Rinsing

[sunnydays]

I think this has been discussed here before, but do any of you rinse out clothing that is soiled with feces, vomit etc before giving it to the parents at the end of the day? I have always had an unwritten policy of not doing it...I always just throw it in a bag and give it to them at pick-up time. Nobody has ever questioned this...but I now have a mom who seems to think I should rinse it for her. She is complaining that the child's clothing is stained. When I told her I cannot rinse because for one thing, I don't have time, and for another it is unsanitary to be rinsing feces in the sink and then I would have to disinfect the sink as well (I really don't have time for all that), she asked me if I could put it in a bucket of water until the end of the day....to which I responded..."but then I would have to wash the bucket"...which she thought was just fine and dandy as it would be at the end of the day after the kids have gone home! Well, sorry, but I do not want to add disinfecting poopy water buckets to my long list of chores at the end of the day and it is just gross! To me, if you don't want to run the risk of something being stained, don't send it to daycare...I don't know what else I can suggest to this woman! I am pretty sure if she sprays it with Shout or something it would come out...I have to do the same for my own child's clothing, which I don't rinse during daycare hours either...she has pooped in her underwear many a time and they have never stained. I believe my policy is reasonable and normal, but just wanted some feedback...

[Smitty]

nope i just put it in a bag. Not my problem. as long as i am reminding a potty training child to go often then i have done my job. I have to draw the line. Don't feel bad. I don't.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Nope ~ I do not rinse feces cause IMO the more it is 'handled' the more increased chances of ME or others in my care getting SICK from the many bacteria and disease carried in feces or puke or what not ~ I do enough to keep the children and environment clean and safe ~ the clothes get double bagged and put in a bin in the cubbie to be taken home!

However I have that CLEARLY IN WRITING in my handbook to avoid any such conflict with clients because yes this was often a hot debate in many of the centres I worked at before moving to being my own boss and getting to make my own rules :)


Please note that with caring for 5 young children I will lack the time be rinsing out soiled training pants or clothes  Therefore all soiled training pants & clothes will be contained in a plastic bag in an individually labeled container to be taken home each evening by parents.

[bright sparks]

I do not rinse anything. I would make a suggestion for her to bring a pail and lid for you if shes that concerned. She can buy them from Home Depot. That way if it happens you can throw them in, pour water on them and put the lid on. I'd then leave it outside the front door for pickup. Its either that or get a better stain remover. I do not have time to scrub clothing, nor is it my job to.

[KingstonMom]

I have had dcks poop in their pants/underwear before and I 'rinse ' it in the toilet without touching anymore than I possible have to. I pinch the waist band of undies (or whatever part that is not soiled) and flush a couple times while dunking and whisping the undies around the toilet bowl as it flushes. I find this does an 'ok' job without me ringing anything or getting my sink dirty. I then bounce it over the toilet to get some water out, double or triple bag it and leave it for parents to take home. At least the majority of the poop is in the toilet that was in the underwear and they are still soaked so nothing should stain on clothing until it dries on.

[sunnydays]

Reggio: yes, I am adding it to my policies which are being renewed for January ;) These are the kind of things I never would have thought would be an issue, so never thought to add in...I would never have asked my child's dc provider to do this!

[sunnydays]

I actually thought of this, but then it would require me carrying it up and through the house, possibly dripping (or her doing that at the end of the day)...it all just seems like way too much trouble! Her child is not actually even potty training. He just had a poopy diaper that gooshed out the top at the back and got on his shirt while changing.


I do not rinse anything. I would make a suggestion for her to bring a pail and lid for you if shes that concerned. She can buy them from Home Depot. That way if it happens you can throw them in, pour water on them and put the lid on. I'd then leave it outside the front door for pickup. Its either that or get a better stain remover. I do not have time to scrub clothing, nor is it my job to.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Reggio: yes, I am adding it to my policies which are being renewed for January ;) These are the kind of things I never would have thought would be an issue, so never thought to add in...I would never have asked my child's dc provider to do this!

Ya ~ I admit I was blessed to have worked in centre care for many years and thought I had seen and heard it all when I created my own handbook for home childcare ~ but yet it still continues to evolve and clarify itself even with 25 years in the field as society never ceases to amaze me on the varied values and approaches one might expect another to do for them and therefore the conflict that arises when the other party is like um NO ;)

There are always so many extremes in this industry .... you have the parents who want them rinsed and washed cause it happened on your watch so why should they have to deal with it I have even worked with the ones on the flip side who are so disgusted with the concept that 'no one should have to do that no me or them' so that they want them thrown out and than you have those in the middle who are happy if you can just roll any 'solid chunks' into the toilet and package them up for a little gift at home and a teachable moment on natural consequences with their child about how 'when you poop your pants than mommy or daddy have less time to spend with you at night cause we are stuck scrubbing undies in the laundry sink' ;)

[Crayola kiddies]

Ahh nope I don't rinse .... And I also tell all my daycare parents not to send their child in clothing they don't want ruined. If it's special keep it at home ! It is not a fashion show here I don't care if the kids socks match their shirt ( sadly yes I had a parent who always matched her sons socks to his shirt) actually I dont even care if their socks match ....

[sunnydays]

I had one like that too...it was actually funny...but to each his own when it comes to fashion. In fact though, I do have that in my policies already about not sending them in clothing that they don't want ruined. I work hard to protect their clothing even so...I always put painting smocks on for art and rain pants for mud...so the poop or vomit scenario is pretty rare...but can happen!



Ahh nope I don't rinse .... And I also tell all my daycare parents not to send their child in clothing they don't want ruined. If it's special keep it at home ! It is not a fashion show here I don't care if the kids socks match their shirt ( sadly yes I had a parent who always matched her sons socks to his shirt) actually I dont even care if their socks match ....

[playfelt]

Don't rinse here at all. If there is a wad I can pick up with up with a baby wipe I do my best and toss that in the garbage - not taking the risk of plugging the toilet as by change time it is now a ball/chunk and not a nice flushable snake.

The more parents get the little bags of stuff home - and I even ask them for some bags although I do keep a box of cheap zip bags on hand to seal in the mess when necessary.

There is no way having an open pail of water is safe in daycare and especially if it needs to have bleach in it. I had a mom using cloth diapers offer to bring me a pail to put water and soap in and then she was going to take it at the end of the day and I said no way. Even with those the diaper and any contents not able to be picked up with the wipe is simply put in the bags they provide.

I do have access to my laundry tub and have rinsed a puked on tshirt or something in there with the idea of whatever the running water washed off fine. And then during naptime did a bleach and water thing in the sink. Since this is a less than 5 times a year thing I have done it. For potty mistakes nope goes home. If child is having that many then maybe they need more time in a diaper while still being taken to the toilet regularly.

[mimi]

I place the soiled garment in a plastic bag and seal it. I am the daycare provider, not the maid.

[JennJubie]

I have had dcks poop in their pants/underwear before and I 'rinse ' it in the toilet without touching anymore than I possible have to. I pinch the waist band of undies (or whatever part that is not soiled) and flush a couple times while dunking and whisping the undies around the toilet bowl as it flushes.

I had a friend of mine clog her toilet this way. Lost her grip on the undies and down they went. :eek:

[sunnydays]

Yeah...there is no way I will be rinsing things in the toilet during daycare hours! Way to much risk for dripping, accidentally touching, other kids grabbing..etc. And it is just gross! I am sorry, but I do what is necessary in terms of keeping the kids clean and changed...that is enough! I think it is way beyond the scope of your jobs.

[Mamma_Mia]

No rinsing here either. When my daughter was in daycare for a short time that dcp did the same thing. You get a old No Frills or Walmart bag knotted up with your kids dorty clothes inside.

If the parents wash it when they get home with a stain remover (like baby Oxy, resolve etc) it should come out.....I know some people are all iffy about putting things on their kids clothes. I'm not one of them. My daughter's whites get sprayed with fantastic w/ bleach and are pearly white! Her colours I use resolve and are great too. If you want the sain out then use the right products lol

[Momof4]

No, I don't want to get sick and have to inconvenience 4 other families because I was breathing puke or diarrhea germs for too long. I also put these things directly into a bag for the parents. It's bad enough I have to clean up the puke or diaarhea from wherever it happened in my house and wash those towels or rags if it's huge.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Uggg ~ perfect timing for this thread today .... gonna put my money where my mouth is .... ya wanna know how much I HATE dealing with poop or puke specially when it is out of its place of a diaper or toilet?

After snack this afternoon one of my little dudes just stood up while we were getting dressed for outside and out of blue with no warning projectile puked all over my front foyer runner carpet and the FEET of my poor newest client picking up her son .... my ideal way of dealing with that was to roll up the carpet and put it in a garbage bag outside on the deck and cleaned up what I HAD TO that was not contained to the carpet ... if I am not willing to clean and rinse my OWN carpet full of puke why would I be willing to clean and rinse some elses clothes with poop or puke that could just as easily be 'bagged' as well and they can choose to deal with it.

Now if my spouse does not want the carpet to end up on the curb come garbage day he is more than welcome to clean it himself when I am NOT AROUND to see or smell it more power to him .... but for me I would rather go without a runner until I can budget to invest another $40 in a new one :o

[playfelt]

To a certain extent I think my not rinsing phase probably started as a reaction to parents that should have known that their child was coming down with something and should have been at home as in here is your child's mess - serves you right kind of thing. I know these things often happen with no warning but figure I had to clean up half of it and the parents can deal with the other half.

[Inspired by Reggio]

LOL Playfelt there have been cases back in my centre days when parents were more prone to sending sick kids where I think that was likely in back of my mind too :(

[Daisy Duke]

You could also tell her that buckets of water are a safety hazard with small children. Sorry if this has been mentioned already.

[sunnydays]

Thanks everyone. I have told her I cannot rinse, nor soak and it will be bagged as usual an left for her to deal with at home. I really didn't think my policy was abnormal and I thank you all for confirming it for me :)

[kidlove]

Uh oh! I am the freak in the bunch!!!! I do rinse, especially babies, they spit up so often and sometimes poop out of their diapers. I always rinse, unless I suspect an illness. If it is an older child I will not! ever! if anyone vomits...no way! everything goes into a bag and is placed outside my front door for pick-up! But, a small child potty training or a baby spit up or poop I always rinse. I also do all the kids laundry, when we play outside and they get dirty, they all change in to their spares and the dirty goes in the washer and back to their cubby when clean. just works easier for me than running out of spares and having parents not replace them. I have had many parents tell me those are the "above and beyonds" they love about me. I really don't mind unless their is an illness, or poor behavior (like older child pooping pants :()
Have to add though,,it took me a few years to get over the "germs", when I first started, I couldn't stand even seeing a child mouth a toy or drool on my floor, then I realized if I stayed that way...I would go insane!

[Momof4]

Kidlove, I was disinfecting toys a lot too when I started my daycare and have gotten a lot more lax as time has gone by too. But I think you are very kind to do the clothes rinsing. I will change a child's clothes when they get messy from food or crafting supplies and presoak the clothes for the parents then put it in a bag for washing but vomit and poop, nope!

[kidlove]

bigger kid vomit is a no for me too! but baby spit up and poop, and training accidents I always do my best to take care of them. And always wash dirty laundry, after doing this so long I just feel like all these kids are family, doesn't bother me to touch their "stuff", I do wash like crazy and sanitize the sink after the rinsing but, I guess I would hope someone would do the same for me if the tables were turned, if I can't rinse thorough enough or if the mess is a possible illness I will just tie it up tightly and place in a plastic bag to be taken home, will do my best to keep the clothes wet though in hope they won't be stained and the mummy can get them good and clean if she wishes. :) I definitely attemp to put myself in the parents shoes always, I know they work all day and have little time with their kids, so I try to do enough of the "extras" for them so when they get home at night they can give as much extra time as possible to their child rather than the duties of what occured during the day. :)

[playfelt]

I am always afraid of doing the rinsing with the idea that if a stain gets wet and then dries it is more likely to set than if it was allowed to just be and then treated in the laundry with stain remover. For me it is about letting the parent decide what they want to do and not being responsible for the wrong thing happening too. I don't need a parent coming back and saying look you rinsed this in cold water and now the stain is set and I need you to replace the ruined garment. Your kid ruined it, you take care of it.

[Mamma_Mia]

But, a small child potty training or a baby spit up or poop I always rinse.

IMO if you're potty training you are NOT a "small" child. You are now a big kid and I will not rinse. Baby for me is 18mos and under....

[Serendipity]

I have a bathroom sink and a kitchen sink. We are NOT allowed to rinse anything (vomit or feces) in a sink in which you wash hands in or prepare food near or wash dishes in. TOTALLY against licensing regulations.

[kidlove]

2 year old is a small child to me, dif in opinion i guess :) they are learning and don't know any better than to have an accident every once in a while while in the training process...I just consider it my job to clean up after what happens while I'm the adult in care, to each his own on this topic, but the ONLY time I give the clothes back to the parent for them to handle is under "poor behavior" circumstances or the possibility of illness. That's just the way I work. But others are not so helpful or willing to go that far and is completely understood. Like I said earlier, i just do what I would hope somepne would be willing to do for me if the tables were turned. :)

[kidlove]

I have a lovely laundry sink with a bar of fells naptha and some disinfectant that I am more than happy to use for rinsing the kiddos things. def agree with not rinsing in the kitchen sink that IS against regulation not to mention gross! although I do rinse the newborn in the bathroom sink if they have a bad rash or need a good wash, I will clean the sink when done, just as you sanitize on a regular basis in the bathroom from the after washing of changing diapers. Not a big deal! I have learned after nearly 10 years to not be too afraid of the germs of poop and pee, not a big deal here!!! :)

[kidlove]

I think "big kid" is just the term used for these little ones to feel like they are big, and a little more is expected of them, we don't want to rush growing up just because they are taking on a little more like potty training and following the rules. "big kid" should be used loosely in the sense of trying to make a little one feel more responsible. My kids are still little kids to me and they are 9 and 11. now I have a nephew who is 16, I consider him a "big kid" def not a man or adult though! :)

[mlle.coccinelle]

AHAH! I had one parent that wanted me to throw away any panties with pee or poop in in my garbage.... Sorry, its not going to happen lady! My trash can see's enough pee and poop in diapers... it does not need to see it in panties too!

[Mamma_Mia]

I think "big kid" is just the term used for these little ones to feel like they are big, and a little more is expected of them, we don't want to rush growing up just because they are taking on a little more like potty training and following the rules. "big kid" should be used loosely in the sense of trying to make a little one feel more responsible. My kids are still little kids to me and they are 9 and 11. now I have a nephew who is 16, I consider him a "big kid" def not a man or adult though! :)

YUP like you said dif in opinion

[kidlove]

mlle: now would you consider that laziness or being wasteful? seriously? she wanted you to throw away any undies that got poop or pee on them? I wonder what type income she had, disposable? what an interesting concept, you take your dirty clothes off every night and throw them away, .....hmmm, no washer, no dryer, lower bills....she may be on to something...now if we could just find more biodegradable fabrics. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Serendipity]

Enough parents have asked me to toss soiled undies that I wouldn't bat an eye at request. Heard it enough in the last few years to see it as common.

None of them were rich by any means but were apparently above having to wash soiled underpants. :rolleyes:

Whatever, not my problem and certainly not something I would have done, but I guess if they would rather buy new underwear every other day then that one is all on them.

Some I would classify as lazy and others..well to each their own...just don't ask me to wash them out. :)

[kidlove]

I have only had one make the comment of "just throw them away" :huh: but I concidered the source because she was also the mommy who would feed her daughter a bowl of frozen veggies for supper because she didn't want to cook dinner, or who didn't bathe her child so I would give her a bath because her bottom was sore or her butt was stinky. ewe! I guess at least it was veggies, and I always found I enjoyed the child "needing" me so much. sad to admit!! :)

[Judy Trickett]

Nope, I do not rinse. Everything goes into the bag and goes home. That's disgusting and not our job, IMO.

[Other Mummy]

Yup. What Judy said.

[angelina]

I do not rinse anything. I would make a suggestion for her to bring a pail and lid for you if shes that concerned. She can buy them from Home Depot. That way if it happens you can throw them in, pour water on them and put the lid on. I'd then leave it outside the front door for pickup. Its either that or get a better stain remover. I do not have time to scrub clothing, nor is it my job to.

yes, that is true, she can have her own bucket and deal with it later.

[angelina]

i did the rinsing job when i was a nanny. i paid all my dues, now i own my business.

i double wrap anything soiled for parents to deal with.

[daycarewhisperer]

I rinse and wash anything that gets soiled. If I have time to wash, dry, and redress we do that. I'm constantly running the washer and dryer here so it's no biggie to me. I don't like passing clothes back and forth. It's too time consuming to get the stock back.