Washing Cloth Diapers

Diaper pails and such

Storing wet/soiled cloth diapers in a diaper pail with water and baking soda keeps stains from setting. However, this causes odor problems, and standing water poses a drowning hazard for small children if the diaper pail does not lock. Preferably, place used cloth diapers in a covered or uncovered dry diaper pail and sprinkle with baking soda to control odors. Pretreat by rubbing white bar soap or white shaving cream on stains before placing cloth diapers in the diaper pail. Use disposable diaper liners for easy waste removal.

Washday

When using diaper pail liners, throw the liner in the washer with no more than two dozen cloth diapers. Overloading causes friction that will wear out cloth diapers. To avoid detergent buildup, use 1/3 less detergent than for a normal load. Run diapers through a cold wash cycle first, followed by a hot normal wash cycle. Adding white vinegar to the first rinse breaks down the detergent and helps diapers to rinse clean. Dry in a hot dryer or line-dry in the sun.

When choosing a detergent, avoid whitening brands and those that claim to brighten colors and keep clothes fresher longer. Many of these cause detergent buildup and can irritate a baby's skin. For babies with extra-sensitive skin, run cloth diapers through an extra rinse cycle. Dab with hydrogen peroxide to treat stains - a little lemon juice and sun remove stubborn stains.

No, no, no

Chlorine bleach kills germs and gets out stains, but it destroys the fibers of cloth diapers. Instead, add baking soda to the wash. Pure soaps leave a film on cloth diapers and make them less absorbent - use detergent to wash cloth diapers. Liquid and sheet fabric softeners leave a film on cloth diapers, making them less absorbent. Soaking cloth diaper covers damages elastic and waterproofing layers. Rinse covers in mild soap and cold water and hang to dry.