How to Wash Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers are an environmentally friendly, economical alternative to disposable diapers; they are also easier to care for than you might expect.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cloth Diapers
• Mild Detergent
• Vinegar
• Vinegar
• Baking Soda
• Borax
• Diaper Pins
• Baking Soda

1. Flush solid waste away. Some people use disposable liners inside cloth diapers to make this easier.

2. Put diapers in a pail half-filled with a mixture of water and 1/4 cup of vinegar or Borax, to control odor and to make stain removal easier. If you will be washing them frequently, you can also put them in a dry pail.

3. Soak diapers until you are ready to wash them, then drain excess liquid into the toilet. If necessary, use your spin cycle to help remove the soaking solution.

4. Wash your diapers in hot water.

5. Double-rinse in cold water ' add some vinegar to the second rinse cycle, to help freshen the diapers.

6. Check for stubborn stains before putting the diapers in the dryer; if you catch them before they set, you will be able to remove them more easily.

7. Dry the diapers on high heat in your dryer, or in direct sunlight if you like.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep rubber gloves or a "diaper duck" near your toilet, to keep your hands clean when rinsing dirty diapers.
• If your washing machine has a presoak cycle, try it. It helps to loosen stains before the actual wash cycle.
• If you like, throw a cup of baking soda into the presoak cycle; it neutralizes the alkalinity of urine, and helps to whiten the diapers.
• Sunshine is a great stain remover. Line drying your diapers from time to time will help keep them white and fresh-smelling.
• Keep diaper pail out of reach of children - especially when filled with water and vinegar mixture.
• Avoid heavily scented detergents that can irritate your baby's sensitive skin.
• Avoid fabric softener in the dryer ' it can reduce the absorbency of your cloth diapers.
• Avoid washing too many diapers at once ' an average washing machine can handle about two dozen diapers at a time, if you want to get them really clean.
• Check the washing instructions for diaper covers and wraps carefully ' many of them need to be washed separately from diapers, and will not stay waterproof if you put them in the dryer.

[angjoy]

on 7/7/2009 My son's grown now, but oh I remember how proud I was to see those beautiful white diapers gleaming in the sunlight out on the line. Sure saved a lot of money!!! Good article;)

[angjoy]

on 7/7/2009 My son's grown now, but oh I remember how proud I was to see those beautiful white diapers gleaming in the sunlight out on the line. Sure saved a lot of money!!! Good article;)

[marlytoo]

on 2/25/2009 This type of routine would be an absolute no-no on the new highly absorbent microfiber diapers like all in ones cover attached), or one size(pocket diapers), even some fitted(contoured to fit baby snugly, but needs a cover. For these types of diapers use a DRY pail, no poop soup allowed. Also avoid vinegar because it can damage some of the leg and waist elastics that are commonly used. No to baking soda too. The best thing to do is use an additive free detergent - no softeners, dyes, fragrances or enzymes. There is a great diaper sprayer for those of you who like the hands out of the water approach - it is available on most cloth diapering web-sites.

[marlytoo]

on 2/25/2009 This type of routine would be an absolute no-no on the new highly absorbent microfiber diapers like all in ones cover attached), or one size(pocket diapers), even some fitted(contoured to fit baby snugly, but needs a cover. For these types of diapers use a DRY pail, no poop soup allowed. Also avoid vinegar because it can damage some of the leg and waist elastics that are commonly used. No to baking soda too. The best thing to do is use an additive free detergent - no softeners, dyes, fragrances or enzymes. There is a great diaper sprayer for those of you who like the hands out of the water approach - it is available on most cloth diapering web-sites.

[almommabear]

on 11/14/2008 I use cloth diapers and have found that as long as the baby is exclusively breastfed, you don't have to dunk in the toilet or soak. It just washes out like yogurt.