Diaper Washing & Care

Its really not difficult, or time consuming to wash cloth diapers- it will only take you a few minutes every few days, leave the work for the machine to do!

Quite Simply

1. The average Cloth Diaper change is every 3-4 hours
2. Place dirty diapers into a DRY pail (no need to soak) when they can stay until there are enough for a load of laundry
3. Put cloth diapers into your machine on a COLD rinse cycle. Then a hot wash with ~ ¼ cup of recommended detergent. DO NOT USE fabric softener as this leaves residue on your cloth and a place for stink to survive. A ¼ cup of white vinegar is okay to add to your final rinse (only if you are solely washing pre-fold diapers - if you use vinegar with diaper covers and/or AIO vinegar can damage the waterproofing). This balances the pH of your diapers and softens them. It is controversial about adding 3 drops of Lavender Essential Oil as a natural antiseptic in your final rinse. Some say it adds a residue that odors can adhere to; others say 3 drops won’t matter in a laundry load. Find what works best for you!
4. Dry your diapers on a clothes line (the sun is a WONDERFUL bleaching agent) or in the dryer. Pre-folds can be washed at a higher heat than any of your fitted-type diapers; wash these fitted-types on a low heat.
5. Put clean and sterile diapers away. Simple! It is all about routine, and once you have that established it is a piece of cake!

However, there are certain recommendations and tips that should help you to care for your diapers properly- thus keeping them functioning well and extending their lifetime.

Before Use

Diapers should be washed prior to use. Diapers made of natural fibers, such as Bamboo, Cotton and Hemp, should be washed 3-4 times before use, as this will improve absorbency. There is no need for drying between washes. Other materials, such as PUL (Diaper covers) and micro-fibers can be washed prior to use but it is not absolutely necessary. Diapers of deep colors, such as red, should always be washed separately and in cold water at first to ensure the color does not bleed. Please note that we are unable to accept any returns on washed items if you should change your mind about the product.

Storing Dirty Diapers

Soaking diapers is largely unnecessary and inconvenient for most. Dry-pailing is perfectly acceptable, and many people use a lidded diaper bucket, lined with a PUL or Mesh bag- so when the bucket is full the bag is simply lifted out, and the whole lot put in the machine. That way you do not even have to touch the diapers, and if you leave the drawstring open the bag will separate from the diapers in the machine. Most people do a diaper wash every 2-3 days, but it depends how many diapers you have and it is just about getting into whatever routine works for you.

Poopy Diapers

Most people use liners inside their babies diapers. These will either be flushable liners or terry/flannel/fleece cloth ones. Paper liners are handy for out-and-about use, and some people use them exclusively. Fleece liners are excellent as fleece does no absorb moisture and dries quickly, meaning that wetness passes through it into the diaper keeping babies bottom dry! So, when diaper is soiled, the liners can either be flushed (paper) or 'emptied' into the toilet- if you stretch the cloth liners over the bowl, poop should separate from them. Failing that, holding it into the toilet bowl, keeping a hold of a corner of it, and flushing should do the job! Then they can be washed along with the diapers when ready.

Washing Diapers

You will find a washing routine that works for you, and every cloth-diapering parent will have a different method to recommend! Some people do a cold rinse cycle, to remove urine and any 'bits' (and we would advise this also) before doing a wash cycle. This is also a handy hint for keeping your nappies smelling fresh, as the cold water rinses away the urine rather than setting it as hot water can tend to do.

Most diaper manufacturers recommend washing at 60°, and this is generally considered the best temperature to wash at, especially with poopy diapers! However, many people wash at 40°, and some diaper wrap manufacturers recommend a max temp of 40° for their products, so check labels before use. We advise that you use a non-bio washing powder, and that you use only 1/3 or even ¼ of your regular amount. Excessive laundry detergent will cause a build up on the diapers, affecting their absorbency and causing them to leak. Do not use fabric conditioner ever, for the same reasons. A splash of distilled white vinegar (available in supermarkets) in the conditioner drawer will keep diapers nice and soft, and help to prevent build up from hard water- and trust us, this does not cause your diapers to smell like vinegar! (only if you are solely washing prefold diapers - if you use vinegar with diaper covers and/or AIO vinegar can damage the waterproofing).

If you find your diapers are not smelling fresh when you take them out of the machine, or have an ammonia smell, the detergent is not getting rinsed properly. Check the rinse cycle, and if you see suds add a second rinse to your routine to remove them. You may also be using too much detergent- it is a difficult habit to break for some, but you really do not need to use a lot! If you are still having stink issues, run a hot wash cycle with no detergent, and use vinegar to “strip” your diapers.

Drying Diapers

Diapers can be dried in whatever way you usually dry the rest of your laundry. A tumble drier on a low heat will keep them at their softest, and a dry towel in with the load will speed drying time (note, drying wraps on high heat may damage their waterproofing abilities). However, tumble drying will shorten the life-span of your diapers.

If you will be line-drying, a splash of vinegar in with the wash will help keep them soft. Sun drying (when the weather permits!) is excellent for bleaching out stains, and killing of any leftover bacteria, and will also keep your diapers functioning well for longer.

If you do not have, or do not wish to use a dryer, pocket diapers may be the best option for you, as all the components can be separated for super fast drying times.

Always ensure your diaperss are thoroughly dry before putting them away.