🐾 What to Do If Your Pet Pees or Poops on Your Cloth Diapers
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Life happens, and sometimes, that includes your furry friend mistaking your clean cloth diapers for a potty pad 😬 Whether your cat used your inserts as a litter box or your dog had an accident on your stash, don’t panic! Your diapers can be saved with the right steps.
Here’s how to safely and thoroughly clean cloth diapers that have been peed or pooped on by a pet, and how to prevent future incidents.
🚨 Step 1: Don’t Toss Them, You Can Fix This
Pet waste may feel like a total disaster, but in most cases, it’s fully cleanable. That said, you’ll want to handle this differently than a typical diaper wash due to the different bacteria found in animal waste.
🧼 Step 2: Remove the Mess
- Solid Waste: Remove as much solid material as possible using gloves or a plastic bag. Dispose of it in the trash, don’t flush cat poop, as it can contain toxoplasma.
- Liquid Waste: Rinse the affected diapers thoroughly with cold water until the smell is reduced. A handheld sprayer or laundry sink works great for this.
🧪 Step 3: Sanitize Thoroughly
Since pets can introduce bacteria that aren't typically found in baby waste (like E. coli or toxoplasma gondii), you’ll need to sanitize before returning diapers to regular use.
🌟 Two options for sanitizing:
Option 1: Diluted Bleach Soak
For non-wool, non-delicate items (like inserts, pockets, and covers):
- Mix 1/3 cup of bleach (regular strength) in a full bathtub or laundry sink (about 30 gallons of cold water)
- Soak affected items for 30–45 minutes
- Rinse thoroughly
Option 2: Disinfectant Laundry Additives
Use something like Lysol Laundry Sanitizer (EPA-registered) or a peroxide-based additive in your main wash cycle.
🌀 Step 4: Wash Like Normal
After sanitizing:
1. Run a full wash cycle with hot water and detergent
2. Follow with an extra rinse
3. Check for any remaining odor, if it still smells like pet waste, repeat the wash
Dry as usual, sunshine is especially helpful if available, as it adds extra natural disinfecting power.
⚠️ What If It's Wool?
Wool diaper covers are delicate and should not be bleached. For wool:
- Spot clean with a gentle wool-safe soap
- Soak in lukewarm water with a tablespoon of vinegar or hydrogen peroxide for light sanitizing
- Rinse well, then re-lanolize before using again
If the contamination is severe, it may be safer to retire the wool item from diaper use and repurpose it (e.g., as a dust cloth or pet pad).
🐶 Prevention Tips
- Store clean diapers up high or in a closed container out of pet reach.
- Avoid leaving laundry baskets on the floor unattended.
- If your pet is marking laundry, it may be stress-related or a sign of a medical issue, consider a vet check if it happens frequently.
💡 Final Thoughts
It’s frustrating, we know, but your diapers can almost always be saved! With proper sanitation and a thorough wash, your stash will be good as new (and safe for your little one). Cloth diapers are tough, and so are you.
Got questions or need help with a specific fabric? Reach out, we’re always happy to help guide you through it!
