Maintenance of cloth diapers
must-have stuff!
Discover some essential tips to make it easier to maintain cloth diapers at home. To learn more about their general maintenance, do not hesitate to consult our dedicated section. You will find detailed information on washing routines, cleaning, disinfection and many other practical tips.
Before you embark on this adventure, there is an essential first step to follow…
1. Check your water type (soft or hard)
Knowing the hardness of your water is a key step in choosing the right laundry detergent. If you use city water, this information is usually available online or from your local municipality. Whether your water comes from a mains or a well, you can also use hardness test strips, a simple and effective solution. They are available at pool stores or even pet stores.
Why is this important?
Because if you have hard water and don’t use the right detergent, it can cause problems with your cloth diapers in the long run.
What is the difference with hard water?
Hard water is very high in minerals. The problem is that they tend to get lodged in the fibers of the diapers which can create problems with odors, absorption, unexplained red buttocks until they make the diaper and/or the inserts waterproof. And let’s just say that’s the last thing you want!!
How to qualify the hardness of its water?
Less than 60 ppm, soft water
60 to 80 ppm, moderate water
80 to 120 ppm, very moderate
120 to 180 ppm, hard water
180 ppm and above, very hard water.
From 80 ppm, the mineral content is too high, it will have to be considered as hard water. In this case you will need to use either powdered detergent or add sodium percarbonate or soda crystals to your liquid detergent which will neutralize the minerals.
Detergent to avoid
No matter how hard your water is, the key is to avoid baby detergents, as they are not concentrated enough to effectively clean cloth diapers. Also, make sure your detergent does not contain fabric softener. There is no need to opt for a specialized product: in most cases, a regular detergent that you already use at home will do the job just fine.
2. Do you air dry your diapers?
Quick tip, tumble dry them on low heat at least once a month. This will help reseal the polyurethane waterproof membrane and prevent any potential leaks.
IMPORTANT: Allow your diapers to cool before handling them and avoid overdrying them, as this can damage them. However, it is a good idea to tumble dry your inserts as this tightens the fibers and helps prevent leaks.
3. Do you have tasks?
The best remedy: expose them to the sun right after washing, while still wet. The sun is an excellent natural stain remover and also has antibacterial properties. However, avoid hanging them outside too often, as this could dry out and weaken the elastics prematurely.
4. How many diapers for a load?
When you do a load make sure you fill the tub of your washer to at least half of its capacity, without exceeding 3/4 to promote friction and ensure that everything will be washed well. If you have less, you can add small items, such as washcloths, underwear, washable sanitary napkins or reusable toilet paper, etc.
5. Storage
Between washes, it’s best to store your diapers in an open bag to avoid moisture buildup and odors. If you rinse them, make sure they’re completely dry before storing them, unless you plan on doing a load of laundry soon. A good storage system should be odor-free. Here’s a quick tip: Add a washcloth with a few drops of essential oil to your bag for a touch of freshness.
6. Teething
Oxiclean can be a solution to eliminate particularly strong odors during periods of teething. To be used during the second wash cycle, if needed.
7. Liners
Not to mention the disposable or washable liners that are very popular for making it easier to pick up solids! They also avoid having to clean up stools in hard-to-reach corners. Note that for exclusively breastfed babies, pads are not necessary, because their stools are water-soluble and can be washed directly in the washing machine.
Do you have questions about Cloth diaper care? Contact us, we will be happy to help you.