How to Remove Yellow Stains From Baby Clothes

Clothes stored for a long time may develop yellow stains.

Baby clothes, if kept in storage for long periods of time, may develop mysterious yellow stains that conventional washing methods fail to remove. These stains are the result of dirt and residue oxidizing over time. For instance, if you place clothing in storage with even faint traces of impurities, these faint traces will gradually transform into bright yellow stains. In order to get rid of these stains, you must go beyond your conventional cleaning methods.

Things You'll Need

• Oxygen cleaner
• Sponge
• Laundry detergent
• Bleach
• Vinegar
• Hydrogen peroxide

Instructions

1. Apply an oxygen cleaner to the stains. Purchase a product like Clorox Oxy Magic, OxiClean, Oxy-Boost or Stain Solver, and mix the powder with water, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Spray or dab the solution over each yellow stain.

2. Work the oxygen solution into the stain. Use a soft cloth, sponge or soft-bristled brush to press the solution into the fibers, and allow the liquid to set for approximately fifteen to thirty minutes. Read the label on your selected product for specific instructions.

3. Place the stained clothing in a washing machine. Add a cup of laundry detergent and a cup of bleach. Use oxygen bleach for colored clothes, or chlorine bleach for whites. You can also use your oxygen cleaner. Wash the baby clothing uses the hottest available setting.

4. Dry your clothing using a dryer or natural sunlight. At this point, none of the yellow stains should appear on your baby clothes. If stains are still visible, try a second batch of oxygen cleaner. If the second application fails to fully remove the stains, try soaking the garments in household vinegar for ten minutes before washing. Avoid excessive bleaching, as it may discolor or ruin the garments.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wash your baby clothes before placing them in storage. This will help to prevent further yellow staining in the future.

• If you want to clean white fabrics using a more ecological friendly alternative to chlorine bleach, use hydrogen peroxide.

• If pre-soaking your baby clothing in vinegar, do not use bleach in your wash. Bleach and vinegar will react negatively with one another and create dangerous fumes.

References

• "Good Housekeeping"; Removing Yellow Stains from White Clothes; Heloise
• "Victoria Packing Corporation"; Stain Removal Information Center