Washing Cloth Diapers - It's Easier Than You Think

So you've decided that washing cloth diapers will work for your family. You've purchased at least 2 dozen DSQ - diaper service quality - diapers, a minimum of 4 diaper covers, and a diaper pail. You've changed your baby's diapers for about a day or so. Maybe you've even used cloth diapers away from home. And now you have a pail full of dirty, smelly diapers. Now what?Actually the next few steps are easier than you think. Here is a simple method for washing cloth diapers.

Pail Talk
You can wash up to 2 dozen diapers per load. However, many diaper pails sold in department stores are too small to hold a full load of diapers. So, any large plastic container with a tight lid will work. Put wet diapers directly into the pail. Dump soiled diapers into the toilet first. No dunking is required. Your washing machine will do the rest. Also, it's not necessary to put water into the pail. This is a drowning hazard for small children. And the diapers will get clean regardless.

Wash Away
Washing cloth diapers is an easy process. Set the water level to high and choose a hot water setting with a cold water rinse. Add about ½ of the recommended laundry detergent. Then add your diapers. Simply dump the diapers from the pail directly into the washer.

During the rinse cycle add a ¼ cup of vinegar. This neutralizes the ph from the urine in the diapers. The first time you're washing cloth diapers, see how many minutes it takes for the rinse cycle to begin. From then on set a timer to alert yourself that it's time to add the vinegar.

Also, bleaching is not recommended when washing cloth diapers. This breaks down the fibers and shortens the life of the cloth.

What about the covers?
While you are washing cloth diapers just wash the diaper covers right along with them. Most covers are safe in the washer. Then hang them to dry, as putting covers in the dryer will eventually cause them to crack.

Drying Time
When washing cloth diapers keep in mind that they are highly absorbent. So usually a minimum of 60 minutes in the dryer is required to dry them adequately. Or you can air dry them in the sun. Both methods help sterilize the diapers.

Sanitation
After you've finished washing cloth diapers you can deodorize your washer by running it empty on a short cycle with ½ a cup of bleach or vinegar.

Washing cloth diapers isn't time consuming.
Laundry is an unavoidable task. And washing cloth diapers really doesn't require any more time than doing any other load of laundry. And depending on how often your baby needs to be changed, you will only add about 2 to 3 loads to your weekly washing.