Take the Stress Out of Cloth Diaper Care
Whether you are a cloth diapering expert or a completely new starter, advice on how to wash your cloth diaper can be overwhelming.
We have condensed our decades of expertise and tips from successful cloth diapering parents to give you everything you need to get washing!
Simple Steps for Washing Cloth Diapers
1. Remove solids
Shake any solids directly into the toilet, or use a diaper sprayer to rinse off solid residue. No need to pre-rinse diapers that are only wet with urine.
2. Store or pre-treat
Store the diapers and inserts in a moisture- proof wet bag that you can wash, like our diaper pail. You can also store them in a plastic-lined bin or pre-soak them in a plastic bucket with cold water. It is best not to let diapers sit unwashed for more than a few days.
3. Wash
Wash diapers and inserts separatly from your regular loads. Remove the inserts first and throw in machine, with reusable wipes and wet bags. Wash warm (max 40C/104F), as high temperatures can damage the waterproof PUL fabric.
4. Dry
The most eco-friendly method it to line dry your diapers which also makes fabrics last longer. Sun can also help to naturally ‘bleach’ stubborn stains. Alternatively, you can tumble dry (low heat) washed diapers with other clothes to minimize the environmental impact of drying.
Still got questions on how to wash?
How do I remove poo from cloth diapers?
The fleece diaper lining is designed so that most solids will come off easily. Simply shake off as much solid waste as possible directly into the toilet, remove the diaper insert, and rinse the diaper under running water or using a diaper sprayer. You can also use an old dish brush or silicone spatula to remove any residue. For breastfeeding babies, you don’t have to worry too much about this step, because their poop is water-soluble! For easy cleanup, consider using our disposable liners. Simply lay a liner inside the diaper and lift any solid poo off at the diaper change. Drop the poo in the toilet and throw the lining sheet in the trash. Do not flush the liner.
How should I wash and dry cloth diapers?
Remove solids by shaking solid poo directly the toilet, or use a diaper sprayer. Store diapers in a moisture-proof wet bag until laundry day – for example, our hanging diaper pail. Remove inserts from the diaper pocket before washing.
Wash on warm (40°C/104°F max) with a full dose of good-quality detergent without fabric softener, and with plenty of agitation. The fabrics we use do not require high temperatures to get thoroughly clean. For a deeper-clean, you can run a second wash on cold or warm, again with a full dose of a good-quality detergent. Wash your reusable wipes and wet bag with your diapers.
We recommend line drying whenever possible, because it requires the least energy and the sun also helps to naturally "bleach" stains. You can also tumble dry diapers, inserts, wipes and accessories on low. Consider drying your clean diapers in the tumble dryer mixed with other clothes to save energy.
What is the best detergent for cloth diapers?
Always choose a detergent without fabric softener. Many cloth diaper parents prefer powder detergents like Tide Original powder or Tide Ultra Oxi, but liquid detergents like Tide Free & Gentle or the new Tide for Baby Cloth Diaper Detergent are also well-suited for cloth diapers, as they are hypoallergenic and don’t leave residue.
It is a myth that liquid detergents leave more residue on fabrics than powder, as the build-up is caused by the fatty acids in dirty laundry combined with minerals in hard water. So it is important to clean diapers well by using a detergent with plenty of surfactants, to not skimp on the detergent dosage and to ensure plenty of agitation during the wash cycle.
Can I use fabric softener, bleach or other additives?
Avoid the use of fabric softeners or detergents with fabric softeners when washing cloth diapers, as they can cause a build-up on fabrics that may decrease the absorbency of your diapers and inserts.
Non-chlorine bleach or oxygenated bleach is ok to use when needed, but avoid chlorinated bleach, as it may fade the cute prints or damage the waterproof fabric and elastics.
How do I get rid of stains on cloth diapers?
Charlie Banana® diapers with fleece lining are designed to resist stains. For stubborn stains, try "sunning" your washed diapers and inserts, so the UV rays can naturally "bleach" the stains.
If sun-bleaching is not possible, we recommend a deep-clean with non-chlorine bleach (rinse thoroughly), or a detergent with oxygenated bleach, like Tide Ultra Oxi powder. You can also spot-treat stains with a mixture of detergent + water, or with a stain remover or spot-treater. Make sure to wash the diapers after spot-treatment.
