New parents might question committing to cloth diapers for fear of excessive dirty work. But washing cloth diapers can be easier (and less messy) than you might think.
While there are several ways to launder cloth diapers, the dry-pail system described below is fairly foolproof (even for the most sleep-deprived new parent) — and most people find that it beats the wet-pail system (in which you soak the diapers in a pail of water before you toss them in the washer) since it really cuts down on smells.
How to clean cloth diapers with the dry-pail system
- Fill the pail. Plop any solid poop into the toilet and put the dirty diapers, along with any wet (pee-pee) ones, into a dry pail with a waterproof cloth liner (you can find them anywhere cloth diapers are sold). To keep stink to a minimum, sprinkle a little baking soda on the diapers, or place a deodorant disc at the bottom of the pail. Make sure to take time to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water whenever you come in contact with baby’s waste.
- Empty the liner into the washer. When you’ve collected enough dirty diapers to fill the washing machine about 1/2 to 2/3 full (which will likely happen every two to three days), remove the liner from the pail and empty it into the washer. Throw the liner into the wash, too.
- Rinse the dirty diapers. Run the diapers in a normal or quick cycle using warm or cold water and enough detergent for a small to medium load. This cycle removes surface dirt and stains, allowing a second cycle to attack deeper dirt.
- Wash the dirty diapers. Now that they’ve been through the first cycle, wash the cloth diapers in hot water on the heaviest setting (for a large or heavily soiled load). Add enough detergent for a full-sized load. If you think the diapers need it, you can also run one rinse cycle after this second wash.
- Hang ’em up. Not only is line drying great for green families looking to save on energy bills, but it can also extend diaper life. If you don’t have the space to line dry, tumble dry the diapers according to the diaper brand’s instructions.
How to wash cloth diaper covers
Diaper covers need less washing than diapers do — but definitely wash them when they start to smell or when your little one’s had a blowout. Follow the washing instructions on each cover’s label. Depending on the fabric and brand, you may be able to wash and dry your covers together with your diapers.
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If you’ve got wool diaper covers, hand-wash them in lukewarm water with a wool wash containing lanolin. Lanolin is a natural substance in wool that wicks away water, so if you strip it away, you’ll end up with leaky diapers. After you’ve washed the covers, wring out the excess water and hang them up to dry.
What type of detergent should you use when washing cloth diapers?
Washing cloth diapers with different detergents can help you figure out which brand works best with your machine and if you need a special detergent for your baby's skin. Here’s how to narrow the options while you experiment:
- Use a clean-rinsing detergent. Steer clear of detergents with fabric softeners and, if possible optical brighteners. Both shorten the life of your diapers and make it harder for them to get squeaky clean, since ammonia from urine as well as bacteria can bind to them and work their way deeper into the diaper fabric. Plus, they could irritate your sweetie’s sensitive baby skin.
- Do go fragrance-free. The fewer fragrances and dyes, the gentler on baby and the smaller the risk of detergent-induced diaper rash.
- Do read labels. Even if a detergent says “natural” on the box, always check the ingredient list to make sure it’s free of whitening enzymes, phosphates, dyes, fabric softeners, fragrances and bleach.
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