What You Should Know Before Washing Cloth Diapers
What You Should Know Before Washing Cloth Diapers
Deciding to use cloth diapers in favor of throwaways is an excellent step towards helping the environment and possibly saving some cash along the way. However, once the laundry bag is full, then what? There are hundreds of helpful websites designed to help with this question, but here are the essentials we at NJ Laundry Services thought you should know:
Rinsing and Pre-Wash
Breastfed infants have water-soluble fecal matter, so there isn't much to worry about when it comes to pre-treating the diapers. Though, if your baby takes formula or is eating solid foods, then rinsing and pre-washing are good ways to prevent stains and to keep your laundry room from smelling. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Consider investing in a Diaper Sprayer. This product attaches to your toilet and allows you to rinse off the diapers with no mess quickly.
- Diaper Liners. Why use diaper liners when trying to avoid the disposable option? The difference lies in how liners are designed to be flushed and decompose, allowing them to be beneficial to the planet. Not only are liners convenient when traveling, but they can significantly extend the life of the cloth.
- The power of baking soda. In between laundry days, it's a good idea to sprinkle in a little baking soda to keep bad smells at bay.
Step-by-Step Washing
Here are Very Well Family's steps on how to clean cloth diapers broken down:
- Make sure to choose a detergent that works for both the material of the cloth and the water in your area. If unsure, many cloth diaper companies provide their own detergent or guidelines on what you should use.
- Start with a cold rinse, then follow with a hot wash.
- The best way to dry is hanging in the sun. This is due to the sun's natural benefits against stains and fighting bacteria. If unable to hang outside, inside will work just as fine. Or try using your dryer on a low setting, so long as the manufacturer for your cloth diapers gives the thumbs up.
Things to Avoid
Taking care of your cloth diapers can help extend their lifetime of usage. Below are a few things you should avoid when washing:
- Overusing bleach. If you use bleach too often, it can lead to breaking down the fibers in the cloth. Furthermore, it may lead to skin irritation.
- Fabric softeners. Fabric softeners will adversely affect the absorbency of the cloth.
- Drying too hot. It will lead to the cloth losing some of its softness if you dry your diapers on your hottest setting.
Though we may not service cloth diapers, here at NJ Laundry Services, we offer professional cleanings and guidance for your clothing needs. Contact us today for more information on our eco-friendly detergent and softener, free pick-ups, and more!






