A Boil Today Keeps Infection Away

Now that we have two children in diapers, our cloth prefolds are certainly getting a workout. I continue to wash our diapers daily, but to keep them as fresh and sanitary as possible, I need to give them a little extra TLC. What is the best way to sanitize your cotton prefold diapers?

Boil them.

Here is my incredibly simple step by step process for boiling diapers. It does not take much time and is certainly worth it to protect your little one's bottom. I recommend following these steps every few months, or more often if your child tends to have frequent diaper rash or a staph infection.

1. Be sure the diapers are clean by running them through your usual washing routine.
2. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil.
3. Using a large spoon, submerge the diapers in the boiling water, stirring gently to make sure they are completely saturated.
4. Cover the pot and remove from the heat. Allow the diapers to sit in the boiling water for 15 minutes.
5. Pour the diapers, water and all, into your washing machine, using care not to burn yourself.
6. Add 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide (if your washing machine has a bleach compartment, I recommend pouring the peroxide in the compartment).
7. Wash the diapers in hot water (no detergent) using a second rinse.
8. Without removing the diapers, run your washing machine a second time without detergent or peroxide to ensure they are completely stripped.
9. Dry as usual and use.

These steps work great for almost all cotton prefold diapers. Do not boil diapers that are synthetic materials or that have snaps or any other plastic parts. If you are unsure of whether or not you can boil your diapers, consult the manufacturer.

For more homemaking tips, check out: The Better Mom, Far Above Rubies, Learning the Frugal Life, Growing Home, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Time Warp Wife and 5 Minutes for Mom.