Washing Cloth Diapers

Most cloth diaper wash routines are like this: Pre-rinse, Main wash with detergent, Rinse, Extra Rinse, Dry.

All washers have different features, so you would most likely have to do a trial and error to see what routine works for you.


Step 1: Pre-rinse
Water temperature: Cold or Warm

Do one rinse cycle with no detergent. Avoid using hot water here because it could set stains. Try not to do a spin cycle so that the diapers will be heavy for next cycle (see why in Step 2).


Step 2: Main Wash
Water temperature: Hot or Warm

Use the setting that will use the most water in the washer (if you're using the HE - high efficiency - or FL - front loader). In my washer, it's the "stain" setting. If your washer doesn't have this feature, you can either pour more water in yourself through the dispenser or add towels to make the load heavier (which tricks the washer into adding more water).



Steps 3-4: Rinse, Extra Rinse
Water temperature: Cold

You want to do an extra rinse to make sure all the detergent rinses out (no more bubbles / suds left after rinse). This will prevent build-up, which could cause leaks.

Clean diapers don't have any smell. Since your detergent doesn't have any perfume, the diapers should come out having no smell. If the diapers have a smell after this step, even mild stink, it's usually because you did not use enough detergent. You have to go back to Step 2 when this happens.


Step 5: Dry

Here is where there are several ways to do it:

a. Covers, pockets, AIO (all-in-one): Hang dry or dry on low heat. Covers and pockets have no absorbent layer so they dry quickly. There is debate on whether it's safe to put these in the dryer, whether it could damage the waterproof material or the elastic on the diaper. Low heat or air dry setting should be fine. It's up to you if you want to go hotter.

b. Inserts, flats, prefolds, fitteds: Can go in the dryer.

c. Wool: I don't use this, but I heard it should not go in the dryer or it will shrink and also lose it's super powers (read: become unusable).

d. Fleece: Hang dry or put in dryer inside out on low heat (to prevent pilling).