laundering breastmilk-soaked clothes

[Cindi]

what is the best way (temperature? detergent? etc?) to launder breastmilk-soaked stuff? I remember staining my clothes last time I was in this boat...and it felt like I set the stains in the wash. (That was also hard well water and we have softer water now so maybe that is factor? Haven't done my first wash yet since milk came in.)

[oceanbaby]

I never had breastmilk stain anything. Hmmm. For stains in general, the first thing would be to do a cold prewash, or just run the spot under cold water, as hot water initially can set stains. Then launder on hot or warm with a strong detergent like Tide. (I keep a small box of this for diapers and stuff like this.) Check them before they go into the dryer. You can do a soak with oxyclean if they persist.

[Cindi]

maybe it was the hard water that somehow set the stains, and hopefully I'll be okay withour new home's water. Thanks for the ideas.

[Elphaba]

yeah, i've never had a stain either in 20.5 months, and we soaked sheets with milk in addition to clothes! i just did regular wash cycles like i always do.

[avakitty]

I'm having the same problem.. my babe is 7 weeks old and i have ruined a fair amount of tops. I try and just wear older clothes around the house but it seems every time i wear something nice it gets stained. I had no idea breastmilk would stain! Maybe it's the fats in the milk or something and some of us have more or less??!
On a similer topic has anyone heard of or tried "lilypadz" ? They are breast pads that are made of silicone i think and they adhear to the breast and prevent leaks. I saw them online, $20. a pair though! I need to try something different cuz i soak right through all the others...

[Peppamint]

My milk is finally calming down, but I noticed 'stains' a few times. They came out by the next wash, but I didn't like it!

I've just switched back to Tide from my cheapo detergent hoping that will help with this problem and the weird smell my diapers were getting.

[Kermit]

I've had phantom stains. Ones that didn't show up till the clothes were in storage and I brought them out later. Usually a regular wash would get them out, though! I would think an enzyme bleach or detergent with enzymes would break down milk stains the best. Biz is an enzyme bleach. It will fade some colored items, though, so be careful.
I've also had blood in my milk from cracked nipples and Caden has puked up pink milk. That could really stain. Cold water rinse/wash and then enzyme cleaners with warm water to get out whatever won't come out.

[Peppamint]

avakitty-

I'm going to buy a pair of lilypadz, I just need something to keep my shirt from getting wet when my milk lets down when he's eating.

Jodi at BlessUBaby will be offering a co-op on these if there's enough interest (probably $13/pair + shipping) but I'm not sure how long it will take. Join her yahoogroup for more details!

[Kirsten]

I've never had breastmilk stain anything either so maybe it was the hard water??
But I tell you, I was taught to use hydrogen peroxide (just straight out of the bottle) on body fluid stains (blood, baby poop, etc.) and it is amazing how that works!! Pour it on, let it sit a bit (or overnight) then wash. Warm water with a cold rinse. I use Tide powdered degergent. If it doesn't come out the first time, DON'T dry in dryer - just try washing again after resoaking in HP. Really inexpensive too.
Hope this helps.
Kirsten