One of the most intimidating things about cloth diapering a child is the actual washing of the diapers. There’s a different routine for every cloth diapering family, but I’ll share the super easy routine that works for us. We tried and tested 11 different types of cloth diapers and you can read about that by clicking the link.
Here we go. We need a few items for our routine, besides the obligatory washing machine. We use a plastic bucket from Ikea with a lid, bumGenius Diaper Sprayer, and Country Save detergent.
Step One: After The Bear soils a diaper, we spray it off in the toilet with the diaper sprayer. We spray both poop and pee diapers, to help get the ammonia stink out of the cloth. The diaper then goes into the bucket, and the lid stays on til we are ready to wash.
Step Two: We wash our cloth diapers every other day. I turn on the washer on the heavy duty cycle with cold water, and let the water begin to fill. I add 1/4-1/3 the amount of Country Save detergent I would use for a normal load. I toss the diapers in, making sure the velcro tabs are closed so they don’t get crazy in the wash. Close the lid and run that sucker.
Step Three: After the cold wash finishes, I turn the dial back to heavy duty wash, but this time in hot water, with no detergent. Run it.
Step Four: We pull out the diapers and hang them on the clothesline if it is nice out or from the shower curtain if it is rainy.
And we’re done. We’ve learned a few things over this year+ of cloth diapering. Never soak your diapers because it damages the waterproof liner. Always double check your velcro/hook and loop. Don’t be afraid to start using cloth diapers. You CAN do it.
Do you use cloth diapers? What is your cloth diaper laundry routine?