Bleach Sanitizing Your Cloth Diapers

Bleaching is an effective way to sanitize cloth diapers, whether you are dealing with yeast, bacteria, ammonia buildup, or preparing used reusable diapers. Here are the two recommended methods; a bleach soak for deep sanitizing and a bleach wash for ongoing yeast treatment or other pervasive issues. 

Important first steps:

• Use the right bleach: Use standard disinfecting bleach with at least 5.25% sodium hypochlorite.

• Do NOT use: Scented, "splash-less," or color-safe bleaches, as they will not disinfect.

• Check bleach age: Bleach expires and loses effectiveness after about 6 months.

• Iron-rich water: DO NOT USE BLEACH if you have iron-rich water (water that leaves orange stains). It will turn your diapers very orange. See the alternative method below.

Method 1, bleach soak (for sanitizing)

Use this method to kill bacteria, treat ammonia or "stink" issues, and sanitize pre-loved diapers or diapers used during a yeast infection (as the first step).

1. Start with clean diapers: This process should be done on diapers that have already been washed.

2. Prepare the soak: Add COLD water and bleach to your tub, top loading machine, or a separate container. Use the following ratios:

   • Bathtub:

     • 1/2 full: 1/2 cup bleach

     • 3/4 full: 3/4 to 1 cup bleach

   • Top loader (Non-HE):

     • Small load: 1/3 cup bleach

     • Medium load: 1/2 cup bleach

     • Large/XL load: 3/4 cup bleach

   • Small container (e.g., bucket or kitchen sink): 1 Tablespoon of bleach per 1 gallon of cold water.

   Note for HE machine users: You cannot soak in an HE front-loader and it is not recommended for an HE top-loader. You must use a bathtub or other container.

3. Soak diapers: Add your clean diapers to the bleach water and submerge them. Soak for 30 to 45 minutes.

4. Rinse & wash:

   • Rinse the diapers thoroughly with HOT water to deactivate the bleach. If using a tub or smaller container, rinse well before transferring to your machine.

   • Follow with a full HOT wash cycle using detergent.

Method 2, bleach wash (for ongoing yeast treatment & other issues)

Use this method when actively treating a yeast rash, when you have mild issues with stink(ammonia, barnyard) or for other infections needing ongoing treatment. This is done instead of a soak.

1. Add to wash cycle: Add bleach directly to the bleach dispenser of your machine for your main wash cycle.

2. Use COLD water: This bleach wash should be done with a COLD wash cycle (not hot) to ensure the bleach does not get broken down during the first cycle.

3. Bleach amounts:

   • HE machines (top or front loaders): 1/2 cup (for a drum that is 2/3 to 3/4 full).

   • Non-HE machines:

     • Small load: 1/4 cup

     • Medium load: 1/2 cup

     • Large load: 3/4 cup

    

4. Main wash: Follow the bleach wash with a HOT main wash with an appropriate amount of detergent. The water needs to be hot so that the bleach will be broken down completely.

5. Continue treatment: You'll want to add bleach to every wash while the rash is present AND for 14 days after the rash has fully cleared.

Alternative for iron rich water

If your water has high iron, use this bleach-free soak method instead.

1. Start with clean diapers.

2. Prepare the soak: In a bathtub 1/2 full of COLD water, add 1 cup of borax and 4 cups of peroxide.

3. Soak: Soak diapers for 30 to 45 minutes.

4. Rinse and wash: Rinse thoroughly with HOT water, followed by a HOT wash with detergent.

Scared of Bleach?

I would like to offer comfort & an explication. Bleach is not inherently dangerous and can be part of your arsenal, even if you're a crunchy parent. We understand the hesitation. When used appropriately, when necessary, bleach is safe. You'll want to make sure you're using it correctly, like washing in hot water to deactivate it properly. This isn't something that leaves behind any harmful chemicals. The active ingredients work their magic, then they get deactivated and rinsed down the drain. 

Stay spooky,

Kristin

Arcadia's Nursery