Cloth Diaper Care
1.
Be careful how you wash them!! Certain detergents, like Dreft, are TERRIBLE diaper killers!! Here is how I wash my son's diapers:
Average washing:
1. What I do is mix up a couple tbs (2 to 3) of Rockin Green and a gallon of water (I saved an old Poland Springs water jug).
2. I load my washer and pour the mix over the diapers. Then I set my front loading machine to "soak"
3. Once it finishes it's soak cycle, I switch it to a hot wash (NO DETERGENT).
4. Once that is done I dry on hot.
DEEP CLEAN:
Once every 1 to 2 weeks, I soak the diapers a few HOURS in a big
Rubbermaid tub in my bathtub with the Rockin green. I then drain the
water out into the bathtub and wash them on hot
in the washing machine with NO detergent.
2.
NEVER use fabric softener, bleach, Ivory Snow or
Dreft – these will ruin a diaper.
3.
Always avoid diaper creams with any fish oils –
these build up on cloth diapers. Many babies who use cloth diapers never have
skin issues because the cloth is better on their skin, however, if you use
cream , the following are the safest for cloth: Angel Baby Bottom Balm, Northern Essence Diaper Salve, Calmazing
Powder and Grandma El’s.
4.
Always wash diapers several times before their
first use. Doing so activates their absorbency. The more they are washed, the
more absorbent they become.
Cloth Diaper Dictionary
All-in-One (AIO) Diaper: These diapers consist of an
outer PUL cover and inner absorbent liners, which can be removed or are
permanently part of the diaper. Those that come with the liner built in take
longer to dry. These look like a disposable diaper and close with snaps or
Velcro.
One Size (OS): These popular diapers are one-size fits all (usually 8 lbs to 35 lbs) by utilizing a
variety of snaps built into the diaper. Basically, you can buy 20 diapers and
that is all you will ever need to buy!
Fitted Diaper: These look like regular disposable
diapers but are all fabric. They must be used with a waterproof cover. They
close with snaps or Velcro.
Cover: These waterproof covers are often made of PUL
go over the absorbent inner fabric, whether it be a flat diaper or fitted
diaper.
Flat or Prefold Diaper: These are the flat fabric
squares that you remember from the days of your grandmother. They must be used
with pins or grip closures and a waterproof cover.
PUL: Polyurethane laminate is basically a fabric that
has been laminated to make it waterproof. Most covers are made of this fabric.
