The headaches associated with how to get poop stains out of cloth diapers are one of the reasons why many mothers and caregivers do not like the idea of cloth diapers in the first place. But do you have a choice not to use them for your baby – I guess not!
As a nursing mother or caregiver, you will work around a lot of poop – it will be everywhere you turn and where you do not want to turn. You need to get yourself prepared to know how best to get poop stains out of virtually everything – and the cloth diapers are the best place to start.
Do not be deceived, behind all the gorgeousness of an infant lays a master poop machine, and I do not just mean the watery stuff they pass after the first few weeks. Once your baby starts passing out solids, you will discover that you have a truckload in your hands. So, you should get yourself ready.
When it comes to getting poop stains out of cloth diapers, you may have to apply some special techniques to work them out. As your baby grows, so does the intensity of their poop.
So, the techniques you used to remove the tar-like colored poop from an infant will be totally different from what you have to do when faced with the bright yellowish poop from breastfeeding babies. The light brown stains on cloths diapers from the poop of a growing toddler is a different ball game entirely. You see, you have to be enlightened on how to get poop stains out of cloth diapers, and be prepared to execute.
In this article, we will discuss all you need to know about the techniques to effectively get poop stains out of cloth diapers, and the safe laundry and cleaning products you will need to execute the task. Let us get on with it already!
How to Get Poop Stains Out of Cloth Diapers
As a mother or caregiver who uses cloths diapers, washing poop out of the cloths diapers is something you will get used to in no time. Soon, it will be a part of your routine that your nostrils will become numb to the smell of your baby’s poop.
To get poop stains out of cloth diapers or any fabric (probably the poop got onto the baby’s clothes or yours), you will need to take three things into careful consideration. I can tell you that these are three everyday procedures and unlike what you expected, you can execute them on your own without needing external help from anyone.
1. Wash the Cloth Normally
All you need to get rid of those poop stains is a good old wash. You will not take all the normal washing procedures into consideration. Wash similar colors together, and wash bleeding fabrics separately.
As you should normally do, concentrate on affected areas and try to scrub the stains out gently without ripping out the cloth. What use is it if you destroy your baby’s cloth diapers in the process of getting rid of a stain? Also, while washing you should make sure you are using the right laundry and cleaning product appropriate for the cloth diaper – and this brings us to our second point on the list.
2. Use the Right Laundry and Cleaning Product
I always advise mothers to go with natural laundry and cleaning products for anything that has to do with their baby’s laundry because of their sensitive skin. You should not use bleach or high chemical-based soaps and detergents when washing anything that relates to a baby.
More so, a baby’s cloth diaper comes in direct contact with their private parts, so you risk exposing the baby to nappy rash or other more severe complications if you use harmful cleaning products. So, stick to my advice, use only natural laundry and cleaning products. We will talk about the best natural cleaning products in a different session of the article, so don’t go anywhere.
3. Take Advantage of the Sun
Did you know that the sun has been proven to be the most natural and effective stain removal? Well, studies have proven that the ultraviolet rays in the sun are able to break down the molecules that form up dirt and stains in clothes.
Acting as a natural bleach, the sun is able to eat up stains from cloths. So, after you wash the cloths diapers, position the area with the stains directly under the sun for about 2-3 hours. You should repeat the procedure the next day or allow the cloth diaper to last longer in the sun.
[Also Read: How to Remove Breast Milk Stains from Clothes]
How to Prevent Poop Stains
You cannot prevent your baby from pooping, but you can prevent poop stains from ruining your baby’s cloth diapers. It is interesting how the simplest measures can make the biggest differences – the satisfaction that comes with it are worth a million words.
There are various procedures you can take to prevent poop stains, and the interesting thing about this – as it always is, is that these little measures will save you a lot of time and resources. Imagine doing something to prevent poop stains from cloths diapers, thereby not having to go through all the stress of cleaning methods.
Below, we have highlighted the simple measures and steps you need to take in preventing poop stains from cloth diapers; check them out.
1. Use a Water Spray
To prevent the stains from settling into the fabric of the cloth diaper, you should quickly remove the diapers and spray the affected areas to prevent the poop stain from settling into the fabric.
Once damp, rinse the diaper thoroughly in water before washing it with a laundry product. By doing this, you have been able to displace the molecules and prevented the poop stains from settling permanently into the diapers.
2. Make Use of Diaper Liners
This has got to be the best way to prevent poop stains in cloth diapers. These are nylon-like liners that you place on the cloth diapers before you use them. So, the liners help to catch the poop and prevent it from staining the cloth diapers.
Let us think about it, why should you deal with poop stains when you can prevent them totally? Like panty liners, these liners will do all the dirty work for you. All you need to do is wrap the poop in the liner, and your cloth diaper is ready for another use.
3. You Can Pre-Wash in Cold Water
You can pre-wash the diaper in water mixed with a little detergent. The damp diaper will prevent the poop stain from settling in because of the water and detergent.
This is the least used procedure because mothers and caregivers often feel concerned about having their babies go about in a wet diaper. Although I would not use this procedure, if you feel it is okay by you, feel free to indulge.
Safe Laundry and Cleaning Products for Cloth Diapers
As I always say, if it concerns your baby, then it should be a hundred percent safe. There are a few safe laundry and cleaning products for cloths diapers which I have personally tested and verified as efficient.
Below, we have highlighted three safe laundry and cleaning products for cloths diapers that you should consider, let us check them out together.
3 Safe Laundry Cleaning Products for Cloths Diapers
1. Vinegar: If you have white vinegar anywhere around the house; you can use it to eradicate poop stains naturally and effectively. Apply a few drops of the vinegar over the poop stains and soak in water for a few minutes. After about 5 to 10 minutes, you can wash the cloth diaper thoroughly and you will be surprised at the effect of the vinegar on the stains.
2. Lemon Juice: Every mother and caregiver knows that orange juice is good for removing stains. It is also effective in the removal of poop stains on cloth diapers. To achieve the best results, prepare an orange juice solution by mixing orange juice and water in the same quantities. Apply the solution over the affected parts and allow the diaper to dry under the sun.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide: You can prepare a homemade natural effective stain removal by mixing a small portion of hydrogen peroxide in water. Before washing the cloth diapers, use an old toothbrush to scrub out the poop stains with the hydrogen peroxide solution. After which, you should wash the cloth diaper as you normally do, and lay it out in the sun to dry.
How to Remove Stubborn Poop Stains from Baby Clothes
Yes, there are going to be times when your natural homemade remedies will not work in removing the poop stains. This could be as a result of the texture of the fabric or maybe it is just one of those stubborn poops!
When you are faced with such a situation, try to soak the garment in color-safe bleach for at least 30 minutes to get rid of the poop traces. There are some baby-friendly bleach, so, make sure you go for them because you should always have the safety of your baby at heart.
After taking the cloth diaper out of the bleach solution, rinse thoroughly before putting it into the washing machine. Oh yes, you have to wash it until you remove any trace or smell of the bleach from the cloth diaper.
