1. Shake "poop" into toilet. Newborn
stools will be too loose to shake clean. You can optionally dunk
newborn diapers in toilet bowl, use a diaper sprayer, or simply set
your washing machine cycle for an extra initial rinse. Our machine has
a pre-wash cycle that we love for this reason. If you do not have a
pre-wash cycle on your washer, then consider running your diapers
through an initial short cycle followed by a heavy cycle.
2. Collect soiled or wet diapers in a lined plastic pail. You can
purchase a special made diaper pail, but we have found your basic
plastic 52 quart garbage can and lid works just as well, is more
affordable, and is available at your local department store.
3. You can optionally add a sprinkle of baking soda to your diapers
and pail to help neutralize odors. Once mixed with water in your
washer, the baking soda will help to lift stains.
4. For optimum cleanliness, limit the size of your load to no more
than 24 diapers. As a general rule, the fewer diapers per load, the
cleaner they will be.
5. Then, use WARM or HOT wash
and COLD rinse with high water level. Use a mild detergent
with no phosphates, and minimal additives. Add only 1/2 the
recommended amount of detergent for top-loaders and 1/3 the
recommended dose for high efficiency and front-loaders.
Avoid all soaps and all "Free &
Clear" and/or popular baby detergents. These detergents will leave a
residue on your
 diapers that will affect the absorbency and may cause
'stinky' diapers and/or diaper rash. To
learn more about safe detergents for your cloth diapers please visit
The Diaper Jungle's
Diaper Detergent Chart.
Have an HE washer?
Click here. In washing your cloth diapers, there
really is no right or wrong way to go about it. But there is a
RIGHT detergent to use to avoid ruining your diapers. Please
take a moment and find one that will work for you.
5. Dry in dryer or hang to dry. Add a dry
towel to the dryer to speed the drying process. Occasionally you may
wish to dry in dryer on high heat to help with sterilization and to
reseal lamination. Drying
in direct sunlight is also an excellent method; it helps to preserve
the textiles of your diapers and is great at getting rid of stains.
Hang drying will leave your cotton diapers somewhat stiff. So to soften
sun-dried dipes, you may choose to use the dryer for the last 15
minutes.
6. Some parents like to add 1/2 cup
vinegar to the final rinse to reduce residue of detergent or hard
water. Do not use vinegar when washing cloth diapers made from
synthetic textiles...this includes most all diaper covers and some
brands of cloth diapers, including our Fab Fitteds and Pocket AIOs. Synthetic fibers tend to hang on to the
vinegar smell.
7. Even if you follow all the rules
above, you still might end up with occasional stinky diapers and less
absorbent diapers due to pre-wash, detergent, diaper rash ointment, and/or mineral residue.
Simply replace your regular detergent with 1/4 cup Calgon water
softener (found at your local grocers) or 1-2 Tbs Dawn dishsoap. This process is often referred
to as diaper stripping. Use Calgon or Dawn as often as needed, but not at
every wash.
8. Finally, if your diapers are in
need of a thorough deep cleaning, you can use a bit of Oxyclean Baby in
place of your regular detergent. Do this only when needed. |
