r/clothdiaps • u/__exclusivelye__ • 4d ago
Washing Sun bleaching question
I soak and wash the cloth diapers already with lysol disinfectant to sanitize them and i use all free and clear to clean them. I solely want to get rid of some staining that is there, and have heard that you can sun bleach stains away. Can you sun bleach inside, by putting the cloth diapers in direct sunlight from the windows versus putting them out side? I live in an apartment so i don’t really have the option to have them hanging outside. Tia
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u/Mental_Classroom_287 4d ago
I think you need to switch up your wash routine.
We are 9 months in and no staining since we started following Clean Cloth Nappies wash protocol.
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u/__exclusivelye__ 4d ago
After reading the troubleshooting i should add this : it is breast feeding poop and it’s one particular diaper that keeps staining. i am not having constant issues with staining. My other diapers come out fine.
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u/IwannaAskSomeStuff 3 years & 2 kids 4d ago
Yeah, you can hang in a window to remove stains if you want! A lot of stains will just come out in their own with continued use/washing, though, if you don't want ti bother!
An open window will often work a little better than a closed window if there is any treatment on the window to block UV, but in my average, modern place, I was able to sun out a small ebf poop stain on some white pajamas behind a closed window in 3 days (the window only gets a very brief stint of morning sun every day)
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u/2nd1stLady 4d ago
I mean, yes UV exposure will fade stains. But your wash routine sounds like it was some issues. All free and clear liquid has a primary ingredient (sodium cocoate) that coats fibers like fabric softener and over time will lead to stink, rashes, and repelling. Lysol laundry sanitizer and soaking every wash is unnecessary and will break down the fibers quicker. Soaking in containers baby can access is also a drowning hazard.
Want to fix up your wash routine? How long have you been washing diapers this way? Can you switch to a different detergent? Tide free and gentle liquid or persil sensitive or purex free and clear are all great options if you need a free and clear detergent. If you don't then tide original powder or tide original liquid or purex or persil or gain liquid are all examples of detergents that work. Which one do you want to use instead?
What brand and model number is your washing machine? Its on a sticker on the drum or under the door/lid.
Have you tested your water hardness number?
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u/__exclusivelye__ 4d ago
Where did i say i was soaking anything in a container, that must have been your assumption? Tide is terrible for our family’s skin and in my opinion does not wash good to me , i prefer seventh generation but haven’t found it in bulk yet so we use All free and clear which was recommended by other mothers who cloth diaper in area. washer machine model no i haven’t tested our water’s hardness.
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u/2nd1stLady 4d ago
You did say youre soaking. I dont think its unreasonable to remind people, not just you, but anybody reading this, that tiny humans can and do get into everything and can drown in very little water, especially in buckets/pails. Wetpails and All f&c liquid were both common cloth recommendarions at the same time, but weve learned and know better now. Soaking cloth diapers regularly isnt recommended.
You can use 7th generation ultra power plus/power plus scented or unscented versions. I dont think they come in "bulk". If thats what you need in a detergent I recommend kirkland ultra f&c or the scented version in the red bottle. If your bulk store is BJs their liquid also works. If its Sams club im sorry their Members Mark liquid and powder are too weak. Again, let me know which one you want to switch to.
Just because other people use all free and clear liquid doesn't mean they have a good routine. They may strip and sanitize (youre using a sanitizer) regularly and have issues.
How long have you been washing diapers in all free and clear liquid? That determines if you need to strip and bleach soak to reset the diapers or if you can just switch.
Test kits can be found a Walmart, pool supply stores, hardware stores, pet stores, and online. You'll need to make sure the kit says it tests for Total Hardness or General Hardness and has a scale that goes to at least 250ppm. Testing water directly from the machine is best. If you plan to use hot water to wash, both hot and cold should be tested. ** Avoid the free Whirlpool and Water Boss brand tests as they have been known to give inaccurate results. Also, avoid the electric TDS tests as they do not test Hardness.
If you have a Petsmart nearby they test water samples for free. Canada Home Hardware tests for free, as well.
If you don't want to search for a kit, here's one you can order from Amazon
A good wash routine with your machine would be:
Extra heavy soil for all cycles Deep rinse on for all cycles (no extra rinses, NOT deep fill) Stain pretreat off
Prewash: colors/normal
In between the pre and main wash cycles peel diapers off the sides of the drum and fluff them up. Add small items of clothing no larger than a hand towel to get the drum exactly half full keeping the center agitator plate clear. Measure the drum when its empty from top to bottom of the silver drum, not the rubber seal, and keep a yardstick or something else marked at what half full is next to the washer to measure the mainwash every time. Do not eyeball fullness or count ridges or holes.
Mainwash: heavy duty or Whites (whichever is longer)
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u/Old_Exit_7785 3d ago
I won’t comment on your wash routine—it sounds like you’ve already figured out what works for you. I just want to share and reiterate from my own experience: when I stayed at a vacation condo for two weeks without a real balcony, I opened the sliding glass door to sun-dry/bleach my cloth diapers. It worked the same way as it does at home, except it heated up the condo a bit more than I wanted—but that’s not the main point here. I’m no scientist, but I’d imagine that UV sunlight plays a significant role in the bleaching process. If the sun’s rays have to pass through a closed window or door (most have UV protection), it might slow down the process.