Cloth diapers may seem like a big hassle, but don’t worry – we have all the information and advice you need! We’ll take you through how to wash cloth diapers, which detergent is the best to use, how to store dirty cloth diapers before washing and how many you’ll want to have on hand. We’ll give you all the info you need about the newest (old) trend in baby-wear! Just follow Tide’s step-by-step guide to washing cloth diapers, and check out the tips and tricks below.
What you 'll find in this article:
How to Wash Cloth Diapers
1. Rinse
If the dirty diaper has some solid number twos in it, just shake the waste off into the toilet, or use a diaper sprayer to rinse with cold water. For breastfeeding babies you don’t have to worry too much about this step, because their poop is water-soluble!
2. Pre-treat
For tough stains, both a cold water rinse and a pre-soak in a mix of water and Tide Ultra OXI Powder will do wonders.
3. Load
Place the pre-treated cloth diaper directly into the washing machine without rinsing. This will ensure a deeper clean.
4. Wash
The golden rule for washing is to use the highest temperature the garment permits, so always follow the care instructions on the garment.
5. Unload
When the cycle is complete, unload the cloth diapers promptly.
6. Drying
Line drying outside is one option, weather permitting, and the sun can help naturally bleach stubborn stains. If you decide to tumble dry, use a medium heat setting to preserve the cloths’ softness.
Tip: Read our laundry symbol guide to understand the symbols on your fabric care labels. These symbols tell you everything you need to know about washing and drying specific garments, including what water temperature to use, whether you can tumble dry, and if so, on what temperature.
How Many Diapers Do I Need
How many diapers you’ll need depends on your own laundry schedule. For some families, two dozen is a good number to start with, and others prefer to have more on hand, with about 35-40 in rotation. You can count on your little one going through about eight to ten diapers each day, so you may find it useful to have at least enough cloth diapers to get through two or three days between washes. For sanitary reasons, it’s best not to let dirty diapers sit for longer than two or three days, and this also helps prevent stains from setting.
What Is the Best Detergent for Washing Cloth Diapers?
Powder detergents like Tide Ultra OXI Powder are the most effective for cloth diapers. This high-performance powder detergent comes with built-in pre-treaters, surfactants, and enzymes, which attack the toughest stains and target odors that are set in clothing fibers.
Even though babies are small and cute, their poops aren’t so innocent. If you’re looking to fight other non-poop-related stains, check out the other members of the Tide Ultra OXI Collection!
Preparing Your Laundry: How to Store Dirty Cloth Diapers Before Washing
In between washes, store dirty diapers in a plastic-lined bin (with a lid). You can also store them in moisture-proof wet bags that you can wash with the diapers as needed (make sure you’ve removed any solid waste first). Tide Ultra OXI Powder can tackle stains up to 14 days old, but it’s best not to let diapers sit unwashed for more than a few days.
Cloth diapers are surprisingly easy to clean. With a strong, diaper-safe detergent like Tide Ultra OXI Powder, you’ll see how easy it is to clean a cloth diaper using any machine.