In this guide, we will teach you step by step how to wash cloth diapers effectively. We show you the best products to use, how to avoid stains and unpleasant odours.
Are you ready to become an expert in washing cloth diapers? Let’s go!
How long can cloth diapers sit before washing?
Parents usually operate a rotation system with several cloth diapers. This way, while some cloth diapers are dirty, waiting to be washed or drying, others are clean and ready to use. This system allows for regular washing without the rush to have them ready immediately.
We recommend not leaving dirty diapers for more than 2 days in summer and 3 days in winter. This helps prevent fabric stains and urine odours. In summer, odors proliferate more easily, and if the baby is older, produces more concentrated urine during this time, so it’s best not to exceed the 2-day limit.
Dealing with baby poop
Before starting solids, exclusively breastfed babies make liquid poop (simlar to liquid peanut butter) with a slight sweet odour. That’s right, it doesn’t smell bad! Moreover, that poop is soluble in water, so leave it in the cloth diaper until the washing. Your washing machine will do the rest.
Once solids are introduced, around 6 months of age, poop becomes solid, with a characteristic smell, and is no longer soluble in water. This poop is flushed down the toilet. Simply turn down the cloth diaper on the toiled and Plop! If not all poop falls down, grab a bit of toilet paper to help remove it.
How to prevent odours before washing
Well-ventilated laundry basket (Dry pail)
To keep your used diapers odour-free, it is essential to store them in a well-ventilated basket. Urine-soaked fabric needs air circulation. Otherwise, ammonia odours can develop! A simple plastic laundry basket with holes is ideal. Why plastic? Because it’s easy to clean with a rinse, doesn’t rust, and can be reused for general laundry use when your diapering journey ends.
Avoid storage bags as they do not promote air circulation.
Tea tree oil
Another excellent way to prevent odours is to place 1–2 drops of tea tree oil on a small cotton roll and keep it in the diaper basket when empty. This oil has a fresh and intense scent that neutralizes urine odour. Other strong natural oils like eucalyptus or mint can also work.
Do not rinse
You don’t need to rinse diapers before placing them in the dry pail, as prewash in the washing machine will do that later.
How to wash and dry cloth diapers
Washing
Cloth diapers are washed like very dirty clothes in the washing machine. Indeed, you can wash them together with other household clothes, to save you time and energy. Just don’t wash them together with large towels and sheets, as these can wrap around the diapers during the wash.
- Pre-wash (~30 minutes) with cold water helps remove excess residue from fabrics. Followed by
- Main wash (~2 hours minimum).
- Without softener, bleach or other products other than good detergent.
- Rotation per minute: 1000 to 1200 rpm, to shorten drying time.
- Temperature: 40 ºC. A good detergent at 40 ºC achieves better results than a poor one at 60 ºC.
- Wash at 60 ºC only when:
- Your baby is sick (to effectively eliminate bacteria and viruses).
- You’re using a second-hand diaper for the first time.
- The diapers need a strip wash.
Drying
- Air drying (preferable): Exposing inserts to sunlight is an excellent way to naturally disinfect and remove eventual newborn poop stains.
- Dryer: Use the ‘low’ heat program only. High temperatures can wear out the organic cotton fabric.
Extra care for prolonging cloth diaper lifespan
- Keep a sufficient stock to rotate usage and washing. This prevents overuse of a single item, reducing wear and tear.
- Use non-enzymatic detergents. Enzymes help remove protein stains by breaking them down but may also degrade natural fibers. For cotton organic inserts, we recommend non-enzymatic detergents. Based on our tests, Greendet, Skip Active Clean, and Skip Eco Active (all liquid, non-enzymatic) showed the best results.
- Store clean diapers in a dry, ventilated environment.
Now that you know how to wash cloth diapers, it is much simpler than what you might have though initially. Still, if you have any questions about washing cloth diapers, we are very happy to help you. Reach out to our team on the Live chat, DM on Instagram or Contact us.