How to Wash Cloth Diapers: A Step-by-Step Routine for Success

A reliable wash routine doesn't have to be complicated. It boils down to two key cycles: a pre-wash to remove the majority of waste and a main wash to deep clean. Follow these steps for consistently clean diapers.

Step 1: Remove Solids & Store

For exclusively breastfed babies, you can toss diapers directly into a storage pail—the waste is water-soluble. For formula-fed or solid-food-eating babies, you must remove solid waste into the toilet before storing. Store used diapers in a dry pail or a large hanging wet bag with good air circulation for 2-3 days.

Step 2: The Pre-Wash Cycle

A pre-wash (or pre-rinse) is crucial for removing urine and residual solids, ensuring your main wash uses clean water to sanitize the diapers.

• Load Size: Any size is fine.
• Cycle: Run a quick wash cycle on cold or warm.
• Detergent: Use a small amount of detergent (about half the recommended amount for a regular load).

Step 3: The Main Wash Cycle

This is where the deep cleaning happens. After the pre-wash, bulk up the load with small items like baby clothes or towels to at least 2/3 full. This ensures proper agitation for a thorough clean.

• Load Size: The washer should be 2/3 to 3/4 full when wet.
• Cycle: Use your machine's longest, most heavy-duty cycle (e.g., 'Heavy Duty' or 'Cotton').
• Water Temperature: Always use hot water for the main wash to effectively kill bacteria.
• Detergent: Use the full recommended amount of a cloth-safe detergent for a heavily soiled load.

Step 4: Drying Your Diapers

Proper drying protects your diapers' materials, especially elastics and PUL (the waterproof layer).

• Line Drying: The best option for covers and shells. The sun is a natural disinfectant and stain remover.
• Machine Drying: Use a low or medium heat setting. Avoid high heat, as it can damage elastics and PUL over time. Inserts and prefolds can typically handle higher heat.

The detergent you choose plays a massive role in your routine's success. The goal is a detergent that is strong enough to clean thoroughly without leaving residue that can cause buildup and irritation.

What to Look For:

• Strong Cleaning Power: Look for detergents with enzymes and surfactants that break down waste effectively.
• Free of Additives: Your detergent should be free of fabric softeners, optical brighteners, and fragrances, which can coat fibers and reduce absorbency.

What to Avoid:

• Fabric Softeners: These are the number one enemy of cloth diapers, as they create a water-repellent layer.
• DIY or Homemade Detergents: These often lack the necessary surfactants to properly clean and can cause severe buildup or damage your washing machine.

Many popular mainstream detergents (like Tide Original Powder) work exceptionally well for cloth diapers. You don't necessarily need a 'cloth-diaper-specific' detergent, but they are also a great option if you prefer plant-based ingredients.

Hard water contains a high concentration of minerals like calcium and magnesium. During washing, these minerals can bind with detergent and redeposit onto your diapers, leading to several problems:

• Stink Issues: Mineral buildup can trap bacteria, causing ammonia smells.
• Reduced Absorbency: The minerals coat the fabric fibers, causing them to repel liquid.
• Diaper Rash: Trapped bacteria can irritate your baby's sensitive skin.

The Hard Water Solution

If you have hard water, you'll need to add a water softener to every wash cycle. Popular and effective options include Borax or Calgon. Add the recommended amount directly to the drum of your washing machine along with your detergent in both the pre-wash and main wash cycles. You may also need to use slightly more detergent than recommended.

Stripping is an intensive cleaning process designed to remove mineral or detergent buildup from your diapers. This is not a regular maintenance task and should only be done when you have a clear problem that a simple wash routine adjustment can't fix.

Signs You Need to Strip:

• Your diapers smell strongly of ammonia, even when clean.
• Diapers are repelling liquid, causing immediate leaks.
• Your baby is getting persistent rashes.

A Simple Stripping Method

1. Start with clean diapers: Wash your diapers as you normally would.
2. Prepare the soak: Fill a bathtub, sink, or top-loading washer with hot water. Add a mineral-removing solution like RLR Laundry Treatment or a DIY mix of washing soda, borax, and Calgon (check online for specific ratios).
3. Soak: Add your clean diapers to the water, stir, and let them soak for 4-6 hours, or until the water is cool. The water may look dirty or discolored; this is normal.
4. Wash out: Drain the water and transfer the diapers to your washing machine. Run several hot water cycles without any detergent until there are no more suds.
5. Dry: Dry as usual.

After stripping, you must identify and fix the root cause in your wash routine (e.g., not enough detergent, hard water issues) to prevent the buildup from happening again.