How to Wash Cloth Diapers

When I first started cloth diapering I really didn’t know how to wash cloth diapers the correct way. It wasn’t until later that I realized I was leaving out a simple step or two and that there were reasons certain detergents shouldn’t be used.

Easy as 123
Washing cloth diapers is really easy and very similar to the rest of the laundry you’re used to washing but there are a few different things you should know when washing your cloth diapers. The first thing to know is that if your diapers have special directions from the manufacturer you should always follow those. For the most part, any special directions usually consist of not soaking the outer diaper cover or pocket that is made of PUL (polyurethane liningor laminate) and a manufacturer may recommend a certain detergent that they think works best. For instance Fuzzi Bunz recommends Allen’s Naturally or Charlie’s Soap.

Step 1
The first step in washing cloth diapers in how you keep them in between baby wearing them and washing them. Our mothers used wet pails, which is also known as a soak method. Soaking diaper covers made with PUL can cause the lining to seperate and you won’t get the life out of them that you should. The times of wet pails have passed…not only are wet pails dangerous to have around small children since they are a drowning hazard but they are also messier than a dry pail. A dry pail is simply a diaper pail that holds your cloth diapers after they have been used. Before putting a soiled diaper in a diaper pail any solids should be knocked off into the toilet.

A convenient way to use a dry pail is to line it with a bag. Reusable ones are available from most cloth diaper retailers. These resusable liners are made with PUL and keep you from having to wash out the diaper pail. The liner can be thrown in the wash with the diapers.

Step 2
The second step in how to wash cloth diapers is the detergent you choose to wash with. There are four types of products that shouldn’t be used to wash cloth diapers: pure soap, like Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap and detergents that contain citrus oils, enzymes or fabric softeners. Most detergents that can be purchased at a natural foods store have citrus oils and enzymes in them. These oils can build up in the cloth diaper and do two things; since water and oil don’t mix, your diapers won’t be as clean as they should be in future washes and oil also repels urine which will cause leakage at the most inopportune time for you. Enzymes break the material down, fabric softeners will also leave a residue on the cloth diapers and repel urine. Pure soaps shouldn’t be used because they will build up in the absorbant layers of the cloth diaper and cause unwanted odors. If this happens then the diapers will have to be stripped.

So, you can see that cloth diapering is really easy so far…change the diaper, knock solids off into the toilet, and place in the dry pail.

Step 3
Now that you are ready to wash them you’ll want to decide if the load is really soiled or not. If the load is really soiled then an initial rinse should be done before the actual wash. This is done because diapers shouldn’t be washed in dirty water. If they aren’t very soiled than you can start with a wash.

Typically, you’ll want to use half the amount of detergent with cloth diapers than you would with a regular laundry load. Wash diapers on a hot setting with a cold rinse. After the wash is complete, you may want to run a second rinse to ensure your diapers won’t get any build-up in them. Cloth diapers can be dried in the dryer or hung out on the line to dry. Since you never want to use bleach on your cloth diapers (it breaks down the fibers) the sun will naturally bleach out any stains. If you are using the dryer, it is best to dry diapers on a low setting.

More Tips for Washing Cloth Diapers

If you think cloth diapers aren’t for you but you don’t want to use disposables, try gDiapers! Earth-Friendly Diapers. Flush Your Diapers. Keep Them Out Of Landfills. Great For Baby & Earth.