Washing Wisdom

How to get your new cloth diapers ready and care instructions for a variety of cloth diaper styles and fabrics.

New Diapers: You will need to wash and dry new diapers (anything with absorbent qualities including all-in-ones, such as Bumkins) 4-6 times to allow your diapers to reach maximum absorbency. Chinese prefolds will need to be washed and dried up to 10 times. Covers will need to be washed just once before use. Pocket style diapers, such as Fuzzi Bunz, also need to be washed only once before use.

No Fail Washing Routine: The key to remember here is "less is more". You do not need to engage in elaborate washing routines with a chemistry closet full of cleaning agents. Start with one short cold wash with no detergent. Cold water releases stains. Next do one long HOT wash with ½ the recommended amount of detergent if you have hard water or ¼ the recommended amount of detergent (maybe even as little as 2 Tbs.) if you have soft water. It is VERY IMPORTANT not to use too much detergent. Detergent build up will hold in stink and interfere with absorption. Vinegar may also promote stinky diapers. You may choose to do one extra cold rinse after your long hot wash. If you have stains, DO NOT use bleach or borax. The best bleaching agent for stained diapers is good old-fashioned sunshine. Do not use any kind of detergent with softeners such as Dreft or Ivory Snow. A basic detergent like Cheer or a generic grocery store brand is best. If you would like to use something "natural", try Allens Naturally.

Dry Pail Method: I recommend the dry pail method. Simply toss your diapers into a lined (use something like the Bummis liner) pail with a lid. You may buy a diaper pail designed for cloth diapers or you can simply use a kitchen size garbage can with a lid. If your baby is exclusively breastfed, you can toss poopy diapers right into the pail. If your baby is formula fed or is eating solids, shake solid poop into the toilet and then throw the diaper into the pail. I like to put my soiled covers into a separate small basket next to the diaper pail. I do not recommend going longer than 3 days in between washings.

To Heat or Not to Heat: Most covers (other than wool) can be thrown in the dryer for about 20 minutes on low or medium heat. This includes Fuzzi Bunz. Repeated exposure to high heat (hot water and hot dryer) can cause PUL, the waterproof coating, to break down over time. To keep your covers in tip top shape, I recommend line drying with an occasional drying on medium heat on those days you waited too long to do laundry and need your covers pronto.