Diaper rash is just something parents of babies have to deal with, right? Wrong! Generally speaking, cloth-diapered babies tend to have far lower incidence of diaper rash than their friends in disposables. But…what happens if the dreaded rash does flare up?
Happily, cloth diapers make troubleshooting surprisingly straightforward. Unlike disposables where rashes often mean switching brands and struggling to isolate which ingredients are causing the issue, with cloth there are far fewer variables* making it easier to address the root cause of the rash. The vast majority of diaper rashes on babies in cloth diapers are caused by laundry technique, which you are in complete control of and we are fully prepared to help you with!
*Our fitted diapers (AKA Inners) are made of only 1 ingredient, 100% organic cotton, which is incredibly gentle on even the most sensitive baby skin!
Ready to solve the mystery? Let’s get to troubleshooting…
Table of Contents
Start with Your Wash Routine (Because Clean Diapers = Happy Skin)
If your baby frequently has an irritated bottom, or you are struggling to get the diaper rash to heal, the first thing to check is your laundry routine. Improperly cleaned diapers can irritate delicate skin, even if they look clean!
Key Questions to Ask About Your Wash Routine
What is the best way to wash cloth diapers?
Cloth diapers need a two-wash system – a warm pre-wash to lift soil and a hot main wash to deep clean. Trust us, don’t try to take the shortcut and skip one of these cycles! We ran a cloth diaper laundry service for over a decade prior to launching Esembly! Safe to say...we know a lot about the art of getting dirty diapers clean.
We’ve put all our knowledge and expertise into a complete guide for washing your cloth diapers at home!
More to read, if you find it helpful:
- Dealing with the “barnyard stink”? This can irritate your baby’s skin. Learn how to remedy things here.
Hard water can also hinder your diapers from getting 100% clean in the wash. Learn more here.
Are you using the best detergent for cloth diapers?
Many mainstream detergents leave behind fragrances, softeners, or optical brighteners that can irritate skin and trap bacteria. Not to mention, you need a powerful formula to tackle the soil in dirty diapers — which is some of the dirtiest laundry you’ll likely ever wash! For cloth diapers, you’ll need to use an effective, clean-rinsing detergent to make sure your diapers are coming clean. Our Washing Powder was specially formulated to clean the dirtiest of diapers and is the only detergent ever to be both patented + EWG verified. We promise this isn't just a sales push! If you want the cleanest cloth diapers with minimal effort, give our Washing Powder a shot.
Want everything you need to know about what kind of detergent you need to wash cloth diapers?
Rule Out Other Common Rash Culprits
Even with a perfect wash routine, there are a few other reasons why a diaper rash may occur. Here’s what you’ll want to check on first:
Are you changing your baby often enough?
Regardless of whether you have your baby in cloth diapers are disposables, the recommendations for when to change your baby are the same:
Poop = change immediately (yes, even at 3 AM 😅)
Otherwise, aim for every 2 - 3 hours (longer overnight is fine with extra absorbency, like our Overnighters)
The "Secret Poo" Rash (A Newborn Problem)
Newborns sometimes leave tiny, sneaky poops that go unnoticed — leading to a hot pink, shiny rash in the butt crack. To treat this “secret poo” rash you’ll need to:
Clean your baby’s skin thoroughly, dry completely, then apply a cloth-safe zinc oxide cream (like our Rash Relief Cream)
Then apply a thin layer of rash cream in the crack at every change until baby outgrows the "micro-poop" phase. (As mentioned, this is generally a newborn problem as they are pooping more frequently.)
We have an entire blog post dedicated to this topic! Learn more here .
Yeast or Fungal Rash
If a rash won’t budge, it might be yeast.
See your pediatrician for diagnosis and treatment. (Nystatin cream or Lotrimin cream are cloth-safe; avoid ointments with petroleum.)
Disinfect diapers with chlorine bleach (only per our “Optional Refresh” instructions, found here ) to kill lingering spores.
Please Note : If you plan to use your cloth diapers while treating a fungal (yeast/candida) rash, it's very important to run the Optional Refresh at every wash throughout the entire 10-day treatment to prevent reinfection.
pH Rash
A red, sunburn-like rash wherever the diaper touches may signal pH sensitivity. Clean diapers typically have neutral pH (7), but hard water or powder detergents can raise it slightly. For babies with extra sensitive skin, lowering the pH will help.
Solution : Add ½ - ¾ cup white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser of your machine during the second heavy-duty cycle – and be sure to adjust for a “fabric softener rinse” if your machine has this kind of setting. Vinegar gently lowers pH, softens fabric, and helps rinse away buildup.
⚠️ Important : If using chlorine bleach (for our “ Optional Refresh ”), always run bleach in the first cycle – never mix bleach and vinegar in the same wash!
How to Treat Diaper Rash in Cloth Diapers
When a rash strikes, here’s your game plan:
Step 1 : Clean & Dry Skin Thoroughly
- Use soft cloth wipes (like our Wipe Ups ) + a gentle cleanser ( Wipe Up Wash ).
- Pat dry (gently) with a dry Wipe Up
Step 2 : Apply a Cloth-Safe Rash Cream
Not all diaper creams are cloth-friendly*! Avoid formulas with:
- Petroleum oil
- Products with high concentrations of zinc oxide (over 15%)
- Mineral oil
- Cod-liver oil
- Lanolin
- Tallow
- Heavy wax
Check out this blog post to learn everything you need to know about cloth-friendly skincare.
Our pick : Rash Relief Cream (14% non-nano zinc + organic oils). It heals rashes beautifully and is guaranteed to wash out of your cloth diapers!
How to apply :
- Rub a generous layer into the skin (but don’t just glob it on – work it in like lotion!).
- Reapply at every change until healed.
- Please note : a zinc-based formula like our Rash Relief Cream is only needed when there is an active rash, not as a preventive.
To Prevent Future Rashes
- For daily protection, use a lighter balm to keep the skin happy and moisturized, like Everyday Balm .
- Consider white vinegar in the rinse cycle for sensitive skin, as we shared in the “pH rash” section above. (White vinegar is good for more than just lowering the pH! It acts as a natural fabric softener, leaving diapers even more gentle on the skin.)
The Bottom Line on Cloth Diaper Rashes
Cloth diapers give you the power to solve — and often prevent — rashes with simple adjustments. Whether it’s tweaking your wash routine or using the right treatment, most irritations clear up quickly once you find the cause! And unlike disposables, you'll always have the advantage of soft, breathable organic cotton (nature's original rash prevention!) against your baby's delicate skin with Esembly. Here's to fewer rashes and more happy, comfortable babies in cloth. 😊
Cloth Diapering 101
Our co-founders host a free, virtual, Cloth Diapering 101 class every month to help cloth-curious parents get all the tools and information they need!
You'll leave with the confidence to Live Less Disposably and a 20% discount code to use on your first order. 🥳 We hope to see you there!
