Despite waiting what feels like a lifetime for summer to arrive, we’re quickly creeping closer to the new school year already. If you’ve already started to get things ready for your little one’s next school year, the WaveMAX team is here to help.
Today we’re going to share 7 back to school stain tips—perfect for tackling any mishaps caused by the summer fun—and great to store for later in case of any upcoming accidents. Unfortunately for parents, kids are almost guaranteed to come home with at least one stain, so at least this way you’ll be primed and ready for battle!
7 Back to School Stain Tips for the YEAR Ahead
1. Grass and Mud
Ah, the good old faithful grass and mud stains! Whether you’ve got a football-playing teen on your hands or a cartwheeling middle schooler, being able to tackle these organic stains is a must-have skill for any parent. These marks fade best when dealt with early, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled—particularly when it comes to keeping your kid’s whites looking bright.
Combine about half a cup of distilled white vinegar with half a cup of water in a bowl, then add a teaspoon of regular dish soap
Mix until the liquid bubbles and apply generously to the stain
Use an old toothbrush or clothing brush to gently work the mixture into the stain
Rinse with warm water – repeat if necessary
Wash on a regular cycle with added vinegar if staining persists
2. Pen Marks and Paints
If you’ve just spent a ton on back to school clothing, you’ll want to make sure your new purchases are safe from pen marks and paints. These stains can often be the hardest to get out, but these tips should see you through any colorful catastrophes.
Blot the stain as soon as possible with an old rag or cloth – this will allow you to remove any excess product and prevent it from causing further damage
Apply rubbing alcohol to the marked area in order to dilute the stain. If you don’t have any to hand, hairspray or hand sanitizer will do the trick
Use a little more alcohol on a cotton ball or gentle cloth and rub into the stain using circular motions
Wash using a stain-tackling laundry detergent and hang to dry
TOP TIP: When using alcohol on clothing, make sure to test a less-visible area first for colorfastness! Strong solutions can cause color to run or fade, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
3. PVA Glue
A big tub of sticky PVA is every child’s daydream, but it’s also every parent’s nightmare. If your little bundles of joy are coming home covered in white glue marks, it’s time to take action to prevent those stains from settling in for the long-term. Before you start searching for a reputable laundromat, try these tips!
Using a blunt butter knife or spoon, scrape off as many layers of the glue as possible
Fill a bowl with cold water and soak the garment overnight
Remove from the water the next day and rub a generous amount of liquid laundry detergent into the stain
Wash on your regular cycle using a warm temperature setting and hang to dry
4. Condiments
School lunches can be pretty messy, especially when there’s ketchup at the table. This tomato-based sauce is a delicious addition to any meal, but it’s not exactly the easiest stain to remove – even if you treat it straight away. If the worst happens, here’s what you should do.
Mix half a tablespoon of mild washing soap with a cup of cold water
Using a sponge, take some of the solution and dab the stain gently
Rinse the sponge and repeat with clean water until the stain has gone
If the stain persists, rub with a pre-treatment and wash as normal
TOP TIP: If your child has any skin sensitivities, it’s important to pay attention to which products enter your laundry load. Read our blog on laundry tips for people with eczema for some skin-friendly ideas.
5. Shoe Marks and Scuffs
No matter how old or how sensible your children get, shoe marks and scuffs are inevitable. Instead of frantically wondering how to clean shoes properly the night before school begins, prepare early with this comprehensive shoe-cleaning routine.
If your child is allowed to wear sneakers to school, we’ve got good news – most types can survive a mild period in the washing machine. Check out our blog on this topic to find out if your shoes are the right fit for this method!
To clean traditional leather school shoes, first use a warm, damp cloth to wipe away any mud or dirt from the shoe’s surface
Once they’re looking a little cleaner, identify any scuffs or marks you might want to eradicate
Use an old toothbrush and warm water to scrub away at any stubborn stains
Take a shoe polish (designed specifically for leather) and gently touch up the marks, being careful not to get any ink on your clothes or flooring
Leave to dry overnight and your kids will be good to go!
6. Chewing Gum
Out of all the back to school stain tips we can share with you, this one might be the most important. Chewing gum is rife in high schoolers in particular, and although it may look cool in the moment, it’s bound to wreak havoc if it enters your laundry pile. Before you start googling ‘laundromat near me’ in search of a savior, try these top tips.
The most effective way to get gum off clothing is to freeze it. Either throw the garment into the freezer for a few hours (with the gum facing outwards), or take a bag of ice and rub the stain until it hardens
Once frozen, take a spoon or blunt knife and scrape away the gum – ideally in one foul swoop
If a stain remains, wash as usual with a strong detergent or stain remover to minimize any long-term damage
7. Greasy Fingers
As much as we try to teach our little ones to embrace dining table etiquette, greasy finger marks on clothes are just part and parcel of parenthood. Luckily for you, if you catch these oily mishaps early, you’re bound to see some positive stain-free results.
Once your kids get home from school, take the stained garment and lay it out on a flat surface
Using a regular baking powder from your pantry, sprinkle some onto the stain and allow to absorb the grease for up to 10 minutes
The baking soda will start to change color – this is your sign to scrape it off the fabric and apply more, repeating until the stain has faded
Wash as usual on a hot cycle (but make sure to read the care labels first), then hang to dry
And that concludes our 7 back to school stain tips! If you’re stuck for laundry advice or need a professional to take a look, why not head down to WaveMAX, our incredible Denver laundromat instead? Visit our website now to see a full list of our services!
