Sanitizing vs. Stripping Cloth Diapers. Which should I do?

Cloth diapering is an eco-friendly and cost-effective choice for many parents, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Two terms that often come up in cloth diaper care are "sanitizing" and "stripping." While these processes may sound similar, they serve different purposes and are used in distinct situations. Understanding the difference between sanitizing and stripping cloth diapers is crucial for maintaining a healthy and effective diapering routine.

Sanitizing Cloth Diapers

Sanitizing cloth diapers is the process of removing harmful bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms from the diaper fabric. This is typically done using bleach or other disinfecting agents.

When to Sanitize your Cloth Diapers:

• After Illness: If your baby has had a stomach bug or other contagious illness, sanitizing helps prevent the spread of infection.
• Secondhand Diapers: When using pre-owned diapers, sanitizing ensures they're free from any potential pathogens from previous use.
• Yeast Infections: If your baby has had a yeast diaper rash, sanitizing helps prevent reinfection.
• Periodic Maintenance: Some parents choose to sanitize every few months as a preventive measure.

How to Sanitize your Cloth Diapers:

• Begin with clean diapers: Ensure that your diapers have been washed and rinsed thoroughly before sanitizing. 
• Dilute bleach in cold water. Use a bleach that is labeled as a disinfectant for effective sanitizing of your modern cloth diapers. Ensure that the bleach you choose is at least 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. You can find this information on the packaging.
• Soak the cloth diapers in your diluted bleach solution for at least 15 minutes, but no longer than one hour. Excessive soaking for long periods of time, such as overnight, is not necessary and may cause unnecessary wear on the lining or elastics of your diapers. Be sure that each diaper is fully submerged for best results.
• Rinse with warm water, followed by a warm wash cycle in your machine to remove any excess bleach. Sometimes bleach may irritate your baby's delicate skin—be sure to rinse all cloth diapers well to ensure that all of the bleach is removed.
• Dry as desired. We recommend air drying or tumbling dry on low or no heat.
  
  

It's important to note that frequent sanitizing can be harsh on diaper fabrics and may reduce their lifespan. Therefore, it should only be done when necessary. If you find that you are regularly needing to strip your cloth diapers, reach out to our wash routine experts for assistance in troubleshooting your wash routine.  

Stripping Cloth Diapers

Stripping cloth diapers, on the other hand, is the process of removing buildup from cloth diapers. This buildup can be caused by mineral deposits from hard water, residual detergent, or fabric softeners. Stripping aims to restore the diaper's absorbency and eliminate persistent odors.

When to Strip your Cloth Diapers:

• Decreased Absorbency: If your diapers are leaking more than usual or seem less absorbent.
• Persistent Odors: When clean diapers still smell, even after a thorough wash cycle.
• Repelling Issues: If you notice liquid beading up on the diaper surface instead of being absorbed.
• Hard Water Buildup: In areas with hard water, mineral deposits can accumulate over time, necessitating more frequent stripping.
• After Using the Wrong Products: If you've accidentally used fabric softeners or non-cloth-diaper-safe creams.

How to Strip your Cloth Diapers

1. Start with Clean Diapers: Wash diapers thoroughly to ensure they're clean.
2. Choose your Container: Cloth diapers can be stripped in the washing machine or in another container like a bathtub or large container filled with hot water.
3. Choose a Stripping Agent: At Kinder we recommend stripping cloth diapers with either Grovia Mighty Bubbles or RLR, a laundry treatment designed to strip and reset clothing. Both products are available at Kinder. 
4. Perform the cloth Diaper Strip: Follow the package instructions if performing the cloth diaper strip in your washing machine. If performing the strip in a container with RLR, add the RLR and a small amount of detergent to the container, allow the cloth diapers to soak for at least 15 minutes, but no longer than one hour, agitating occasionally.
5. Rinse: Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear.
6. Dry as usual.

Like sanitizing, stripping should not be a regular part of your cloth diaper routine. If you find yourself needing to strip frequently, it's a sign that your regular wash routine needs adjustment.

Key Differences Between Sanitizing and Stripping Cloth Diapers

Purpose:

The goal of sanitizing cloth diapers is to kill germs and pathogens. By contrast, Stripping cloth diapers removes mineral and detergent buildup. 

Frequency:

• Sanitizing is done as needed, typically after illness or for secondhand diapers.
• Stripping should be a rare occurrence, only when odor or absorbency issues arise. If you find that you need to perform a cloth diaper strip frequently, consult with our wash routine experts for help troubleshooting your cloth diaper wash routine. 

Process:

• Sanitizing involves bleach and a regular wash cycle.
• Stripping requires a the use of a product designed for removing build up. At Kinder, we recommend Grovia Mighty Bubbles or RLR. 

Outcome:

• Sanitizing results in germ-free diapers.
• Stripping restores absorbency and eliminates odors.

Risks:

• Frequent sanitizing with strong chemicals like Bleach can weaken fabric fibers.
• Excessive stripping can damage diapers and reduce their lifespan.

When to Consider Stripping vs. Sanitizing

Consider stripping your cloth diapers when:

• You notice a significant decrease in absorbency.
• There are persistent odors even after washing.
• You've been using hard water without a water softener.
• You accidentally used fabric softener or non-cloth-diaper-safe products.

Consider sanitizing your cloth diapers when:

• Your baby has recovered from a contagious illness.
• You've purchased secondhand diapers.
• Your baby has had a diaper rash caused by a yeast infection.
• You want to periodically disinfect your diaper stash.

Preventing the Need for Frequent Stripping or Sanitizing

To minimize the need for stripping or sanitizing, maintain a proper cloth diaper care routine:

1. Use the right amount of cloth-diaper-safe detergent: Too little won't clean effectively, while too much can lead to buildup. Looking for a Kinder approved cloth diaper safe detergent? Learn more »
2. Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets: Fabric softeners and dryer sheets can coat fibers in waxes and fragrance that can reduce absorbency.
3. Rinse diapers thoroughly: Ensure all detergent is rinsed out during the wash cycle. 
4. Address hard water issues: Use a water softener or hard water additive if you have untreated hard water where you live. 
5. Wash diapers frequently: Don't let soiled diapers sit for more than y days before washing. If you experience frequent and recurring odor issues, consider washing more often. 
6. Use the correct wash temperature: Warmer water temperatures are typically best for cleaning diapers effectively. However, it is possible to wash cloth diapers with only cold water. 
7. Sun your diapers when possible: Sunlight naturally sanitizes and helps remove stains.

While both sanitizing and stripping cloth diapers have their place in cloth diaper care, they serve different purposes and should be used judiciously. Sanitizing is about eliminating harmful microorganisms, while stripping addresses absorbency issues caused by buildup. Neither process should be a regular part of your cloth diapering routine.

By understanding the difference between these two processes and when to use each, you can ensure that your cloth diapers remain clean, absorbent, and in good condition for longer. Remember, the key to successful cloth diapering lies in establishing a solid routine for regular washing and care. This not only keeps your diapers in top shape but also reduces the need for intensive treatments like stripping or frequent sanitizing.Ultimately, with proper care and attention, your cloth diapers can provide a comfortable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective diapering solution for your baby. 

If you find yourself frequently needing to strip or sanitize, it's a good indication that your regular wash routine may need some tweaking. Don't hesitate to seek advice from experienced cloth diapering parents or consult cloth diaper manufacturers for specific care instructions tailored to your diaper type and washing conditions.