Some Washing Tips from Doable Diapers

Preparing your diapers for use:

1. Always pre-wash your diapers before using them on your baby!
2. Hemp and organic/unbleached cotton products need to be washed several times before use to obtain maximum absorbency. There are natural oils on these products which need to be removed before they will be absorbent. We recommend washing them separately from your other diapers with warm or hot water until the items are completely prepped. You will have leaks if you do not do this preparation.

Notes on detergent:

1. Use ¼ the amount of recommended detergent for a front loading machine.
2. Use ½ the amount of recommended detergent for a top loading machine.
3. Avoid detergents with additives: fabric softeners, whiteners, brighteners, fragrance, bleach, or free & clear formulas. These will cause a residue on your diapers and inserts which can lead to leaking and repelling.
4. Detergents that are cloth diaper safe include Rockin’ Green (available at Doable Diapers), Country Save, Charlie’s Soap, and Tiny Bubbles to name a few. If you are using a cloth diaper detergent (such as Rockin’ Green), use the entire recommended amount in your wash cycle.
5. NO FABRIC SOFTENER OR BLEACH!

A “normal” wash routine goes something like this:

1. Cold pre-rinse or short wash to get all of the yuckies off. Set water level to highest possible to thoroughly rinse diapers. Detergent is optional in this cycle.
2. Hot wash (heavy duty cycle) with detergent. Set water level appropriate to load size. Use a detergent recommended by the manufacturer.
3. Warm or cold rinse. Running an additional rinse after the wash cycle is helpful!
4. Line dry items containing PUL or TPU to prolong their life, or machine dry for 10-15 minutes and then remove. Line or machine dry inserts, prefolds, and other items.

Keep in mind that there are many variables in a wash cycle – everyone has a different machine, different water composition, and different detergent. This is a basic and simple wash routine.

Some tips to help your washing routine:

• Do not soak your diapers on a regular basis. A dry pail is recommended. Remove solids before placing in pail.
• Occasionally you may want to soak your diapers with Rockin’ Green to get everything completely out of your diapers/inserts and remove any build-up. Soaking is not recommended for PUL/TPU products.
• Vinegar helps to naturally break down residues, and also softens the fabric. Add up to ¼ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. You can use the fabric softener dispenser on your machine.
• Baking soda will help with odors. Use 1-2 tablespoons in the initial cold water rinse.
• Funk Rock by Rockin’ Green is great for ammonia odors. You can add a tablespoon to each pre-rinse, or just do an occasional soak with 4 tablespoons.
• You can occasionally bleach you microfiber inserts only to help remove build-up. Use 1-2 tablespoons. Never bleach PUL items.

What if my diapers are stinky or leaking?

You may have build-up or residue on your diapers. This can come from using the wrong detergent, hard water, or just over time. You likely need to strip your diapers. Don’t be afraid – it’s not very hard! There are several methods for stripping, and more details can be found on our blog or website.

Disclaimer: These are our recommendations based on personal experience. Always check the manufacturer guidelines for washing and care instructions for your cloth diapers. This information can be found under the FAQ section of our website . Doable Diapers is not responsible for damaged diapers or voided warranties that results from following these recommendations.