The first step to preparing your cloth diapers is to make sure you have a laundry detergent that is free of enzymes, scents and brighteners that is safe for cloth diapers. For more information on cloth diaper safe detergents, we have a PDF file of recommended detergents or you can read our previous blog post about detergents to learn more about what ingredients to avoid.
The next step in preparing your cloth diapers is to determine whether they are made of natural or synthetic fibers. Stay dry, fleece, polyester, suedecloth and microfiber are all synthetic fabrics. Hemp, cotton and wool are natural fibers.
bumGenius 4.0 cloth diapers, Flip Stay Dry inserts and all Flip and Econobum covers are made from synthetic fibers. For these covers and inserts you only need to wash your covers and inserts once before the first use. Line dry the covers. bumGenius and Flip inserts can be tumbled dry on a medium heat setting.
bumGenius Elemental diapers, Flip Organic inserts, Econobum inserts and all Hemp Babies products are natural fibers. Items with natural fibers contain natural oils that need to be removed before they will be fully absorbent. This is why we recommend washing natural fibers 5 to 7 times in hot water with a little bit of detergent, drying between each wash cycle. If you do not fully prep these diapers, you may experience leaks, as they will not be fully absorbent.
For any wool products, we recommend hand washing in lukewarm water with wool wash and line drying.
If you have further questions about preparing your cloth diapers or need assistance in determining what type of fabric your cloth diapers are made from, give us a call at 1-888-332-2243 and we'd be glad to help.
I will be going to Mexico for the summer. I am wondering if there is any experience people out there that could give me some recommendations. What detergent brand to buy for my diapers? Would hand washing at any point be viable? I might rather hand wash than use a washing machine that might have to many residues...any comments or suggestions are welcome. Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteI personally use the laundry powder from Charlie's Soap. I was in Mexico a few months ago and had to hand wash everything, diapers, clothes, my husband's stinky socks...Charlie's is easy to transport, since you don't need much and it's a powder. My daughter is super sensitive to chemicals. I have been using them for years with wonderful results! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteAny advice on what to put dirty diapers in, currently have a wet bag, though room smells like pee still???
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ReplyDeleteHello - I have seen a few resources listing good detergents to use and absent on those lists are Seventh Generation Free and Clear. I saw one article note this was due to coconut derived surfactants. What effect does this have on the diapers?
ReplyDeleteIn re: the question on diaper pail...we are using the Munchkin/Arm & Hammer diaper pail and reusing the plastic bags the pail came with. So far so good...
After the extra washes to prep my elementals and flip organic inserts, can I wash them with my 4.0s and stay dry inserts? I've found conflicting advice. And even if I shouldn't right away, can I eventually after more oils are washed out of the cotton? I only have a few elementals/organics and didn't think through that it might double my laundry to get some of each kind.
ReplyDeletethanks so much for explaining all the differnt fibers and which brands are which fibers!
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