soap out. but this usually works.

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J.W.

answers from Chicago on

Carbona Stain Devils has many different formulas and every one that I have used has worked exceptionally well. Sometimes, on organic stains like breast milk, hydrogen peroxide helps. It also works pretty well on blood.

Good Luck!

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J.J.

answers from Springfield on

Hi N.,

I use RESOLVE carpet cleaner for EVERYTHING. The carpet, clothes, blood spots, cleaning up after pets and sick children. I've found it works great. If I am questioning a stain then I will use resolve and then add some laundry detergent also. 98% of the time the stain will come out.
Good Luck,

J. J.

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J.S.

answers from Peoria on

I diddo Judy's advice. It really is magic. Let them soak a little bit for really tough stains. I have bleached some color out of some things but I would rather have a crisp clean item to put on my child that has lost some color than to put something on them that has a big blob of something unidentifiable. Good luck. J.

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M.A.

answers from Chicago on

If they are yellowish stains, make a paste of salt and fresh squeezed lemon juice and then put it in bright sunshine.

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S.W.

answers from Chicago on

I do an oxyboil on old, stubborn stains. It usually works, especially on organic food stains. Here is what I do: Fill a big stock pot with water and boil on your stove top. Once the water is boiling hot, remove from stove and place in your sink. Add 1-2 scoops of oxyclean and then add in a couple pieces of clothing. Beware that the oxy will foam up and over your pot, which is why it's in the sink! Stir clothes around and soak in the pot until the foam all disappears, up to an hour. Then take the pot and dump all contents into your washer and wash as normal with a bit of detergent. Dry as normal. Keep lighter colored clothes together, and darker colors together. I have had a red shirt bleed before onto a light shirt and that was unfortunate. The hot water can make the color bleed if it's a bright color, like red!

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S.M.

answers from Chicago on

The best luck I've had is to make a paste out of OxyClean (or generic) with your laundry detergent. Spread it over the stain (put a towel or something between layers of cloth to keep it where the stain is). Let it dry and launder normally. It hasn't failed me yet-even on old stains!

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J.E.

answers from Chicago on

Try a 1.protein remover (milk) from a store like babies r us
2. Stain remover from the pet store for puppy accidents
it's probably stronger.
3. FELS NAPTHA BAR SOAP IS GOOD FOR NEWER STAINS AND
SOME OLD ONES. BUY IT IN LAUN.SECT.BIG STORES.

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

I have used a product called "goof off" and had success with it. You can pick it up in the hardware department at the box stores.
I have also used a brake cleaner (automotive) on stains before that works pretty well too.
Both of these smell (fumes), so be careful with your kids!!
Good luck!

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M.C.

answers from Chicago on

Hey Nikki,

Just wanted to let you know that I have used sa8. It is a prewash and stain treatment with enzymes. It has kept the boys clothes practically stain free.

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