What is Sudocrem?
Sudocrem is a barrier cream that is often used for nappy rash or conditions such as eczma and other skin issues. Sudocrem feels like thick, sticky mud and although it’s a great way to stop skin from being irritated it’s also difficult to remove from the wrong spot.
As a barrier cream, it’s fairly water resistant – the way it protects skin from outside irritants. However, this also means that it is resistant to being cleaned off with water, too!
General Sudocrem Removal
To remove excess sudocrem from any surface, first of all remove as much as possible using a blunt knife or spatula. Next, try and remove as much as possible using a dry cloth, tissue or baby wipes.
Once you’ve got rid of as much of the cream as possible, use water and your choice of soap or detergent on the remainder.
Removing Sudocrem from Skin
If your toddler and you both end up covered in sudocrem, the easiest way to get rid of the excess is by using a damp cloth or baby wipes.
After that, depending on how much there is, it’s a good idea to put your toddler in the bath. Lather them with baby shampoo and repeat till as much of the sudocrem is gone as possible. If there is a lot of it in the bath, try emptying out the bath and refilling it, and lathering again.
Removing Sudocrem from Hair
Sudocrem in the hair is not fun to remove! The best thing to do is to remove as much of the cream as possible, then put shampoo in the hair, without wetting it. Lather in the shampoo as much as possible and then wash it out and repeat if needed. Combing with a fine tooth comb can also help, in thicker hair.
Removing Sudocrem from Clothes, Sheets & Fabric
Some type of clothing stains when sudocrem is applied to it, due to the oiliness, so try and remove it as soon as possible.
Firstly, try and remove as much of the cream as possible using a blunt knife or spoon.
Next, apply undiluted washing up liquid directly to the stain and lather with a small nail brush.
Lastly, wipe over with a warm cloth and wash as normal.
Repeat steps if necessary.
Removing Sudocrem from Carpet
Carpet can be very difficult to remove sudocrem from, especially if it has a thick pile/shag.
Firstly, remove as much of the cream as possible, using an object like a spoon – scraping towards the centre of the stain so you don’t make it larger.
Next, wash the area with hot water mixed with liquid detergent.
Lastly, to get rid of any remaining oiliness and mess, wash again with lemon juice and hot water.
Let the area dry and repeat if necessary.
If the carpet remains stuck down, place ice cubes on the area, let them melt and dry and then vacuum over the carpet to bring it back up.
Remember: Always spot test your carpet if you’re not sure how it will react to a specific cleaner.
Susannah is a certified Birth Doula through Childbirth International and the founder of Trimester Talk. With a background in journalism and digital strategy, she combines evidence-based research with real-world knowledge to create accessible content about pregnancy and parenting. She’s a mother of two and stepmother of two more, all of them now teenagers.