Removing putty from a PUL nappy cover

Founding Clean Cloth Nappies admin Anastasia rescues a beloved cloth nappy with stubborn putty residue and marks.

This nappy shell and an insert were covered in theraputty. The owner sent it to me after they were unable to remove it themselves. I took on the challenge.

I knew removing the putty would take a lot of care, as it was directly on the polyurethane laminate (PUL) cover. It is important to limit the solvent exposure to the PUL as prolonged contact will damage the glue that sticks the polyurethane to the fabric.

I Googled what putty was made from, and found it is silicon-based. Different stains require different solvents, so I started reading up about what solvents dissolve silicon. Here was the hard part, finding them… I bought Goo Gone, but luckily already had Dr. Beckmann Expert Stain Remover Lubricants & Oils at home.

Removal process

First I applied the Goo Gone to the insert. I used disposable gloves because this putty spreads like glitter and rubbed with cotton pads (the ones you use to remove nail polish), to see if it would work. It did! Next, I applied it to the shell. I went through a few of these. I put the shell into hot water with detergent immediately, and hand-washed with vigour.

Back to the colour removal, I used the Devil’s Stain Remover, same process.

Then into the machine for a main wash with other nappies and whites, 3hrs, 60° wash. I’ve never been more keen to see the results after a main wash!

I successfully removed the putty and ensured that the PUL didn’t delaminate! 

A note about good quality PUL

PUL will delaminate if it is exposed to solvent or excessive heat (above 60°C), if it is old or if it was cheaply made PUL to begin with. These factors affect the glue used to stick the polyurethane to the fabric.

Good quality PUL is less likely to delaminate, so it is worth investing in nappies that use good PUL that can withstand standard 60°C laundering for years.