Sometimes, we have the impression that baby gets dirty more than he eats since half of his little jars end up on his bibs… And when he diversifies his diet, we start to fear the new stains he will succeed in doing so. Above all, don’t worry if your little ones’ bibs are covered in stains and dirt. After all, that’s what they’re there for and they’re there to protect clothes! And what’s more, it is entirely possible to get them back by knowing the right cleaning tips. Grandma gives you all her secret tips to finally know how to clean bibs correctly and get them back very easily.
Before you begin, a few precautions for cleaning baby bibs:
The skin of our dear little ones being very fragile and sensitive, we advise you to use very gentle detergents. To respect their skin, preferably wash without phosphates and without fabric softener. You can also make homemade laundry detergent without perfume and use vinegar as a softener. Do not hesitate to make a wash at 60° minimum in washing machine. Additionally, you can make a sun drying to restore shine to the bibs that you have taken care to clean. The UV rays will finish destroying the last stains!
After each meal, rinse the bib in cold water to remove food residue and prevent it from leaving permanent stains. Limit hot water which can set pigmented spots. Moreover, immediately after a staingently dab the area with a damp wipe or clean cloth to remove as much residue as possible before it sets in. Finally, even if the stains are quite minor, wash the bibs regularly, following the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent the accumulation of stubborn stains.
1) Clean bibs quickly: a key tip for removing stains with maximum efficiency
If you wait until the next wash, the stains have time to dry. Traces of regurgitated milk, compote, soup and other foods become embedded and difficult to treat. To avoid this, you can rinse the bib directly in cold water after the meal. If necessary, rub the stains with Marseille soap or soak the bibs while waiting to go through the washing machine. This will remove most of the stain!
2) A kitchen ingredient for impeccable washing
The most effective remedy for stains on a bib is… baking powder ! In fact, it comes as devour encrusted stains. To use it, simply prepare a basin of water with detergent. Then immerse the bibs to be cleaned and add a sachet of baking powder. In general, one bag is enough for around ten bibs. Then, put everything in the machine and you will see: the bibs come out of the machine like new. If they are not too dirty, you can also put a bag directly into the drum with the whole family’s clothes. Against greasy stains, it’s radical!
3) A powder to whiten bibs and clean them better
Percarbonate is an agent whitener, cleaner and stain remover. In short, it will help remove stubborn stains while restoring very stained bibs to their whiteness. It can also be used for impeccable washable diapers. To do this, soak the bibs in a basin of water with 2 to 4 tablespoons of percarbonate of soda. It is also possible to slide this powder directly into the drum to wash at least 40° !
4) Techniques for cleaning each type of stain on bibs
Seltzer water and other carbonated waters of this type are an effective stain treatment. This will work just as well on soup stains as it does on regurgitation stains. All you have to do is spray or pour it on the stain to soak it well; leave to act and rub with a sponge cloth. If that’s not enough, use white vinegar. It is excellent against vomit, fruit and vegetable, syrup and even chocolate stains. All you need to do is soak the bib in vinegar water or rub with a sponge cloth soaked in it! Finally, remains the difficult case of carrot stains that resist everything… For the latter, you will need to oil a terry cloth to absorb the stain. Then, take care to rinse with soapy water. Repeat if necessary.
How to avoid difficult stains on bibs to clean them more easily: by choosing the right model!
First of all, don’t neglect the choice of model. You can indeed opt for bibs in stain resistant fabrics. These materials are in fact generally easier to clean. Polyester, for example, is known for its stain resistance and ease of maintenance. Food stains are less likely to become embedded in this material. Some cotton fabrics are also treated with water-repellent or stain-resistant agents, which creates a protective barrier against liquids and foods. Finally, nylon is another effective choice due to its synthetic nature which naturally repels moisture and resists stains.
You can also fall for the long sleeve bibs which provide extra coverage and protect clothes from food stains. In any case, nothing obliges you to take a white bib. Colored and dark models will in fact take stains less easily. You can also use a waterproofing spray on bibs to create a protective barrier against stains. Just make sure the product is suitable for the materials of the bib.
Finally, there are also waterproof bibs specially designed to protect baby and children’s clothing against stains and liquids. They are ideal both during meals and during activities where children are likely to make a mess. These bibs consist of waterproof materials (silicone, etc.) or have a waterproof layer to prevent liquids from penetrating through the fabric. Some models also have recovery pockets at the bottom to catch crumbs and spills, providing additional protection. Above all, they are easy to clean, often machine washable or with a simple damp sponge, and help to reduce the number of stained clothes.
In addition, also discover techniques for removing poop stains from baby clothes.