Tips and Advice

Cloth diapering tip and advice we have collected over the past 12 years.

• For safety reasons, when using a wet pail method (soaking cloth diapers) only use a pail with a locking lid.
• Follow the manufacturer's washing and care guide.
• Cotton Diapers will need to be washed and dried a few time priors to use to reach their maximum absorption ability. Non treated fabric may require a few more washings.
• Diaper covers can be aired to dry in-between uses, unless it is soiled or smells of urine.
• Covers should be washed separate from diapers to extend the life of the cover. Rinse stool off the soiled diaper covers as soon as possible. Most covers can be washed with other clothes unless they have special washing instructions such as wool covers. Always follow manufactures care guide. PUL Covers can hang to dry in a short amount of time.
• To prevent Velcro or hook and loop closure diapers from tangling and reduce the lint build-up in the tabs, Be sure to fasten the fold back tabs prior to laundering. Do not fret if you forget to fold the tabs back. Simply use the fine end of a comb to clean out any lint that may get in there.
• Diaper liners can help prevent staining and provide for easier cleanup.
• It is recommended to use the suggested amount of laundry detergent from the dergerent manufacture. 
• Use an extra rinse cycle. Set your washing machine to an extra rinse cycle or if your machine does not have an extra rinse setting, you can manually move the dial to the rinse cycle.
• By using an extra spin cycle after washing a load of diapers, it will reduce the drying time up to 25%.
• Adding a dry towel to the dryer will decrease drying time even more.
• Line-dry diapers to save on drying cost. The sun will naturally disinfect and will remove some stains. If diapers are a little stiff, put them in the dryer for 5 minutes to fluff up the fabric.
• Turn All-In-Ones, Pull-On Pants and all training pants inside-out prior to laundering.
• Avoid the use fabric softener because it leaves a waxy coating on the fabric, which will reduce the absorbency and may cause rashes.
• Avoid the use of CHLORINE BLEACH- Chlorine bleach is hard on fabric and prematurely breaks it down. It will also irritate your baby's skin causing rashes.
• Avoid laundry detergents that contain optical brighteners, fabric conditioners, chlorine-bleaching agents, or any stain guard ingredients.