Diaper Care

General Washing Instructions:
We recommended you wash diapers every 2-3 days. Once you are ready to wash set your washing machine to the highest water level. Wash 10-15 diapers at a time. Do one cold rinse cycle. Wash on HOT with 1/3 to 1/2 manufacturer’s recommend amount of detergent (this will prevent soap build up on your diapers). DO NOT USE BLEACH OR FABRIC SOFTENERS, these will greatly reduce the life of your diapers. It is optional if you want to add a sprinkle of baking soda to your wash cycle. This can help to “release” soap during the rinsing process. Make sure to do at least 2 cold rinse cycles. On the last rinse it is optional if you would like to add tea tree oil to disinfect and freshen up diapers.

General Drying Instructions:
When drying diapers if you choose to use the dryer (not recommended), set heat setting to low. I generally fluff the diapers for a few minutes to reduce stiffness and then air dry. I place them either on a drying rack or if whether permits out on the clothes line. The sun is an excellent way to naturally whiten your diapers.

Pre-folds Diapers:
When your new prefold diapers arrive, be sure to wash them 4-6 times in HOT water to increase the absorbency. This will remove any of the waxy material that is in the diapers when they were purchased. The diapers will “quilt up” with each wash cycle. Be sure not to wash your new pre-folds with any of your pockets or any diaper containing fleece material. The wax will transfer to the fleece and cause build-up problems. For diaper washes after prefolds have quilted up, follow general washing instructions.

Pocket Diapers:
Remove insert from pocket before washing. Do one cold rinse. Add on ¼ detergent to hot wash cycle. This will prevent soap “build-up” on the micro fleece. It is optional if you would like to add a dash of baking soda to wash cycle. This can help to “release” the soap and prevent detergent build-up. Do a cold rinse at least twice and it is optional if you would like to add tea-tree oil to disinfect and freshen diapers.
If build-up occurs, you may notice a slight odor or feel soap when you remove from washer. Move the fleece around in your fingers after washing, if you feel or hear soap, rinse diapers again until no soap is present.

Fitted Diapers:
Wash your fitted diapers 2-3 times before first use to increase absorbency. Follow instruction for general washing instructions.

Softening your diapers:
If you want to soften your diapers, add ¼ cup vinegar to your rinse cycle. It is not recommended to do this for every wash cycle and also not if you have hard water. If you have hard water it can cause diapers to stink.

Dry Pail Method:
This is my preferred method. All you do is find a diaper pail with a lid, throw diapers in after shaking solids in the toilet. I add a little baking powder to the bottom to keep diaper pail odors down. Wet diapers can go directly in the pail, no rinsing necessary. Wash every other day. This method is much easier and lighter to carry over using the wet pail method.

Wet Pail Method:
Fill diaper pail (make sure there is a lid and safety latch if little ones are near) halfway with water and a little baking soda. Throw diapers in pail after rinsing solids in toilet, wet diapers can go directly into pail. Wash diapers every third day. Tip-off the excess water in the toilet to lighten the load. Then, throw diapers in washer and follow general washing instructions. One advantage to this method is you can go another day without washing.

Dry/Wet Pail Method:
This is a tip I use if I plan to go three days before washing. I have my dry pail at the top of the basement steps for every day use. When the second day comes and I realize I am pressed for time, I throw the 1 ½ to 2 days of diapers in another pail in the basement (by my washer). I fill pail in basement where we have an extra water supply. I use this as my wet pail. I then use the dry pail for the next day and throw both in the washer on the third day. You can modify this system to meet your individual needs according to your routine and home layout.