How to Strip Cloth Diapers: A Clear, Step-by-Step Guide | Bayrli®

How to Strip Cloth Diapers: A Clear, Step-by-Step Guide

Stripping is a deep-cleaning process that removes buildup from the fibres of your cloth diapers. It is not something you should need to do often. With a proper wash routine, many parents never need to strip their diapers at all. But when buildup does occur, stripping is the reset that gets your diapers back to full performance.

If your cloth diapers smell clean out of the wash but develop a strong ammonia or barnyard odour when your baby wears them, or if diapers that previously absorbed well are now repelling moisture, buildup is the likely cause. This guide covers what causes it, how to identify it, and exactly how to fix it.

What Causes Buildup in Cloth Diapers?

Buildup occurs when residues accumulate in the layers of fabric faster than your regular wash routine can remove them. The three most common causes are:

Hard water minerals. If you live in an area with hard water, calcium and magnesium deposits collect in your diaper fibres over time. These mineral deposits trap bacteria and reduce absorbency. Hard water is the single most common cause of buildup requiring stripping. If you are unsure of your water hardness, inexpensive test strips are available from most hardware shops and take seconds to use.

Detergent residue. Using too little detergent leaves organic matter in the fabric. Using too much leaves detergent residue. Both create conditions for bacterial growth and odour. Ironically, the instinct to use less detergent on baby items is often the cause of the problem, not the solution. Cloth diapers are heavily soiled laundry and need a full measure of detergent to get clean.

Diaper cream residue. Many diaper creams, particularly those containing zinc oxide or petroleum, coat fabric fibres and cause repelling. If you use diaper cream with cloth diapers, always use a cloth-safe liner between the cream and the diaper to protect the absorbent layers.

A less common but notable cause is fabric softener, which should never be used with cloth diapers. Fabric softener coats fibres with a waxy residue that repels moisture; this is precisely the opposite of what you need in a diaper.

When to Strip (and When Not To)

Strip your cloth diapers if:

• They smell strongly of ammonia or have a barnyard odour even after a proper wash
• They are repelling moisture instead of absorbing it (you can test this by pouring a small amount of water on a clean diaper; it should absorb immediately rather than bead up)
• You have purchased them second-hand and do not know their wash history
• You have been washing in untreated hard water for an extended period

Do not strip your diapers simply because:

• They are stained (staining is cosmetic and does not affect performance; sunlight is the best remedy)
• You are switching detergent brands (a few normal washes will handle the transition)
• It has been a while since you last stripped (there is no calendar-based reason to strip; it is a response to a problem, not a maintenance schedule)

What to Strip

Strip only the absorbent components of your diapers. This means inserts, prefolds, flats, terry cloths, and the absorbent layers of all-in-one diapers. You do not need to strip waterproof shells or diaper covers, as they have no absorbent layers where buildup accumulates.

For Bayrli products specifically: strip your inserts, your Inner fitted diapers, and the absorbent portion of your Deluxe Diapers. The Everyday Diaper shells and Outer covers do not need stripping.

Step-by-Step: How to Strip Cloth Diapers

You will need:

• Clean diapers (strip after washing, not before)
• A bathtub, large basin, or top-loading washing machine
• One of: RLR Laundry Treatment, or a DIY mineral stripping solution (see below)
• Hot water

Step 1: Start with clean diapers. Your diapers should be freshly washed through your normal routine. Stripping removes residue; it does not replace washing. Stripping dirty diapers will not work effectively.

Step 2: Fill your vessel with hot water. Use the hottest water available from your tap. Fill your bathtub, basin, or top-loading machine approximately half full.

Step 3: Add your stripping agent. If using RLR Laundry Treatment: add one packet per 30 diapers. Stir to dissolve.

If making a DIY solution: combine three tablespoons each of washing soda, borax, and Calgon (a water softener). Stir to dissolve in the hot water. If you only have two of these three ingredients, use a quarter cup of each. If you have only one, use half a cup.

Step 4: Add your diapers and soak. Submerge all absorbent items in the solution. Agitate by hand every 30 to 60 minutes to help the solution penetrate the fibres. Soak for a minimum of four hours; overnight is ideal.

You will likely notice the water turning cloudy or discoloured. This is the buildup being released. Murky, brown, or grey water is entirely normal and a sign the process is working.

Step 5: Rinse thoroughly. Drain the soaking water and rinse the diapers. If using a washing machine, run a hot wash cycle with no detergent. If hand rinsing, rinse until the water runs clear and no suds remain. You may need two or three rinse cycles.

Step 6: Follow with a sanitising wash. After stripping, run one normal wash cycle at 60°C with your regular detergent and the correct dose. This ensures any bacteria that were trapped beneath the mineral buildup are eliminated.

Step 7: Dry as normal. Line dry or tumble dry absorbent items on low heat. Do not tumble dry any items with TPU or PUL waterproofing.

After Stripping: Fix the Root Cause

Stripping is a correction, not a routine. If you find yourself needing to strip regularly, something in your wash routine needs to change. The most common fixes are:

• Hard water: Test your water hardness and add a water softener (such as Calgon) to every wash. Our hard water guide covers this in detail.
• Insufficient detergent: Increase your detergent dose to the full recommendation for a heavily soiled load. See our washing guide.
• Diaper cream without a liner: Start using a reusable or disposable liner whenever you apply cream to your baby.
• Low wash temperature: Ensure your main wash is at 60°C, not 40°C.

A Note on Vinegar and Bleach

You will find advice online recommending vinegar or bleach for stripping. A few cautions.

Vinegar is mildly effective at dissolving mineral deposits, but it is acidic and should not come into contact with elastic or TPU/PUL waterproof layers. If you use vinegar, restrict it to inserts and prefolds only, and do not soak for more than one hour.

Bleach is a sanitiser, not a stripping agent. It kills bacteria but does not dissolve mineral or detergent buildup. Bleach can be useful as a follow-up step after stripping if you suspect bacterial contamination (persistent rashes, for example), but it should not be used as a substitute for stripping and should be used sparingly, as it is harsh on fabrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I strip my cloth diapers? Only when you observe a specific problem: persistent odour after washing, moisture repelling, or rashes that do not resolve with normal cleaning. Many parents with a good wash routine and soft or treated water never need to strip at all.

Can I strip cloth diapers in a front-loading washing machine? Front-loading machines are not ideal for soaking because they do not fill with standing water. Your best option is to soak in a bathtub or large basin, then transfer the diapers to your front-loader for the rinse and sanitising wash cycles.

Will stripping damage my cloth diapers? Stripping is a deep clean, and like any deep clean, it puts more stress on fabrics than routine washing. This is why it should be done only when necessary, not on a schedule. When done correctly and infrequently, it will not meaningfully shorten the lifespan of your diapers.

What is the difference between stripping and bleaching? Stripping removes physical buildup (minerals, detergent residue, cream) from fabric fibres. Bleaching kills bacteria. They address different problems and are not interchangeable. You may sometimes need to do both in sequence: strip first to remove buildup, then bleach to sanitise.

My diapers are stained. Do I need to strip them? No. Staining is cosmetic and does not affect absorbency or hygiene. The most effective stain remedy is sunlight: lay your clean, damp diapers in direct sunlight for a few hours. The UV light naturally bleaches most organic stains.