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Deep-cleaning your inserts with percarbonate of soda
What is percarbonate of soda?
Percarbonate of soda is an odourless white powder with cleaning, whitening, deodorising, and stain-removing properties. It is often mistakenly confused with bicarbonate of soda, due to their similar appearance and names. However, percarbonate of soda is quite different. Its pH is far more alkaline than bicarbonate of soda, making it considerably more irritating to the skin. That is why we recommend handling it with gloves. It is composed of soda crystals and hydrogen peroxide, making it an eco-friendly product that is safe for the environment.
Percarbonate of soda is ideal for removing stains from laundry
Percarbonate of soda reveals its effectiveness when dissolved in hot water. The water separates the sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide, making them active. It works from 40°C but is even more effective at 60°C. It is particularly good for cleaning laundry, though we especially recommend it for whites, as it is ineffective at cold temperatures.
For everyday use in your laundry, simply add a small tablespoon to the detergent drawer of your washing machine. This allows you to halve the amount of detergent you use — making it not only an eco-friendly alternative but also an economical one. Its antibacterial and disinfecting action makes it particularly useful for washing reusable diapers, muslins, and sanitary towels.
It is also an excellent stain remover that tackles even the most stubborn stains — such as urine or perspiration — when applied directly to the affected area before washing. It can also whiten whites that have turned grey. To do so, soak the laundry for a few hours in a mixture of hot water and percarbonate before putting it in the machine. It is therefore ideal for rescuing your tea towels, reusable cotton pads, or for deep-cleaning the inserts from your reusable diapers.
When should you deep-clean the inserts from your reusable diapers?
If your inserts are clogged up, there are generally a few tell-tale signs:
- Your diapers no longer absorb as well as they used to. Leaks are becoming increasingly frequent, whereas you did not have that problem before.
- Even when clean, the diapers retain a smell of urine.
- Your child has a sore bottom when they did not before.
You can test your diaper using a glass of water. Pour water inside the diaper. When a diaper is not clogged, the water is absorbed. If, on the other hand, the water beads on the surface of the diaper, then it is clogged and will need to be deep-cleaned.
See also: How to deep-clean your reusable diapers?
Why deep-clean with percarbonate of soda?
Percarbonate of soda is highly effective at removing urine residue and limescale — which happen to be two of the main culprits behind clogged inserts! Percarbonate is therefore ideal for thoroughly deep-cleaning the inserts from your reusable diapers.
As a reminder, deep-cleaning removes the residues that build up in the fabric fibres of your diapers and inserts, and which can over time cause redness, unpleasant odours, and leaks. It involves soaking your clean diapers and inserts multiple times in succession.
How to deep-clean your inserts with percarbonate of soda?
First and foremost, your inserts must be clean before deep-cleaning.
To deep-clean your inserts with percarbonate, start by running a long machine wash cycle at 60°C without any detergent.
Next, place your inserts in a basin and cover them with hot water (as hot as your tap will go), then add one teaspoon of percarbonate per litre of water. Leave the inserts to soak for at least four hours, stirring occasionally. Take a small amount of water from the basin and place it in a glass to serve as a test sample.
Rinse and spin your inserts in the machine, then carry out a second soak. Keep repeating the soaks for as long as the water remains cloudy.
Finally, once the water is clear, run a new long cycle at 60°C with your usual detergent to disinfect and remove the percarbonate.
If possible, leave your inserts to dry in the sun — this helps to kill any remaining bacteria.
How to use the test glasses?
It is quite simple: after each soak, take a little water from the basin. Place your test glasses side by side, put a white sheet of paper behind them, and take a photo with flash — this will allow you to clearly see the difference in colour between the water samples.
We hope this article has been useful. Deep-cleaning with percarbonate of soda will help you rescue your inserts if you had not yet established a good washing routine.
Bonjour, chaque nouveau trempage doit avoir l'eau changée et de nouvelle dose de percarbonate ?
Bonjour, oui l'eau doit être changée à chaque trempage, c'est l'eau chaude qui active le percarbonate.
Bonjour, est ce que mettre du percarbonate à chaque lavage éviterai l'encrassement? Merci
Bonjour Pour le décrassage faut il le faire aussi pour les couches ? Dois je mettre également les couches dans la bassine avec le percabonate ou seulement les inserts ? Merci