How to remove baby poo stains and nappy leaks
Updated · By the Luniva team
Quick answer
Use Luniva Enzyme Powered (the pink one). Spray it directly onto the stain, leave it for 1–3 minutes, then wash as normal following the garment care label.
Rinse a leak in cold water as soon as you can, even if the wash has to wait. Always wash baby clothes after treating, before they're worn.
Step by step
- 1
Remove and rinse cold
Scrape off anything solid into the toilet, then rinse the back of the stain under the cold tap.
- 2
Spray and wait 1–3 minutes
Spray Enzyme Powered until the stain is wet through. Don't rub, and don't let it dry.
- 3
Wash before wearing
Wash as normal, following the care label. Always wash baby clothes after treating, before they're worn. Air-dry and check before tumble drying.
Every parent knows the poo-nami: a nappy leak up the back of a vest, onto a sleepsuit or across the cot sheet. Milk-fed baby poo leaves a bright yellow mark, and weaning adds whatever went in at lunchtime. These are organic stains, so they're a job for Luniva Enzyme Powered: rinse, spray, wait 1–3 minutes, then wash as normal.
Why nappy leaks leave a yellow mark
Baby poo is a mix of milk proteins, fats and colour from bile, which is why breastfed and formula-fed poo is so yellow. It soaks into soft cotton fast, and heat from a hot rinse or the dryer can set it. Rinsing cold and treating the stain before the wash gives you the best chance of getting baby clothes back to clean.
Fabric guide
Best on washable everyday fabrics
Cotton, linen, denim, polyester and cotton blends: clothes, kidswear, bedding, towels and washable covers.
Test first on delicates
Patch-test an inconspicuous area on silk, wool, viscose, leather-trimmed items or anything labelled dry-clean only.
Don't let it dry
Spray, leave 1–3 minutes, then wash. Don't let the treated area dry out before washing.
Check before drying
Inspect the area after washing and repeat if any shadow remains. Dryer heat can set a leftover mark.
Baby poo & nappy leaks: questions
Often, yes. Spray until wet through, leave 1–3 minutes and wash. Marks that have been washed and dried before may need a second treatment.
Enzyme Powered is a bleach-free pre-wash treatment for washable fabrics. Always wash baby clothes after treating, before they're worn, and follow the care label.
Check the nappy maker's care instructions first: some brands have their own rules about stain treatments and washing temperatures.
Purées, yogurt and finger food are food stains, so use Enzyme Powered the same way. See the baby food guide for more.
Based on controlled laboratory testing. Performance may vary by stain type, fabric, age of the stain and wash conditions. Always follow the garment care label and test an inconspicuous area first.
