When you become a parent, regrettably dealing with your offspring’s poo explosions is a part of the package. I’ve come across lots of mummies both in real life and online bemoaning the fact that their kids have had such a severe poonami that they’ve had to throw their favourite clothes straight in the bin. We’ve also found that since starting weaning, our baby seems to suffer poo explosions more frequently than before!
What a waste! The thing is, you can easily get those clothes looking good as new, and no-one will be any the wiser that they were once quite literally covered in crap. Some of Little Man’s nicest outfits have been coated in turds three or four times (when we started weaning, it had quite the volcanic effect on his digestive system for the first month or so). So for all the other mamas (and dadas) out there, I thought I’d share how I deal with cleaning clothes after a poo explosion. I’ve never come across a poo stain this couldn’t deal with (yet…)
How To Save Baby’s Clothes After A Poo Explosion
1. Initial de-pooping
As you’re getting baby out of the poopy clothes and nappy, use an extra wipe or two to wipe down the outfit and get as much poo off as possible.
2. Soak in cold water
Get the clothes in cold water for a soak as soon as possible. We have a bucket on hand for this purpose (for god’s sake don’t use the kitchen sink! Unless you want to give the whole family dysentery). You can soak for half an hour, but can also leave overnight if e.g. it’s not practical to put a wash on straightaway.
With your rubber gloves on, give the clothes a gentle scrub in the water, to get as much of the remaining poop off as possible.
3. Vanish pre-wash spray
Not an ad, I just love this product! Vanish pre-wash stain remover is great for these kinds of stains, but also for mucky bibs and muslins etc. as well. After removing the clothes from soaking, wring them out and generously spray the affected area of fabric on either side with Vanish spray. Leave the poopy clothes to soak in the spray for 5 – 10 minutes.
4. Normal wash cycle
Then in your washing machine just run a normal 40 degree wash and voila – your poopy clothes should be good as new. If the stain hasn’t completely gone in one wash, reapply the spray, leave for ten minutes and wash again… But you probably won’t have to!
Your poo explosion top tips!
Do you have any other tips for dealing with a baby’s unwanted poo explosion (okay, let’s be honest… they’re all unwanted!)? Let me know in the comments if you think there’s something I’ve missed!
