Storing Your Soiled Cloth Diapers
We recommend using the dry pail method for storing your dirty cloth diapers. It is very simple, and much less messy than other methods! You can use various things as your dry pail: a pail liner, a diaper pail, a garbage can with lid, etc. A dry pail is one that contains no water in the pail itself.
- Any solid waste should be shaken into the toilet. Some diapers may require swishing in the toilet, or being sprayed with a diaper sprayer.
- If you are using a pocket diaper, remove the insert from the diaper.
- Place the diaper and your cloth wipes in your dry pail.
- If you desire, you can add Fluff Dust directly to the pail or shake on top of the diapers to reduce smell. You can also add an essential oil to a square of cloth on the side of your pail. Do put the essential oils directly on your diapers as it may damage them.
- Wash your diapers every 2-3 days depending on your number of diapers. Letting them stay in your pail longer than that may cause staining and a strong smell. If you are using a pail liner, you will wash that with your diapers.
NOTE: You may see recommendations for using a "wet pail" storage method. We do not recommend a wet pail as it is a drowning hazard, heavy to lift, and will be cause more odor than a dry pail method.
Cloth Diaper Washing Method
This washing method is one that has worked for us. You can adjust this to fit your diaper needs, as well as your water type. Choose the detergent you would like to use. Remember to only use about 1/4th of the recommended amount of detergent. You can also use a squirt of Original blue Dawn dish detergent every few washes in place of your detergent. It works really well, and causes fewer buildups than detergent does. It is often recommended for stripping cloth diapers. This is our recommended washing routine for your cloth diapers. This will work for most brands, but please check the instructions on the diapers you using.
- If you are using pocket diapers, be sure to remove the inserts from the diaper.
- Place your dirty diapers in your washer and set them on a cold rinse with NO detergent or soap.
- Open your washer and add your desired detergent or soap.
- Run your diapers through a hot wash/cold rinse cycle.
- Dry according to manufacturer's directions. You can also hang dry to extend the life of your diapers.
What to Avoid
- Fabric softener and dryer sheets - these coat the diapers and decrease their absorbency. Some detergents include fabric softeners, so check the ingredient list!
- Chlorine bleach and other stain removing products- this may irritate baby's skin, as well as break down your diaper and cause it to wear out faster and absorb less. For stains you can put diapers out in the sun following your wash cycle and "sun out" the stains.
- Most commerically available diaper creams will stains your diapers. If necessary to use a cream you must line the diaper with a fleece liner (or a few liners) to protect the inner of the diaper.
Recommended Detergents
There are many opinions on which type of detergent you should use. What works for one family may not for another due to different water types or wash routines.
We recommend using detergents that do not contain optical brighteners, enzymes, dyes, scents, or fabric softener.
If your child has an adverse reaction to any of the detergent you use (rash, redness, blisters, etc.), discontinue use and try a different kind.
Be sure to only use about 1/4th of the recommended amount of detergent.
Detergents that do not contain any of the above listed items include the following. Most of these detergents will be found in specialty/natural stores.
Country Save Powder Detergent
Eco-Max
Mountain Green Free & Clear
Mountain Green Free & Clear Baby
Mountain Green Ultra Baby
Nellie's All Natural Laundry Soda or Laundry Nuggets
Planet Liquid or Powder
Soap Nuts
Some of the above detergents may not be readily available in your town, or are out of your desired price range. The following detergents are also good choices, but do contain brighteners.
All Small & Might Free & Clear
Arm & Hammer for Sensitive Skin
Publix Store Brand Free & Clear
Seventh Generation Delicate Care
Sun Free
Xtra Perfume & Dye Free
Leaking/Repelling or Stinky Diapers?
If you are following the above wash routine and find that your diapers and/or inserts are stinky it is likely due to detergent build up.
To get rid of this smell, you need to strip your diapers. Stipping is also the first course of action if your diapers are repelling rather than absorbing.
Before beginning the stripping process, be sure your diapers are not soiled. Go ahead and wash them first.
To strip your diapers in hot water, place them in your washer and run them through a wash with NO detergent on the hottest wash setting. Then, rinse your diapers in the hottest possible water. You will need to check your rinse water for soap bubbles. These are different from agitation bubbles, as they stay in the water when the washer is not moving. It may take a few rinses to be rid all of the suds, but continue until all the suds are gone.
You can also add a squirt or two of Original Dawn Dish Soap to the wash and continue to do rinses until the water runs clear of bubbles. Dawn will help remove any oily residues in your diapers. If the inner of the (diaper part closest to baby's bottom) is not allowing wetness to go through then you will want to scrub a bit of Dawn directly into the fabric with a small brush (a toothbrush works great). Then do all your rinses until the water runs clear. Be sure the water level is not too low so you get enough water per rinse cycle.
You can also try 1/4th of a capful of vinegar in your rinse water. The vinegar helps cut the soap suds.
Baking soda is another additive that can be used. It helps to balance out the pH in your load. Add about 1/2 cup to 1 cup in the wash cycle and then rinse until you see no suds.
You can also add OxiClean. This is a laundry booster, and it is safe for cloth diapers. Add it during the wash cycle, and as with baking soda, rinse until no suds are present.
Soap Nuts is a chemical free method to strip your diapers. Two Soap Nuts (or making the tea following package instructions) in a hot wash followed by a few rinses and your diapers should be smell and residue free!
