How to Treat and Prevent Stains on Cloth Diapers

So you want to keep your beautiful cloth diapers bright white and stain-free? Here's how to do it, without using harsh chemicals that can hurt your baby's skin and the environment. (That's why you chose cloth anyway, right?)

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• diaper sprayer
• dry pail with liner
• Charlie's soap
• oxygen cleaner
• baking soda
• BioKleen Bac-Out
• washer
• dryer or clothes line

1. Wet diapers go directly into your diaper pail. Having a "wet" pail is unnecessary. A washable, waterproof pail liner is ideal for easy clean-up.

2. Use a diaper sprayer to rinse soiled diapers in the toilet. (These can be bought online for around $30 and attach easily to your toilet.) Wring out the diaper and place in diaper pail.

3. Turn to a cold wash cycle and soak diapers overnight at the maximum water level. Do NOT use detergent. Use a scoop of oxygen cleaner. (Sun brand is cheap and effective.) A small squirt of BioKleen Bac-Out and/or a little baking soda provide all-natural stain and odor-fighting. Close lid for just a moment to get everything mixed up, lift lid, and leave diapers overnight to soak.

4. In the morning, close the lid to run the cold cycle, which washes out most of the "dirties." When finished, run a hot cycle, ideally with a scoop of Charlie's soap--the best cleaner for cloth diapers. A scoop of oxygen cleaner can also be used in the hot cycle.

5. Your diapers should now be clean and fresh! Dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you find any yellowing or light staining, sun them on a clothes line, and they should be bright as new again.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash every 2-3 days. Waiting longer will increase the likelihood of staining.
• If you must use a "regular" detergent, store brand powder detergents contain fewer chemical additives, perfumes, and dyes and are truly better for diapers (and baby) than most name brands. Find out how much detergent the manufacturer recommends using--and then use LESS.
• If diapers no longer smell clean out of the wash or if they are losing absorbency, detergent residue is the likely culprit. Charlie's soap will dissolve residue and works wonders, especially if your diapers are not 100% cotton.
• NEVER use bleach on cloth diapers. It is too harsh on baby's sensitive skin, and it also will damage the fibers in your diapers.
• DO NOT use any detergent that claims to "whiten" or "brighten." They contain chemicals that can harm your baby's skin.

Resources

• Cloth Diapering 101