Cloth Diapering Mailbox Mondays Washing

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 7/16/12 – Bleeding Pocket Diapers

bleeding pocket #clothdiapers via @chgdiapers

Are you having cloth diaper issues? Each week, I answer a reader question and ask for other moms’ opinions.

Questions don’t have to be cloth diaper related, just email maria at change-diapers.com with “Mailbox Mondays” in the subject, or fill out my contact form for readers, which you will always be able to find on my Contact Page.

Sarah says::

Hi Maria,

After about three months of use, one of my pockets bled all over my other pockets causing some discoloration, both on the inside and outside of my other pockets and covers. I’m not sure why this happened, my wash routine has not varied (cold rinse, hot wash, two hot washes) and the diaper was used normally. I contacted the maker and received ” that’s weird, not my problem, try bleach response” sort of response.

I’m reluctant to bleach my pockets and covers for fear of harming the elastic. Any thoughts on how to possibly get the dye out? I like the color red, but not on pockets where it doesn’t belong.

Sarah

I’ve never had this happen. PUL is generally said to be color fast, though at one point Cottonbabies recommended that their bright Flip diaper covers be washed separately several times. I find it very odd that this happened suddenly, after having used it for several months. I can’t help but wonder if it was a “cheap” brand of PUL.

I have had a red washcloth get in with my diapers accidentally, tinging all my inners, wipes and inserts ever so slightly pink. Oxiclean helped, and over time, with repeated washings, it faded to the point that it wasn’t noticeable.

I would perhaps try a soak with RLR and some extra rinses to see if it helps fade the color. I wonder if something like a shout color catcher would help after the fact? I’m going to ask my lovely readers and see if anyone else has tips!

Have you ever had this happen? Were you able to salvage the diapers?


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Maria
Maria is an aspiring "fit mom" of 3 children, writing about cloth diapers, going green, and her life as a single mom. Maria works with many companies within the cloth diaper industry and beyond, providing social media management, product development, and other services.
3 Comments
  • Becky
    July 17, 2012 at 4:33 pm
    Reply

    I have successfully used the shout color catchers to get bled red dye out of clothing, but it doesn’t work every time and I’ve never tried it with diapers. The other thing that has worked fairly well for me is a soak with oxygen bleach.

  • Kensley
    July 16, 2012 at 10:17 am
    Reply

    Hi! I haven’t had this problem with my CD but, I have had it with other clothes and bags with PUL. The thing that has worked best me for me (and more than a few people I know) is White Out. I useuly buy it at Wal-Mart. And that is the name just simply “White Out”
    Hope this helps

  • July 16, 2012 at 10:16 am
    Reply

    a little bleach once isn’t going to kill them. Give it a try. If it doesn’t work, you’re not out much. You could also try sunning and see if that helps. I also find this odd, I always washed even brights with everything and never had an issue.

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