Washing Cloth Diapers

Choosing the right pail for your lifestyle

Storing dirty diapers is a necessity when using cloth. Choose a wet pail, which is filled with a mix of baking soda and water, or a dry pail- probably the more popular method - where dirty diapers are stored in a dry pail lined with a bag. Put some baking soda, or use a deodorizer, to reduce smell in the dry pail. Cloth liners in a dry pail can simply be thrown in the wash with the diapers. Which detergent is best? Babies have sensitive skin, so keep this in mind when washing diapers. It's smart to use less detergent than you do with "adult" clothes, as making sure the diapers are rinsed completely is key. Fragrance free, chemical free detergents are good for babies' soft skin. There are some natural options for moms concerned about the environment. Adding a dash of baking soda or plain white vinegar to the washing machine during the rinse cycle is good for taking out pesky stains and also leaving the diapers with a fresh, clean, albeit perfume-free scent. A few things are worth avoiding: bleach, detergents with whitening power, detergents that contain soap, and fabric softener sheets.

The how-to of washing

There's lots of advice on the internet when it comes to washing cloth diapers. Here's the key: treat your baby's diapers with the same care you would treat your fine clothes or lingerie. Don't wash too many at once, and fasten all hooks and Velcro tabs to prevent tangling in the washing machine. Be sure to remove diaper pins before washing, too. It's ok to wash in cold, though consider washing more soiled diapers in hot with a cold rinse. After a cycle through the machine, diapers shouldn't have a hint of odor - do a periodic extra rinse to ensure this. Diapers can be dried in a dryer or line dried - another way to save electricity. Wool diapers or diaper covers need extra care, and always needs to lay flat or line dry.

TEASER: Folding a new baby into a cloth diaper - luckily - is easier than folding an origami swan. Thankfully, there's lots of options for babies of different sizes, lengths and weights. Read on for some tips on the most popular types of folds and for some help figuring out which one will work best for you.

How to Fold a Cloth Diaper

A couple of methods

Lay the diaper flat, with the length running up and down. Fold the right side over the middle, and the left side on top of the right fold. Then, spread out the top and bottom of the diaper so it is in a "v" shape. Slide the baby into the diaper, and pin the front and back corners together. This is known as the "thirds" method. Moms can also fasten Velcro at the corners of the diaper, or use a cute diaper cover. Another method, called the "triangle fold," is popular. Fold the rectangle diaper corner to corner, so it's in the shape of a triangle. Put the baby on the diaper, and bring the lower point of the triangle in between the baby's legs. Bring the other two points around its sides and pin in the center.

Some Helpful Hints

There's a few things a parent can do for a baby to make sure its comfortable in a cloth diaper. When putting the diaper on a baby, pinching the fabric close together between the baby's legs will prevent bunching, which can lead to chafing and rash. If the baby is a newborn, make sure the back of the diaper is higher than the front to avoid irritating the umbilical cord with the fabric. When fastening any type of diaper, make sure to fasten the diaper snugly, but not too tight - avoid pinching the child's delicate skin.

To Pin or not to Pin?

Pinning a baby's diaper is a simple process once a parent knows what to do. Of course, they key is to not poke the child with a pin point. Between pin uses, stick the pins into a bar of soap so they will slide easily through the fabric of the diaper and force won't be necessary. If pins just won't work for your life, consider diaper covers or Velcro fasteners; both hold a cloth diaper in place pin-free.