How to Wash Zinc Oxide Diaper Cream Out of Clothes

Diaper cream stains are a common problem for parents who use cloth diapers.

Diaper creams work wonders for a baby’s rash, but the same cannot be said of the cream’s effect on clothes. Whether you use a cloth diaper and forgot to line it or you accidentally trail your sleeve in the cream, you now have a situation on your hands. Zinc oxide diaper creams can leave a stain on most types of fabrics, but luckily the stain is usually not too difficult to remove. Gather up a few household items and get ready to banish that stain from your clothing.

Things You'll Need

• Butter knife
• Baking powder
• Laundry detergent
• White vinegar

Instructions

1. Scrape off any large blobs of the cream with the flat side of a butter knife or other handy, dull utensil. If you’re quick enough, or if the clothing in questions is cream-repellant, this may be all you need to do to rectify the spill situation. If not, clearing away the excess cream makes the resulting stain easier to wash out.

2. Dispense some baking powder on the stain. Allow the baking powder to absorb the grease from the zinc oxide cream for a few minutes, then gently brush the powder off the stain.

3. Soak the piece of clothing in a bath of hot water and laundry detergent for several minutes. Gently rub the stained area of the clothing to remove any remaining cream. Transfer the clothing to a bath of white vinegar and soak for 15 minutes.

4. Wash the clothing as you normally would. Use your regular detergent and usual spin cycle. Dry as directed by the tag on the clothing.

References

• Mom’s Budget: Removing Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Cream From Clothing
• Life Tips Cleaning Tips: Desitin Ointment Zinc Oxide Stain Removal From Clothing
• Pinstripes and Polka Dots LLC: Basic Elements in Laundering Diapers