Meconium Stain Removal From Clothes
Meconium is the mucous-like feces first released in infant children. The green-colored fecal matter can sometimes cause stains that are difficult to remove from clothing.
Luckily, there are a few stain removal options to consider, ranging from moderately priced commercial stain removal products to homemade cleaning solutions, that will remove the stains.
Commercial Options
It is first important to blot away as much of the stain as possible using paper towels or an old cloth. Do not rub the stain, as this can spread the meconium to undamaged areas of the clothing.
There are a variety of commercial products on the market that will effectively remove stains. Several laundry detergents now have built in bleaching agents as well as stain-lifting agents that are safe for most clothing, including colors. Many times if the meconium stain is fresh, it will easily wash out with one of these laundry detergents.
For tougher stains, there are stain removal products designed to be sprayed directly onto the stain, left to sit for a few hours, then wash in your normal laundry cycle. Visit your local grocery or superstore to choose the product that best suits your stain, clothing fabric and price range.
Home Remedy Options
There are also a few inexpensive home remedy solutions that will remove the stains. Club soda is one option that will remove meconium stains and can be purchased for a couple dollars per bottle. Saturate the stain with the club soda, and blot to absorb the stain as it is lifted out of the fabric. Saturate the area one final time and let sit for 30 minutes to an hour, then wash in your normal laundry cycle.
Hydrogen peroxide also removes meconium stains from clothing. Drench the stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide (the type used for cuts and scrapes on the body), then blot the stain. Apply one final application, let sit for about an hour, then launder as usual.
Dish detergent is another inexpensive element designed to break up stains and residue, which works well for feces stains. Wet the area with cold water, then add a few drops of liquid dish detergent. Rub into the fabric and continue to rinse the area with cold water until the stain has been removed, then launder as usual.
References
Writer Bio
Mel Frank is a professional freelance writer with over 15 years of writing experience. She has completed a wide variety of writing assignments for a number of publications that include CNN and various websites. Frank received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from a prestigious university in Pennsylvania.
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