No one likes a rash. No one likes repelling diapers. So when your little one gets a rash or you simply want to prevent them what are you to use?
Most “regular” diaper rash creams are not cloth diaper safe. This means that they create a barrier on the inner material and cause the diaper to repel instead of absorb moisture.
Thankfully, there are quite a few cloth diaper safe diaper rash creams available at most grocery stores.
Cloth diaper safe diaper rash creams:
1) California Baby Diaper Rash Cream: can be purchased at most Target stores
2) Method Baby Diaper Cream: found at Target
3) Northern Essence Bum Butter Diaper Rash/Barrier Cream
5) Avalon Baby Protective Ointment
6) Grandma El’s
There are a TON of WAHMs that also make great formulas for preventing and treating diaper rash and are cloth diaper safe. Feel free to add your favorite and experiences with any of the ones I have listed.
I personally use the California Baby Diaper Rash Cream. I don’t use it often but on the occasion that I do I have not encountered any repelling or staining issues.
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Has anyone tried Badger Balm Baby Balm with cloth?
Hi there. I just wanted to add my experience with one of the creams on your list. I tried the Angel Baby Bottom Balm for a rash after much research on what is safe to use with cloth diapers. Although the ointment itself is nice, it DID NOT wash out of my diapers. I use fuzzi bunz and the fleece was stained by it and they started repelling badly. I spent the entire day yesterday stripping my stash with Dawn detergent. The squirt in the washing machine did not do the trick so I ended up scrubbing each individual diaper (the fleece part) with a scrub brush and hot hot water in my kitchen sink! That was a lot of work!! I’m so disappointed. I’m not even sure that my diapers will perform as well. I sure hope they do. Now I’m scared to try anything else. Nor, do I want to spend another $20 for rash cream (I find that a bit pricey for the product). I just want to keep rash cream far far away from my dipes. I may, unfortunately, have to go back to using disposables when she gets a rash which is a shame.
Anyways, I thought I would share in case others are looking for a safe cream to use. IMO, don’t use this one with your Fuzzi Bunz. Lesson Learned…
Ack – I feel Christina’s pain re: trying to get diaper rash cream out of my cloth diapers!!
My daycare provider used some zinc-based cream on my BG’s this week and two of them are COVERED in it … any hints on how I can clean them?? I’ve tried using dish detergent, letting them soak, using rockin’ green and lots of hot water but they’re still slimey to the touch – I’ve even tried scrubbing with a toothbrush!
any advice?
Thanks,
Dominique
Dominique that’s awful that the daycare used the cream with your diapers. I’ll tell you exactly what I did with mine (although the cream on mine was not zinc based) I filled my kitchen sink up with water that I boiled and a good squirt of original Dawn detergent (the blue kind) and then added my diapers and stirred them around with a wooden spoon. I let them soak in that until I could stand to put my hands in the water. Then I used a scrub brush (you may have to use one larger and firmer than a tooth brush). You know the kind you would clean with? I picked it up from a dollar store and the bristles are quite firm. Then I squirted more dawn on the spots where the cream was and brushed the heck out of them. I even flipped the diaper inside out and scrubbed the other side of the fleece too. When I rubbed the fleece between my thumb and finger after doing this I could feel that it was less “slimey” feeling. So I rinsed the heck out of them until I saw no more bubbles in the sink, then rinsed them one more time in the washing machine. I tried 2 of them today on my daughter. One still leaked and the other seemed okay. But the one that leaked may have been a problem with the fit (she is filling out and has lost some leg “chub” recently). I also thought I would try an experiment with two of my diapers (two I could swallow losing money on if it didn’t work). I’ve never seen anyone recommend using it, but there is an all natural product called Oil Lift. I’ve used it on my laundry to get oil stains out before and I thought I would give it a shot. I sprayed it on, let it sit for 2 minutes, then scrubbed with the brush and rinsed. The cream (and the stain) came out much more quickly with that product. But I have not checked to see yet if those two diapers have been fixed. I’m hoping that this product worked and did not do more damage than good. I figured, if my diapers are already wrecked, I may as well give it a try and see. I will try those two dipes on my daughter tomorrow and post again to let you know how it panned out.
Sorry for the long winded post, but I know how hard it can be to get rash cream out and if I can help even 1 person out there who is in my shoes, then I’m happy. It really is no fun.
Wow – thanks Christina!! I’ll go pick up some blue dawn (apparenlty here in Canada you’ve got to hit up the dollar store for some real original blue dawn) and i’ll get a good stiff scrubber too. I tried again last night with the hot boiling water and lots of soap and scrubbing but a lot of cream is still visible on the diapers. Cottonbabies (makers of BG’s) told me the same thing – dawn, hot water, scrubbing. I’m also going to look into a grease remover …
Thanks again and good luck with yours. I’ve since supplied my daycare with a bunch of disposibles in case she deems it imperative that my son be slathered in cream …
Dominique
Does anyone know if Weleda Calendula Diaper Cream is safe for cloth diapers? What is the water repelling ingredient in most creams that damages cloth diapers?
@Jenny: I have read reviews that state Weleda is cloth diaper safe. The reviews also state that it is very effective
You may also try Rash Magic http://www.jacksmagicbeanstalk.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=331&products_id=49 I’ve heard many good things about it.
Weleda did a number on my diapers… And would not wash out. It is zinc bad and I gather anything with zinc is a no go with cloth. Now when I use cream, I make sure to use liners with my diapers. Or disposable diapers… Sigh. Would love to find something that doesn’t cling to the cloth.
zinc wouldn’t cause a problem other than maybe staining. the lanolin and/or the beeswax may be in a high enough concentration to cause repelling. Try Diaper Salve or Better Butt(er) cream by Northern Essence or California Baby.
Dominique, It worked!! My diapers are saved!! The Oil Lift worked like magic and I’ve since tried it on a bunch more of the diapers and they are all working as good as new!! Oil Lift did not wreck them. And I like the fact that it’s an organic product! Who knew? If you’re game to try it, you can buy it at Canadian tire. I somehow managed to have a small 50 ml spray bottle of it in my house and I’m not sure where I got one so small, but I’ve seen it in a large bottle for around $25.
Good luck and let me know how things worked out for you!!
Yeah! Praise the Lord. I love how my readers help each other out.
i use burts bees diaper cream with a liner each time i change my little one to prevent rash. i havent had a problem with leaks and i havent had to strip the diapers. i recently purchased method cream and was wondering if anyone has personal experience with it on their diapers. i have fb and bg. also, i wasnt sure if the charlies soap i have been usingn could be the cause of the rash. the rashes showed up after purchasing some imse vimse liners and using those in her diapers, maybe since they werent “stay dry” it caused her to rash? in any case, now i always use a fleece liner, mostly to make clean up easy for me. also, one more question, i have since switched to seventh generation powder free and clear detergent. any ideas whether or not this is goood for the diapers? i also do a soak/prewash using oxiclean each time to keep the diapers looking fresh. thanks! (im new to cloth diapering if u cant tell…and can get all the advice that comes my way!)
I have found that my son is allergic to the Chariles soap. He would get so bad it would bleed from that and I had no clue. It took another mom off diaperswappers.com to suggest that to me before I tired another soap and it works now. Good luck.
Oxiclean should only be used once a month…and even then only the Oxy baby type.
I’ve also heard 7th Gen is not good detergent for diaps! I use Country Save. Have heard good about Rockin Green.
I use the burt’s bees too so I am wondering the same thing.
In my 9 months of cloth diapering, I have used small amounts of all your “regular” diaper rash creams (Desitin, A&D, etc.) with seemingly no ill effects to my diapers. Granted, my daughter has rarely had any diaper rash and when she did it cleared up quickly with just a very thin layer of cream. Recently we’ve had a long bout of diaper rash, so I have been further researching creams. Although I’ve had no problems with other creams, today I bought some California Baby Diaper Rash Cream simply because it had the best of all the other brands I liked: zinc, aloe, and lanolin all in the same tube.
So here’s my real story. My limited experience is that the active ingredient in ALL diaper rash creams, whether designed for the cloth diaper or not, is either zinc oxide or lanolin. Neither of these dissolve in water. Hence, their protective properties and your problem with staining and leaks and what-not.
But there is hope… although I have not tried it, tonight I found this remedy for removing zinc oxide based creams from cloth on http://www.momsbudget.com:
“Fill a sink with hot water and laundry detergent, and soak the garment. Then gently rub the fabric together over the spot to remove the oil in the cream. Next, empty the sink and refill with white vinegar, soaking the garment for 15 minutes to remove the zinc oxide. Then wash as normal. The diaper rash cream will be gone!”
Just thought I’d share for anyone else having problems!
Has anyone used Yes to Baby Carrots diaper cream with cloth? I’m a FTM due in a few weeks and just got some because I love their other products, then realized it might not work with cloth. I have mostly pre-folds and a few bamboo fitteds and one BG AIO. I’ve read some people use liners with rash cream, what kind of liner?
I haven’t used it but after looking at the ingredients and comparing it to cloth diaper safe creams I would say it looks safe. A liner would just be a cheap home-made fleece or flannel strip of fabric.
Hi Autum!
I have stopped using cd for months now because my baby (now 19 months) happily plays with poop in her diaper thus creating diaper rash. Persistant diaper rash that required loads of Berts Bees. Poor thing is our 3rd child and I’m not on top of my game sniffing bottoms. 
Thanks for the helpful suggestions.
I’m new to your website…I “Googled” cloth diapers and diaper rash and stumbled upon this little gem. The last commet said that diaper liners are simple pieces of flannel or fleece. My question is about comfort. Wouldn’t that create a baby wedgie? Ever had a baby say that liners were uncomfortable?
I would suggest always putting clothes on over her cloth diapers
As far as a wedgie, never thought about it. Certainly could be a problem. I’d suggest making it wide enough though that it covers the entire inside of the diaper. I’m not good at sniffing out poopies either. Usually I discover it haphazardly.
ha, forgot MY question re cloth diapers and rash cream.. I have help changing and washing diapers due to my disabilities, so a diaper coated with zinc oxide cream got washed in with all my prefolds, is there any hope?
have you noticed problems with the prefolds repelling? i’ve used burt’s bees in the past and have never had repelling issues. but it can certainly occur. i guess my question is what has led you to believe that there is no hope?
I tried strips of flannel and it did not fair well…/the urine repelled from the fleece. So now I put sterile gauze on the cream. I was told by Cottonbabies to use 1 tsp of blue original dawn and 1/4 cup of bleach in a normal hot wash follow that by 2 more normal hot washes without any soaps/bleach. It worked for me.
I am fighting an interesting case of diaper rash. My little guy has it on his inner thighs, outside of his diaper. I am thinking it is more from rubbing then moisture due to the fact that he is quite the chub with a nice pair of thunder thighs. I ordered Grandma El’s to try and heal this. It is just red and somewhat dry. There is no blistering or any other severe sores so I do not think he is reacting to the PUL . Any ideas? Am I missing something?
This sounds very similar to what Paisley had when she was little. It was almost like an eczema rash. I have a sample of Grandma El’s and I like it. When I was going through this with Paisley I tried everything under the sun. I wish I could say I found the ultimate cure. Let me know how it goes.
If you are concerned about rubbing try using a little talc free powder on his thighs when changing his diaper it may help keep it a little drier and friction free.
My son has the exact same thing. The doctor has said it is eczema. I know for us, it started when we switched from FBs at night to Sbish. I think too much moisture against the skin is the cause. I have used Ihle’s paste (and a sposie — for shame!) to clear it up, but have just got some Dimpleskin’s Bum Bum Balm and we’ll see how it goes.
I have been using the Bum Bum Balm for a couple of weeks now and I think it is wonderful. It cleared up my son’s rash and has not harmed the diapers. We do use flushable liners, but I find the balm not to be greasy in the least. I was hesitant to use it on eczema with all of the natural oils in it (they usually exacerbate), but it is fine. I even tested it on my own eczema and had no reaction. Hope that helps!
Eczema is often a sign of food allergies, most commonly cow dairy, eggs, tomato, and fish. If your baby is breastfed, you could try to cut out one offender from your diet at a time for one week to see if any improvement in the rash is seen. If the baby is formula fed, you could look for a different type, or soy if the baby is over 6 mos. Even with soy, you have to read the ingredients to make sure there is no lactose or casein (the cow milk proteins) in the formula.
I don’t think Katie meant that her child is playing “Play-doh style” in her poo, just continuing to play with stinky pants without fussing. My 3rd child is 15 months and will not alert me to a poopy diaper, so she now has a rash. I just switched her to FB and am hoping that more frequent changing and California Baby’s spray helps and doesn’t cause a build-up. One wash cycle through, all seems well.
Regarding Lanolin – some mentioned it’ll make diapers repel … and given the whole wool cover thing I thought so too …
But I read (on the Green Mountain Diaper website) that lanolin is great for cloth because it dissolves in hot water (this is why we don’t wash our wool soakers in hot).
We’re only a few weeks in but I like the lanolin: I wasn’t prepared with a liner for his circ (no lectures please we’re Jewish, it was a tough decision), and then just didn’t use them after since it was only a teensy spot of Vaseline. After a week I switched from Vaseline to lanolin, and used lanolin on our 1 day hint of diaper rash.
The result is that the ones with Vaseline do have a little dot that visibly repels, while the ones exposed to lanolin then washed hot are fine!
You won’t get lectures from my commenters…I wouldn’t approve their comments.
Trenna, You won’t get any lectures from me. Just asking for your input.
We are having our first baby, a boy and are planning on circ him. Did you use the lanolin to help him heal? I’ve heard good things about lanolin for diaper rash but for some reason I hadn’t considered it for his circ.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Grandma El’s is NOT safe for cloth. Use it more than two or three times and your diapers will repel water like no other. We were happy with it after the first use, but now we’re worried our diapers are ruined; stripping isn’t even getting rid of it.
That would be horrible to get a lecture from someone on such a personal matter! I hope you haven’t been getting lectures from others!
I just don’t know what to use for my daughters bottom when I change her. She has ALWAYS needed a barrier cream when we change her (we used A&D with disposable diapers). We have recently switched to cloth, and she always gets a diaper rash and ends up being in disposables overnight with a thick layer of A&D which normally clears up the rash. I have tried northern essence and california baby on her, and neither was successful in keeping the diaper rash from appearing. What should I do?? I don’t want to waste a whole bunch of money on diaper ointments that don’t work. Maybe I am not changing her frequently enough? Changed her after 4 hours and then when she pooped about an hour and a half after that (not sure when she pooped… I can normally tell, but this one was a surprise). Also wondering if Bordeux’s diaper rash protector (the one that sprays on) is safe to use with Cloth?
I’ve been using the Homestead Company’s products and like them. Here is their barrier product Baby Balm.
Thanx for the reply. I tried cornstarch for 2 diaper changes, and lanolin for the 3rd. The cornstarch cleared up the redness, and the lanolin kept it from returning. I also changed her more frequently (every 2 hours, as opposed to every 3-4 hours). I like the looks of the Baby Balm, and might try it if this doesn’t continue working. Thanx
Now I’m getting confused just by reading all your entries, though all helpful! Can anyone summarize what is the best diaper rash cream brand for cloth diapers? Contrary to what websites say that certain brands are cloth diaper-safe, your feedback says otherwise. Hmmm… now I’m torn as to what brand will best serve its purpose for my baby’s bum without ruining my cloth diapers (prefolds and pocket diapers). Please help! Thanks! )
All the brands that Banana Peels sells are cloth diaper safe
Of course, having said that I have read that Grandma El’s causes problems for some. I haven’t had problems. My favorite that she sells is the Homestead Company Diaper Rash Oil.
Thanks for the prompt reply! So do you mind telling me how long have you been using Grandma El’s with your cloth diapers?
Same question applies to the Homestead Company Diaper Rash Oil or Better Butter (as you also recommended in your previous comments)? Many thanks again! 
I have not used Better Butter. Homestead for a couple of months. Grandma El’s I don’t currently use but when I did it was only occasionally.
Hi again! Would anyone be able to comment on Mom to Mom Sharing Wisdom Vit A & D ointment diaper rash ointment skin protectant? Would anyone know if this is cloth diaper safe? Thanks!
Hi Pinky! A&D ointment is NOT safe to use with cloth diapers. It has petrolatum in it, which is bad for the diapers. It will coat the cloth diapers and cause them to repel, not absorb urine. We use Magic Stick, which works alright for keeping diaper rash away. The main this we use is cornstarch. It clears up minor diaper rashes, and keeps the skin clear. If you really want to use the A&D, or other diaper ointments that are not cloth diaper safe (like Desitin) you can cut a piece of fleece into a rectangle to cover your diaper, and then wash the fleece by itself.
Thanks for the tip Sarah!
After 6 months, I have just realized my baby’s cloth diapers are stinky and non-absorbent probably because of diaper cream and too much detergent! My mom was very insistent that we use zinc oxide creams on our daughter, and I didn’t know any better. She mostly gets sunshine and plain olive oil for her rash now, but the diapers must have so much residue in them by now!!! I’m going to strip them all today and hope for the best.
PS. Has anyone tried washing soda to remove greasy residue?
If there is repelling try Dawn.
Hello,
thank you so much for your time and insight! 
Wow, everyone has so many different experiences with various products, it is so hard to make a decision. My daughter seems to get diaper rashes now and again (depending how quickly I notice/smell she went). I am looking to get something to prevent this and at first from reviews I was going to go with Angel Baby Bottom Balm, but after reading your posts, its not fairing so well. Autumn, you said you use Homestead Company Diaper Rash Oil with no problems for a few months. I guess my question is, Diaper rash balm or oil? Which is better for prevention and treating? Are there any other brands you have used for extended periods of time with no issues? Also, I was wondering if there was anything you have used to prevent/get rid of staining on the diapers? My daughter is breastfed and has runny/colored poops and it has seemed to stain quite a bit each time. Some people say sun, is there anything else since we do not have a large outdoor area to sun them.
I love the Homestead oil. It seems to work really well when he gets a rash. I have their diaper spray but I don’t “love” it. The only brand that I’ve used for years is California Baby. I bought it at Target years ago and still use it when we occasionally get a rash.
Sunning is great for stains. You don’t need much space, you could lay them on top of your car
A little bit of bleach works too.
You don’t need much room to sun them in, and in fact you don’t need sun at all. A shady spot outdoors or even some bare-bottom time in the crib, perhaps with a fan on, will work too. Sun is great for sanitizing, but it’s not necessary to reduce a rash.
I personally have moved to using plain olive oil on my baby’s rashes, though I did not do this when she was very young and the rashes were more frequent, so I don’t know how well it would’ve worked then. My baby’s skin has gotten less sensitive as she has grown and the rashes have become less frequent regardless of what I use. At 6 months she hardly gets rashes at all. One great thing about olive oil is that it’s cheap and can be found anywhere!
I have read that Safflower oil is good for preventing and treating diaper rash. Is this true? Can I use it with cloth diapers (FuzziBunz One Size)? Thanks!
California Baby, which is a diaper rash cream I recommend, contains safflower oil.
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