Overview
Clean Cloth Nappies does not have specific cleaning instructions for toys and non-nappy items. However, usual laundry principles apply – time, temperature, agitation and enough great quality detergent.
Some items won’t take warm to hot washes, and instead need agitation and spot treatment to get clean. Some items need professional advice.
There is no need to strip items. A short soak in a laundry booster (for example Napisan or Vanish) that is suitable for the fabric type, prior to a warm-hot wash is sufficient. Non-nappy items don’t need to be sanitised as they haven’t come into contact with poo or pee.
To remove stains
To remove oxidisable stains, such as food or dirt, soak in laundry booster and follow with a long warm/ hot wash. Alternately spot treat with laundry soap (for example Sard or Sunlight soap) and follow with a long warm/ hot wash.
For delicate fabrics such as silk or wool, use laundry soap or enzyme free liquid laundry detergent. Learn more about caring for wool.
For rust stains, these seem to be impossible to remove. Try the above methods, or hydrogen peroxide. Do not use chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) as it will oxidise the stain and make it worse.
For smelly items
Eg. gym gear/work shirts, treat with laundry booster as above and for regular laundering use warm/hot water and the same amount of detergent in the wash as for nappies.
For greasy items
Eg. work clothes, using enough detergent and a hot wash will keep them clean.
For mould removal
See the information on the Mould removal page and treat stains as above.
For makeup removal
Use an appropriate solvent stain remover (available in the laundry aisle at the supermarket) and a warm-hot wash (as much temperature as the fabric will tolerate). For makeup removal on towels, the sanitise cycle on a front loader with adequate detergent should remove any stains. Or use the stains method above in a top loader.
Dye run
See the information on the Colour Run page.
Prams
Remove covers and wash gently. A garden hose is helpful when rinsing.
Car Seats
Car seats are often made using fabric with flame retardant properties. Follow manufacturers advice for cleaning.