Many new moms struggle with the idea of breast milk stains on their clothes. They are protein-based, so they can be difficult to remove, especially if it has already been set on the clothes. Read this article to find out how to get breast milk out of clothes.

Removing Fresh Breast Milk Stains from Washable Clothes

If the breast milk stain is fresh, this is the process that you need to follow. Check what you need to and the process below. You may also refer to the video below on what to do.

What you need

• Wet wipes
• Coldwater
• Stain remover
• Soft-bristled brush or sponge
• Laundry detergent

Instructions

The first step is to rinse the clothes. It’s essential that you use cold water for this step since using hot water will only help the stain set on the fabric. The best way to do this is by placing the stained area on the cloth under the faucet and letting the water run through the fabric.

Next in this process is choosing a suitable stain remover for your clothes. There are many options to choose from, so make sure to check if it’s compatible with the fabric you’re washing. You can choose from synthetic or natural stain removers, which we will explain below.

The first category is natural stain removers. You can buy some products straight from stores, such as Buncha Farmers Stain Stick. You may also use hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice as they are excellent natural stain removers.

On the other hand, you may choose synthetic stain removers made from different chemicals. The most efficient choice is dish soap mixed with water. If you want something that can be directly applied, you may want to check out Biz, Medela Soap, or Oxiclean Baby Stain Remover.

Once you’ve settled on a stain remover, gently apply it to the area using a sponge or a soft-bristled brush. Make sure to scrub it in and cover all of the stained areas. After that, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before washing.

The last thing you need to do is wash it regularly. Put it inside a washing machine and use a suitable laundry detergent. Make sure to use baby-friendly detergents if you’re working on your baby’s clothes. Let it run with cold water and let it air dry after.

Removing Dried Breast Milk Stains from Washable Clothes

Since new moms are busy all the time, most of them cannot work on a stain immediately. That’s why most breast milk stains are left to set on their or their baby’s clothes.

Removing it the same way as fresh stains may be difficult as the stain won’t budge for that treatment. To help you out, here’s a process to remove dried breast milk stains from washable clothes.

What you need

• Oxygen-based bleach
• Coldwater
• Hot water
• Basin
• Laundry detergent

Instructions

To start the process, you need to make a pretreat solution to leave your clothes soaked before washing. You can do this by mixing three tablespoons of oxygen-based bleach with ½ cup of water in a basin that’s big enough to soak your clothes in.

Once it’s mixed well, add 2 ½ cups of cold water to the solution. Using hot water for the process can make it more difficult to remove the stain, but oxygen-based bleach might not mix well with cold water alone. That’s why you need to add more cold water once the bleach is mixed with the hot water.

Now that you’ve created the pretreat solution, it’s now time to add the clothes in. Carefully put the clothes into the basin and ensure that all areas are covered with the solution.

Let it sit for a minimum of one hour or keep it there overnight for better results. Once the pretreatment is done, wring out the clothes one by one and wash them.

After pretreating the clothes in an oxygen-based bleach solution, the last thing you need to do is wash them like you regularly do. Use the suitable laundry detergent for the cloth’s fabric, whether it’s your clothes or your baby’s. Let it run in the washing machine with cold water. Once you’re done, hang it and let it air dry.

Removing Breast Milk Stains from Non-Washable Clothes

There are times when moms need to go to an event with their babies, and nothing else could go worse than having a breast milk stain on your clothes, especially if they are non-washable ones.

The struggle to figure out how to get rid of the stain can be frustrating, but there is no need to fear. We’ve come up with a solution for you, and here is a detailed process on removing breast milk stains from non-washable clothes.

What you need

• Clean white cloth
• Coldwater
• Home dry cleaning kit (optional)

Instructions

Essentially, you cannot overwet this type of clothing, so you need to be careful when handling them. Take a clean white cloth and dip it in cold water.

Wring off any excess water before blotting it to the stained area. Do not rub hard on the fabric, and make sure to do it immediately after spotting a breast milk stain on your clothes.

At this point, you have two options on how to proceed. You can either bring the clothes to a professional dry cleaner or buy a home dry cleaning kit.

If you choose to bring it to a professional dry cleaner, make sure to bring it immediately after using the clothes. Every hour that passes will make it harder to remove the stain. Make sure to point out the stained area to the professional dry cleaners to know how to deal with it.

On the other hand, if you choose to buy and use a home dry cleaning kit, make sure that you follow all instructions in using it.

The kit will come with a stain remover, so make sure to apply that first to the stained area before putting the cloth inside the dryer bag. As long as you follow the steps provided on the kit, you won’t have any problems with it.

Removing Breast Milk Stains from Upholstery and Carpets

Spilling breast milk on upholstery and carpets is more common than you think they are. There’s always a chance that a stain will be set on these materials; that’s why you must know how to deal with it. Learn the process below.

What you need

• White paper towel
• Clean white cloth
• Sponge
• Coldwater
• Dish soap
• Warm water
• Oxygen-based bleach
• Vacuum

Instructions

If breast milk is spilled on upholstery or carpets, make sure to act fast. Get a white paper towel or a clean white cloth and dip it in cold water. Wring out excess water before you blot out the stain from the material. Start from the outer parts of the stain, slowly going to the middle to ensure it doesn’t spread.

Next up, make a cleaning solution with two cups of warm water and a tablespoon of dish soap. Get a sponge or a clean white cloth and apply the solution.

Dip it in the solution and gently rub it into the stained area. If the stain doesn’t transfer to the sponge or cloth anymore, rinse the area by blotting it with a clean white cloth dipped in cold water.

There are times when the stain isn’t entirely removed from the material but do not worry, and there’s a solution. Take two tablespoons of oxygen-based bleach and mix it with three cups of cold water. Like you did before, apply the solution to the stained area using a clean white cloth.

Be careful not to overwet the area since it may damage the material. Once all stain is removed, rinse the area with a clean white cloth and cold water.

After that, blot the area again, but with a clean white cloth only. This is to remove excess water that’s left on the material. Let it air dry and vacuum it after to lift the material’s fibers.

Helpful Tips to Avoid Hard to Remove Breast Milk Stains

Working to remove breast milk stains isn’t easy. That’s why we prepared a few helpful tips. These will help you remove breast milk stains easier and with less hassle. Read them below and hope they make the process easier for you.

Use old clothes or blankets: When nursing your baby, it’s better to have old clothes or a blanket placed below your nursing area to catch all the spills. This way, you can just throw out any old cloth or blanket after using it so that you won’t have to worry about washing it.

Use nursing pads: If you are actively nursing, there are high chances that you’ll experience leaks. For this reason, you need to wear nursing pads. For those who don’t know what nursing pads are, you may check this link for more information.

Use cold water for the process: Whenever you are trying to get rid of protein-based stains, it’s essential to use cold water at most times. Using hot water can help the stain set on the fabric and make it hard to remove.

Rinse it immediately: If breast milk is spilled on your clothes or your baby’s clothes, you should act on it immediately by rinsing the stained area. If you are outside, keep a bag of baby wipes in your bag so that you can blot the stained part of the cloth immediately.

Summary

Trying to remove breast milk stains will need a lot of patience, but it’s all worth it. This article should have been able to tell you how to get breast milk out of clothing and what you will need. You don’t need to worry about this type of stain anymore.