Cloth Diaper Diasters

Smelly Diapers

Diapers that smell like urine can be freshened by trying a few of the following techniques:

1. The Strip Wash - wash the diapers in HOT water, with no detergent. Run them through a few hot cycles and dry in the sun. (Diapers can sometimes become smelly due to a build up of detergent)
2. Vinegar Rinse – don’t do this often, as it rots the PUL layer in AIO dipes. Add a quarter of a cup of vinegar to your rinse cycle.
3. Bi-Carb Soda wash – add a half a cup of bi-carb soda to your wash cycle
4. Tea Tree Oil Rinse – add a few drops of tea tree oil to your rinse cycle

You should never use fabric softener with your diapers, and soap flakes will also build up on them, which can trap urine smells.

Leaky Diapers

Diapers that leak suddenly, after working for a while, are often “repelling” this is caused by a build up of detergent or barrier cream.

1. Try a strip wash.
2. Use a liner whenever you use barrier cream
3. You can also try putting them through the tumble dryer, to ‘re-seal’ any micro holes in the waterproof layer.

Pooey Stained Diapers

1. Sunshine is the best poo remover ever. Hang them out in the sun, and let the UV do it’s work.
2. If it’s a really stubborn poo stain, a plain soap such as Velvet soap, or Sard, will get rid of the stain with a bit of rubbing.

Avoiding the Medicine Stain

Some medications cause the urine to stain. Prevention is better than cure here, as the purple, or brown stains that result, are permanent.

If your child is taking an oral medication (such as children’s paracetemol, or even some of the homeopathic remedies) Make sure you use a disposable liner.

If you’re quick you may be able to remove the stain with velvet soap, or sard.

Fluffy Velcro

Velcro that has collected fluff is easily cleaned using a metal comb – you can get little curry style combs from most pet stores, that are fantastic for this.

Broken Elastic

Unfortunately, broken elastic involves picking the diaper to pieces, reattaching the elastic, and sewing it back up again. Easy if you’re savvy with a needle and thread- pain in the butt if you’re not. A work around is to use the diaper inside a trim fitting cover.

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