Consumer Reports did a test on kids' clothing fabrics last year. They found that synthetic blends handle repeated washing after messes better than plain cotton. That fits with your dark color strategy, since those materials often come in navy or charcoal. My three have a knack for creating stains that defy normal logic, like ketchup art on light pants. I heard a laundry expert say that immediate cold water rinses work better than hot for most new stains. It's a small tip, but in the daily grind of kid messes, every bit helps.