how to laundre cloth diapers?

Question

I am thinking of using cloth diapers for my next baby. How do i laundre them without getting poop all over ther place. Has any one used cloth diapers and how do you launder them?

Answer 1

hire a diaper service

Answer 2

Cloth diapers are a great idea! Better for the planet and babies skin!

Alison S had a good answer, but I'd like to tell you how we do ours. i use cloth currently for my 21 month-old and also CDd my daughter for 2 years, she is now 10 y.o.

We mostly use prefolds and PUL covers, as well as some pocket diapers and fitteds. No pins or plastic pants.

I keep a pail with a lid in the bathroom, it is lined with a waterproof bag. At first, when they had breastfed poop I just threw the diaper (and cover if poo got on it) in the pail and washed every 3 days. When it started to get more solid I dumped it into the toilet and then threw the diaper into the pail. I empty the bag into the washer (we have a front-loading high efficiency washer), wash on hot with a bit of All Free and Clear detergent and some vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser. I dry everything on hot and that's it.

I even washed our cloth when I was a single, working mom. There was no way I could've afforded to throw away $40 in diapers each month. The best part is cloth is infinitely reusable. My son is still wearing some diapers my daughter wore 10 years ago!

Answer 3

OK, why are some people so dismissive of other people's choice to use cloth diapers? I mean, it's not your kid, not your laundry, so why do you even care?

I am a part time cloth diaperer here. We also do Elimination Communication. I never use disposable diapers.

Cloth diapers are easy and convenient to use and clean. In my experience they are better quality than disposables (which I've used on vacation but other than that I never use them). You have fewer blow outs and leaks than with disposables when you use cloth.

While they're young and exclusively brestfed, I simply throw the diapers in the diaper pail (just a garbage can with a lid) and throw them in the washer. I don't do any kind of wet pail treatment like some people will swear by, it's not necessary and it's a drowning hazard. I just run a pre rinse in cold before I start a wash.

When they get older and their poop is stickier and full of solid foods rather than breastmilk, it is easy to get the poop off by installing a mini shower. I installed it right by the toilet and just spray off the diapers into the toilet bowl, and just chuck them into the diaper pail. I also do a pre rinse to get off the extra bits that the shower missed, but you don't have to do the rinse at all if you don't want.

For washing, I use a tiny bit of landry soap (about a tenth of what is normally required) and I put white vinegar in my rinse compartment. I do this because I get build up issues with my diapers and I found that this is the best method for me. I buy the vinegar at a warehouse store (Costco) and it's super cheap. I do a hot wash with a double cold rinse (mostly to get out the vinegary smell). I just dry it in hot and I'm done. This might add 5-10 minutes extra work over disposables tops (if you count trips to the store you don't have to make and putting smelly disposable diapers out in the garbage outside it evens out). I often will just use the diapers out of the laundry basket so I don't have to fold them.

I work full time also, so it's not really a big deal even with working busy moms. Cloth diapering is so easy and I love it!

Answer 4

I use cloth full time here! First of all-no bleach like everyone probably tells you. That breaks down the fabric and is bad for the environment. If a baby is breastfed, the poo dissolves in the wash. If that grosses you out you can buy a diaper sprayer that attaches to the toilet-no dunking! Once the baby eats solids, the poo kinda plops in the toilet. Also, any stains can sun out, just lay them outside if it is sunny. I use sportwash (found at walmart), but here's a list of safe ones http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoices.htm that site also has tons of great tips for washing. You only need a few tablespoons of detergent, otherwise you get build up. If it's warm outside I line dry them, otherwise I throw the dipes in the dryer on low. I'll list a bunch of sites for you, you'll be suprised how far cloth diapers have come, they're not just flats and pins anymore! Oh, and whoever says they smell, they don't. I get comments about how nice my house smells, disposables freaking stink! We were at the mall today in the family restroom, I nearly threw up when I walked by the trashcan full of dirty diapers.
People choose cloth diapers because disposables are linked to asthma, cancer, and infertility. That gel stuff in disposables was banned from tampons, yet it's allowed in disposables! They take hundreds of years to decompose. I only do a few extra loads of laundry a week, minimal impact on the enivornment. Also, it's estimated that cloth saves a family $2000 for the first child and can be reused for the future siblings. Also, cloth diapered babies potty train earlier most of the time. Don't say it's gross unless you know what you're talking about!

Answer 5

Wow, good question...It's been 15 yrs since I used cloth, and it is a nasty chore.

You can buy liners to go inside the diaper that you can pull out, poop and all. Then you dump the poo in the potty and flush, but the liner is not flushable (unless they've changed)

I had a diaper pail and washed daily. Hot water rinse, wash with detergent, then I double rinsed. Wow, lots of water and electricity on that. When he got a little older I only rinsed once.

Answer 6

you are going to want to flush any poop that comes off the diaper. Then put the diaper into the washer and add Clorox and borax. Borax is really good at getting dingy stains out. Also use regular laundry soap. That should do the trick. Also be careful because what makes worse stains is diarrhea.

Answer 7

I have babysat a baby who had cloth diapers and let me say-they are a complete mess to use.I understand that they cost alot of money to use regular diapers and cloth would save you but do you really want the mess?You have to scoop the poop into a toilet to flush and then wash them immediately or else the whole house will smell.

Answer 8

Why do people choose to use cloth diapers? I mean, I get that they're cheaper, but is it really worth the hassle? Man, I wouldn't use those if someone paid me (unless my kid was allergic to regular diapers)...cloth diapers are dirty and smelly and that's just a gross chore I would not embark on. Diapers were invented to make mom's lives easier!

Answer 9

I am not sure how you LAUNDRY them... good question.