Washing Instructions

Quick Guide: 

* Pre was all new diapers at least 3-4 times before first use to gain absorbency with 1/4 cup of mild detergent for cloth diapers

* Use diapers as required and throw in diaper pail when soiled

* Wool and polyester diaper covers can be re used, just air dry if wet

*Run an extra rinse cycle to remove any other detergent residue

*Let dry in the sun to remove any stains and prolong the longevity of your diapers, or throw in the dryer.  Read and follow the manufacturers instructions

NOTE:  Wash all wool covers by hand.  See instructions on how to care for your wool products further down in this section titled “Caring for your wool diapers"

Laundromat Method:

Don't have a washing machine handy and can't pre soak.  Don't concern yourself that going to the Laundromat will be more of a pain.  You can simply follow the "simple" washing instructions above (soak for 20 min if you can).  Just skip the "pre wash".

If you can’t pre soak, the best advice is to rinse your cloth diapers at home prior to throwing them in the diaper pail.  This way you're helping yourself on washing day, and may not even need to prewash on cold if there is no debris on the diapers.

Then throw in the hot wash with 1/4 cup of recommended amount of detergent.

When done, throw it all together in the dryer.  

 Use a diaper pail liner which you can just close and take directly to the Laundromat.  These liners are completely leak proof.  You can throw them in the wash with the diapers as well.

 NOTE:  Above is just a quick rundown on how to wash your cloth diapers.  As you keep reading you’ll discover more tricks, instructions and details about how to keep your cloth diapers as good as new.

Why Pre wash new diapers:

Your new cloth diaper package has finally arrived in the mail, and you can’t wait to put it on your baby’s tush.

Be aware that all new cloth diapers require to be pre washed in HOT water at least 3-4 times before they gain decent absorbency.  If you skip this first step no harm will come to your baby or the diapers, however you may struggle with more “leaks” and “blowouts”.  This in turn may frustrate you, and reduce your chances of continuing to use cloth diapers.

Diaper materials have natural oils which are removed during prewashing, and fibers of the materials are “fluffed up” to be able to achieve absorbency and keep “diaper messes” intact.

Generally oils take up to 10 washes to be removed and for the diapers to reach their full ability to absorb.  With time and laundering you will eventually achieve this stage. For the begining it is enough to give them 3-4 good washes. Hemp and bamboo especially require pre washing.

Polyester PUL and wool covers need 1 wash before they are ready to be used.

What do I do with Soiled Diapers?

Various folk use different methods of storing their soiled cloth diapers till laundry day.   We at Baby Kay believe the best method for you and your family is the one that achieves the best possible results in the least amount of time invested.  After all who wants to be a slave to cloth diapers?

Wet Pail method is one, in which a bucket is filled with water and placed in the bathroom.  Dirty diapers are deposited there to soak till laundry day.  Debris from the soiled diaper is somewhat removed from the diaper itself during the soak. 

We do not promote the Wet Pail method as we find it cumbersome to have to dump out the dirty pail water into the toilet on laundry day.   The method is also unsafe for children, and poses a risk of drowning, as you have a bucket of stinky water in their vicinity.

Dry Pail Method:

Rinse your urine soaked diapers and throw in the dry diaper pail, lined with a diaper pail liner.  Some don’t even give the urine diapers a rinse, but sprinkle some baking soda on them to reduce any smell. 

All poop should be deposited in the toilet.   As per the World Health Organization's guidlines this should be done even with disposable diapers, as poop in the environment is hazardous for our waterways. 

Easiest way to remove poop is with a Bumgenius Diaper Sprayer.  The diaper sprayer attaches to the toilet tank and is ready whenever you require it.  Otherwise “swish” your diaper in the toilet until most of the poop is gone.  If the thought of that gives you the willies, then wait till wash day to remove it with a pre soak or pre rinse.

Throw your cloth diapers in the diaper pail. 

On wash day pick up your diaper pail liner (filled with diapers) and head to the laundry.

Ideally you have another diaper pail liner in the child’s room, or wherever you keep your diaper pail, to catch those diapers your child is using while the others are in the wash.

Now you’re ready to wash your cloth diapers.

1. NO harsh chemicals such as chlorine bleach or harsh stain remover on your cloth diapers.  It will damage the diaper fibers and ruin them.

2. NOT much detergent.  Detergent build up will occur and cause your diapers to leak.  Generally a 1/4 cup of recommended amount is sufficient. Use only recommended detergent (see "which detergent to use" lower on this page).

3 NO fabric softener on your diapers, or dryer sheets.  Both leave toxic residue on your diapers.  Generally avoid using them for your clothing as well if you can.  Use dryer balls.  They can be purchased at any major store, including Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, Zellers and such

4. NO harsh diaper rash creams as they also remain on the diapers and reduce their ability to absorb.

Washing Instructions

When the debris is removed (either with soaking, or just a quick cold wash) you're ready to wash the diapers: 

3.Run an extra rinse to further remove any possible detergent residue.

4. Place diapers outside in the sun to dry as the sun’s natural “bleaching” properties will do wonders to remove any stains on your cloth diapers.  You can also throw them in the dryer.  Be aware that any AIO diapers will probably take longer to dry as they are bulkier.

So to reinterate

pre soak the night before if you wish,

pre rinse on laundry day only if you didn’t soak,

wash, and give it an extra rinse to remove detergent residue

Washing Diaper Covers:

Polyester and wool diaper covers can be reused.  Just let them air dry if they are wet.  Launder them about once a week or for wool covers even less.  They need to be washed when you smell urine on them, or are soiled from poop.   Pocket diaper covers require regular washing as any of the inserts do.

Use very little detergent as PUL diaper covers with micro fleece inner lining are especially prone to detergent residue build up.  You’ll know when this happens when you notice strong ammonia like smell and low absorption.  Your diapers will begin to leak.  If this occurs, not to worry.  Just follow the instructions on “Stripping your diapers”.

Caring for your Wool Covers:

Wool is an amazing material.  Its antibacterial and water repellent properties can be maintained with proper washing care.  No problem, it’s simple.  Also you only need to wash your wool covers every few weeks, or when soiled with poop.

Simply soak them in the sink for 10-15min with some wool wash or mild baby shampoo.  

Hand wash them and lay flat on a towel to dry.  You can roll the towel a bit to “wring” out the excess water out of the wool.  You do not actually wring out the material as it may damage it.

Detergents to use:

When we first begun using cloth diapers with our children we would comb the grocery store shelves attempting to figure out which of the hundred various brands would be safe to use on the diapers.  Now with more experience and more extensive research we have compiled a list for you so you can avoid the same headache.

A detergent must be free of soaps, phosphates, bleach, enzymes, brighteners which leave residue on the diapers and may cause your little one to get a diaper rash.

Safe to use are:

Wonder wash-excellent product for cloth diapers, and for general use.  It is all natural, leaves on detergent residue, and you use only a table spoon of it.  So very little goes a very long way.

Nature Clean-found in most grocery stores in Canada so quite convenient.

Nelly’s soap- another great product to use as is phosphate and enzyme free.

If you notice stains on your diapers place them to dry outside in the sunshine.  The sun's natural "bleaching" properties will remove most of the stains for you.

If some of the stains remain you may wish to use some baking soda in the wash (1/2 cup).  Make sure you either rinse your diapers well afterwards with an extra rinse, or also add a bounce ball to the wash filled with 1/2 cup of vinegar.  Vinegar will remove any of the remaining detergent residue and also neutralize the baking soda.  If not rinced out completely, the baking soda may irritate your child's sensitive skin and cause diaper rashes.

If you are desperate try a small amount of non chlorinated bleach such as Nature Clean bleach to remove any stains.  Make sure you rinse your diapers well afterwards. 

Never use any chlorine bleach or market laundry stain removers as they are filled with exceptionally harsh chemicals which will remain on the cloth diapers.  You don't want those near your child's skin. 

To reduce stains use "Flushable liners" or "Fleece liners" which will act as barriers for any creams you place on your child's tush, or will catch any messes in the diaper.