by Angela V 
I can’t believe that after being a mom for six years I had my first disposable diaper in the washer accident just a few weeks ago, and ironically once the boys were both OUT of diapers! Yes, friends, I accidentally washed a disposable pull-up with my laundry and it was the messiest thing I’ve had to deal with in a while. Don’t even ask me how it got there because I have NO idea!
So parents, from now on, a big word of advice from me, make sure you triple check when loading your washer, so you NEVER end up washing a disposable diaper or pull-up in your washing machine. Now, if you end up somehow accidentally doing just that like I did, then keep reading. Below I am going to share what I did to clean the crazy messy gel beads that went everywhere.
Disposable Diaper in The Washer, How to Clean The Mess!
RELAX: Take a deep, deep breath and know that you are not alone, this has happened to other people before and will happen to more people in the future, it’s actually quite common. Also, I know that you are probably freaking out, wondering if your clothes and machine are ruined, but I promise, your machine and your clothes will be fine, the gel beads will be gone, and your machine will survive! So just breath for now and keep reading.
- Step 1: Pull the diaper out of your machine and throw it in the garbage
- Step 2: Pull the clothes out of the washer one by one and shake each piece to remove as many gel beads as you can, I know there are so many, but just keep shaking! You’ll floor will be a mess but this step is necessary.
- Step 3: Put the clothes in your dryer and dry as usual. Don’t worry your dryer will be fine, the beads will mostly end up in the lint filter.
- Step 4: Go back to your washer and use a paper towel to remove as many beads as you can. You won’t be able to get them all but try to get as many as you can.
- Step 5: Run a Speed Wash cycle with cold water/no detergent
- Step 6: Run a second Speed Wash cycle with a half a cup of white vinegar.
- Step 7: After your clothes are done drying they should come out free of beads. I noticed most of my clothes were totally fine, but a couple of sweaters had some dry beads still attached. For those, I used a lint roller, and they were fine after that.
- Step 8: Clean your dryer’s lint filter.
You are DONE! See? You survived! Your clothes are fine, and your washer and dryer are o.k. Now, make sure you check your laundry loads carefully to avoid it happening again.
Have you ever had a disposable diaper in the washer accident?
39 Comments on “Disposable Diaper in The Washer, How to Clean The Mess!”
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I used cloth diapers so this never actually happened to me, I’m not sure whether I’d have had a heart attack or a fit if I’d discovered something like that. Like Elva says, it’s bad enough when someone forgets a paper tissue in their pocket. At least everyone knows what to do now should it ever happen to them. 🙂
OMG I can’t imagine the mess! Thanks so much for the tips! Pinning this one for later just in case!
Nice tips to defuse the problem.
Oh wow; sounds a bit like when you fail to clean out the pockets in your clothes and end up with Kleenex all over the clean laundry. I am so glad I will never have this issue, but I will pass this onto my friend who has babies still in diapers.
Thanks for the tips. Thankfully I haven’t done this yet, but I still have a few years of diapers left so it could still happen.
It’s one of those things. Why, didn’t I notice? Whaaah.
Yikes have never done that but once I washed a mat with some clothing and all of the foam backing of the mat came off and was stuck to everything. Oh what fun I had cleaning up the mess!
This has happened to me more than once. I am so relieved when I see that the diaper has absorbed all the water (Thank Goodness for this innovation!). But when it isn’t – yuck!
This info is great to have just in case! It’s easier to handle if you know how to deal with it.
I didn’t realize it was such a process. Thanks for sharing the information. I’ll be sure to pass it on to my pregnant friends.
I’ve heard of this happening to a few folks….always good to know how to tackle this stuff!
Oh man I hated when that happened, and it did. Thanks for sharing the hows of clean up.
Awesome post thanks! My first time time happening in 19 years! Oh well…nnow excuse me, I have to go clean this up! ????
I already dislike doing laundry as it is so these are good tips to keep in mind.
I can imagine the mess this would make, luckily I used cloth diapers so I never had this problem, will have to forward to my son as he is having his first child and this is a good warning.
Thanks! I seriously had a panic attack when I realized I washed a disposable menstrual pad in the wash! There were no beads left to clean. So worried that I’d have to call in a repair person! Thanks for your post about diaper beads. Really calming… Now onto the vinegar cycle… Thank you! Thank you!
Glad you found it calming. I remember my reaction as well. It wasn’t fun!
I unfortunately need this routine today. My question is, my clothing smells like urine from going through the wash with a dirty disposable diaper, still ok to throw those clothes into the dryer. I don’t want the smell to sit
Oh no, sorry to hear! I would wash it again (removing the diaper first of course :)) then dry it!
I literally just found a disposable diaper in the wash my my babies dark clothes. WHAT A MESS!!! Trying this out. Crossing my fingers it works!
Hope it did!
Thank you for your post. I just about had a panic attack tonight after I opened the washing machine. UGH. On Step 5, hoping the rest turn out ok! xoxo
Hope it all worked out!
I just did this and I can’t believe how many gel beads are in those things. For crying out loud. I think they’re going to haunt me in my sleep. I shook everything and used a wet vac to get out the majority in the washer. I’m rewashing everything now. Of all the things, it happened with a set of sheets. Hopefully, crisis diverted. *Fingers and toes crossed* However, it looks like it snowed in my back yard now. Ugh! #momlife
Seriously, the worse!
I get back from playing in an empty park with my son and my sister in law’s dog. My kid who is about 8.5months old definitely needs a change. It’s been a while since the last change and I’m in a hurry because I really have to go to the bathroom. He’s pooped and peed a lot in his cloth diaper which I take off of him. I duck out of the room and dump the solid waste in the toilet at the end of the hall which is just around the corner. I come back quick because i’m well aware that this could very well be the first time he just rolls off the changing table when I’m not there – he’s never come close, but there’s always that chance – but thank god he’s still there, but he’s peeing a perfect arc into the air and onto the floor and into some clean disposable diapers under the changing pad. I clean him up, use aquaphor put on a new cloth diaper, clean the floor with another cloth diaper and toss aside one clean, unused disposable that got only just a touch wet. This diaper lands in the laundry bin. Now I have to pee like crazy so I grab him and bring him to the bathroom and put him down. He’s standing up and pulling on the sink cabinet knobs so I pick him up and put him in the empty fold up bathtub on the floor. I give him a toy, unbutton my jeans and pee – pointing this out to him because it’s always a teaching moment even though it’s way too early – but of course, there’s no water in the fold-up bathtub so when he reaches over the edge of the tub, he starts to fall face first toward the tiled bathroom floor. But I, midstream, kick the tub back just enough so he goes back into it and doesn’t fall backward the other way into the tub. I finish peeing. And take him outside to go for a swing and toss the ball for the dog in the backyard, completely forgetting the arrant disposable. Later my wife does the laundry and finds gel beads over everything. Then I read this post before doing exactly what it says to do.
OMG what a day! It sounds like thankfully everyone survived unscathed, and I am sure the machine survived as well! #parenting
That never happened to me but oh my what a big mess, I would be freaking out!!
Thank you….The advice helped!!!
Happy to have helped!
Totally just happened- been a mom for 3 yrs and it’s a first for me which is why I looked this up – wanted to see any helpful hints. So thank you; I’ve found this very helpful.
So glad to hear it helped you!
I accidentally put a period pad made with silica gel beads into the washer. When I saw the goop I was ready to breakdown. Luckily I stumbled upon this post. Cleaned up nicely. saved my sanity
Thank you!!!!!! I’m dealing with an adult diaper. The bead mess is massive. Second time! You think I would have learned from the first. Your method works. Appreciate your upbeat instructions.
i am a caregiver for my 83 demented dad. grabbing a bottle of tequila is also a good fix.
Thank you thank you your trial turned into a triumphant moment for me ie idk where do I start with this process and most of all ugh
It isn’t fun, but luckily, it can be solved.
Thank you so much! I made the mistake of grabbing clothes too fast without checking and here we are! You are a lifesaver!
No problem 🙂