Laundering Instructions
Recommended Detergents
For detergent suggestions by real moms using cloth diapers, click the following link: Detergents.pdf. Never use bleach; it will break down fibres and decrease absorbency. Stay away from fabric softener as well - it will leave a residue on the diapers making them less absorbent.
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.
Product Specific Instructions
Please note that Little Tree Hugger recommends you read and abide by the specific laundering instructions for each product found at the following links:
General Laundering Instructions
Despite the product specific instructions, if you are curious how we personally care for all our cotton and polyester diapers and cover, then read on:
Stripping Diapers
If your diapers do not smell clean to you - if you can still detect a lingering diaper odour - you should wash them again or try stripping them (see instructions below). The odour usually means that there is build-up of residue left by detergents, oils or other substances, and bacteria may be present in your diapers, which could cause irritation to your baby. Diapers with either super-absorbant hemp or man-made materials like microfleece tend to gather stink more easily than diapers with all-natural fibres like cotton or bamboo. Build-up can occur from using too little detergent or too much detergent. After stripping your diapers, you may need to alter your washing regiment slightly.
To strip diapers, after washing diapers normally, if they still stink, take the "clean" diapers run them through a Hot wash cycle without any detergent. If the stink still persists, then wash the diapers in a Hot wash cycle a second time with a very SMALL amount of dish detergent. When wash cycle finishes, run one extra rinse cycle. This should correct the problem.
For detergent suggestions by real moms using cloth diapers, click the following link: Detergents.pdf. Never use bleach; it will break down fibres and decrease absorbency. Stay away from fabric softener as well - it will leave a residue on the diapers making them less absorbent.
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.
Product Specific Instructions
Please note that Little Tree Hugger recommends you read and abide by the specific laundering instructions for each product found at the following links:
- Baby Kangas:http://www.babykangas.com/products.html
- Bum Genius: UPDATE: As of mid-Sept '09, the manufacturers of BumGenius diapers have revised their recommendations for the laundering care of their diapers. Previously they recommended the diaper be dried in the dryer. They now recommend line drying, which will prolong the life of your diaper.
http://www.bumgenius.com/help.php - FuzziBunz®: http://www.fuzzibunz.com/care_and_use.php
- Gabbys: does not provide any specific instructions
- Happy Heinys: http://www.happyheinystore.com/pages/care.php
- Monkey Doodlez: http://www.monkeydoodlez.com/store/WsAncillary.asp?ID=21
- Thirsties: http://www.thirstiesbaby.com/care.htm
General Laundering Instructions
Despite the product specific instructions, if you are curious how we personally care for all our cotton and polyester diapers and cover, then read on:
- Knock solids into the toilet prior to placing diaper in the pail/bag. Make sure all laundry tabs are fastened and if diaper is a pocket diaper, pull apart. No need to pre-soak the diapers; however, we sprinkle diapers with baking soda to help control odours. (Note: for exclusively breast-fed babies before their excrement becomes solid, their soiled diapers do not need to be rinsed first as the excrement will simply wash away in the first rinse cycle. Advance rinsing however, may help control odours if you don't wash every day.)
- Put diapers into washing machine. We both use front loading washing machines, but we each have different wash routines. Andrea does 1 cold rinse without detergent, followed by 1 hot wash/cold rinse cycle with detergent, followed by 2 warm rinse only cycles without detergent. Janis does 1 cold wash/cold rinse cycle with detergent, followed by a hot wash/cold rinse cycle without detergent. What works for you might be the same system as what works for one of us, or it may be different. As long as your diapers smell clean, then your routine is working.
- Once they are washed, they are ready to be hung on the cloths line or put into the dryer. The heat from the dryer or the sun helps to sanitize the diapers. If you want to cut your electricity usage, then hang-drying is an eco-friendly option. Not only do you help to conserve energy, but hang-drying your diapers will also extend their life, especially AIOs and covers; sunlight is also good for helping remove stains from the diapers.
Stripping Diapers
If your diapers do not smell clean to you - if you can still detect a lingering diaper odour - you should wash them again or try stripping them (see instructions below). The odour usually means that there is build-up of residue left by detergents, oils or other substances, and bacteria may be present in your diapers, which could cause irritation to your baby. Diapers with either super-absorbant hemp or man-made materials like microfleece tend to gather stink more easily than diapers with all-natural fibres like cotton or bamboo. Build-up can occur from using too little detergent or too much detergent. After stripping your diapers, you may need to alter your washing regiment slightly.
To strip diapers, after washing diapers normally, if they still stink, take the "clean" diapers run them through a Hot wash cycle without any detergent. If the stink still persists, then wash the diapers in a Hot wash cycle a second time with a very SMALL amount of dish detergent. When wash cycle finishes, run one extra rinse cycle. This should correct the problem.
