As a mom I have made the decision to cloth diaper my baby. Does that mean that I am a better mom or not so good mom for doing so? Absolutely not! As long as our babies are clean, healthy, and happy then we are all going well. For those of us who do cloth diaper we have to ensure that we launder our diapers carefully and efficiently. I would like to share with you the steps that I use to get diapers clean and fresh smelling.
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1. Your dirty diaper storage prior to washing
Dry pail is sufficient enough. If you have diapers with poo on them just rinse
and then add to the pail. Do not let your soiled diapers sit for more than 2 to
3 days. If you are like me you may not have more than a 3 day supply anyway. This
helps minimize stains and odor. If you have a problem with odors coming from
the pail sprinkle a little baking soda over the diapers.
Just a note: I tried using the method of soaking the diapers until I was ready
to wash them. BIG MISTAKE!!! The water got stagnant and made the diapers smell
worse than when they were first added to the pail. This may work for some
people but not for me!
2. Selecting a detergent
I thought I was going to have to switch to disposables after I checked into
this one. All these recommended, special detergents that are available on the
market, yet they are unavailable in any of the shops here. They are available for order online however
the cost of shipping this stuff would probably pay for two babies in
disposables. Do you really need a special detergent? Oh no! I may get some opposition on this one.
I use regular tide detergent. The same as I use for my family’s clothes. My
diapers always come out clean and my baby has not yet had a diaper rash. So
really there is no need going out and spending all that extra money on special
detergents that may not even work.
3. Washing additives
There is no need to add bleach or fabric softeners to diaper loads.
Actually both can be very bad for your diapers.
While bleach is a great disinfectant, used over time in diapers can lead to the
fibers being eaten away resulting in holes and frayed edges. It can also
decrease their durability and absorbency over time. Fabric softeners may give
clothes a nice smell and soft feeling to them. Using on cloth diapers though
can leave a water-repelling residue on your diapers which will result in less
absorbency.
As a safe substitution for both use the following:
For a half wash load, add in half a cup of baking soda with the
laundry detergent. Add half a cup of
vinegar to the rinse cycle.
For a full wash load, just increase both the baking soda and
vinegar to one cup.
For me I was using ¼ cup of bleach a few times per month. I have since stopped
doing this and instead use the baking soda added to detergent, if I feel I need
to. My reason for ending the use of bleach is that I could no longer tolerate
the smell. I always use vinegar in the rinse cycle.
4. The washing process
In terms of using cold or hot water I have washed my diapers in both
temperatures as the climate where I am living does not usually give me much
choice. Both have worked fine for me. Only add the required amount of detergent
needed to get your diapers clean. There is no need to double up on detergent
just because the diapers look really dirty and smelly. This will only take you
more time and waste water since you will have to make sure you get all that
extra soap out of the diapers.
Sufficient water is needed to rinse diapers
properly. While HE washers are great since they help save energy and cut down
on water having less water can mean serious residue problems. Top load washers
are easier to use with cloth diapers as you can adjust the water that you need.
This will help prevent the build-up of detergent, bacteria and urine.
5. The drying process
Sunlight is your best friend when it comes to drying diapers so
hang those diapers outside on clothes line.
Sunlight is a natural brightener, disinfectant, and will remove any tough poo
stains left behind.
If you want to use a dryer that is also fine. You can still use the sun to
remove stains if you need to. It only takes an hour or two and then you can
always fluff them in the dryer if you wish.
My diapers have always been line dried as I have no dryer and I have no desire
to have one.
Cloth diapers washed, dried and put away = one happy mama :)
5 Comments
I don't have cloth diapers but I'm thinking of investing in some since it's time for me to potty train Madison. Great to have these tips. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThat's what is so nice about these all in ones. They are adjustable to fit from newborn and throughout training.
DeleteGood luck with the training!
I always used tide too :) I hate having to buy specialty detergents, I'm just too cheap!
ReplyDeleteHaha I am also cheap, especially when it comes to detergents :)
DeleteI always used cloth nappies (diapers) with my girls, with disposables at night, a great balance. Thanks for linking up to Stumble Into The Weekend.
ReplyDelete