How to Wash and Care for Cloth Diapers

In the eleven years I have been cloth diapering, I have tried many different methods of washing them. This is what I have settled on, at least for now.

Keep a pail in a convenient area.
I currently use a plastic garbage can; in the past I have used a five gallon drywall bucket. Whatever works!  I use a dry pail method, that is, I don’t keep water in the pail. I do however, usually sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the bottom to reduce and control odors.



Place soiled diapers in pail.
If your baby is not yet eating solid foods, no rinsing is necessary, even for dirty diapers. Your washer will take care of that for you!  If you have an older baby that produces solid stools, you can shake off the stools into your toilet before placing the diaper in the pail.

I wash my diapers every other day, although I have enough to last longer than that. I don’t like to let them sit longer than that, as they will begin to smell, and it’s not good for the diapers to stay soiled for much longer than that either.

So, when you get ready to wash, dump contents of pail into your washing machine. Then, run a cold wash, with no detergent.

After the cold wash, run a hot wash with detergent added. I usually use half of the recommended amount, or even less than half.

I have at times run another rinse cycle after the hot wash to remove all detergent traces, but lately I have not been finding that necessary. If your baby is sensitive to detergent, however, you may want to try it. (I had one that was very sensitive to ANY kind of detergent I tried, and an extra rinse cycle was the only way I could remedy this.)

After washing, remove covers from washer and allow them to air dry. Your covers will very quickly lose their waterproof faculties if you put them in the dryer with the diapers. They dry very quickly in the air, however.

Then, place diapers in your dryer for a full cycle.

Here’s the simple summary:
*Put diapers in dry pail
*Wash on cold cycle with no detergent
*Wash on hot cycle with small amount of detergent
*Run extra rinse cycle for sensitive skinned babies
*Remove covers to air dry
*Dry diapers in your dryer



A Word About Detergent:
I have also tried many, many types of detergent. Try to find something chemical-free for your baby’s health. They absorb a lot through the diaper area. That is one of the reasons I choose cloth diapers – because of the chemicals in disposables!

So, here are some of the detergents I have found to “work” well and not cause rashes:

-Amway detergent  (must order from a dealer)
-Melaleuca detergent  (must order from a dealer)
-Charlies Laundry Soap  (available to order online)
-ALL free and clear (inexpensive and readily available at local stores)
-Other “free and clear” brands would likely work as well – ALL is just the least expensive.

I can’t remember the name of what I used when we lived in Japan, but you probably wouldn’t find that helpful anyway!



Vinegar:
Vinegar can be helpful if you find you are having a problem with your cloth diapers retaining odors.
You can add a small amount (maybe ¼ or ½ cup) to a final rinse cycle, or use a Downy ball with vinegar in it.
Alternately, you can use a wet pail rather than a dry one, by filling your diaper pail about half way up with water, and then putting the same ¼ or ½ cup of vinegar in the pail.

Just a word of caution: DO NOT let vinegar touch your covers! It will ruin the waterproof properties and you will suddenly find your covers leaking!