Please note that Little Tree Hugger recommends you read and abide by the specific laundering instructions for each product. Some manufacturers may recommend a brand(s) of detergents while other manufacturers do not recommend that same detergent.
Prepping New Diapers
For first time use, your diapers and inserts will need to be "prepped" which means you need to wash them between 4-8 times. This ensures any residues left during manufacturing are removed and that the fibres are fully absorbent.
General Laundering Instructions
Generally speaking to care for your diapers you will:
Remove dirty diaper, pull-out inserts (if using pocket diapers) and fasten laundry tabs (if a hook & loop diaper) before tossing the diaper into a dry pail/bag.
For newborns prior to starting on solid foods, there is no need to pre-rinse a soiled diaper. Once babies start on solid foods, you will need to knock solids into the toilet prior to placing diaper in the pail/bag. To make poop clean-up easiest/faster you can use bio-degradable liners, reusuable fleece liners or a diaper sprayer. Once solids are removed toss diaper into the dry pail/bag.
Launder your diapers daily or every second day. Most laundering routines involve starting with a rinse or short wash cycle. Next is a hot wash cycle with detergent. Final step is an extra rinse cycle.
*Note--since washing machines, types of water, detergent etc. vary with every user, you made need to "play around" with your laundering routine to get it right. If your diapers don't smell clean when they come out of the laundry, or they have a foul odour as soon as your baby wets, then it means your laundering routine isn't right and the diapers are not clean. Most diapers can be either hung to dry or put into the dryer on a low heat (double check the manufacturers recommendations). Hang-drying extends the life of the waterproof exteriors.
Stripping Diapers
Stripping cloth diapers may be required from time to time if/when you experience problems with your diapers.This may occur if/when detergent residue or water minerals builds-up.The result may be stinky diapers, diapers that repel liquids, and/or diaper rash.
We recommend stripping your diapers if you notice any of the following problems:
·If they are really stinky, even after washing.;
·If they are repelling instead of absorbing liquid;
·If you've used diaper creams with zinc oxide, oils, or waxes; or
·If your diapers start to leak and not absorb as well as they used to.
2.Use dish soap in your washing machine.You will want to use a dish soap that does NOT have any hand softeners/lotions in it and you should check the warranty related to your machine prior to deciding to use dish soap in it.Most people recommend using Original blue Dawn, but we've also have personal success with Clorox Green Works.Start with laundered diapers.Put a couple of small drops in the detergent tray of the machine, and then do several hot washes.You will want to do hot washes & rinse cycles until there are no more soap bubbles in the wash cycle.This can take up to about 8 washes depending on the machine.Dry your diapers as per normal.Drying in the sunshine is particularly helpful as the sun naturally acts to disinfect diapers and remove stains.
Just like all things cloth diaper related, stripping cloth diapers varies from family to family. Everyone's washing machine and water quality varies. You may find you need to experiment to find what works best for you. You'll know if the process has worked when your diapers are clean, odor free and working great!
Once you have your diapers clean again you may need to look into altering your regular laundering routine to hopefully prevent the problems from reoccurring.This may include changing the detergent you were using, adjusting the amount of detergent you were using, altering the water levels and/or number of rinses etc.There is no "one solution" that fits everyone.You may need to go through some trial-and-error with your laundering routine to get it just right.Keep experimenting until you find a solution that works and then stick with it!
Understanding the Variables of Getting a Good Wash
Our friends at Rockin' Green have put together a great list describing the 5 variables that come into play in the wash cycle. Once you understand these variables, you can adjust accordingly to get the best results possible. Sometimes there are things that you just can’t change, so you have to work around them.
Variable #1--Your water: Tap water is never pure. It contains impurities like minerals that can bind with detergent, and actually make it more difficult to get a good clean. This is one of those variables that you don’t have much control over (unless you invest money in a water softener), so your best plan of attack is to know what you are working with and compensate for it with the other variables like detergent.
Variable #2--The Swish: Swish or agitation is a very important component of any good wash routine. The diapers need to not only move around in the wash tub, but they also need to rub up against one another. Think of how you wash your hands- do you run them under water to get lather, or do you rub your hands together? With too many diapers in a load, they just rotate around the tub in a bunch. Not enough diapers and they swim around the wash basin blissfully (and dirtily) unaware of their neighbors. So if you have a top loader, load the machine to about the halfway point. For a front loader, you want to have enough items in the drum to where you can put a hands width between the top of the drum and the clothing.
Variable #3--Temperature: Most machines have 3 settings: cold, warm or hot. The basics generally are: do a rinse on cold, a wash on hot, and then another rinse on cold, but there are some variables even in that. First off, what is your water heater set at? This can have a direct effect on how clean your diapers are. Most bacteria die when the water reaches a temp of 130-140 degrees (and many detergent ingredients react faster in this temp range), so an adjustment in your water heater can make a big difference. Most diaper manufacturers warn against temps of 150 and over when PUL is involved, so keep your water heater set at around 130 for day to day washings. Note: It will usually come out of the tap about 10 degrees cooler.Disclaimer: Always check with your diaper manufacturer regarding recommended wash procedure and temperature thresholds, especially when PUL is involved. Temperature can also play a part when it comes to stains. Did you know that the best way to treat a stain is by rinsing it out at the same temperature that the stain was created? So leave the cold rinsing for ice cream stains, and move the dial to warm for poop stains. They were created at 98.6 after all!
Variable #4--Time fixes all: The amount of time that your diapers are in the wash will also help determine your outcome. The chemicals in your detergent have different reaction times that can be affected by things like temperature and water quality, so you may find that a longer wash cycle in some cases gets you better results, because it allows the detergent to actually do its job as opposed to being flushed down the drain. If you have really hard water, or a water heater that isn’t up to par….you can lengthen your wash cycle to compensate. Note: this is why front loader cycles take FOREVER) because they have to make up for the lack of swish.
Variable #5--Detergent: Some detergents, like Rockin' Green, are offered in various formulas to work best depending on your water type. When it comes to detergent what works best for one person person may not for another. For Rockin' Green detergent you want to start off with 1-3 tbs, but you may adjust up or down depending on the other 4 variables.Many websites and cloth diaper manufacturers recommend using less detergent (1/4 for front loaders and 1/2 for top loaders) than what is listed on the box.However, some manufacturers like Happy Heinys recommend you use the amount listed by the detergent manufacturer.Also, some brands are recommended by some while other brands are not.Through some trial and error you will find what detergent works best for you.
