How To Wash Cloth Diapers

If you look on 10 different cloth diaper online resources, you will most likely find 10 different recommended cleaning methods! The method used can vary with the kind of diaper and the fiber used. Through research and trial and error, we have compiled our recommended care and use instructions, to keep your diapers clean and looking newer longer! Our recommendations are safe for the environment, and safe for baby. 

Prepping your Cloth Diapers

Wash all diapers at least one time before use, using a cloth diaper safe detergent. 

Diapering Changing Station Set-up

Shake solids into toilet after each diaper change. Store your soiled Thirsties Cloth Diapers in a DRY diaper pail. Please note that Soaking in a "wet pail" is not recommended and it can damage your diapers. A standard 52-quart garbage pail with a lid works great and can be purchased at your local department store. Be sure to line your pail with a Thirsties Simple Pail Liner to avoid having to clean your pail on every laundry day. Stow your stash of Thirsties Organic Cotton Wipes in an accessible location to your changing table. Toss soiled wipes into your pail along with your diapers.

Pre-Wash of Soiled Diapers

For optimum cleanliness, limit the size of your load to no more than 18 one size diapers or 24 newborn diapers and wash every other day (plus inserts and wipes). Set your washer to an adequate water level for the amount of diapers. The diapers should have enough room to move around during the wash cycle to allow them to agitate again each other. A 'stew' consistency is a good visual for the ratio of water to diapers; not 'soup'. Use cold or warm water for the pre-wash cycle to help pre-clean your diapers. If you do not have a pre-wash cycle on your washer, a short or quick wash cycle will work just as well. You may add a small amount of detergent to the pre-wash cycle, if desired.

Main Wash of Soiled Diapers

Add the recommended amount of cloth diaper safe detergent per load. Choose a HEAVY cycle and wash on HOT for the main wash, using an adequate water level. Rinse on warm, adding an extra rinse.

As a general rule, please avoid using:

• Borax
• Bleach (oxygen or chlorine)
• Fabric Softeners
• Laundry Boosters
• Pure Soap
• Sanitize cycles or other high heat cycles in HE machines

These practices and/or additives can void the warranty of your Thirsties products when used routinely. An occasional deep, disinfecting bleach-cycle can be beneficial, but you certainly don't want to use bleach with every cycle.

Drying your Clean Diapers

Hang your cloth diapers to dry whenever possible. Drying in direct sunlight is the very best method for drying; it preserves the longevity of your reusable diaper investment and helps aid in the removal of stains.

Or if hang drying isn't an option, dry your clean diapers in dryer on medium heat.  A hot, 15 minute dryer cycle once a month is beneficial to waterproof lamination. Be sure to add a dry towel or wool dryer balls to the dryer to speed the drying process.

Cloth Diaper Safe Detergents

Most mainstream detergents are safe for cloth, however, you will want to avoid any detergent that contains a fabric softener as that can lead to repelling and result in stinky diapers. We also recommend avoiding detergents containing oxygen bleaches.

For a full list of safe cloth diaper detergents, please visit the Detergent Index.

Here is a list of detergents commonly used on Thirsties products:

• Allens Naturally Liquid
• Bio-O-Kleen
• Country Save
• Eco Sprout
• Ecover
• Nature Clean
• Persil
• Planet Ultra Powdered Laundry Detergent
• Seventh Generation
• Tide or Tide Gentle and Free

HE Machine Tips + Tricks

Diapers need a good amount of water to clean them properly, and HE machines use less water. Here are some tricks to adding water to your HE diaper load:

• Use cycles such as heavy duty or bedding, or the "extra water"/"deep fill" option to get enough water in your machine.
• Select the Soak option to fill the washer with water, and then spin the water out. This will wet the diapers, making them heavier. In turn, that will trick the washer to use more water.
• Spray the diapers with a diaper sprayer before putting into the diaper pail. This will wet the diapers, making them heavier. In turn, that will trick the washer to use more water.

Stripping your Cloth Diapers to Remove Residue Build-Up or Persistant Odors

You will need to strip your diapers if you have residue buildup, or persistant diaper odors. These issues can be caused by hard water, diapers that are not cleaned or rinsed thoroughly, detergents that aren't safe for cloth diapering, or from greasy products such as diaper creams or fabric softeners. Strip only as needed, as it can be harsh on your diapering products and routine use of bleach does void our warranty.

To strip diapers, we recommend starting with clean diapers. Fill your washer half the normal capacity. Wash with hot water and 1/3 cup Clorox bleach and add an extra rinse cycle. Dry as usual.

After stripping the diapers, you will need to adjust your washing routine, or the stink issues will most likely be re-occurring. If you have any questions about how to tweak your routine, please reach out.

If you routinely use cloth diaper ointments, hand wash your clean cloth diapers in a utility sink or bathtub with Dawn dishsoap. (Don't use Dawn in your washing machine).  Follow-up with a regular wash cycle to rinse out the soap and residue.

Occasional Disinfecting

A solid washing routine with a good detergent will keep your diapers clean and bacteria free! However, diapers will need to be treated after an illness or if your diapers have a persistant odor.

To disinfect, wash per the instructions above but add around 1/4 to 1/2 of a cup of chlorine bleach. Dry in the sunshine, whenever possible!

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Print a copy of our Care Instructions. Hang a copy next to your washing machine to encourage the whole family to help with the laundering!