How to Care for Organic Cloth Diapers
So you've decided to use organic cloth diapers for your little one. You already know that its going to save you money and be better for your baby or toddler than disposable diapers, and that organic fabrics are better for your baby and the environment than conventionally processed fabrics. Now that you've made this choice, the next step is learning to care for your organic cloth diapers so that they last longer. Remember, bubbles are not your friend. If you want to keep your organic diapers organic, you'll need to care for them with organic products and leave the soap alone.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Prepare your diapers for the first use. When you first buy the diapers, they may not seem to be as fluffy or absorbent as you think they should be. The fluffiness and absorbency come with the first few washings. To achieve maximum usability and softness, you should wash new diapers in just warm water and machine dry them on medium heat, at least three or four times. Don't use any additives in the wash water. You'll notice they get thicker and softer each time.
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2
Make a solution of oxygen-based bleach and water (according to package directions), or a mixture of 1/4 cup lemon juice to 2 gallons of water to soak your wet and soiled diapers in, if you want to soak the diapers. Otherwise, you can store them in a covered container for up to 2 days. They should be washed at least every 2 days. If you use a soaking solution, you can pour it into the washer when you're ready to wash the diapers.
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3
Make a schedule and change the wash water additive you use, every third washing. Oxygen-based bleach and lemon juice are whitening agents and can be used interchangeably, depending on your preference. Vinegar kills fungi; tea tree oil kills bacteria and viruses. Lavender can be added with any of the other items to make the diapers have a sweet scent. Occasionally, you'll want to "strip" the diapers. You can do this by washing in hot water with no additives, but don't use hot water until the diapers have reached maximum shrinkage.
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4
You can dry the diapers in two ways: machine drying keeps them soft and fluffy; air drying (on the line or laying flat) prolongs the life of the diapers. This is especially true if you are using all-in-ones that have a moisture-resistance layer of fabric built in. The best advice is to rotate the drying process, just as you rotate the washing process.
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5
Use all of the diapers equally in order to extend their life. If you have to, get two diaper hangers. Divide the diapers into two sets. Use all of the diapers out of the first one before you start on the second set. It helps to wash, dry and replace each set as soon as you've used the last one of a set.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you care for your organic diapers properly, they will last for several months. With the proper care, they can be traded with other parents who use cloth diapers.
Do not use chlorine bleach on your diapers. If they get stained, you can achieve the same results by using a cup of lemon juice in the wash water and hanging them to dry in the sun.
