This is a title
The method of washing determines exactly how long and well a cloth diaper will last. If anything about poo, pee and scrubbing makes you squeamish then you need to look deeply into your soul and ponder cloth diapering.
There is a lot of washing involved and lets be honest, you're going to get excrement on yourself. But to be even more honest, you're going to get poo on yourself regardless because you're going to have, or already do have a baby.
It's not that bad. Next to being a sleepless zombie, getting poo on ones hands is almost thrilling!
All right maybe not quite, but rubber gloves can prevent one from getting too messy in any event.
SO - how is it best done?
There are several determining factors, some of which are personal preference and are dictated by how much time one has (or is willing) to dedicate to the chore.
There is a lot of washing involved and lets be honest, you're going to get excrement on yourself. But to be even more honest, you're going to get poo on yourself regardless because you're going to have, or already do have a baby.
It's not that bad. Next to being a sleepless zombie, getting poo on ones hands is almost thrilling!
All right maybe not quite, but rubber gloves can prevent one from getting too messy in any event.
SO - how is it best done?
There are several determining factors, some of which are personal preference and are dictated by how much time one has (or is willing) to dedicate to the chore.
This is title 2
There is preparation involved prior to the actual washing of a cloth diaper and these steps are essential to prolonging their lives and keeping them in top working order.
a) always rinse out both diaper and inserts following a change. Run them under warm water in the sink, swish and squeeze them out.
b) in the event that your baby has given you a yellow or brown masterpiece, dump as much of it into the toilet as possible then rinse out the remainder.
c) toss the rinsed diaper and inserts into a plastic pail, bucket or rubbermaid until ready to begin a load.
If you're looking for alternative ways to wash diapers or want to cut down on water and energy use, then consider a wash pod! We call it a wash pod because it is exceptionally pod like. In actuality it's called a WonderWash (slightly more difficult way of referring to it, especially when fighting for words in the general sleepless stupor of new parentage).
It is known that washing machines use a behemoth amount of water each load, small or not. Anyone with the unwelcome experience of high electricity bills knows deep down the hot water tank is largely to blame. While on a quest to find an alternative to using hot water in the washing machine, the WonderWash was discovered and put through its paces.
It has an approximate 8 gallon capacity which is able to handle the washing of 30 cloth diapers in two loads.
The only downside of its design is the frame. The frame is flimsy and if you are of the mind, as I certainly was, to crank the handle forcefully, then it wobbles and pitches about (despite the suction cups on the bottom). Knowing that the rest of it, the pod, lid and water spout were fine, we fixed it by constructing a wooden frame. This 1000% improvement kept the pod better balanced and made it possible to vigorously crank the handle during washes.
This is title 3
Virtually every household has a washing machine. If your living situation doesn't provide you with one, there are alternatives that work very well; see the washing alternatives section.
a) dump the rinsed diapers and inserts into the washing machine
b) fill a plastic container with warm water (size isn't an issue). Add 1 tablespoon each of washing soda and borax. Stir to ensure it gets properly dissolved.
c) choose a medium load and a short, warm wash cycle. Add the washing soda/borax solution.
d) line or rack dry.
a) dump the rinsed diapers and inserts into the washing machine
b) fill a plastic container with warm water (size isn't an issue). Add 1 tablespoon each of washing soda and borax. Stir to ensure it gets properly dissolved.
c) choose a medium load and a short, warm wash cycle. Add the washing soda/borax solution.
d) line or rack dry.
This is title 4
Hand washing cloth diapers is the ultimate treatment, though is understandably not possible for a lot of families. However, it is a super-wonderful-grand-amazing thing to do for diaper longevity and even doing it every now and then will save them that extra bit more.
a) rinse diapers and inserts as indicated above.
b) when ready to begin a load, fill a large sink or rubbermaid with at least 8 gallons of warm water.
c) sprinkle 1 tablespoon each of washing soda and borax over the water and stir to ensure it's dissolved well.
d) add diapers and make sure they're well submerged. Swish and let sit for approximately 15 minutes.
e) take diapers one by one, fold them in half and rub them together, squeeze and squish.
f) if there are any obviously soiled inserts due to yellow or brown masterpieces, apply a stain fighting soap (hand made cold process soap with zero superfat is perfect for this) and rub vigorously.
g) place washed diapers and inserts into an empty rubbermaid or sink, drain the grey water.
h) rinse inserts that have been soaped separately. Rinse them thoroughly.
i) rinse diapers very well by running them under the tap and hand wringing. This can be cold if preferred.
j) line or rack dry. There will be dripping when using this method so if rack drying, hanging them over the sink or placing a towel, bucket or large rubbermaid to catch the drips is a wise plan.
If you're looking for alternative ways to wash diapers or want to cut down on water and energy use, then consider a wash pod! We call it a wash pod because it is exceptionally pod like. In actuality it's called a WonderWash (slightly more difficult way of referring to it, especially when fighting for words in the general sleepless stupor of new parentage).
It is known that washing machines use a behemoth amount of water each load, small or not. Anyone with the unwelcome experience of high electricity bills knows deep down the hot water tank is largely to blame. While on a quest to find an alternative to using hot water in the washing machine, the WonderWash was discovered and put through its paces.
It has an approximate 8 gallon capacity which is able to handle the washing of 30 cloth diapers in two loads.
The only downside of its design is the frame. The frame is flimsy and if you are of the mind, as I certainly was, to crank the handle forcefully, then it wobbles and pitches about (despite the suction cups on the bottom). Knowing that the rest of it, the pod, lid and water spout were fine, we fixed it by constructing a wooden frame. This 1000% improvement kept the pod better balanced and made it possible to vigorously crank the handle during washes.
a) rinse diapers and inserts as indicated above.
b) when ready to begin a load, fill a large sink or rubbermaid with at least 8 gallons of warm water.
c) sprinkle 1 tablespoon each of washing soda and borax over the water and stir to ensure it's dissolved well.
d) add diapers and make sure they're well submerged. Swish and let sit for approximately 15 minutes.
e) take diapers one by one, fold them in half and rub them together, squeeze and squish.
f) if there are any obviously soiled inserts due to yellow or brown masterpieces, apply a stain fighting soap (hand made cold process soap with zero superfat is perfect for this) and rub vigorously.
g) place washed diapers and inserts into an empty rubbermaid or sink, drain the grey water.
h) rinse inserts that have been soaped separately. Rinse them thoroughly.
i) rinse diapers very well by running them under the tap and hand wringing. This can be cold if preferred.
j) line or rack dry. There will be dripping when using this method so if rack drying, hanging them over the sink or placing a towel, bucket or large rubbermaid to catch the drips is a wise plan.
If you're looking for alternative ways to wash diapers or want to cut down on water and energy use, then consider a wash pod! We call it a wash pod because it is exceptionally pod like. In actuality it's called a WonderWash (slightly more difficult way of referring to it, especially when fighting for words in the general sleepless stupor of new parentage).
It is known that washing machines use a behemoth amount of water each load, small or not. Anyone with the unwelcome experience of high electricity bills knows deep down the hot water tank is largely to blame. While on a quest to find an alternative to using hot water in the washing machine, the WonderWash was discovered and put through its paces.
It has an approximate 8 gallon capacity which is able to handle the washing of 30 cloth diapers in two loads.
The only downside of its design is the frame. The frame is flimsy and if you are of the mind, as I certainly was, to crank the handle forcefully, then it wobbles and pitches about (despite the suction cups on the bottom). Knowing that the rest of it, the pod, lid and water spout were fine, we fixed it by constructing a wooden frame. This 1000% improvement kept the pod better balanced and made it possible to vigorously crank the handle during washes.
This is title 5
If you're looking for alternative ways to wash diapers or want to cut down on water and energy use, then consider a wash pod! We call it a wash pod because it is exceptionally pod like. In actuality it's called a WonderWash (slightly more difficult way of referring to it, especially when fighting for words in the general sleepless stupor of new parentage).
It is known that washing machines use a behemoth amount of water each load, small or not. Anyone with the unwelcome experience of high electricity bills knows deep down the hot water tank is largely to blame. While on a quest to find an alternative to using hot water in the washing machine, the WonderWash was discovered and put through its paces.
It has an approximate 8 gallon capacity which is able to handle the washing of 30 cloth diapers in two loads.
The only downside of its design is the frame. The frame is flimsy and if you are of the mind, as I certainly was, to crank the handle forcefully, then it wobbles and pitches about (despite the suction cups on the bottom). Knowing that the rest of it, the pod, lid and water spout were fine, we fixed it by constructing a wooden frame. This 1000% improvement kept the pod better balanced and made it possible to vigorously crank the handle during washes.
It is known that washing machines use a behemoth amount of water each load, small or not. Anyone with the unwelcome experience of high electricity bills knows deep down the hot water tank is largely to blame. While on a quest to find an alternative to using hot water in the washing machine, the WonderWash was discovered and put through its paces.
It has an approximate 8 gallon capacity which is able to handle the washing of 30 cloth diapers in two loads.
The only downside of its design is the frame. The frame is flimsy and if you are of the mind, as I certainly was, to crank the handle forcefully, then it wobbles and pitches about (despite the suction cups on the bottom). Knowing that the rest of it, the pod, lid and water spout were fine, we fixed it by constructing a wooden frame. This 1000% improvement kept the pod better balanced and made it possible to vigorously crank the handle during washes.