🪱 Help! My Baby Has Worms: What to Do (and How to Sanitize Cloth Diapers)
If you’ve just discovered your little one has worms, take a deep breath — it’s more common than you think, and treatable with the right care and sanitation steps. Cloth diapering while dealing with pinworms (the most common type in children) is totally manageable with a little extra cleaning and caution. Here's everything you need to know.
📌 First: Treat the Infection
- Contact your pediatrician to confirm the type of worm and follow their treatment recommendations. Most often, a single dose of antiparasitic medication is all that’s needed, followed by a second dose two weeks later.
- It’s common for all household members to be treated at the same time, even if they aren’t showing symptoms, to prevent reinfection.
- Keep fingernails trimmed and wash hands frequently — pinworms spread easily from scratching and touching surfaces.
🧺 Step 1: Sanitize the Cloth Diapers
Diapers used during a worm infection need a little extra love to ensure no eggs remain on fabrics. Here’s how to thoroughly clean and sanitize your cloth diapers:
1. Pre-Rinse: Do a cold rinse with no detergent to flush away waste. (If there are visible worms or eggs, dispose of any solid waste into the toilet.)
2. Hot Wash with Detergent: Run your normal main wash on hot with a full dose of detergent that contains enzymes (like Tide or Persil). Enzymes help break down organic matter — including any eggs that might remain.
3. Add Disinfectant: For an extra sanitation boost, you can safely add one of the following to your main wash:
- ¼ cup regular chlorine bleach (in the drum, not the dispenser) for HE machines
- ½ cup bleach for standard top-load machines
- OR 1 scoop of oxygen bleach (like OxiClean) if you prefer a non-chlorine option
1. Extra Rinse: After the main wash, run an extra rinse to be sure all disinfectant and residue is flushed away.
2. Dry Thoroughly: Tumble dry on high heat or line dry in direct sunlight. Heat and UV rays are both effective at killing lingering eggs or bacteria.
🧼 Step 2: Sanitize Other Cloth Items
- Wash all cloth wipes, wet bags, and changing pad covers used during the infection using the same method above.
- Wash bedding, towels, and baby clothes on hot with bleach or oxygen bleach — especially during the first week of treatment.
- Change sheets and undies (or cloth diapers) daily for at least a week to minimize reinfection risk.
🌿 Step 3: Prevent Reinfection
- Wash hands frequently — especially after diaper changes and before meals.
- Clean under fingernails and discourage scratching if possible (mittens can help overnight).
- Disinfect surfaces like changing tables, potty seats, doorknobs, and toy bins daily during treatment.
- Continue washing diapers every 1–2 days during treatment to keep them fresh and clean.
💡 Good to Know:
- Pinworm eggs can survive on fabrics for 2–3 weeks if not washed properly, which is why hot water and thorough drying are key.
- Cloth diapers are absolutely safe to continue using — no need to switch to disposables unless you prefer to during the treatment window.
- A single bleach wash won’t harm your diapers if done correctly and is often recommended for deep sanitation.
You're doing an amazing job, even when the unexpected pops up. With the right steps, your stash will stay safe and your little one will be on the mend in no time!
