Yellow Stains on Clothing

Updated on November 12, 2008
J.B. asks from Saint Paul, MN
17 answers

I have been packing away some of my favorite outfits that my children have outgrown to either use again or hand-down. Usually, I wash all the clothes before I fold and pack them away. Normally, I haven't held on to stained or worn clothing. Recently, I decided to downsize again and I've noticed when I've gone back through the clothing some of them now have a yellow stain on them. What is this from? I thought I washed everything very well. I have noticed this problem mostly with my infant sz clothing - Could it be something from breastmilk or formula? I rarely find it on separates (like pants) but it's almost always found on collars, ties (hats/jackets), or on the front of the shirt. It's just weird that it would discolor over time and not right away. It also seems to be a permanent stain. Anyone else have a remedy or a reason for these stains?

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A.R.

answers from Milwaukee on

Hello, I've noticed this same thing and am sorry to sa taht I don't know how to get them out either. Please pass along any helpful information, I would very much appreciate it!!

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M.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

Unfortunately it sounds like the stains that happen over time. I, also, had this situation where the spots showed in the place where my child would have spit-up. I, also, launder very well right away. When I went thru the clothes, I re-laundered (with stain remover). Unfortunately the stains did not come out.

I also worked at Once Upon a Child and the same thing would happen.

Good luck!

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D.S.

answers from Milwaukee on

This has happened to me numerous times and it usually is from breastmilk. I have found that soaking the items in a little bleach (only if white) or Oxy Clean work the best and then washing as usual.

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K.A.

answers from Grand Forks on

I worked in a dry cleaner quite a few years ago. Anything can leave a stain on clothing that won't show up until later: perfume, any food, drool, deodorant, etc. Also very hard to get out when it has aged.You could check with a local cleaner or try full strength laundry detergents or dish washing detergents.

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A.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

Baby Oxy is good but my sister just introduced me to Melaleuca and they have a 3-in-1 cleaner called Sol*U*Mel. I used it on old tennis shoes that had really dirty stained toes and I put some of that with Hot water in the sink/bowl and soaked it for a day and than I washed it with Baby Oxy clean And they look brand new!! Love the stuff. It is expensive but if you join the membership it is really reduced and also a muti purpose cleaner!!!
Also are you storing them in Boxes or Rubbermaid containers?? That makes a difference

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A.K.

answers from Milwaukee on

I noticed the exact same thing recently when I went through my daughter's old clothing! Have you heard what it is? It's frustrating because I thought everything was in great shape to lend out to someone, but there were those stains... let me know what you find out, if it's not too much trouble.

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J.S.

answers from Sioux City on

Hi there!

What I found that has worked best for me is Oxy clean baby. When there is a major stain I mix a little of solution first and pour that directly on the stain and I even scrub it a little bit. Then I let it soak in tub full of the solution for a few hours or so. It works best using warm water too. So far, this has worked for me and I haven't found anything else that works.

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M.H.

answers from Rapid City on

I have the best luck with soaking burp cloths and other things with spit-up stains in hot water and oxyclean. Drying clothing in the sunshine works wonders for getting out old stains. Squirting the stain with a little fresh lemon juice helps with really stubborn stains. I don't know why the stains tend to come out more over time, but they do.

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A.C.

answers from Minneapolis on

Put it out in the sun!!! For some reason, the sun "bleaches" the stains away. It's amazing how it really works (and you don't have to use all those awful/strong cleaners). :) Also works for mustard yellow poop stains.

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J.

answers from Minneapolis on

I don't remember exactly why my mom told me they stain. I'm thinking it has to do with something in the formula. What I found to work was to get a product called Oxy Clean Baby and soak them for awhile and then run them through the washer. I then ran it a second time through with soap and found it took out almost all of the rest of the stains.

I was disappointed when I had seen a lot of the clothes after being packed away for so long. Luckily they were salvagable. Would be interesting to pull them out again and see if they yellowed again as they've been packed away again for awhile.

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E.I.

answers from Duluth on

yeah, i had this issue. i only breastfed, and my son had a LOT of stains on his clothes from spitup. its like, once i washed and dried them the stain appeared. something in breastmilk clings and then in the dryer apparently under heat, a stain comes out.
bummer.
the only thing that worked was continually washing them over and over and over with stain remover on it... and even then sometimes it didnt completely disappear....
i didnt try anything like those whitening powders or anything, i forget what they are called.
good luck.. let me konw what works!!!

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P.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

I just want to let you know that I have the same exact question. I wash mine clothing before storing and I went through to sell things and tons of my clothing are yellow. I'm tossing them for GoodWill because I'm assuming it's a lost cause. I wonder why it darkens over the year+. I'll be reading your replies.

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J.B.

answers from Cedar Rapids on

J., your right it's the formula and breastmilk! But you can try to save them with useing those baby formula soaps i can't remember the names right now. But if you look in the laundry section at your local store i'm sure they have them. They are great for babies clothes! I think all and tide both make a version of it! And since the stains have been there a while you may need to pretreat just rub a little of the soap right on the stain and let sit for a while then wash. I hope this helps out! Good luck!

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N.S.

answers from Milwaukee on

I've had the same thing happen. I usually soak it with Spray n Wash and let it sit overnight, then wash it. It usually takes out most of the stains.

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C.O.

answers from Minneapolis on

Formula stains do show up over time. I don't know why, but I have heard this from MANY different moms. I had a whole washer full of formula stained clothes from my oldest when I pulled them out for my second. I hope someone has a good method for getting these stains out. I had to use bleach. It faded the clothes a little bit, but nothing else I tried (Chlorox 2, Biz, Oxy Clean, Spray 'n Wash, and soaking over night in a combination of all those things plus lots of detergent) worked.

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K.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

I just experienced the same thing when I pulled out old clothes from our first born for our second. Anything that didn't come out after the first wash, I sprayed with Zout stain remover and then sprinkled powdered oxy clean on top to make a paste. I didn't have to rub much but did let sit like that overnight. I washed the next day 2 times to make sure I got any of the harshness from the cleaning agents out of the clothes before letting baby wear them. I was able to get every stain out! Hope this works for you.

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C.B.

answers from Milwaukee on

This is what happens to the sugar in stains over time. These were spit up or drool spots. It is the same reason you should get a bridal gown preserved by professionals, otherwise this might happen to your dress if you have ANYTHING spilled on it, or even sweat.

All the clean clothes I put away from my daughter had these stains when I opened them up 3 years later for my son. And my sister's clothes from her son after 6 years. Here is what worked miracles for me..BIZ. I soaked all the stained clothes in the solution for soaking (I si this on whites and colors). Most of them had to soak for 24-48 hours. Then I washed them in Biz. There were a few stubborn stains that needed a second soaking but almost all of them came out with this. Biz actually eats out the stain, so it is gone (we will see in a few years I guess!). A bleach pen will make it disappear, but it won't really be gone. So this same thing will happen again. Good luck!

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