Caring for cloth diapers requires a mindful approach to maintain their longevity and effectiveness. While bleach is a powerful disinfectant, it should only be used under specific circumstances, such as disinfecting diapers after a fungal rash or sanitizing pre-loved diapers purchased from another family. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the proper steps to safely and effectively bleach your cloth diapers without compromising their high-performance materials.

Why Bleach Should Be Used Sparingly

Bleach is an effective tool for eliminating bacteria and fungi, but it can also prematurely wear out essential components of cloth diapers, such as waterproofing laminates and elastics, as well as eroding delicate natural fibers like bamboo. For this reason, bleach should not be part of your regular washing routine.

Also read: How to Strip Cloth Diapers with Dawn Dish Soap

Bleach Routine for Disinfecting Cloth Diapers

1. Prepare the Bleach Solution

• Fill a container or your kitchen sink with 1 gallon of cold water.
• Add 1 cup of Clorox Disinfecting Bleach.
• Important: Use cold water only. Hot water decomposes sodium hypochlorite, rendering the bleach ineffective.

If you need more solution, increase the volume proportionally (e.g., 2 gallons of water and 2 cups of bleach).

2. Submerge the Diapers

• Using gloved hands, add and fully submerge each diaper and insert one at a time.
• Squish the fabrics to release air bubbles, ensuring the bleach solution fully saturates the materials.
• Keep the diapers submerged for 60 minutes. Longer soaking times can damage elastics and waterproofing layers. Never soak overnight.

3. Rinse Thoroughly

• After 60 minutes, rinse the diapers and inserts under cool, running water to remove all bleach residue.
• Place rinsed items in a container for transport, and avoid drips, on the way to your washing machine.

4. Wash the Diapers - Twice

• Run a cold wash/cold rinse cycle without detergent.
• On the second wash, switch to your regular wash routine using hot water/cold rinse and approved detergent (e.g., Line 3 of Tide for a medium/large load).
• For Lil Joeys, turn them inside out and snap them in place before washing (watch this TikTok tutorial).

5. Dry the Diapers

• Place the diapers and inserts in the dryer on low heat and tumble dry until fully dry. Inserts may require additional cycles.
• For Lil Joeys, make sure they are still snapped inside out before drying.

Highlight Tips for Safe Bleaching

• Always use cold water with bleach to preserve its disinfecting properties.
• Never soak cloth diapers in bleach for more than 60 minutes.
• Wash diapers immediately after bleaching to prevent material degradation.
• A lingering bleach smell may be noticeable post-wash but will fade with time.

What to Avoid

• Never soak diapers overnight or for prolonged periods, as this can weaken elastics and waterproof layers.
• Skipping the "squish" method can result in uneven bleaching and incomplete disinfection.

Why Bleach is Sometimes Necessary

Although some users would prefer a natural ingredient alternative, bleach remains the gold standard for effectively killing bacteria and fungi. Following these guidelines will help you safely disinfect your diapers while protecting their functionality and durability.

Whether you’re addressing a fungal rash or sanitizing pre-loved diapers, adhering to this routine ensures your cloth diapers are thoroughly sanitized and ready for use again. 

By maintaining a proper wash and care routine, along side using approved detergents, frequent stripping and bleaching of your diapers in unnecessary. Bleaching and stripping and routines should be preformed rarely, if ever.

Frequent need for bleaching and stripping may suggest an underlying issue with your cloth diaper wash and care routine. We recommend reaching out to us for personalized guidance from a cloth diaper laundry expert.

Share Your Questions and Experiences

Have questions about cloth diaper care? Reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to assist! For more cloth diapering tips, check out our other resources.