You love your baby. You do not love the greasy white stains smeared across your clean clothes (or worse, your only clean set of sheets). Diaper cream stains can feel impossible to deal with, and honestly? They kind of are.
The good news: there are a few tricks to rescue your laundry and an even better way to avoid the mess entirely.
Step 1: Blot, don’t rub
First things first: remove as much excess cream as possible using a paper towel or rag. (Skip the baby wipes, they just add more moisture and make the stain harder to tackle.)
Blot gently until the thick layer is gone. You want to go from “giant smear” to “just a stain.”
Step 2: De-grease like you mean it
The biggest issue with diaper cream? It’s basically grease in disguise. That’s why regular detergent won’t cut it.
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Start with dish soap: Rub a little into the stain with cool water.
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If it lingers, move up to a stronger laundry de-greaser you already have at home.
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Run it through the wash once or twice until the mark is gone.
Pro tip: Always air-dry stained clothes until you’re sure it’s out. Heat from the dryer can lock the stain in permanently.
Step 3: Try rubbing alcohol or vinegar (for zinc oxide creams)
Most diaper creams, especially ones with zinc oxide (like Desitin), cling to fabric like glue. That’s where a little science comes in.
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Rubbing alcohol: Spray or dab onto the stain, then rinse with cold water, repeating as needed.
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White vinegar: First, scrub with dish soap and water. Then soak the item in a 50/50 vinegar and water mix for about 30 minutes. Wash as usual afterward.
Step 4: Skip the cream altogether (yes, really)
Here’s the ultimate hack: avoid diaper cream stains entirely by skipping the cream.
That doesn’t mean giving up protection against rashes - it just means switching to a smarter product.
French moms have been using liniment lotion for decades. La Petite Crème’s Organic Diapering Lotion cleans, protects, and restores in one step - without the sticky mess. One swipe on a cotton pad and your baby’s skin is clean and rash-free, no ointments needed.
Result: no more cream, no more ruined onesies.
Petites pensées
Diaper cream stains are one of those parenting headaches you only discover after baby arrives. But now you know how to deal with them (and even better, how to prevent them.)
Because when you’re juggling feedings, naps, and endless diaper changes, the last thing you need is another load of ruined laundry.
✨ Try the lotion that replaces wipes, creams, and ointments in one simple step - shop La Petite Crème’s Organic French Diapering Lotion here.
