My mother always said, “Never cry over spilled milk” and she was correct. Even though she was using this example for a larger meaning, I learned that spilled milk is nothing to be upset about as a parent. You simply grab a towel, wipe the milk up and move on – – childhood is far too short to worry about the small inconveniences along the way. If you have a milk stain on a washable fabric, try one of these stain removal methods to get rid of the stain as quick as wiping up spilled milk.
Most milk stains can be removed from clothing simply by applying a stain removal pretreatment. Apply the pretreatment directly to the stain according to the directions allowing the pretreatment to soak into the clothing for a few minutes while you rub the stain. Wash the clothing in cool water with staining removing detergent and allow to air dry. After the garment in completely dry, inspect the stain to check for any remaining discoloration. If any of the stain remains on the garment, repeat the process or try one of the other remedies for removing milk stains from clothing.
If you happen to spill some of your milk and cereal on your favorite pants, do not fear. Use a white paper towel to blot as much of the milk as possible from the garment. Then, rinse the milk stain in cold water and allow to soak in the water for fifteen minutes. Remove from the cold water, apply a small amount of clear dish soap or other pre-treatment to the stain, and gently rub for five to ten minutes making sure that the entire stain is completely treated. Without rinsing, submerge the garment in a small tub of cool, soapy water and allow to soak for several hours. Remove from the soapy solution and launder according to the washing instructions for the garment. Allow to air dry rather than using the dryer to check for any remnants of the stain. If any of the stain remains, you may try this procedure again or one of the other stain removing techniques for milk stains.
With infants, removing milk stains, such as formula and breast milk, requires something more than just a good stain removing detergent. Since these are protein stains, you need an enzyme cleaner. You can purchase enzyme tablets or capsules in most health food stores, vitamin stores and even some drug stores. Open the enzyme capsules or grind the tablets in a fine powder and place in a small bowl with enough cold water to create a paste. Spread the enzyme paste directly onto the milk stain and allow to set for up to an hour before laundering as normal. Use a detergent specifically designed to remove stains for best results. If the stain remains, repeat the steps but this time use a small, soft toothbrush to gently rub the enzyme paste directly onto the stain and then rinse thoroughly. Follow with an all-purpose stain remover pretreatment (following the directions on the container) and then re-wash according to the manufacturer’s directions. This should remove even stubborn milk stains from clothing.
Sources:
HowToGetRidofStuff.com
GoodHousekeeping.com
Fibers.com
