Cloth Diaper Care: Dishwasher Stripping

If you've been using cloth diapers on your child for any length of time, you may need to strip them of any detergent residue to prevent odors and leaks. You can often strip them using the methods outlined in my article entitled "How to Strip Cloth Diapers." But sometimes it doesn't work. Maybe your water heater doesn't go high enough to really do the job, and your cloth diapers still end up stinky and leaky. Or maybe you have to use a Laundromat, and it takes a million quarters to get your diapers completely residue-free. But if you have a dishwasher, you can strip your diapers quickly and easily, right in your own kitchen.

Dishwasher stripping: Step 1 - Wash cloth diapers as usual

Before you begin, you need to start with clean diapers. Run them through a normal wash/rinse cycle as usual, with your normal amount of detergent and any other laundry additives such as vinegar or baking soda that you may use. (Cloth diapers should always be laundered in a dye-free, perfume-free detergent with no fabric softener to keep residue build-up and rashes to a minimum.) You do not need to dry the diapers, but it is a good idea to make sure they are rinsed well.

Dishwasher stripping: Step 2 - Load cloth diapers into the dishwasher

Once your diapers are clean, simply load them into the dishwasher. Diapers with PUL should be placed on the top rack to prevent damage to the laminate, but otherwise, anything goes. Make sure that your cloth diapers and inserts are secure, and will not fall into the bottom of the dishwasher and onto the heating element - the fabric will burn, and any fabric that touches the heating element will be ruined. Be sure that no loose tabs or fabric are hanging through the bottom rack. (Note: wool should never be put into the dishwasher, as the heat will strip it of its water-resistant and antibacterial properties, and you'll have to lanolize it all over again.)

Dishwasher stripping: Step 3 - Run the wash cycle

Run the dishwasher, with no detergent, on a normal wash/rinse cycle. The hot water will help break free any detergent residue that may be causing odor and leaks in your cloth diapers. If you like, check the diapers mid-cycle to be sure that no inserts or diapers have fallen near the heating element, and to watch the suds that will appear. You'll be amazed at how much residue there really is left on your cloth diapers, especially if you've never stripped them before.

Dishwasher stripping: Step 4 - Repeat as necessary

Chances are that one wash cycle in the dishwasher isn't going to do the job. You may need to run multiple wash cycles in order to remove all residue from your cloth diapers. One woman had to run her diapers through 8 cycles before the water ran clear. A rule of thumb: if there are suds in the dishwasher mid-cycle, there is still residue on the diapers, and you need to run another cycle.

Dishwasher stripping: Step 5 - Dry cloth diapers as usual

Once there are no more suds left in the dishwasher during the cycle, your cloth diapers are residue-free and ready to be dried as normal. Be sure that if you put them in the dryer, you do not use a cling-free sheet or any kind of fabric softener, as these will leave a residue and necessitate another stripping.