Washing cloth diapers can seem intimidating and super gross, but it actually is not that hard. Here are some tips on how to make the process as easy and painless as possible.
Use Easy To Wash Cloth Diapers
The first trick to make things easier is to buy easy to wash diapers. There are several different types of diapers. The ones that are the easiest to put on are often the hardest to wash. All in one diapers can have very finicky fabrics that do best washed only in Tide or specialized detergents and have to be regularly stripped.
Pocket diapers have all of the same issues all in ones do, plus you have to remove the absorbent insert before washing. This can be rather gross when it’s a baby blow out diaper.
Prefold diapers are usually pretty straightforward to wash. They may catch some detergent in the fabric periodically and need stripped. Just rinse in vinegar if they seem less absorbent than usual.
Flat diapers are my favorites. You can wash them any way you want. They are not finicky at all. Any detergent, any machine, flat diapers will still come clean.
Use a diaper sprayer
Using a diaper sprayer attached to your toilet is an absolute necessity if you are cloth diapering after your baby starts eating solids. Hold the top edge of the diaper with as little skin as possible, grab that sprayer with the other hand, and hose everything off into the toilet. If you don’t, you will regret it later in your washing machine!
Wash on hot
I have no worries about my cloth diapers coming clean, because I know the mechanical action of the washing machine is what does the bulk of the work. However, I always wash my cloth diapers on hot. Hot water does a better job sanitizing them and they always come out scent free.
While using hot water does require some electricity to heat the water, it’s still beneficial for the environment to use cloth diapers, (especially if you purchased organic cotton ones). Add a solar panel to offset the energy use and air dry those diapers. Flats dry super quick!
Don’t be scared by complicated washing routines for cloth diapers. With the right diapers and a diaper sprayer you’ll have them clean in no time.
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