Between ketchup, grass and everything in between, stain removal is just part of parenting life. The good news is that most common kids’ stains respond well to a few simple household tricks. Here’s your handy guide to tackling 15 common stains so you can get grubby clothes looking good as new.
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A quick safety note before you start: if your child’s clothing is coloured rather than white, never put undiluted bleach or hydrogen peroxide directly onto the fabric — always dilute with water first. If the care label says “no colour change,” the item can usually be safely bleached, but it’s worth testing on a hidden area first.
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Common Stains and How to Remove Them
#1. Grass Stains
Work the stain out with a mix of 50% bleach or hydrogen peroxide and 50% water.
#2. Mud Stains
- Let the stain dry and scrape off the excess.
- Create suds by diluting detergent in water and rub into the stain.
- Lighten any remaining marks with a white vinegar and water mix.
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#3. Blood Stains
Make a mix of 50% bleach or hydrogen peroxide and 50% water, then add half a cup of baking soda. Soak the blood-stained item before washing.
#4. Tree Sap Stains
Remove any excess tree sap, then rub hand sanitiser into the stain. The alcohol in the gel helps break down the sap.
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#5. Dirty Water Stains
Remove dried mucky water stains by soaking the fabric in warm water, then rubbing white vinegar into the stain and washing normally.
#6. Chocolate Stains
Scrape off any excess chocolate, then spray the stain with a mix of 50% bleach or hydrogen peroxide and 50% water before dabbing detergent into the stain.
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#7. Ice Cream Stains
Soak in cold water and rub in detergent with a cloth before washing as normal. A quick tip: don’t pre-wash dairy stains in warm water, as this can set the smell.
#8. Chewing Gum
Gum is so frustrating when it gets stuck to anything! Don’t miss our top tips on how to remove chewing gum from clothes, hair, carpet, car seats and more.
#9. Ketchup or Spaghetti Sauce
Any tomato-based stains can be removed by adding white vinegar to the fabric, then washing as normal.
#10. Fruit Juice
Mix one teaspoon of detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and a quarter cup of water. Blot and soak the stain for half an hour, then wash as normal. Try not to scrub the stain, as this can make it spread.
#11. Paint Stains
After the paint dries, scrape off any excess. Make a solution of detergent and water and dab at the stain. Avoid warm water, as this can set the stain.
#12. Pen Ink Stains
Spray hairspray or rub hand sanitiser into the stain and dab with a cloth before rinsing.
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#13. Face Paint
Rub coconut oil or argan oil into the stain, then rub in a detergent mixed with cool water before washing as normal.
#14. Slime Stains
Scrape off any excess slime. Soak the stain with white vinegar, then rinse with warm water before washing as normal. You might also find our tips for how to get slime off clothes and other surfaces useful.
#15. Chalk Stains
Scrape off any dry chalk and shake the clothing out. Soak the stain in dish soap and leave for a few hours. If it’s stubborn, apply a mix of 50% bleach or hydrogen peroxide with 50% cool water, then machine wash.
More Stain Removal Tips
We love this Ultimate Stain Removal Guide from Muddy Puddles:
Provided by Muddy Puddles
Now all we need is some advice on removing the wine stains for Mum and Dad!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use bleach on coloured kids’ clothes?
Only if it’s well diluted with water, and only if the care label says the fabric can be safely bleached (“no colour change”). Undiluted bleach or hydrogen peroxide can damage or discolour fabric, so always dilute first and test on a hidden area if you’re unsure.
Why shouldn’t I use warm water on some stains?
Warm water can actually set certain stains rather than lift them — this is especially true for dairy stains like ice cream and paint stains. Cold or cool water is usually the safer starting point before washing as normal.
What household items help with most stains?
A few basics go a long way: white vinegar, baking soda, diluted bleach or hydrogen peroxide, regular laundry detergent, and hand sanitiser (handy for sap and ink). Keeping these on hand covers most of the common stains kids bring home.
Should I scrub a fresh stain?
Not usually. Scrubbing can push a stain deeper into the fibres or make it spread. Blotting and gentle dabbing is generally more effective, especially for stains like fruit juice.
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Have your say! Do you have any other tips for removing common stains that have worked for you? Leave a comment below — we’d love to hear from you!
Fancy more household tips like this? Browse our full collection of family life and cleaning hacks for more parent-tested ideas to save you time.
