How to Remove Kids’ Stains (Without Panicking)

A few weeks ago, we took our four kids, lovingly referred to as the interns, with us to Europe for AW2026 meetings. Between long flights, train rides, showroom visits, and meals on the go, the trip was everything we hoped for… and exactly what you’d expect when traveling with kids.

When we got home and started unpacking, reality hit.

We found:

Old tomato sauce stains that had gone unnoticed
Marker drawings on sleeves from airplane rides
And the classic laundry mishap: a white shirt with red trims that came out of the wash with color bleeding

It felt like the perfect moment to turn a real parenting experience into something helpful. Because if it happened to us... it’s definitely happening to you.

So here it is: our complete, real-life guide to removing kids’ stains, using simple products most families already have at home.

Why Acting Fast Makes All the Difference

Fresh stains are much easier to remove than ones that have gone through heat. Dryers, hot water, and irons can permanently set stains into fabric fibers. Always check garments before drying and treat stains as soon as possible.

How to Remove Marker, Pen & Highlighter Stains

(Aka airplane boredom gone wrong)

Best for: cotton, blends, school clothes

What you’ll need:

Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer
Cotton pads or clean cloth
Liquid laundry detergent

How to do it:

Place a towel under the stained area.
Dab alcohol onto the stain (work from the outside in).
Watch the ink transfer to the towel.
Rinse with cold water.
Wash in cold water with detergent.

Tip: Always blot — never scrub aggressively.

How to Remove Food Stains from Kids’ Clothes

(Tomato sauce, berries, chocolate… we’ve seen it all)

What works best:

Cold water
Liquid detergent
Baking soda for older stains

Steps:

Rinse with cold water from the back of the stain.
Apply detergent directly to the area and if it is an old stain, then the baking soda.
Let sit for 10–15 minutes.
Rinse and wash cold.

🚫 Never start with hot water- it permanently sets food stains.

How to Remove Paint from Children’s Clothing

Water-Based Paint

Rinse immediately with cold water
Apply detergent
Wash cold

Acrylic Paint

Let paint fully dry
Gently scrape excess
Treat with detergent and wash cold

Patience works better than scrubbing.

How to Remove Baby Stains (Milk, Drool & Spit-Ups)

Best for: baby clothes, bibs, sleepwear

Steps:

Rinse as soon as possible.
Wash with gentle detergent in cold water.
Air dry.

☀️ Sunlight helps naturally brighten organic stains.

What to Do When Colors Bleed in the Wash

(Our white shirt with red trims moment 🙃)

Color bleeding happens when dyes release during washing, especially on trims and collars.

Never use bleach. It reacts with dye and can permanently discolor fabric.

What to do instead:

Keep the garment wet.
Apply liquid detergent and baking soda to the affected area.
Gently work it in.
Wash again in cold water.

Fresh color transfer usually comes out completely. You can also wash it with white vinegar to get the color to set once the stain is removed.

Common Mistakes That Make Stains Worse

Putting clothes in the dryer before checking
Using hot water too early
Using bleach on color stains
Ironing stained garments

Once heat is applied, stains often become permanent.

A Rincón Reminder 🤍

Children’s clothes are meant to be worn, loved, and lived in, especially on adventures. Stains are part of the story, and most of them can be fixed with the right approach.

Save this guide, come back to it when needed, and don’t panic next time a stain surprise shows up 🤍