How to Wash BumGenius 3.0 Cloth Diapers

Everyone who cloth diapers has their own methods and techniques that work for them when it comes to washing cloth diapers. I have been using the BumGenius 3.0 cloth diapers (the All-In-Ones as well as the One-Sizes). There is a tried and true method I use that has worked for me after much trial and error. You probably have felt the frustration I did when initially learning how to cloth diaper. There is so much information out there, so much to learn and know that it can easily be discouraging. The directions included on how to wash BumGenius 3.0 cloth diapers are based on use with a top loading washer.

First of all, there are many detergents that can be used and many that simply can not. I personally use Allen's Naturally detergent. It is extremely mild, does not leave any residue, cleans with just a tiny bit of detergent, and is actually good for the environment. It has no additives that are not necessary, such as colors or perfume. To find out more about detergents you can use, check out this website:
http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html

With the BumGenious 3.0 cloth diapers, I remove all inserts, unsnap all buttons, and attach all laundry tabs as I put the dirty diaper in the washing machine. When the washing machine is full, I add two or three pumps of Allen's Naturally. I close the washing machine and set it to : Heavy wash, cold water, and super high (for the load). I was a large amount of cloth diapers at once. If you wash every few day, you may not have such a huge amount as I was, so adjust the settings accordingly. This first wash is going to help clean the diapers. But a huge problem with cloth diapers is leaking, and most of the leaking is caused by leftover detergent in the cloth diaper inserts themselves.

To avoid leaking, I do a second wash after the first is completely done. This second wash is different because the water will be set to 'hot' instead of cold, with the other settings will on Heavy and Super High load. With the hot water, I add a few squirts of the blue Dawn detergent. This is a technique known as stripping. Stripping will remove any build up and stink that cloth diapers accumulate over time. I do it with every washing day as a maintenance and preventative measure. When stripping with Dawn dishwashing detergent, you have to make sure that all the detergent is gone before the diapers are put in the dryer, or hung out to dry. So to ensure this, you check for bubbles and suds during the washing.

When this hot water/detergent cycle is completed, I set the water temperature to Cold again, and wash the diapers with nothing but water two and sometimes three times. I do this to make sure there is no Allen's Naturally or Dawn detergent in the diapers.

Sometimes, there are stubborn stains in the BumGenius 3.0 cloth diapers. For me, the stains usually are a result of some pretty scary baby defecate that doesn't want to come out. If you notice that the diapers are stained still after the hot water/Dawn cycle, what you can do is add a capful of bleach to the bleach dispenser and then go through another wash of Hot water/Heavy/High Load. Use bleach sparingly and not every time you wash, however. Bleach is very harsh on the fabrics of the diapers, it can wear down the cloth diaper fibers over time. My diapers are still absorbent and wonderful after much use for over a year with two children, and I have used the bleach cycle maybe 4 or 5 times. I only use this for extreme staining that simply won't come out, or for stink that can't be addressed with only detergent. Use this technique sparingly and only when highly required. It does work, but after using the bleach method, you have to rinse quit a bit! After using bleach, I do a full Cold water/Heavy/High Load wash 3 times to make sure the bleach is out. If there is any bleach left in the cloth diapers, it could cause irritation on the baby's bottom...never a good thing.

As for me and my diapers, I put them to dry in the dryer until the dryer alerts me that they are dry. Granted, the All-In-Ones take longer to dry. You can always hang the diapers to dry on a clothes line. This part is up to you. After the diapers are dry, you can pre-stuff them or just put them away to make as you go. Hopefully, this wash cycle works for you. Just remember that rinsing is very, very important. The reason I add a few more wash cycles after the hot/dawn cycle is to ensure that no detergent is left. You can use this method and even adjust it to your own personal needs or preferences. Good luck and may you be surrounded by a heap of clean, fresh smelling diapers!