Input requested: Nontoxic stain remover *Update*
Does anyone have a good suggestion for a nontoxic cleaner that will remove those lovely "mustard" newborn diaper stains? I've been using Shout as that is the only thing I've found which does the trick but I'd really like to come up with something that worked well and was nontoxic. Suggestions?
Update: Wow! Lots of great suggestions here. I failed to mention this was not stains on cloth diapers - we're not using cloth yet (I'm not that adventuresome just yet, the cloth diapers I have don't fit her yet, and still have some free disposables left to use up first!) - but stains on my clothing, Kaitlynn's clothing, and anywhere else her diapers leak onto. Once she gets a little bigger and fits into her diapers better, I'm hoping we'll have less of a leaking problem. In the mean time, we are going through lots of clothing around here. Any suggestions on keeping her from leaking? I tried preemie diapers and they fit her best, but leak worse. We've tried different brands of diapers and they all seem to leak the same.
Update: Wow! Lots of great suggestions here. I failed to mention this was not stains on cloth diapers - we're not using cloth yet (I'm not that adventuresome just yet, the cloth diapers I have don't fit her yet, and still have some free disposables left to use up first!) - but stains on my clothing, Kaitlynn's clothing, and anywhere else her diapers leak onto. Once she gets a little bigger and fits into her diapers better, I'm hoping we'll have less of a leaking problem. In the mean time, we are going through lots of clothing around here. Any suggestions on keeping her from leaking? I tried preemie diapers and they fit her best, but leak worse. We've tried different brands of diapers and they all seem to leak the same.
posted by Crystal Paine at 3:10 PM
52 Comments:
Is dove bar soap toxic? I'm not sure, but that's what I've used for my baby (on my mother's recommendation) and it's taken every stain out -- even some that have accidentally gone through the dryer!
Those kinds of stains should sun out fairly easily. Are you able to hang out the diapers in the sun to dry? I soak my son's diapers in cold water with 1/2 cup of borax for 30 minutes as well, but it is toxic though. However, I do rinse them twice. Hopefully, someone will post a solution that works for you!
Tammy
www.xanga.com/fulltimemomto2
I don't know for sure, as I don't use cloth diapers, but maybe some vinegar would do the trick.
How do you use the bar soap, Danica? Just rub the dry bar onto the stain? I'd love to know more about this tip!! :)
i don't know if it is non-toxic, but Ivory Bar soap works great or if you can get a hold of a good homemade soap. it works great! I would just put the clothes ina bucket of cold water right away until I had time to scrub them out and then use my bar soap to get them out.
Hang the stained item outside as the sun is the natural bleach. We use cloth diapers in our house and by line drying them we got a lot of "mustard" stains out.
Here's how I launder our daughter's cloth diapers (as well as anything they leak on!)
I soak them overnight in hot water with regular laundry detergent and some borax and/or washing soda. In the morning, I start the wash cycle and they come out clean. I let the machine fill up and agitate for about five minutes, then I stop it and soak overnight.
Peroxide and sun might help. Simple Green cleaner is non-toxic as well and has gotten out quite a lot of stains for me; even some pretty bad blood stains.
Not sure if it is non-toxic or not, but I always soaked in Baby Oxy Clean to take care of that stain - best thing I ever found, and I tried lots of different things...
Have you tried "Super Washing Soda" by Arm & Hammer? Here's a link to the American version on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Arm-Hammer-Super-Washing-Soda/dp/B0006M64XE
You can probably find it at your local supermarket. I buy it in Canada under the name of "So Clean Washing Soda". It's advertised as "All Naturual" and has no fragrance or phosphates.
I found a little presoak of this in the washing machine, even just stopping the agitation cycle for 10 minutes or so works wonders. I haven't had to throw out a single item of clothing in the past 2.5 years because of baby poop! :)
I used "Totally Toddler" spray laundry stain remover (located in grocery store baby departments) and the Dreft equivalent, both of which seemed to work well.
--Christy W.
The only thing that I have found that gets out EVERY stain is Oxy Clean ( I am not sure if it is toxic or not, I don't think so) YOU just make a paste by mixing the powder with water and spread it on the spot let it sit either a few minutes or over night (depending on how bad the stain is) then wash as usual, wahlah, stain gone ;-)
Soaking in cold water as you would for a blood stain usually works quite well if done while fresh. This is what we do for our cloth diapers.
Cathy
I just checked and Oxy clean is Non-toxic!!!! and it works!!!!
I used Amway's TriZyme as a presoak. If you know someone that is a distributor. I don't know about toxicity, but the company gets awards every year for their efforts to use pure and green ingredients. Here's what it ways on the website.
"When detergent alone just won't cut it. Triple-enzyme action attacks embedded soil and stains. Just soak or boost your wash load and eliminate difficult-to-remove organic and protein stains, such as body soils, food, mud, and blood – guaranteed."
www.kidsnpetsbrand.com
Kids 'n Pets is available online, at amazon.com or Target. It is awesome!!!!
We have had great luck with it - it removes blood, vomit, diarrhea, urine, food stains, grass, etc. from upholstery, carpet and fabrics and it works every time!
It is nontoxic. We love this stuff and give it to everyone we know as part of their baby shower gift.
I know I sound like a commercial, but I LOVE this stuff. It has such a nice, light, pleasant scent and it is so nice to know that it can't hurt anyone as it is nontoxic. BTW, I am not affiliated with the product at all. I just can't tell you how wonderful it is - it has saved our skins SO many times!
Well, I don't know if it's toxic, but oxy clean worked really well for me.
L.O.C. Multi-purpose cleaner by Quixtar. It's amazing.
I haven't tried these personally, but I've heard other cloth diaper users mention them.
http://www.biokleen.com/
http://www.biokleen.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SP003&cat=17
http://www.kokogm.com/Products/bok-0031.html
I second Jenny's recommendation -- Super Washing Soda, while not exactly harmless, will take out the breastmilk-poo stains wonderfully. I just wouldn't use it too liberally or too frequently, as it will cause the fabric to deteriorate.
However, if you can get some sunlight on whatever is stained, that will really do the trick, too. I hung all sorts of mustard-colored diapers on my clothesline in the hot sun, and the stains disappear like magic. Maybe a wooden rack could be set out back, if you don't have a clothesline? The sun really is best!! :)
Wow, you've gotten a lot of good comments here--haven't read them all, but I've heard good things about BioKleen Bac-Out Stain and Odor Eliminator. I actually have some, but I haven't used it enough yet to know how well it works. I got mine at our local health food store, and have since found it in the natural/organic section of our grocery store, too. I agree that sunshine is the best poopy stain remover!!
My favorite (probably very toxic) stain remover is Zout. I've found that Zout + sunshine does an awesome job getting rid of even the worst stains (especially if you treat them right away).
Protein stains like poo and blood will come out with cold water- try a cold presoak or prewash cycle :)
If that doesn't do the trick, they'll come out over time if dried in the sun- my son's did (from both clothes and diapers)
I didn't take the time to read the rest of the comments, so there's a chance someone already mentioned this but... THE SUN!
I use cloth diapers on my toddler and my newborn. I have found my newborn's stains come out so easily when I hang the diapers to dry on the line (the toddler stains are a different story...). It might not all come out the first time, but by the second laundering, I can't tell which diaper it was!
Totally non-toxic. :-D
(My washing routine, by the way, is a cold pre-rinse, then a hot cycle on the roughest cycle with 1/8 cup concentrated arm and hammer detergent with a downy ball 1/2-2/3 full of white distilled vinegar).
Hope that helps!
Oh, and wanted to add, DON'T use any bar soap that has animal fats in it (like Ivory). I was using homemade detergent on my diapers for months, and the animal fat built up and made them repel liquids! Bad news for cloth diapers!
If Shout doesn't work the first time (on clothing, we use disposables), I spray Shout then put on some Cascade dishwasher detergent (powder) and rub that in with an old toothbrush (adding water if needed to get it to "stick" a little).
Jennifer
I've heard a theory that too much detergent can contribute to staining...since the residues get stuck in the diaper and stick other stuff with them. I tried reducing my detergent to 1/4 the original amt, and it helped me get out yucky newborn poopy stains. My method (it worked for me!) involves 3 washes:
1) small amt of detergent, cold water, quick wash.
2) 1/4 of normal detergent amt, 1/2 cup baking soda, very hot water, long cycle w/ soak, vinegar in rinse
3) rinse cycle only, extra vinegar, cold water.
Vicky,
I just rinse the stain with cold water, then lather it up with the bar of soap, and scrub it a bit until it's clean. Sometimes have to repeat the process, but it has literally worked every time -- even when I forget to do it right away!
We used cloth nappies for both our girls & always used the generic housebrand of Napisan- I don't know if it's non-toxic or not- & then hot washed them & line dried.
In the old days, my mum said they used "Sunlight" soap for nearly everything.
Claire
I have ALWAYS just washed my nappies (er... diapers) in a washing machine, on cold wash, with regular detergent, and hung them in the sun to dry. No stains.
It's an Aussie thing :)
Sim in Oz
Simple Green along with some of whatever laundry soap or stain remover you already have, works pretty well. I don't know if it is toxic however.
The only place in our town I have found it is Lowe's hardware store. It used to be carried in Walmart and Costco...but not Walmart here anymore and not sure about Costco, as the nearest one to us is 90 minutes away so we rarely go anymore.
The only thing that ever works for me is to throw it in the wash RIGHT AWAY.
My daughter is 22 months, and we still use her newborn diapers as doublers. The stains eventually come out with lots of washings.
Sometimes those stains need multiple stain busting attacks. ;) We do all three of these things: oxyclean, boiling and sunshine.
I use Oxyclean in the wash which seems to get the stains out well.
Too much detergent can make the diapers smell bad. I think it also causes less absorbancy over time. When they seem to get overloaded with detergent residue, I boil them in a huge stock pot on the stove. This is the way people used to get stains out before modern times. Boiling gets out most tough diaper stains.
Also, like someone else said here, letting them sit in the sun works well too.
No help with the stains I'm sorry to say but I wanted to comment about Charlie Zahm, his DVD looks very nice. He one of our regular performers at our Scottish Festival in Williamsburg.
Hi ! I have found that Greased Lightning takes care of any stain, even permanent marker although I am not sure if it is non toxic. Also vinegar is a great stain remover as well.
Stephanie
I have always noticed my little one's disposable diapers started leaking when it was time to move up a size. The diapers appear to be the right size but once you move up to the next one all the leaking stops. :)
Dear Crystal,
My mom uses a lot of products from this company called Melaleuca.
It sells products that don't have chemicals in them. I'm not sue if they have stain removers but they might.
Mandy: I moved her up from Newborn to Size 1 and have to fold them down some for them to fit her but we've had her in those for the past few days because they seem to leak less - I wish it was as easy as just moving her into a new size. :( I think this girl is just really good at the diaper thing - at least we know she has plenty of nourishment going through her! I just don't remember Kathrynne or any other of the newborns I've taken care of managing to to do this well at going through so many clothes and diapers and my clothes in a day's time! Oh well, it always makes life interesting!!
I had this challenge with my firstborn...leaking on his clothes and mine and his baby gear. Oxyclean is what I use and still use for stains that won't come out any other way. I put the hottest tap water in a basin, then sprinkle Oxyclean in it, then soak the item in it. If I check it after a few hours and it's still there, I'll let it soak 24 hours, and it's gone by that time. I've used this procedure for tough stains that have been washed several times (Shout did not get out), and dried several times, and Oxyclean gets them out if I let them soak for 24 hours.
After diapering five children, I am convinced that paper diapers are not worth using. My cloth diapers never leak bf poo the way paper diapers do. I just use prefolds and bummis or proraps covers...inexpensive, easy to wash & dry and never a poo leak. They do sell covers for teeny babies...maybe it would be worth buying some to get her into cloth asap.
Fels Naptha is a great stain remover and is very economical.
I have found that when my babies are leaking, I actually need to go up a size in diapers. It allows the sides to overlap more and prevents leaks, even around the legs. I have a three month old (my fourth). When he has a diaper that leaks, I go to the closet where I store the diapers and get out the next size. Then we don't have anymore leaks for several weeks. My last baby weighed 10lbs and 11 oz. He is growing very quickly. He is nearly 16lbs at 3 mths. He is in a size 3. My first daughter was only 7lbs and 7 oz. She barely weighed 18lbs when she turned one. Anyway, try a bigger size to prevent leaks.
I saw this on another blog talking about the same thing...I haven't tried it but it seems it might be worth checking into further...http://www.charliesoap.com/
i've been loving the pampers swaddlers with my 5 wk old. i can almost pretend they're like cloth, and price per diaper is cheaper than huggies - then throw in some coupons, and it's not too expensive (At least for the short term)
haven't had any problems with leaking with these. like them much much better than other brands...
I have three little ones and a husband who works outside for a living, so I am quite good at getting rid of stains. Wash your clothes like normal, but add 1/2 a cup of ammonia. I promise that it will work. I usually have the second rinse cycle on to get the ammonia rinsed out. My girls had very sensitive tushies when they were babies and this never bothered them as long as I used the second rinse cycle. Good luck!
Amanda L
We found that the only thing that really reduced and pretty much elimated leaky diapers was switching to cloth. None of the disposable brands we tried, and we tried about half a dozen, were able to contain all the leaks. You might want to try using the next size up instead if you are still using the disposables for a while. They give more coverage in the back and you can always fold down the front once or twice and the tabs will still stick closed.
Crystal~
Since I've been experiencing this first hand the last few months...here are my thoughts:
First of all, make sure the size is not too small or too big. I had to move my baby up a size even though his current size was technically still fitting. Second, make sure when you put the diaper on, that you adjust the leg openings and make sure the elasticy stuff is not tucked in, but instead is hugging properly the leg. Otherwise, there will definitely be leakage! Also, if you hear her "bubbling"...RUN to the diaper changing station...catch it before it climbs her back or oozes down the leg. Trust me, I've saved many a shirt and onesie just by listening and moving quickly :-)
Lastly, even after all that, sometimes you just can't win. But make sure you rinse right away, use a stain remover of some sort...and just pray the stain comes out:-)
Hope that helps...from a Mommy in the front lines...
Lots of love,
Sommer
Honestly....just use up the disposables really fast. Once we changed to cloth (small prefolds, fleece liner and Bummis Super Whisper Wrap Covers) we had little to NO leakage whatsover. But those first 8 weeks of disposies were aweful! If you were willing to do some extra washing...which it sounds like you're doing ANYWAY! I'd invest in a cheap set of prefolds, fleece liners (cut yourself from cheap walmart fleece--no sewing required!) a snappi or two and some good fitting covers--which will be the most expensive but totally worth it in my opinion since they are what will save your clothing.
http://www.jamtots.com/Infant-Prefold-Package-P271C0.aspx
http://www.tinytush.com/chinese_prefold_packages.htm
http://www.diaperco.com/store/p/235-Basic-Newborn-Starter-Package.html
http://www.earthybirthymama.com/diapers/packages.html (scroll down to the economy package section)
I'll leave it there but you get the idea. I know they seem so old fashioned and difficult but with a young baby that's not super wriggly yet they are quite easy once you learn a fold that works for you. We loved prefolds but now I'm a pocket Mum since I have to wrestle a toddler who loves to be on the go!
Murphy's Oil soap will get out just about everything, and a bar soap I think called Masters Soap that is sold in the paint aisle of AC Moore crafts works wonders too. It is for artists to wash the oil paints, etc off, but if gets everything clean!
I use hot water and regular bar soap (ivory, dial, etc.) until the stain is gone then I throw it in with the regular wash. I have found cold water makes it set more but hot helps work it out.
I know I'm late to the party on this thread, but I have had 6 breastfed infants and they have all done that! (We call them "blowouts" or "scatterpoop".) I have learned that when I smell that familiar smell or hear "the sound", I just jump up and check for leaks immediately. Soaking overnight in bucket of Biz Color Safe Bleach or Oxy Clean have worked best for me, but if left too long, the stain will stay.
I have put "rubber pants" on over disposable diapers to prevent leaks. It really works!
Crystal, try soaking the clothes in a combination of baking soda, peroxide, and some boiling water. I did this a week or so ago to get burn marks from the dryer out of a brand new white shirt. I had to soak it for a day or two, but it came out. Today, I pulled out some clothes to wash for the newest addition we are expecting in about three weeks. He will be our 4th boy to even us up at 4 each. It has been 7 years since we had a little boy and found a few of the stains you were talking about. I poured boiling water over the clothes after pouring about 1/2 c. each of peroxide and baking soda. After about thirty minutes, most of the stains are gone. HTH. God Bless
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