OIL STAINS — Baby Oil, Sunscreen, Food Grease
Oil stains are sneaky. They often don't show up immediately, and the number one mistake parents make is putting an oily item straight in the dryer — heat sets the stain permanently.
Act fast:
Blot (never rub) excess oil with a paper towel. Rubbing spreads the stain further into the fibres.
Absorb the oil first:
Sprinkle baking soda, cornstarch, or baby powder generously over the stain and leave it for 15–20 minutes to soak up the grease, then brush it off.
Break down the oil:
Dish soap is the classic go-to — it's specifically designed to cut grease. Gently rub it into the stain, rinse with warm water, and repeat if necessary.
For stubborn or set-in stains:
Hand sanitiser is a surprisingly effective trick — the alcohol in it breaks down oil stains really well. Dab a small amount onto a clean cloth, gently press it onto the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water. Alternatively, spray hairspray onto the stain and leave it 20–30 minutes to reactivate the oil, then follow up with dish soap.
☝️ Golden rule: Always air dry and check before putting anything in the dryer. If the stain is still there, treat it again first.
BUBBLE MIXTURE STAINS — The Mystery Stain Nobody Expects
This one catches parents completely off guard. Your kids come inside looking perfectly clean, and then you pull something out of the wash covered in grey or dark blotchy marks. Bubble mixture is one of the most complained-about stains in the Australian parent community right now — and you're not imagining it.
Why it's so hard:
The marks that ruin clothing usually aren't the soap itself. They come from a conditioning ingredient in many commercial bubble mixes that doesn't react well to heat or direct sun. This is why the stain often appears or gets worse after washing and drying — it can look like it came from nowhere.
What to do:
Don't put the item in the dryer until you're certain it's clean — heat sets a stain you might still be able to save. Soak in an oxygen-based stain remover safe for the fabric, like Vanish or OxiClean, then rewash, air dry, and check. If it's fading, repeat the process.
Prevention tip:
A bubble solution made at home from clear dish soap and water doesn't contain that problem ingredient — so homemade bubbles are the safest option for good clothes. Skip coloured bubbles entirely, and never use shampoo or conditioner as a base.
☝️ Honest truth: Some bubble mixture stains — especially on delicate fabrics or items that have already been through the dryer — may not come out fully. It's worth trying, but be realistic.
PASTA SAUCE AND TOMATO STAINS — The Triple Threat
Tomato-based stains are notoriously difficult — and here's why. Tomato sauce isn't one stain, it's three stains layered on top of each other. Lycopene (the red pigment) is fat-soluble and bonds to fabric fibres. Oil from cooking embeds itself right alongside the red pigment. And the natural acidity of tomatoes accelerates the staining process, essentially curing the pigment into natural fibres like cotton and linen over time.
Act immediately:
Remove as much excess sauce as possible by scraping gently with a butter knife or spoon. Then turn the garment inside out and run cold water through the back of the stain — this pushes the sauce out of the fabric rather than deeper into it.
Treat the stain:
Apply dish soap, rub it in with an ice cube, then blot with a little white vinegar on a clean cloth before laundering as usual.
For coloured fabrics:
Oxygen-based cleaners like OxiClean or Vanish Oxi Action release oxygen ions that break apart the chemical bonds holding the stain to fabric. Mix with warm water per the instructions, submerge the stained area, and soak for 1 to 6 hours. A fresh stain soaked for two hours can come out essentially perfect.
What NOT to do:
Never use hot water first — heat cooks the pigment into the fabric, making the stain permanent. Never rub aggressively — always blot. And never put a stained item in the dryer until you've confirmed the stain is gone.
A Note From Dream Nu
At Dream Nu, every item we accept goes through a condition check before it hits the floor. We grade everything from NWTS (New With Tags) through to GUC (Good Used Condition) so you always know exactly what you're buying. We don't accept items with stains we can't vouch for — but knowing these tricks means the preloved pieces you buy here (and the ones you send in to consign) have the best possible chance of a long and happy life.
Have a stain question? Send us a DM — we love a good laundry challenge. 🧺
Dream Nu Kids — South Brisbane's home of quality preloved children's clothing.
Shop online at dreamnu.com.au