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Washing Instructions
All diaper orders come with specific washing instructions either from the manufacturers or Z. Bear Diapers. The following is a summary of the steps to washing your cloth diapers. For more information and helpful hints, see our Cloth Diapering Tips page.
Basic Instructions: Dry Pail Method
1. It is not necessary to use a wet pail with your cloth diapers. To use a dry pail method with babies who are breastfed or on formula only, simply remove inserts (pocket diapers only) and throw into dry diaper sack until ready to wash. Once baby has started solids, you will need to dunk or spray off solid poops into the toilet before putting diaper into the pail.
2. Put diapers and pail liner or sack in washer and use a Pre-Wash cycle. If your washer does not come with this option, do an initial rinse. Most washers allow you to run just a rinse cycle. Do this without any detergent and use the highest level of water. You can use warm/hot water, but if your load is not particularly stained or messy a cold rinse will work just fine. The point is just to remove soiled bits that didn't come off with dunking, or if baby is not on solids yet this will get rid of the poop prior to washing (Trust me when I say this is true. It really does all come out!).
3. After initial rinse, run a full HOT water wash cycle on with detergent of your choice. Please review our troubleshooting page for info about safe for cloth detergents. NEVER use fabric softener!! That will cause fleece to repel moisture and therefore make diapers leak. You only need a small amount of detergent. Generally, about a tablespoon for a full load is enough.
4. If your load is particularly soiled, a second rinse may be necessary. Also, if you observe that your diapers are staining or holding their smell, you'll want to do an extra rinse. For more helpful hints see troubleshooting.
5. Dry diapers on medium heat in dryer. This is actually good for keeping the fleece pilled which helps with absorbency. You can also line dry, but be sure you have enough diapers in your rotation to allow for drying time. Sunning your diapers is a great way to get rid of unwanted stains and smells.
The Detergent Debate
Finding the right detergent for your diapers can be a bit challenging these days. If you've done any reading up before this, you may have found that almost every opinion has a contradiction! So how can you know?? Well, the truth is, aside from a few simple across the board rules, the "right" detergent is entirely up to you, your baby's skin, and your home's water.
The few simple Detergent Rules:
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Absolutely NEVER use a detergent with fabric softeners or bleach in it. The softener will create a film on fleece lined diapers and cause wicking and leaking of the diapers. Bleach (aside from containing harmful dioxins) eats away at PUL which is what makes most diapers waterproof.
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"Free and Clear" detergents contain enzymes that also create a build up on fleece diapers, so stay away from these as well.
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Oxygen based detergents are okay, but rinse thoroughly and watch baby's skin to be sure a rash does not develop
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Baking Soda is another debatable ingredient. Some say it works well, others say it destroyed the diapers. I say when in doubt do without... You decide :) Traditionally, people with hard water tend to find baking soda helps their detergent work better.
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If you're really not sure what to use with your diapers, above all else consult the MANUFACTURER's website. All brand name diapers have a website (typically their name.com) and on these site they have a link to their preferred detergents. If you use what they suggest, and something goes wrong you have excellent grounds to take it up with them and get something for it. Also, these companies know their diapers best, and they are going to suggest what works best. If you have multiple brands, try to find the common denominator. Most of them will suggest the same care.
Want to know if your detergent is cloth friendly? Click on the image below to go to the Detergent Determinator! It's a fun way to see what's in your detergent!
Choosing and Using Detergent for Cloth DiapersSome detergent ingredients may coat diaper fabrics, impede absorbency and void product warranties. Check with the product manufacturer before choosing a detergent.
| Optimal Detergents |
How Much Detergent |
High Efficiency Considerations |
Ingredients to Avoid |
Allen's Naturally Powder /Liquid
Country Save Powder/Liquid
Planet Ultra Powder/Liquid
Planet 2X Ultra
Mountain Green Free & Clear
Mountain Green Free & Clear Baby
Tide Free*
*Use with caution. Contains enzymes, may cause rash or redness. |
When washing diapers, start by using 1/2 the detergent manufacturer’s suggested amount.
To determine the right amount, read the label and then carefully measure. |
Use an HE detergent.
Set water levels to high to be sure that diapers are cleaned and rinsed properly.
If the weight of the load determines the water level, put a wet towel
in with diapers to increase the weight of the load. |
Natural soaps
Dyes
Perfumes
Enzymes
Softeners
Fabric Enhancers
Optical Brighteners |
| Troubleshooting
Detergent Issues: Watch the second rinse for suds. Suds may indicate
that less detergent is necessary. If the diapers smell, slightly
increase the detergent and/or increase water level. |
References: Sarah Gesiakowski, Pinstripes & Polkadots;
Washing References From Cloth Diaper Manufacturers; The Great Detergent
Debate, 2008 members of the Reusable Diaper Manufacturers Group.
Disclaimer:
This information is offered as a public service and is not intended to
be a complete resource. Information is current as of September 2008 and
will be reviewed again in February 2009. Information is subject to
change. Keep in mind that detergent manufacturers change their formulas
without notice. Washing machines vary in capacity and water usage.
Water types vary by region. With issues not solved by the information
above, contact the product manufacturer for further instructions.
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