Washing cloth diapers is a simple and easy process and is similar to washing any other laundry items you have. Here are some quick and easy tips for effectively washing cloth diapers.
Wash New Cloth Diapers 4-6 Times
As soon as you purchase any cloth diapers you should initially wash the diapers 4-6 times to rinse out natural oils and residues from the diapers. Usually cloth diapers are made from cotton, bamboo and hemp. These natural fibers have natural oils that have to be rinsed out in the wash in order to allow the diapers to become fully absorbent.
Wash and dry new cloth diapers 4-6 times before you use them. You will notice they fluff up and feel super soft when you do this. This means the cloth diapers are ready to be used and will be super absorbent on your baby.
How to Wash Cloth Diapers
Place between 1-2 dozen cloth diapers in the washing machine and put in a small amount of cloth diaper laundry detergent. The best cloth diaper laundry detergents are ones that are free from fabric softeners, bleach, fragrances and dyes. This is because artificial additives in the laundry detergent can lead to cloth diaper build up and residue that will negatively impact the absorbency of the diapers.
Use Rockin' Green, Tiny Bubbles, Charlie's Soap, Country Save or Arm & Hammer Essentials Free detergents for great results. However, any other detergent that is free of scents, dyes, and bleach will do.
Turn on the washing machine and let the diapers wash. You have the option of doing an extra rinse at the end of the wash to make sure there is no soap build up on the diapers. Sometimes an extra rinse is a good idea because it is a great way to ensure all soap and detergent residue is rinsed away.
You can dry your cloth diapers in the drier or outside on the line. Hanging your cloth diapers on the line is a great way to get your diapers super white and keep them stain free. If you every notice a stain on your diapers hang them out on the line in the sun and the sun will naturally bleach the stains out for diapers that look like new.
Tips for Washing Cloth Diapers
If you have cloth diapers will Velcro closures make sure to fold them back onto the diaper so your diapers don't stick together in the washing machine or drier. The last thing you want is to untangle cloth diapers out of the washing machine or dryer.
Cloth diaper covers can be placed in the wash with your cloth diapers but they do not have to go in the drier. Simply lie them flat to dry and you are done.
Washing cloth diapers is very easy once you get the hang of it. The process is actually as easy as doing the regular laundry and your diapers come out looking fresh and new every time.