This part is not exciting at all, but it's part of getting toilet trained so we just have to cope with it and that means knowing how to clean up when both number 1 and number 2 accidents occur.
NUMBER 1
Human urine contains soluble wastes extracted from the blood by the kidneys. Much of it is water; the rest includes excess sugars, urea and other toxins. Research has found some 3000 chemicals in urine...and counting! A well hydrated toddler can pee up to 8 times a day. Since we're toilet training, each of these times could be an 'accident' in different parts of the house or in a fresh pair of shorts. So cleaning up could be a nuisance. It needn't be. Peeing accidents on tiled floors can be wiped with toilet paper and wiped again using a disinfectant wipe. If it's on the carpet, use a dry cloth to dab the area, letting the cloth absorb the urine, then immediately rub with a disinfectant wipe. You may sprinkle bicarbonate of soda or diluted vinegar to take care of the smell over time. As for the clothes, soak in cold water for the next wash (hopefully, the same day!) Don't leave the urine to dry on the clothes. Here's why...
Urine contains ammonia, which is a product of protein metabolism. Healthy urine is also over 95% water. When the toddler has a pee accident on his or her clothes, the water content begins to evaporate, leaving the smelly ammonia behind. This ammonia gets smellier and smellier for as long as it is exposed to air and bacteria. This also explains why a mattress can smell of old pee weeks after a bed-wetting accident. So it's better to dip the clothes in a bucket of water after an accident, to be laundered the same day.
Bed wetting is normal for toddlers and young children. Sometimes it can go on much longer. Eventually, the child will outgrow this. In the meantime, try to reduce the smell of ammonia in the mattress using bicarbonate of soda or spray regularly with white vinegar. This has to be done repeatedly. I cannot promise that the odour will all go away but it will definitely be reduced.
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NUMBER 2
Lucky for me, my Noni hasn't had a major number 2 accident, but I remember how my mom dealt with it when my sister was little. She just cleaned up right away. There was no soaking of clothes for a scheduled laundry time. I suppose this is the best way to deal with it. Because poop has a lot more toxins and bacteria, even from a toddler (see post). For poop on the floor, simply wipe with toilet paper and then again with a disinfectant wipe (be careful not to flush wet wipes in the toilet). On the carpet, lift off as much as you can with toilet paper, clean the area with a rag, using a carpet shampoo or mild detergent. Then rinse off with a wet cloth (you don't want to leave soap and poop residue in your carpet!) Remember to mix your soap solution with some disinfectant. You can also freshen up the area with dilute fabric softener. After all of this, the cleaning rags used for this assignment must be washed clean immediately.
I can't believe I'm almost done with diapers, for my kids anyway. I know there are adult diapers somewhere in the distant future that my Noni may have to buy for my usage...and possibly write about it in her blog.
For more on potty training truths visit Dry Like Me.
I can't believe I'm almost done with diapers, for my kids anyway. I know there are adult diapers somewhere in the distant future that my Noni may have to buy for my usage...and possibly write about it in her blog.
For more on potty training truths visit Dry Like Me.
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