Cloth diapering 103

For more information on cloth diapering including what brands I use and where to get them look here and here. Today I'd like to tell you about how I keep those tiny and cute diapers clean.  It's really not a big deal.  It's one of the most frequent reasons people give me for not doing cloth, the laundry.  Here is what I do.

Washing Routine

I should first tell you that I have a HE Front loading w/d.  However, I used to have a top loading (regular non-HE) w/d before and my routine has changed very little.

1. Short Wash - warm/cold - nothing added
2. Regular Wash - hot/cold with an extra rise added - soap only
3. Dry on hot - run thru twice

That's it!  I don't recommend doing cold water washes, I think the hot is necessary to keep the diapers clean and stink-free.  Speaking of stink-free, let's move on to detergents, soaps and extras.

Detergents

With my first daughter I carefully researched soaps and selected a cloth friendly detergent.  This is important because many detergents are bad for cloth diapers, they cause build up which = stink!  Or, they wear out the diapers sooner, destroying the water repellent properties, etc.  I found great information on what detergents are good on the site Pinstripes and Polkadots.  They have charts that assign scores for most brands out there.  I used Mountain Green baby with my first.  

So when it was time to diaper again I started researching and found that lo and behold people were talking on and on about using Tide.  Yes, Tide!  A very non-save-the-planet type of detergent.  On the pinstripes site it is only given 3 stars and is not highly recommended for use.  However, after hearing so many people rave about it I decided to try it.  So far it's worked great, no build up or other issues.  I use regular non-ultra Tide and also used the free and clear one.  The trick with detergent is the amount that you use.  You need FAR less detergent for diapers than with regular loads.  May seem counterintuitive but it's true!  Use 1/2 or even a 1/4 as much as you would with a regular load.  Otherwise the detergent builds up and creates stink.  However, I will add that not using enough detergent can cause it's own problems, naturally you need enough soap to get the job done.

What about Fabric Softener?
Fabric softener is not recommended for cloth as it can cause build-up on the diapers and/or irritation for the baby's skin.  However, if you diapers are a natural fabric like bamboo then there are a couple cloth safe options like Mrs Meyers or Ecover.  I use Ecover for my goodmama fitteds, but not on my covers or bum genius (microfiber).  The fabric softener makes them soft, squishy and silky.  I also used them on my newborn kissaluv fitteds.

Troubleshooting Stink

If your diapers don't look or smell clean there are options.  If they have stains (very common with baby poo) the best way to get them white again is to put them in the sun.  Really, the sun is a miracle bleach and disinfectant and oh-so-free.  Here in AZ we can do this pretty much every day.  Just so you know, even cloudy days work for sunning, but probably not rainy ones.  Ha!

If they smell stinky then here are some options:

1. Strip them using a squirt of blue Dawn in the first cycle (directly onto the diapers, not in the soap dispenser).  You may need an extra rinse cycle if soap/bubbles still appears in the wash after the regular routine.
2. Add baking soda to the main wash.  This is especially helpful in areas with hard water.
3. Add vinegar to the main wash.  This is especially helpful in areas with soft water.
4. Add tea-tree oil to the first or main wash.  This is what I do if my microfiber diapers have a stink to them.  Just a few drops in the first cycle make a HUGE difference.  
5. When desperate try bleach.  Some cloth diapering companies like Bum Genius actually recommend a once a month bleaching.  But go easy on this one b/c they can wear out your diapers (especially the elastics) if you do it too much.  

Storing dirty diapers

Back in the day our parents used wet pails to keep the dirty diapers until wash day.  I do not use a wet pail as I'm not interested in pee/poo diaper soup.  Yuck!  I use a dry pail which is basically a regular kitchen step can with a wet-bag liner inside.  These are great because on wash day I just pull out the whole bag and throw it all in the washer, no need to touch any dirty diapers!  I have two that I rotate.  The big pink bag on the left of the following photo is the liner.

When out and about I use a small zippered wet-bag.  They come in lots of pretty colors and prints and are a non-gross way to get your used diapers back to the house.  After you are done with cloth diapers you can use them for wet swimsuits or dirty laundry while traveling.  Wet bags come in a variety of sizes.  I used the medium sized one at home when my daughter was a newborn.  I had that one in my bedroom so I could keep her dirty diapers there without having to walk across the house to the regular changing table.  Mediums can also be helpful if you have a long day planned out of your house, or for trips.

What about poop?

Ah, the poop question.  So commonly asked.  When babies are only breast-fed their poo is really no big deal.  You just throw the diapers in, no fuss needed.  I do add a spray of Bac-Out before putting it in the can, but I do not rinse or spray them off with water.  Many people swear by their diaper sprayers that they hook up to the toilet but I am not interested in touching poopy diapers and carrying them around the house to spray off.  Yuck!

Now, once solid foods are introduced their poo gets ahem, more solid and a lot more stinky.  Sigh.  One of the main reasons I was trying to hold off giving my baby solid food.  However, there is hope.  It comes in the form of disposable diaper liners.  They are made out of rice-paper and sit neatly in the bottom of the diaper.  If your baby has a bowel movement then you simply pick up the liner and toss that in the toilet.  If they only peed then you wash the liner with your diapers and re-use it again.  They can be washed about 2x before they fall apart (since they're biodegradable).  Popular brands of flush able liners are Imse Vimse, Bummis, Osocozy and Grovia.  I get mine at Mom's Milk Boutique.

What about Rash Creams?

It is important to be careful when using diaper creams and cloth diapers.  Many of the most common brands can cause staining.  However, there are diaper safe options.  My favorites are Angel Baby Bottom Balm and plain old Coconut Oil.  Yes, the same oil you buy for use in the kitchen can also be used as a diaper cream.  It is all natural and doesn't smell or stain.  I just put some in a small container to keep at the changing table.  You know, because you don't want to mix diaper changes with cooking dinner. ;)

Well I think I about covered it.  Do you still have questions?  Please feel free to leave me a comment if there is something else you'd like to know!