I began cloth diapering my second son a few months ago. (It’s part of my Pale Shade of Green initiative for 2009.) I’ve settled on a great routine, found the diapers I like best, and am now enjoying line-drying my diapers in the warm, sunny weather.
My only complaint? Dirty diapers stink. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. They smell awful. Some kids have smellier urine than others and it appears that my five-month-old has urine that’s pretty high on the stink scale. When I dump my wet bag into the laundry I seriously consider wearing a facemask.
Recently, I formulated some natural ways to combat smelly cloth diapers with essential oils. I’d love to share them with you, and please feel free to share them with other cloth diapering moms!
Antibacterial Diaper Pail Spray
15 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
15 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil
4 oz Water in Spray Bottle
This is a VERY concentrated spray. DO NOT use on skin or surfaces your baby will come in contact with. I just give a few good squirts into the pail every time I drop a dirty diaper in. I also spray the outside of the pail once in a while to help combat germs.
Laundry Boost
During your initial cold water soak, add 4 drops of Tea Tree and 4 drops of Lavender. Let it agitate for a minute or so to mix in it. I soak my diapers overnight in the washing machine in cold water, the essential oils, and once in a while with some oxygen bleach. If you dry your diapers in the sun, the aroma from the essential oils will fade, but the diapers won’t stink!
You can also add a few drops of Lemon, Tea Tree, Lavender, or an essential oil of your choosing to the tag on the inside of your Wet Bag to combat odor.
