Tips

• Today's washing machines take care of most of the work and get the cloth diapers clean with ease. 

·     There is no "right way" to wash, you have to experiment and do what works for you.

·      Keep a dry cloth diaper pail (wet pails require soaking diapers and can be messy and unsanitary)      

·      Dump any solids into the toilet if possible - no dunking required (breastfed newborn cloth diapers can go directly into diaper pail)

·      Turn diaper covers inside out and re-fasten Velcro before washing (depending on brand of diaper wrap - may need to be washed separately from cloth diapers and only hang dry).  Prorap diaper covers and Bummis Super Whisper Wrap and Super Snap wraps can be washed and dried with cloth diapers!

·      Wash every 2-3 days.

·      Use a laundry detergent that is free of perfumes and dyes to avoid irritation to baby's skin (Recommendation:  Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin)

·      DO NOT use Dreft or Fabric Softeners - they will coat cloth diapers and decrease absorbency

·      Sunlight gets stains out and sterilizes cloth diapers (Do this periodically when time and weather allow) 

·      Wash and dry new cloth diapers 2-3 times before use.  This will "fluff" the new cloth diapers and increase their absorbency.  Chinese prefold diapers will shrink about 10% with first wash and will become softer and more quilted.

Deep Cleaning

Deep clean cloth diapers every 2-3 months to get diapers extra clean.

1. Cold water rinse, no detergent (always set water level to highest setting).
2. Fill washing machine with hot water.
3. Add detergent (use about 1/2 the amount of detergent you would usually use).
4. Soak diapers for 2-3 hours. 
5. Do at least 2 hot water rinses adding 3 drops of Lavender Essential Oil to the last rinse (this is a natural antiseptic) 
6. Dry in dryer (add a dry towel to lessen drying time) or sun dry to get them extra white     

Tips for Removing Stains

1. Rinse soiled diapers with a diaper sprayer before putting them into your diaper pail.
2. Wash your diapers at least every 2-3 days.
3. Sun is your best tool!  Hang/lay clean WET diapers in the sun.  The sun will naturally remove stains and whiten your diapers.
4. Use flushable diaper liners or stay dry liners to protect your cloth diapers from stains.