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Laundering Cloth Diapers

1. The Pail

A simple step-lid can is best, with a drawstring wetbag as a liner. (If you are old enough to remember “wet-pails” filled with stinky bleach water—forget it.) After changing a wet diaper, close the Velcro tabs, or pull the insert out of Fuzzi Bunz, and toss it all into the pail. If it’s a poopy diaper, peel the flushable liner off over the toilet and flush, then toss the diaper in the pail. Even if a little bit is still left on the edges, your washer really can handle it. Just don’t let it sit in the pail for too long before washing.

2. Washing

Twice a week, dump the pail into the washer, and toss the wetbag liner in, too. I like to swirl a little vinegar in the pail to sanitize, then dump that into the washer.

There are all kinds of preferences when it comes to washing cloth diapers, but here’s the basic routine:

¨     cold pre-wash

¨     hot wash with half the recommended amount of detergent

¨     tumble dry hot

That is the general routine, though each diaper item will come with its own care instructions. You may want an extra rinse to make sure all detergent is gone, as build-up will reduce absorbency and may trap odors. Avoid diaper creams, as they will do the same thing. If you do detect odors, you can do an overnight soak with vinegar or baking soda. Never, ever use bleach, as bleach will break down the fabrics, making your diapers less absorbent, and the covers less waterproof. Also, no fabric softener (and no dryer sheets).

3. Drying

Basically, all Prefolds, Inserts, and All In Ones go into the dryer on high. It helps to turn All in Ones inside-out to dry faster.  Fuzzi Bunz, Covers, and Wetbags can be air-dried on top of the dryer, or on a rack. The Fuzzi Bunz can be tumble dried on low for a bit to make sure they are totally dry inside.

Now, if you’ve been tossing wet flushable liners into the pail, they will be washed with your diapers. They can be used a second time, but not if they go in the dryer. So if they still look sturdy to you, fold them and set them aside.

When it’s all done and dry, you can fold and stuff and line diapers, so they will be ready and waiting at the changing table. But sometimes I just work from the laundry basket on a change-by-change basis. There’s no better laundry than a pile of soft and fluffy cloth diapers to wrap my baby in.