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Have you ever wondered how to remove set in stains? A mom of 4 boys explains a simple method to remove grass stains, chocolate and other stubborn stains. You will be glad you read this method! Banish stains forever!
I have 4 boys. Four rambunctious, athletic, messy, sloppy, no holds bar, pedal to the metal boys. To say I have stains—understatement of the year. But yet my kids wear white baseball knickers. I have a white couch and white chairs. WHY? Because I know the secret to removing stains. I know how to remove stubborn stains, stains that are set in. I know the trick to getting grass stain out of whites. Like these baseball pants. Washed and dried one day in a hurry.
You can see the dirt and the grass stains that didn’t come out during the wash. Naturally, my son needed those pants in a few hours, so in the dryer they went—stains and all. Yep, I did what my mother told me NEVER to do. Never EVER put stained clothes into the dryer. Perhaps my mom was more organized than I am and had our clothes clean and sparkling well before the event they were needed at (no perhaps about it—she did). Either way, invention is the mother of necessity? I figured out a way to get these stubborn stains out. Today I’m showing you the best way to remove grass stains and other dirt stains as well (I’ve used this trick for chocolate stains successfully!). So let’s get started!
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Here is the before picture. This is a pair worn by my 4th son. Which means they are on the third user (#1 didn’t play baseball). Check out those set in stains, in all their glory.
Mmmmmm, grass stains. The nemesis of many baseball moms.
Don’t forget the dirt (sadly, I wish I would have taken a pic before I even washed and dried them)
How to remove set in grass stains and other stains on whites:
- Step 1. Spray the stains with Shout Advanced Heavy Duty. I saturate the set in stains well and then let them sit for about 1-2 hours.
Cover those stains well, and then sit back and let the Shout do it’s magic.
- Step 2: Make a paste with Oxiclean powder (I use the free and clear kind). Just a tiny bit of water is all that is needed. Cover the stains with the paste. The Shout should have soaked in and dried, and the paste just goes on top. I use an old pudding container and a plastic spoon to make the mixture in. Just like the Shout, allow the paste to sit for about 1-2 hours.
Sorry for the blur, but wanted you to see the set up.
You can see the paste in the bowl. The OxiClean Paste dries pretty quickly on the stains.
- Step 3: Soaking Stage. After the paste has dried up, I move onto the 3rd step. For this part, I place a bucket in my sink. Place the clothing item over the bucket and let the paste that has dried flake off into the bucket. If a little bit is left, that is okay. Now take a few drops of water and remove any left over paste. There might be a bit of a stain left. Massage the area with your hands, or fold the fabric over and rub against it to make friction. Eventually you will see the stain just disappear. It’s amazing to watch! There is very little elbow grease involved. Because I’m a stickler for whites, once the stains are gone, I place the item into the bucket and fill with water. The flaked paste will make the suds in the water. I then let it sit for a few hours or overnight.
When you are done, empty the bucket. You could rinse by hand, but after draining, I usually just throw it in my washer on a wash or rinse cycle with no detergent. That’s it! That is all it takes to get the stains out!
Two pair of white pants ready to go!
I wish the white balance on my camera was better to show you how bright and clean these pants are!
Now my only problem is the kids wearing the pants out!!! Seriously, not bad for the 3rd kid, huh?
What do you think? Do you have tricks for stubborn stains? Have you ever tried to remove set in stains? I’d love to hear your tricks!
Want a peek into my laundry room?
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Tracey Hilborn says
Thanks Sara. Every white piece of clothing we have I believe has some sort of stain on it. I'll try this three step process out on the next "accident"
inkhappi says
I'm amazed that these made it to the 3rd kid and look so clean! Nice going mom! I'm convinced to try Oxiclean. I haven't used it before.
Mabey She Made It says
Going to have to try this--my 2-yr-old is so hard on clothes!
Albion says
This mom of four girls needed this!
MrsMajor Hoff says
I had a friend who had her white linen tablecloths returned totally stained. She tried the trick, and it worked! Keep me posted!
MrsMajor Hoff says
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MrsMajor Hoff says
I'm totally sold on it!
MrsMajor Hoff says
It will change your life!
MrsMajor Hoff says
You do! Seriously, try it on really old set on stains. I no longer fear wearing a white shirt!
Jennifer says
I am excited to try this! Do you have any tips for keeping clothes white/bright? I love this for tough stains but I was hoping you have some tips for keeping clothes (as a whole) at their whitest and brightest 🙂
Michelle says
Try Fels Naptha soap on stains. It's a bar soap sold in the laundry aisle. It's super cheap at Wal-Mart. This stuff is amazing at getting stains out of clothes...even grease.
Michelle says
Sorry...I forgot to mention how I use it. Just wet your piece of stained laundry, rub the wet bar of Fels Naptha on it, and use a little scrubbing motion to loosen the stain and then throw it in the washing machine with your other laundry.
shae mcnamara says
I just noticed this now. Is this safe for color clothes as well. Thanks. Baseball season is upon us and I can't wait to try this
MrsMajor Hoff says
Hi Shae! I don't use the powdered oxyclean on colors because it can sometimes fade them. For colors I just use the shout advanced.
Ta Rena Furr says
I am a mom of 4 boys as well. All but 1 are grown & out on their own. We live in an area with red dirt everywhere. My solution for the red dirt and grass stains was to use 409 which was magical! The other baseball mom's asked if I kept extra pants & socks since they always looked so bright. However, 409 changed their formula and it no longer works as well. These items are now on my shopping list. Thank you!!
Mrs Hoff says
Glad I could help you out! Also, you can use the Shout on their pits for that nasty B.O. smell. Very helpful, especially with the dry fit shirts that are so popular (and prone to stinky -ness!)
Unknown says
I just tried this on an old blood stain. It worked! thanks so much
Brenda Bond says
Can this be used on a sweater? I have a new sweater that I hung in my closet last fall when I got it out it looks yellow on sleeves. After soaking it in Gain still looks yellow. Thanks NanaBB
MrsMajHoff says
NanaBB,
I'm really not sure. Oxyclean can sometimes take the color out, but I think they have a color safe one. I'd maybe try the inside of a seam to see if it discolors.