How to Get Rid of Baby Milk Spots

Milk can stain garments or linens.

Milk used to feed a baby, whether breast milk or formula, can easily stain a baby's clothes, your clothes, blankets or any other fabric. Breast milk spots can even appear after you have already washed a garment because they take longer to set and you may not have noticed them before putting a stained item into the wash, meaning you didn't have the chance to treat the stain first. Milk spots can be removed, however, without resorting to harsh chemicals that can later come into contact with your newborn.

Things You'll Need

• Oxygen bleach
• Clean cloth
• Laundry detergent
• Lemon juice
• Garment brush
• Soft-bristled scrub brush
• Baking soda
• Club soda

Instructions

Breast Milk

1. Put the stained item into the washing machine. Add a scoop of oxygen bleach, as much as is directed on the package label. Wash the stained clothing on a regular cold water cycle.

2. Hang the item out to dry in direct sunlight.

3. Check the item to make sure any yellowing from the milk stains is gone. If the stain is still present, dampen a clean cloth with lemon juice. Dab at the stain with the lemon juice. Hang the item out to dry in the sun once more. Wash the garment on a regular cycle with your normal laundry detergent, then machine- or line-dry.

Formula Stains

1. Brush off any dried formula with a garment brush or a soft-bristled scrub brush. Shake the garment over a trash can or sink to catch any loose flakes.

2. Pour baking soda onto the stained area of the garment until it completely covers the stain. Slowly begin pouring club soda onto the stained area.

3. Continue pouring club soda over the stain until the baking soda stops bubbling. When the bubbling stops, wash the garment on a regular cold water cycle with your usual laundry detergent.

4. Air-dry the garment--the heat from the dryer may set any remaining stains. Check the garment for any remaining stains. If the stain is still visible, repeat the process.

References

• Pollywog: How to Remove Baby Spit-Up Stains
• Oh Dee Doh: How to Remove Breast Milk Stains