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Washing Instructions
Washing your diapers properly will help extend the life of the diaper and keep them in good condition. There are a number of ways to wash cloth diapers and over time you will find the best way that works for you. The simplest method of storing soiled diapers is to place them in a waterproof bag or pail liner placed in a dry diaper pail of your choice. Many families find that a large garbage pail works well. When it’s wash day, simply empty the diapers into the washer and toss the pail liner in as well. If your baby is past the exclusively breastfed stage, you will want to shake off any solids in the toilet or use a mini diaper sprayer prior to placing soiled diapers in the pail. Washing every 1-3 days is adequate depending on how many diapers are in use.
Upon receiving your new diapers an initial hot wash and hot dry is recommended before use. A hot wash and hot dry for pocket diapers is necessary before use to seal needle holes in the PUL made during the manufacturing process.
Preferred Method:
- Run a cold cycle WITHOUT detergent. A cold cycle first helps to prevent stains.
- Run a hot cycle using ¼ to ½ of the amount of detergent recommended by the manufacturer.
- Run an optional hot cycle WITHOUT detergent to ensure that all detergent has been rinsed properly.
- Drying: 60-80 minutes is usually adequate for drying diapers. Pocket diapers will dry quickly and can be removed sooner. Pail liners can be removed and hung to dry. Fabric softener or dryer sheets should not be used as this can affect the absorbency of the diaper.
Choosing a Detergent
Detergents should be free of optical brighteners, fabric softener, bleach (including color safe), enzymes, fragrance, and dyes. This chart is an excellent source for determining which detergents are best for washing cloth diapers.
Removing Stains and Odors
Stains are best removed simply by placing diapers in the sun for an hour or two.
If your diapers have an odor after washing, they may need an extra hot wash cycle. If you believe your detergent is the offender, check the ingredients and possibly switch brands. Stripping detergent build-up from the diapers may also be necessary, which is done by running several hot cycles without detergent until there are no visible bubbles in the wash water.
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