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How to Prep Your New Diapers Before Use
Microfiber/Suedecloth/Microfleece/Covers: (bumGenius
Pocket, FuzziBunz, KaWaii Heavy Duty/Snazzy Minky/Ultra Soft, Rump-a-rooz,
Bum-Ware, etc.
Wash once in hot water with a small amount of
detergent. Dry on medium/medium-high heat. You’re ready to go!
Diapers made with Cotton, Bamboo, or Hemp: (bumGenius
Elementals, Gro-Via, Flip Organic Inserts, Bumboo Bamboo Fitteds, KaWaii Bamboo
Pockets, Clover Fitteds, etc.)
These diapers still have their natural oils in them which
need to be removed before the diaper will absorb. Wash 3-5 times in HOT
water with a small amount of detergent. Dry on Warm. Wash
separately from synthetic diapers while being prepped! After prepping,
you may wash all your diapers together. Keep in mind that these diapers
will continue to gain absorbency until they’ve been washed at least 10 times!
Cotton Prefolds:
Wash 3-5 times in HOT water with a small amount of detergent.
Dry on High Heat between each wash. Prefolds will shrink considerably,
become very soft, and “quilt up” during this process. Wash separately
from synthetic diapers while being prepped! After prepping, you may wash
all your diapers together.
Our Basic Wash Routine:
- Shake
off the solids into the toilet or use your diaper sprayer to spray off as much
‘poo’ as possible. You can also use a disposable diaper liner to make
this job super easy! (Newborn breastfed baby poo can go directly in your
diaper pail – no extra steps necessary.) Toss diaper into diaper pail or
wet bag. (If using pocket diapers, remove the insert first!)
- Wash
your diapers every 2-3 days. On wash day, take your pail liner or wet bag
full of diapers to your washing machine and dump them in! Toss the pail
liner or wet bag in, too!
- Start
with a pre-wash cycle or short wash cycle on WARM. No detergent.
Use as much water as you can. (For an HE washer, try using the delicate
or comforter cycle.)
- LONG,
HOT wash with detergent. (Do NOT use the sanitary cycle.) If using
a detergent not specifically formulated for use with cloth diapers, start by
using approximately ˝ of the manufacturer’s recommended amount. (Check
below for our list of recommended detergents.)
- Extra
Rinse on the end.
- Hang
dry or dry in the dryer on Medium heat. (We recommend hang
drying covers and pocket diapers. Dry All-In-Ones, inserts, fitteds, and
prefolds in the dryer.) Lay in direct sunlight to remove
a stubborn stain!
Recommended Detergents:
We love detergents specially formulated for use with cloth
diapers, such as Thirsties Pre Wash and Super Wash, Eco Sprout, and Rockin’
Green. (If you have a front loader or soft water, we especially love
Thirsties!)
If you are looking for an economical detergent that you can
use on both your diapers and your laundry, we recommend Country Save Detergent.
If you’re wondering how your current detergent rates or
looking for more recommendations, take a look at this list from Bummis.
It is one of the most comprehensive lists we’ve found! http://www.bummis.com/media/detergent-information.pdf
Note about Diaper Creams:
Always avoid diaper creams with cod liver oil or any other
fish oils. The following is a short list of cloth diaper friendly creams,
a few of which are commercially available.
- California Baby
- Method (available at Target)
- CJ’s BUTTer
- Grandma El’s
- Gro-Via Magic Stick
- LuSa Organics Booty Balm
- Motherlove Diaper Rash & Thrush Salve
- Angel Baby Bottom Balm
- Northern Essence
- Organic Coconut Oil
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