How to Wash Cloth Diapers Using a Dry Pail

A "dry pail" method simply means no soaking diapers in a "wet pail" before washing. Many parents find that elaborate soaking systems don't improve the cleanliness of their child's cloth diapers. Store dirty diapers in a regular diaper pail or trashcan. Use the following instructions to wash cloth diapers using a dry pail.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Store each dirty diaper in the diaper pail until laundry day. For breastfed excriment, no extra treatment is necessary. For larger, solid waste, shake off debris into the toilet and flush.
2. Load the dirty diapers into the washing machine, and run a cold rinse cycle. For washers without a rinse cycle, use a short or "express" wash without detergent.
3. Add cloth diaper friendly detergent (see Resources) and run a long, hot wash. Use the 'Sanitary" setting if available.
4. Run an extra short, hot cycle without detergent, or just add an extra rinse. Run the full cycle to completely remove detergent residue.
5. Remove diapers from washing machine. Inspect for stains, and hang any stained diapers in the sun while still wet.
6. Hang diapers to line dry if possible, and transfer to the dryer for a quick fluff-up cycle before they dry completely. With very hard water, line drying causes stiffness, even with a touch-up fluff cycle.

Tips & Warnings

• Spray diluted odor remover into your pail to prevent odors, such as Bi-O-Kleen Bac-Out (see Resources) or a homemade tea tree oil solution.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with hot water and soap after handling dirty diapers.