prepping prefolds , how many washes?

[sagemomma]

ok how many washes for my tiny tush one size and unbleached chinese prefolds to be ready to go ?
also do i need to use detergent? i use soapnuts and if so do i have to put it in every time.

[Michigan Mama]

You hear differing opinions on this, I tend to think 3 wash/dry cycles would be enough to get most of the natural oils off - just know it won't be at full absorbancy yet. Some people boil them first and then jsut do 1 wash, but I've never tried that myself.

I would put the soapnuts in each time, because you want to make sure the natural oils get lifted off.

That's how I would do it for myself, even though some companies say to do as many as 5-6 prewashes!

[sagemomma]

wait wait wait . i have to dry them in between. they are on thier 3rd wash now.... i was just wondering when i could stop washing em , ha ha ha ha . ok well after this one in the dryer they go. thank you soooo much

[junipervt]

what I've always done is 1 hot wash w/ detergent - boil for 10min - another hot wash w/ detergent (extra cold rinse) - dry

they come out nice & fluffy

[Mal85]

I boiled all of mine with a dash of Dawn for 20 minutes. Then threw them in the wash for a hot wash/cold rinse (no detergent) then dried them. They came out beautifully quilted and SO soft.