How to Get Stains Out of Cloth Diapers

Why do cloth diapers get stained?

Cloth diapers are often exposed to various substances, such as urine, feces, and diaper creams, which can leave behind stubborn stains. Minerals in hard water, detergent build-up, certain foods (e.g. blueberries and dragon fruits), or medicines can also contribute to stains. So it’s normal for a cloth diaper to get stains.

Usually the stains are harmless and don’t mean your cloth diapers are dirty. In fact, most stains are only oils or pigments left behind on the fabrics after the residual has been washed away.

How to deal with the cloth diaper stains?

Pre-treat the stains

The key to successful stain removal is to pre-treat the stains asap and prevent them from setting. Start by rinsing the soiled diaper under cold water to remove any excess waste (for poop stain, rinsing it in warm water first will help it loosen from the fibers). Then, apply a stain remover or a mixture of water and detergent directly to the stained area. Make sure to choose a stain remover that is safe for cloth diapers. Gently rub the fabric together to work in the pre-treatment solution and then wash via a normal washing routine.

Sun-dry your diapers

After washing, skip the dryer and take advantage of the natural bleaching power of the sun. Hang your cloth diapers outside in direct sunlight to dry. It works on all types of organic stains.

For stubborn stains, just wet your cloth diapers and put them back in the sun. The UV rays in sunlight will remove the toughest of stains. It is safe and cheap, and will act as a natural disinfectant, leaving your cloth diapers fresh and odor-free.

In fact, any UV exposure will help to lighten the stains. On rainy, cloudy or snowy days, or if you don’t have access to an outside line or balcony, lay your cloth diapers with the stain facing the light on a window ledge or hang them on a drying rack next to a window. The stains will disappear or at least fade, all it takes is some time and patience.

Lemon juice

If you still notice stubborn stains after following the previous steps, don't worry. You can spray the stains down with lemon juice and water solution, let it sit for a while, and then place the cloth diapers in the sun again. They are natural stain removers that will actually neutralize urine and ammonia instead of raising the PH and causing ammonia diaper rashes.

Important note: because of the citric acid in the lemon, don’t forget to rinse the cloth diapers again before putting them on your baby.

Avoid bleach

In fact, stains don’t mean your cloth diapers are dirty and won’t affect your cloth diapers’ performance. While bleach may seem like a quick fix for stains, it is harsh for your cloth diapers. Bleach or oxygen-based bleach can weaken the natural fabrics (such as cotton, hemp, or bamboo), damage the diaper's elastics, eat away at the waterproofing layer, and may also irritate your baby's delicate skin. So make it your last resort. Unless you are dealing with diaper issues (such as rashes, ammonia smell, or mold), we recommend sticking to natural stain removal methods for the best results.

Some tips on avoiding cloth diaper stains:

● Invest in a diaper sprayer. Once a baby starts eating complementary foods or solids, the cloth diapers will get stains more easily. The sprayer will help you to get as much of the mess out as possible before you wash, so the stains won’t set, especially if they will be sitting for a day or two before getting washed.

● Consider cloth diaper liners: especially the ones in synthetic fabrics (because natural fabrics will stain more easily than synthetics). They not only help prevent stains, but also allow an easier clean up!

● Add an extra rinse to your cloth diaper laundry routine. Sometimes heavily soiled cloth diapers may just need an extra rinse, or two!

Remember to always read the care instructions provided by the cloth diaper manufacturer and test any stain removal method on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire diaper.

Some tips from our customers in our Facebook VIP group:

Claudia Saldivar
Just remove solids right away and give the diaper a quick rinse and let them to air dry has worked so well for me. Not a single stain.

Brittany Greer
To help with staining, I use a fleece liner I made from a blanket! It’s helped save a lot of diapers. I also try my best to rinse them immediately if possible with cold water! I haven’t had any staining so far.

Sanders Haker
Scrub any big messes with cold water before washing.

Juana Paula
Cloth diaper must pre-wash (I use bidet when there's poop) right after use. This will eliminate the possible cause of stain and then air dry.
But it can't really be avoided, so I pre-wash, soak them in baby detergent with the right portion of bleach and place them under the sun (using a basin). In the Philippines, we call it "Kula". After 15-30 minutes, I wash them thoroughly and finally hang to dry. Sometimes I use bamboo liner so poop won't go direct to nappy.

Join us in our Mama Koala Cloth Diapers Addicts group!
There are many parents who would love to share their tips and tricks about cloth diapering.

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