Do you have a diaper service? If not, and if you choose cloth diapers, you will enter the world of laundry in a big way. Never fear, though – cloth diapering is much cheaper than disposables, and the extra work of laundry does not need to be overwhelming.
The first order of business is to get those diapers clean. Diapers do get dirty. I have never demanded perfect whiteness from my diapers. In fact, we got unbleached diapers, a reassuring cream color that did not show stains as easily as a bleached cotton diaper. Cleaning diapers is a fine balance – you don’t want to expose your baby to harsh detergents, but you don’t want your diapers to have huge stains on them or have a lingering odor of baby bottom. Here are some tips to get your diapers clean without harsh detergents.
Remove any baby poop before placing the diapers in a wet or a dry pail. You do not want the diapers to sit and stew for a day or so. This gets smelly. If the thought of removing this makes you shudder, it’s possible to get a little water sprayer that attaches to the toilet and allows you to spray off the residue. Alternatively, keep a selection of small rags beside the toilet.
You want a detergent that cleans your diapers and protects your baby’s skin. Although pure soaps are lovely, they are not a good choice for washing diapers. Soap makes diapers less absorbent. Look for a laundry detergent that does not involve fragrances and dyes. These are not necessary for your diapers and can cause some people to have allergic reactions. Minimize the likelihood of reactions by choosing a laundry product without them. Harsh cleaners and bleach can also reduce the integrity of your diaper fabric and whitening enzymes in the detergent can cause nasty diaper rashes. Simpler is better when it comes to laundry detergent. If you are going to use the diapers for more than one baby, you want them to be in good condition. Use baking soda instead of bleach.
Try to wash your diapers every day or two. Depending on the size of your diaper stash, you may be able to go longer without washing. If you’re nervous about stains, keep the diapers in a wet pail. Put in a couple of tablespoons of baking soda to neutralize the urine and reduce odors. I like to clean the diapers every two days anyway. Change the water in the pail if you are not able to do diapers regularly. If you are worried about smells in your diapers, add a drop of Tea Tree oil to the mix.
Do you have any tips that help keep your baby’s diapers clean?