What to Do to Quickly Clean a Cloth Diaper from Poop?
Not all poop is the same. Babies who are formula-fed or older babies with solid foods usually have poop that’s firm, compact, and easy to remove. You can simply grab the poop with a piece of toilet paper or "shake" it out of the diaper directly into the toilet. However, when a baby is breastfed or just starting solid foods, or during diarrhea, the poop tends to be quite runny and splattery. This can make it a bit more challenging to clean. So, how can we make this process easier?
Essential Disposable Paper Liners
One quick way to remove poop is by using disposable paper liners, such as corn or bamboo liners. Place the liner inside the diaper, and once the baby poops, you can simply dispose of both the poop and the liner (in the trash or toilet—note: old plumbing systems may be prone to blockages if liners are flushed). These liners are biodegradable, so they won’t harm the environment and make poop removal easier. Corn paper liners are also great because they absorb moisture away from the baby’s skin, keeping them relatively dry. Unlike toilet paper or wet wipes (which we do not recommend for this purpose), these liners do not fall apart or tear.
The Spoon Method
Another option is to use... a spoon. Of course, this spoon should be exclusively designated for cleaning diapers. With the spoon, scoop out the poop from the diaper and dispose of it in the toilet. It’s a good idea to label the spoon or keep it in a place where it won’t be used for anything else. Alternatively, you can use a spatula or another similar tool. If there are still solid remnants on the diaper, rinse them under a strong stream of cold water since they will not dissolve during the regular wash cycle.
The Toilet Paper Method
You can also use toilet paper to collect the excess poop, then rinse off the remaining solids under a strong stream of cold water.
Note: If you have a bidet, you can rinse the diaper directly in the toilet.
It’s important to note that the poop of a newborn or a baby who is only breastfed dissolves in water during the wash cycle, so it won’t clog the washing machine filter. Therefore, you don't need to rinse off breastmilk poop unless you want to. Such a soiled diaper, like one that’s only wet, can be immediately placed into a PUL bag or a bucket where diapers can wait up to 3 days before washing. Just remember to run a quick 15-minute wash or rinse with spinning (max 1000 rpm) before the main wash to avoid having your diapers soak in a mixture of pee and poop.
Step-by-Step: How to Quickly Clean a Cloth Diaper from Poop?
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Throw the waste into the toilet—directly or with the help of disposable liners designed for this purpose.
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If needed, assist yourself with a spoon (exclusively used for this purpose).
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If necessary, rinse the diaper with cold water
