Cloth Diapers: Safe Stain Removal

A common complaint among parents who use cloth diapers is staining. The very nature of cloth diapers dictates that they will come into contact with some less than savory substances, and those substances have a tendency to stain fabrics. While stains do not affect the performance of cloth diapers, they are rather unattractive. There are various methods available to safely remove stains from cloth diapers without damaging the fabric or irritating your baby's sensitive skin.

Place clean cloth diapers in the sun

The easiest and least expensive way to remove stains from cloth diapers is to wash them thoroughly and lay them in the sun, stained side up, to dry. Added bonus: the sun is also a great germ-killer and odor-remover. If the stain is not gone with the first attempt, don't lose heart -- simply dampen the diapers and try again.

Apply lemon juice to stained cloth diapers

Simply wet the stain with a liberal amount of lemon juice and lay the diaper in the sun until the juice dries. This may take a couple of hours, but your cloth diapers will be stain-free and smell lemony fresh. This method may remove particularly stubborn stains more quickly than sunning alone.

Apply hydrogen peroxide to stained cloth diapers

The hydrogen peroxide in your medicine cabinet can be used as a gentle stain-remover without the use of the sun. Simply wet the area thoroughly and allow to dry, and repeat as needed. Be careful though, as hydrogen peroxide may cause yellowing of some fabrics. You may want to apply the hydrogen peroxide on a test area before applying it to the whole diaper. Some commercial products, such as Oxy-Boost, contain a solid form of hydrogen peroxide and can be used to safely remove stains from cloth diapers when used as a soak or added to the wash cycle.

Use white vinegar in the wash cycle

White vinegar can remove light staining from cloth diapers when used in the wash cycle along with detergent. Please note that extra rinsing may be required when using white vinegar, as the acid can combine with urine and cause terrible odors, especially in all-in-one cloth diapers. Vinegar may not remove some stubborn stains, but can be used for general whitening.

Soak cloth diapers in Borax

Borax has long been touted as an amazing natural stain remover, and many cloth-diapering parents swear by it. Borax works best when mixed with water and/or vinegar and used as a soak, but it can also be added to the wash cycle for general whitening. Be warned though -- Borax is rather harsh, and some children may get a rash from diapers soaked in Borax, especially if the diapers are not thoroughly rinsed. Always run cloth diapers through an extra rinse cycle when using Borax.

What to avoid

Bleach should never be used on cloth diapers unless specifically directed by the manufacturer. Bleach will break down the fabric, leaving your cloth diapers stiff and rough, and decreasing absorbency. Some fabrics may be completely ruined with just one wash using bleach. Never put stained diapers into a hot dryer, as the heat will set the stains.

Preventing stains on cloth diapers

Rinse cloth diapers thoroughly in cold water before washing. Some parents toss their cloth diapers into a hot water wash cycle without rinsing first, and in the process ensure that any stains will be permanently set. If a stain is present after washing, dry the in the sun instead of in the dryer. Many parents find that it helps to use a liner made of rice paper or fleece inside the diaper to "catch" the stains. A wet diaper pail filled with a mixture of water and white vinegar can also help prevent stains, but use caution -- an open wet pail is a drowning hazard to pets and small children. A wet diaper pail should always have a locking lid and be kept out of the reach of children and pets.

Stains are inevitable when using cloth diapers for your baby, but they can be easily removed by following the methods outlined in this article. For more information on diaper care and stain removal, please refer to the websites listed at the end of the article.

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RESOURCES:
http://www.orangestarfish.com/caretips.html#stain
http://www.lucyshopechest.com/store/aboutus.asp
http://www.yourbabytoday.com/features/laundry/index.html
http://www.squidoo.com/clothdiaperinginfo