Here are some tips on how to wash cloth diapers. Don't worry, it is not that hard. :) There aren't a set of hardcore rules and steps that you must adhere to and follow. There are some pre-laundering steps you can take to help with getting your cloth diapers as clean as possible later while in the washer. After you remove a soiled diaper from your child, you can do a couple things to reduce odor in the storage container and minimize permanent staining.
On the video below, it is suggested to use an enzyme pre-wash spray that will help with removing stains and odors. The enzyme breaks down the bacteria and resulting odors, which helps with having a less stinky diaper pail andor diaper bag and then later with washing out the stain. If you just want to reduce odors, you can lightly sprinkle some baking powder on the diaper before placing in your diaper bag or diaper pail. If you want to get rid of excess waste (aka poop) before stowing, you can do several things. If convenient (it is ever?!), just scrape out the waste into a toilet or other appropriate receptacle. There are also diaper sprayers that can be hooked up to your toilet or sink (with long enough extension hose) so you can rinse away the solids into the toilet. Note: If the baby's only food is milk, then the resulting poop is water soluble and will rinse away just fine in the washer. They say breast milk is especially soluble - another plus for feeding breast milk.
How To Wash Cloth Diapers Tips
Before throwing any diaper parts with velcro tabs, make sure you fasten them to each other first so they don't attach where they shouldn't, yank cotton threads apart and more importantly, make you crazy when you later need to separate them. Some people like to throw the diapers in the washer and do a cold pre-rinse first to get rid of any excess solid waste. Others just throw them in the washer and skip the rinse. It is up to you. Try without pre-rinsing first and if you do not like the results, you could then try pre-rinsing or try removing more of the waste before washing.
In order to avoid the excess solids problem, some just take a diaper sprayer, hold the soiled diapers over the toilet and spray off the excess. Then run a heavy duty load at temperature of your choice, hot, warm or cold water according to the cloth diapers brand recommendations. Use 1/2 to 1/4 of the normal amount of detergent's recommendations for a full load. It is best to use a residue-free detergent. Pure soap, for example, will leave a residue film and will cause the cloth diapers to leak by not absorbing and retain odors.
I think it is best to use a detergent that is free of dyes, perfumes and additives, like whitening enzymes and brighteners, as well. If you can avoid potential skin irritation, why not? Those additives tend to create residue also. Do not use chlorine bleach which will wear away the cloth and make them less absorbent. You can use other alternatives for bleaching - the sun when drying, or if you must, a bleach alternative product or more friendly, baking soda or lemon juice. To help with odors you can add vinegar or tea tree oil to the final rinse cycle. When the load is completed, make sure there aren't any suds left and the diapers are rinsed thoroughly. If not, send them through the rinse cycle again to remove all soap. If the diapers still have an odor to them after washing, rinse them again in hot water or they may have to be stripped of residue build-up.
More Tips For Washing Cloth Diapers - Detergents & What To Do With The Poop?!
After laundering, throw the diapers, less any water proof covers, in the dryer on low or medium (read the labels recommendations for best choice), but you usually cannot go wrong if you use any of the delicate of low dry settings. Some like to use the high heat settings for sanitation purposes, but I am not yet convinced this is necessary. You also have the option, of course, to hang dry as well like our momma's use to do. :) The sun's UVA/UVB rays will help bleach out stains and sanitize the diapers. It will also benefit both the electric/gas bill and the earth!
Do not use conventional fabric softeners in the dryer with your cloth diapers. I've always wondered why on some of my wicking outdoor clothes why the label said not to use fabric softeners. The reason is that they put a sort of repellent coating on your clothes, in this case diapers. You don't need a water repellent coating on diapers, of coarse, which will make them less absorbent. If you absolutely want them to be softer, there are some options. There are a few natural fabric softeners out there that don't create the film. Or you you can add baking soda to your washer which softens the water. This is especially helpful to those who have hard water - you will know because everything that uses water is really hard to clean like sinks, toilets and tubs. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle though, not at the beginning or else the effect will be lost.
This site has a lot of good tips on how to wash cloth diapers, making your own laundry detergent and a chart of detergents that show which have additives, dyes, etc. and what is best for washing cloth diapers. Also how to strip cloth diapers of residue and cleaning wool diapers.
