Caring for your cloth diapers is easier than you think!

The only extra items you will need are a diaper pail (a lidded trash can will do) and a hand bidet (optional, but useful for spraying solids into the toilet bowl).

Here is a step-by-step instruction on how to wash your diapers:

1. Remove dirty diaper from your baby. If soiled, shake solids into the toilet bowl, or use a hand bidet or mini shower to spray them off. If exclusively breastfeeding, there is no need to do this, since breastfed babies’ poop is water-soluble and will dissolve in the wash.


2. Remove any inserts or liners, then toss everything into the diaper pail. You can use a diaper pail liner to make it easier to carry all the diapers when it’s time to wash.


3. On wash day, simply dump everything into the washing machine. If washing by hand, follow the same process.


4. If the diapers are soiled, do a cold pre-wash. You can use an earth- and diaper-friendly stain and odor remover like Biokleen Bac-Out.


5. Run a hot wash with detergent.


6. Follow with a cold rinse.


7. Rinse until the water runs clear.


8. Dry on medium heat or hang to dry.

That’s it! Here are also a few tips to help your diapers perform better and to help extend their life:

• - Use the least amount of detergent possible. Using excessive amounts of detergent will result in build-ups and will cause your diapers to repel liquid instead of absorbing them. Generally, ¼ to ½ of the normal amount you use per load will do.


• - Do not use detergents with optical brighteners, phosphates, fragrances, enzymes and oil-based surfactants. We personally use Cycles laundry detergent, but you can also use regular Tide or regular Surf.


• - Do not use bleach. Bleach will break down the fibers of your diapers. It is also irritating to the skin, especially babies’ sensitive skin.


• - Do not fabric softeners. Fabric softeners will leave a residue on your diapers which will make them less absorbent.


• - Do not use diaper rash creams. They can leave an oily residue which can also make your diapers less absorbent. Babies generally do not get rashes when using cloth diapers. If you have to use a diaper rash cream, put a liner on top of the diaper.


• - Do not soak covers and PULs.


• - Ideally, PULs should be dried on high heat before first use, and every once in a while to keep them functioning like new.


• - Microfiber inserts and nylon covers (such as Bumkins) should be line dried.


• - Hemp and unbleached prefolds should be washed alone on hot 3-4 times to strip them of their natural oils. You may also boil them (not recommended for those with snaps) for 10-15 minutes, then follow with a hot wash and dry. After the initial priming, you may wash them with your other diapers. They will reach their maximum absorbency after 6-8 washes.


• - Wash your diapers at least every 2 days. The longer you go between washings, the harder it is to get stains and stink out.


• - Make sure to rinse the diapers well. Getting all the detergent out will prevent leaks, stink, and rashes.


• - Dry your diapers under the sun. The sun will naturally whiten and disinfect your diapers.


• - Every once in a while, or when you feel that your pocket diapers are not performing as well as they should (i.e. they start leaking even when the inserts are not fully saturated), strip your diapers to get rid of build-up.


• - Always follow the manufacturers’ washing instructions! The Eco Baby Boutique cannot be held liable for any damage that may occur while following the above instructions.

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