Did You Know:
  • By using cloth diapers, you are elimintating your baby's exposure to harmful dioxins, tributyl-tin, and sodium polyacrylate which are a few of the ingredients in disposable diapers.

Taking Care of Cloth Diapers:

Diaper care is an important step in maintaining your diapers and keeping them working like new from one baby to the next. Here you will find a few suggestions as to where to start when washing and caring for your diapers, covers, and inserts. You do have to keep in mind, though, that there is no one perfect solution that works for everyone. A solution will come through trial and error, but I hope I can help steer you to what will work for you and your baby.

Prepping Diapers

Brand new products will need to be washed prior to first use. This will ensure that any residue which may be left behind from manufacturing and shipping will not be in the diaper and against your baby's skin. Items such as covers, pocket diapers, and inserts made from micro-terry or babmboo will only need one wash cycle (hot or warm with detergent recommended).

Organic, unbleached cotton and hemp products will need several washes before they are absorbent otherwise leaks will occur. Generally these natural products will need 6-8 hot water wash cycles before the natural oils from the cotton and hemp are washed out and the diaper is able to properly absorb. It is helpful to also use a small amout of detergent (about 1 Tbs) to aid in removing the oils. You will also need to dry the diaper or insert between washes, however you can wash in two cycles then dry and repeat until they are fully prepped.

Washing/Drying Diapers

Washing routines can vary due to water type and machine you are using. When starting out, please keep it simple. From my research and conversation from other moms the following is a good place to start:

  • 1 short cold cycle with or with out detergent
  • 1 long hot cycle with detergent (most manufactures recommend 1/2 the usual amount of detergent to be used)
  • 1 additional rinse (warm is suggested if it is an option on your machine)

If you are wondering what kind of detergent to use, it is best if you start with ones which are known to be cloth diaper safe. Some examples are Eco Sprout, Thirsties, Rockin Green, Charlies Soap, Soap Nuts, Tide Original or All Free & Clear. Make sure you follow the directions on the package and if any problems start, then you can adjust your washing routine.

There will be the chance that you may run into issues such as ammonia smell or leaking. There are a few additional steps you can take to resolve these issues, however please note that most manufactures will void a warranty if you use additives on your diapers. Cloth Convert is not responsible for any damages or injuries as a result from following these suggestions.

Baking Soda: 1-2 Tbs will help neutralize acid and odors. Baking soda can be added to the first cold wash cycle by itself with out detergent, or you could substitute 1/2 the detergent for baking soda.

Bleach: 1-2 Tbs can help with odors in micro-terry inserts which have a tendency to hold onto odors. Typically bleach is frowned upon and will not be recommended by many manufactures. Do not use on other diapers mainly those with elastic and PUL covers as this will deteroriate the elastic and the waterproof barrier of the cover.

Vinegar: 1/4 cup or less will aide in breaking down any residue on your diapers and help wash them away. Vinegar helps restore the pH balance in fabrics, reduces lint, and helps eliminate static cling. You will want to add vinegar to your rinse cycle by either adding it in a Downey Ball or in your fabric softner dispenser. Use vinegar only if necessary if you have developed a residue build-up problem.

Wool

Wool covers and pants will need a different wash routine because they require a delicate touch and some lanolin to maintain their effectiveness.

Fill a small lidded bowl (like a tupperware container) with HOT water, a small squirt of wool wash, and about 1 inch (about a small marble size) of pure lanolin. Put lid on container and shake until everything is mixed and dissolved. Fill sink with warm water, turn cover inside out, and saturate cover (do not use hot water as that will shrink your wool). Poor bowl of dissolved lanolin in your warm water. Put your wool into the sink with lanolin mixture for at least 30 minutes (can be left over night). To dry your wool you may put it in your washer to spin, or you could roll it in a towel. After you drain your sink, roll your wool and press out the water (do not wring out the wool). Lay out a bath towel on a flat surface, place wool flat on towel and fold the towel over the wool. Then roll up the towel (like a jelly roll). If needed, use another towel and roll again. Lay flat and let air dry.