Washing Instructions for New Cloth Diapers
How To wash New Cloth Diapers
Be sure to wash all new diapers and diaper covers in hot water prior to using.
Prefolds
New prefold diapers are not fluffy and soft as used prefolds, but are thin and stiff. They need to be washed and dried in hot water several times before using in order to make them fluffy and soft. Bleached prefolds should be washed 2-3 times in hot water with 1/4- to 1/2 the amount of the detergent recommended for a given load. Natural prefolds still contain wax and oils from the plant and therefore needs to be washed and dried 4-5 times in the hottest water possible. Use 1/2 the amount of detergent recommended for your load. You can adjust your water heater temperature to the highest heat setting to ensure your water will be hot however, please remember to reset the water temperature immediately after washing to prevent burning. Diapers will become more fluffy, soft and absorbent with repeated washing.
How to Store Soiled Diapers?
Dry method
There is no need to store dirty diapers in a bucket of water. Stagnant water becomes smelly, harbors bacteria and presents a drowning hazard for infants and toddlers. Store soiled diapers in a diaper pail or laundry basket. You can put a mesh or nylon laundry liner in the diaper pail. For babies eating solids empty and rinse poop out of the diaper immediately before adding to other soiled diapers. Rinsing prevents stains form setting in. Breastfed babies poop diaper does not need to be rinse prior to washing. To control smell, allow air to circulate throughout diaper pail, add an odor disc to diaper pail and wash within 2-3 days. Check out my blog on how to make your own diaper sprayer.
Washing Instructions for Cotton Diapers
Even though these instructions are for cotton diapers, other diapers are washed using this methods however, synthetic and wool fibers may need additional attention or care when washing. Remove diaper pail liner with diapers and rinse diapers in cold water
Hot wash-wash diapers in hot water with 1/2 the detergent recommended and add a cup of baking soda to the wash to help brighten up diapersRinse- rinse diapers in cold water, occasionally you can add a cup of vinegar to the rinse to help kill bacteria and soften up diapers or add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to kill germs and freshen up diapers.
2nd rinse- optional- rinse diapers in cold. 2nd rinse is needed if too much detergent was used to prevent irritation to the baby's skin.
Drying- dry diapers on hot setting to further kill germs or line dry the diapers Air drying diaper covers extends their life.
AVOID using bleach, softeners, detergents with fragrances, perfumes, dyes, brighteners and enzymes on your diaper products as they will destroy your diapers and are also skin irritant for babies.
Be sure to wash all new diapers and diaper covers in hot water prior to using.
Prefolds
New prefold diapers are not fluffy and soft as used prefolds, but are thin and stiff. They need to be washed and dried in hot water several times before using in order to make them fluffy and soft. Bleached prefolds should be washed 2-3 times in hot water with 1/4- to 1/2 the amount of the detergent recommended for a given load. Natural prefolds still contain wax and oils from the plant and therefore needs to be washed and dried 4-5 times in the hottest water possible. Use 1/2 the amount of detergent recommended for your load. You can adjust your water heater temperature to the highest heat setting to ensure your water will be hot however, please remember to reset the water temperature immediately after washing to prevent burning. Diapers will become more fluffy, soft and absorbent with repeated washing.
How to Store Soiled Diapers?
Dry method
There is no need to store dirty diapers in a bucket of water. Stagnant water becomes smelly, harbors bacteria and presents a drowning hazard for infants and toddlers. Store soiled diapers in a diaper pail or laundry basket. You can put a mesh or nylon laundry liner in the diaper pail. For babies eating solids empty and rinse poop out of the diaper immediately before adding to other soiled diapers. Rinsing prevents stains form setting in. Breastfed babies poop diaper does not need to be rinse prior to washing. To control smell, allow air to circulate throughout diaper pail, add an odor disc to diaper pail and wash within 2-3 days. Check out my blog on how to make your own diaper sprayer.
Washing Instructions for Cotton Diapers
Even though these instructions are for cotton diapers, other diapers are washed using this methods however, synthetic and wool fibers may need additional attention or care when washing. Remove diaper pail liner with diapers and rinse diapers in cold water
Hot wash-wash diapers in hot water with 1/2 the detergent recommended and add a cup of baking soda to the wash to help brighten up diapersRinse- rinse diapers in cold water, occasionally you can add a cup of vinegar to the rinse to help kill bacteria and soften up diapers or add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to kill germs and freshen up diapers.
2nd rinse- optional- rinse diapers in cold. 2nd rinse is needed if too much detergent was used to prevent irritation to the baby's skin.
Drying- dry diapers on hot setting to further kill germs or line dry the diapers Air drying diaper covers extends their life.
AVOID using bleach, softeners, detergents with fragrances, perfumes, dyes, brighteners and enzymes on your diaper products as they will destroy your diapers and are also skin irritant for babies.
