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Cleaning Cloth Diapers
In order to get the best performance and longest life out of your cloth diapers it is important to make sure that they are properly cleaned and sanitized. Lack of proper cleaning can lead to diaper rash on your child, as well as having the diapers degrade faster. When you first purchase cloth diapers it is important to wash them numerous times before use. Washing them up to five times will not only remove the chemicals left from manufacturing, but will also increase the absorbancy of the material. It is important to note that the material may "quilt up" or pill, and that this should be expected as it is normal.
Extending the life of your cloth diapers
One of the keys to extending the life of your cloth diapers is to hang them to dry if this is an option. This is especially true with AIO's and diaper covers as it will greatly increase the life of their water-proofing.
Cleaning Washable Cloth Diaper - Overnight Soak Method
- Pre-Wash - Place all diapers into the washing machine and run a pre-wash with cold water in order to remove any loose particals from the diapers.
- Overnight Soak - Add 1/2 cup baking soda to a refilled washing machine. Turn the machine on and let it agitate the diapers for a couple of minutes, then turn it off and let the cloth diapers soak overnight. The next day, drain the washer by setting it to prewash. The baking soda will reduce the urine smell, as well as help whiten the diapers.
- Hot Water Wash - Run a full cycle wash with hot water, detergent (there are many hypo-allergenic detergents available that will work for sensitive babies skin), and half a cup of arm and hammer washing soda.
- Rince - Rinse twice, adding a half cup of vinegar to the first rince cycle. The vinegar can either be added to the fabric softner port, or added to the wash with a downey ball.
Cloth Diaper Washing - No Soak Method
The no soak method works almost as well as the overnight soak method and can be used if you don't have access to a machine to soak overnight, or if you'd prefer not to soak.
- Cold Wash - Place diapers in washing machine with 1/2 cup baking soda and run through a full cycle cold water wash.
- Hot Water Wash - Run a full cycle wash with hot water, detergent (there are many hypo-allergenic detergents available that will work for sensitive babies skin), and half a cup of arm and hammer washing soda.
- First Rinse Include half a cup of vinegar and run the cloth diapers through a cold water rinse cycle.
- Second Rinse Run the cloth diapers through a cold water rinse cycle.
Cloth Diapers - The Best for your Baby!
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