Comments on: A Simple, Eco-Friendly Solution for Stinky Diapers: Use Hydrogen Peroxide in Place of Chlorine Bleach

By: Audrey

Audrey — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:15:16 +0000

I’ve been cloth diapering and I am trying to find a drying rack for my patio. Can you please tell us where to buy the wood frame rack that is pictured in this post? I found a simpler version at The Container Store but it looks like it isn’t really made to be outside and would fall over with a slight breeze.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:00:56 +0000

Thanks! I added over a cup last night to a full, stinky diaper load. Not sure how the results compare to normal washing, but I figured it can’t hurt. I found that switching to natural fibers from microfiber/polyester/fleece/etc. made the BIGGEST difference in not having stinky diaper laundry. Just my two cents.

By: joy

joy — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:37:25 +0000

Ashley,
I added more specific directions to the post using Ecover’s non-chlorine bleach bottle directions. Essentially every time you’re buying eco-friendly non-chlorine bleach you’re just buying a big bottle of hydrogen peroxide so it should work the same!
Thanks for your comment.

By: Leigh

Leigh — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:25:40 +0000

SJ. I do something similar to Rebecca. We dry pail with a sprinkling of baking soda if it gets a touch smelly. Every three or four days we do a regular wash with Country Save or Arm and Hammer Essentials. Then the prefolds and wipes go in the dryer and the covers line dry. The same amount of work as a regular load of laundry except it is much easier to fold.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:34:20 +0000

I’m wondering how much one would recommend adding to a full wash cycle of dirty diapers. Based on an above comment I would add straight Hydrogen Peroxide, and am curious how much others added to combat stink. Thanks!

By: rebecca

rebecca — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:15:04 +0000

SJ–too bad our book is not out yet, because it would answer all of your questions! I’ll try to help you out here. . . .

1. I store diapers in a dry pail–that means no soaking solution, chemicals, etc.
2. I wash them like any other load of laundry, except on the heavy cycle. Even on cold water. (We have a post about this somewhere.)
3. Yes, you do need to prewash and dry according to manufacturers’ recommendations. This helps get them fully absorbent.

Let me know if that answered your questions!

By: Emily @ Little Home

Emily @ Little Home — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:08:48 +0000

Thanks, Joy!

By: Joy

Joy — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:39:38 +0000

Emily–I know that our Ecover non-chlorine bleach, which contains just hydrogen peroxide and water, is safe for both colors and whites according to the label, so it should be fine for bumgeniuses. The maker of Bummis, which also use polyester colored fabric, recommends a hydrogen peroxide based product for stains and odor.

Also, I should note that thanks to a few of our comments on last week’s blog, I’ve learned that you DON’T need to add water to the hydrogen peroxide! Apparently the bottled hydrogen peroxide you buy for medical use is diluted to 3%, which is exactly the same dilution ratio is for non-chlorine bleach.

By: Emily @ Little Home

Emily @ Little Home — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:21:52 +0000

Do you know if it is safe to use on bumGeniuses? I’ve only ever used Charlie’s soap and a few times regular bleach per instructions and am afraid of ruining them. I’d love to try it if it is ok!

By: SJ

SJ — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:56:59 +0000

I have been scouring your site for all the info on cloth diapers I can get. I have an 11 month old and am trying to figure out the logistics of switching to cloth. What is your typical process for washing diapers, start to finish? Do you keep a water/cleaning solution in your pail for pre-soaking before laundry day? Did you pre-wash multiple times when you first bought the diapers as many seem to recommend? Thanks for all your helpful information. I’m addicted to your site!