How to Get Rid of Diaper Odor Naturally

Getting rid of diaper odor naturally is important for families using cloth diapers. While breastfed infants have almost odor-free diapers, this changes as babies grow and transition to solid foods. Cloth diapers are better for the environment and baby's skin, and can save money, too, but stinky diapers can be discouraging and unpleasant. Since most families wash their diapers every few days, it's important to cut down on odors in between wash days. However, powerful chemical cleaners are not advised because of the damage they do to baby's skin as well as to the diapers themselves. Here's how to get rid of diaper odor naturally.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Rinse soiled diapers into the toilet and flush the toilet after removing diaper. Rinsing is the most important step as this will remove the bulk of the problem. Many people rinse urine-filled diapers as well if the smell is strong.

2. Soak soiled and peed cloth diapers in a solution of water and vinegar, in a pail with a lid, until wash time. This is the wet pail method.

3. Sprinkle baking powder in the bottom of the diaper pail for the dry pail method, to absorb odors from soiled diapers. Add a sprinkle of baking powder every time a newly soiled and rinsed diaper is added to the pail. Shut lid with a snug fit.

4. Try a diaper odor remover spray. Simply spritz this on your most soiled diapers (after rinsing) before adding them to the pail.

5. Add tee tree oil, baking soda and vinegar to the wash when cleaning the cloth diapers. Tee tree oil helps get rid of bacteria, baking soda adds a light abrasive and vinegar cleans. The combination will help you get rid of diaper odor naturally.

6. Hang diapers in the sun to dry, as the sun will remove stains and the fresh air will deodorize any lingering unpleasant scent.

Tips & Warnings

• To remove odor when using disposable diapers, simply wrap each soiled diaper in a disposable bag before throwing in the trash. The bag prevents odor leakage.
• Avoid bleaching cloth diapers, as this powerful chemical can hurt baby's tender skin as well as break down the diaper material.

Resources

• Cloth diapers available at the BabyCenter store
• BabyEarth cloth diapers and natural products