How to Wash Cloth Diapers Without Getting Stains

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By A.J. Irving
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Wash Cloth Diapers Without Getting Stains

Cloth baby diapers are better for your baby and the environment. Plus, you will save a lot of money. Cloth diapers are becoming more popular, so there are a lot of options: hemp cloth diapers, organic cloth diapers, one size cloth diapers, prefold cloth diapers and newborn cloth diapers. This article explains how to wash different kinds of cloth diapers without getting stains.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

25-30 Cloth diapers (if you plan to wash every 1-2 days). You will need more if you want to wash once a week.
Two 5 gallon buckets
Washer
Dryer, or line-dry
Outside sink (optional)
Watering hose (a spray attachment is helpful)
Laundry detergent

Step 1

Five gallon bucket

Pee diapers: put the diapers in a cloth diaper pail (five gallon bucket).
Step 2

Outside sink

Poop diapers: take the cloth baby diapers to your toilet, and dump the poop into the toilet. If the poop isn't solid (it won't be for newborns) take the diapers outside and hose them off. Using a spray attachment will get the diapers the cleanest. An outside sink works great for this purpose. You can find outside sinks at home improvement stores.
Step 3

After the cloth diapers are rinsed off, place them in your cloth diaper pail with warm water. Then add a small amount of laundry detergent. You can also put a few drops of lavender oil in the water to help with the odor.
Step 4

Rinsing and soaking before you actually wash the cloth diapers prevents staining. When you are ready to wash, put some detergent in the washer and turn on warm/hot water. Wait for the water to fill up a little before putting the cloth baby diapers in the washer.
Step 5

Kissaluv diaper and cover

The washing process varies a little depending on the kind of cloth diapers you use. Some cloth diapers have a protective outside cover and diaper all-in-one. Most cloth diapers consist of two parts: the diaper and the cover. Most cloth diapers have Velcro, but you can also buy prefold cloth diapers. If you use prefold cloth diapers, remember to remove the pins or snappi before washing. If you use Velcro cloth diapers, fold the Velcro onto the tabs to prevent tangling. If you use cloth diapers with inserts, remove the inserts and put them in the washer with the diapers.
Step 6

Put cloth diapers, covers and inserts in the dryer. Cloth diaper covers should be dried on low heat, or removed before the cycle is complete. Even better, line-dry your cloth diapers.
Step 7

bumGenius all-in-one diaper with insert

Fold the cloth diapers. If you use cloth diapers with inserts, put the inserts in the diapers so you don't have to do it later when it is time for a diaper change.
Step 8

Put cloth diapers and cloth diaper covers away. Remember to put several diapers in your diaper bag along with a few large zip lock bags.

Comments

Greatfunmoms said

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on 8/25/2009 Great tips!

looptheloop said

on 8/21/2009 Thanks.

evgnspaces said

on 8/20/2009 If you have a clothes line the sun helps get out cloth diaper stains too and is energy efficient.

cygnetbrown said

on 8/18/2009 Great tips for keeping cloth diapers clean! I used cloth diapers a lot with all of my kids. Sure saved the dollars. Made it easier to potty train too!