How to Remove Common Kids' Stains from Preloved Clothing

If there's one thing kids are exceptionally good at, it's getting things dirty. Grass knees, Vegemite smears, mystery marks — it comes with the territory. The great news is that most common stains can be tackled at home with a few simple tricks.

Whether you're trying to keep your little one's wardrobe in top shape for passing on, or you've just received some "play condition" clothes from a friend, here's your complete guide to removing the most common kids' stains.

Before You Start — A Few Golden Rules

• Act fast where you can — fresh stains are always easier to remove than set ones. The sooner you treat a stain, the better your chances
• Always check the care label — delicate fabrics like wool, bamboo, or organic cotton need gentler treatment than standard cotton
• Test first — if you're using a new product or method, test on a hidden area of the garment first
• Avoid hot water on protein stains (like milk, blood, or egg) — heat sets them in permanently and makes them much harder to remove
• Dab, don't rub — rubbing spreads the stain and pushes it deeper into the fabric fibres

The Most Common Kids' Stains and How to Remove Them

🍌 Food Stains (Vegemite, Puree, Sauce, Tomato)
Scrape off any excess first, then soak in cold water with a little dish soap for 15–30 minutes. For stubborn marks, apply a paste of bicarb soda and water, leave for 10 minutes, then rinse and wash as normal. For tomato-based stains, white vinegar applied before washing can help lift the colour.

🌿 Grass Stains
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water and apply directly to the stain. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes before scrubbing gently with an old toothbrush. Wash on a warm cycle. For particularly tough grass stains, a little eucalyptus oil works wonders — apply, leave for 10 minutes, then wash as normal.

🩸 Blood Stains
Always use cold water — never hot. Rinse immediately under cold running water, then soak in cold salted water for 30 minutes. A small amount of hydrogen peroxide can help on white or light fabrics — apply, leave for a few minutes, then rinse well. Wash as normal on a cold cycle.

🖊️ Pen and Texta Marks
Dab (don't rub) with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser using a clean cloth. Work from the outside of the stain inward to avoid spreading. For permanent marker, repeat the process a few times before rinsing well and washing as normal. Hairspray can also work in a pinch.

☀️ Sunscreen Stains
Sunscreen can leave a yellow or oily residue that's surprisingly stubborn. Apply a small amount of dish soap directly to the stain and work it in gently with your fingers. Let it sit for 20 minutes before washing on a warm cycle. For set sunscreen stains, a pre-soak in warm water with enzyme-based laundry soaker can help.

🥛 Milk and Formula
Rinse with cold water immediately — never hot. Soak in a mixture of cold water and enzyme-based laundry soaker (like Napisan) for at least 30 minutes. Wash as normal on a cold cycle. If the stain has dried and yellowed, a longer soak (a few hours) in enzyme soaker usually does the trick.

💩 Nappy Leaks
Rinse with cold water first to remove as much as possible, then soak in an enzyme-based soaker like Napisan. These products are specifically designed to break down protein-based stains and work really well on nappy accidents. Wash on a cold cycle and check the stain is fully gone before putting in the dryer — heat will set any remaining stain.

🎨 Paint (Washable)
Rinse immediately under cold running water while the paint is still wet. Most washable kids' paints will come out easily at this stage. If the paint has dried, soak in warm water to soften before washing. For acrylic paint, rubbing alcohol can help dissolve dried paint before washing.

🍫 Chocolate
Let it dry first — trying to remove wet chocolate often spreads it further. Once dry, scrape off the excess, then soak in cold water with dish soap for 20–30 minutes. An enzyme-based soaker works well for stubborn chocolate stains. Wash on a cold cycle.

Keeping Preloved Clothes in Great Condition

Once the stain is out, a few simple habits will keep your preloved pieces looking their best — and ready to pass on to the next family:

• Wash darks inside out to preserve colour and prevent fading
• Air dry where possible — the dryer can fade and shrink fabrics over time, especially organic cotton and bamboo
• Store clean and dry to prevent mildew or yellowing
• Treat stains promptly — don't let them sit through a full wash cycle untreated
• Use a gentle, fragrance-free detergent for delicate fabrics and baby clothing

Pass It On

One of the best things about preloved clothing is the cycle of care. When you look after the pieces you buy, you're keeping them in great shape to pass on to the next family — and that's what the preloved community is all about.

At Daisy Chain Clothing, we carefully hand-check every item before it goes up for sale, so you can trust what you're buying. Browse our latest preloved arrivals and give beautiful clothes a new home. 🌿

🌿 Looking for quality preloved baby and kids' clothing?
Every item in our preloved collection is carefully hand-checked before listing — so you know exactly what you're getting. Hand-checked, fairly priced, and shipped Australia-wide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get grass stains out of kids' clothes?
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water and apply directly to the grass stain. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then scrub gently with an old toothbrush and wash on a warm cycle. For tough stains, eucalyptus oil applied before washing works particularly well.

How do you remove Vegemite stains from clothing?
Scrape off any excess, then soak in cold water with a little dish soap for 15–30 minutes. For stubborn marks, apply a paste of bicarb soda and water, leave for 10 minutes, then rinse and wash as normal.

How do you get blood out of kids' clothes?
Always use cold water — never hot, as heat sets blood stains permanently. Rinse immediately under cold running water, then soak in cold salted water for 30 minutes. A small amount of hydrogen peroxide can help on white or light fabrics. Wash on a cold cycle.

What's the best stain remover for kids' clothes in Australia?
Napisan (enzyme-based soaker) is one of the most effective and widely available stain removers for kids' clothes in Australia — particularly for protein-based stains like milk, formula, and nappy accidents. For general stains, a combination of dish soap, bicarb soda, and white vinegar covers most situations without harsh chemicals.

How do you keep preloved baby clothes in good condition?
Wash on cold or warm cycles (not hot), air dry where possible, wash darks inside out, treat stains promptly before washing, and store clean and dry. Well-cared-for preloved clothing can last through multiple children — which is exactly what makes buying and selling preloved such a smart, sustainable choice.