Washing new unbleached prefolds

[LisaG]

I know you're supposed to wash them 5-7 times on hot, preferably with a non-chlorine bleach. Is there something I should look for that indicates they've been washed enough, or just pick a number and go for it?

[Mom2SammyJoe]

The diapers will quilt up when ready. You can test by pouring some water on a dry diaper. If the water soaks right in, you are good to go. If the water sits on top, keep going.
I just prepped a batch of bleached prefolds, and it only took 2 hot wash/cold rinse cycles with a warm dry in between. I was surprised, but they seem ready to go.

[confustication]

I boil mine for a few mins to save time and washes.

[LisaG]

Ok, well that brings up another question - I should be drying them in between washes? Wasn't sure if I could just do all the wash cycles and then 1 dry cycle or if I should dry in between.

Thanks!

[LionessMom]

i was never told to use bleach on mine. i washed 4 times in super hot with detergent with drying between and never had a problem.

[Mrs-Mama]

Drying in between washes helps the diapers quilt up faster, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary. I usually split the difference and wash-wash-dry, wash-wash-dry, etc. Also, I like to add a stockpot or two of boiling water to the wash to help things along.

[RGsMom]

I used them after about 3-4 washes, but just for short times until they were washed 8-10 times. After about 8 wash/dries, they should be good to go. And, Yes, you want to wash and dry each time.

[CookAMH]

I did the soak test on my [bleached] pfs and they were ready after 3 washes and dries. Not sure if unbleached need more or not...

[LisaG]

Originally Posted by CookAMH

I did the soak test on my [bleached] pfs and they were ready after 3 washes and dries. Not sure if unbleached need more or not...

I think unbleached need more because there's a wax that occurs with the unbleached fibers.

[fruitfulmomma]

preferably with a non-chlorine bleach.

Why would you need any bleach?

[LisaG]

Originally Posted by fruitfulmomma

Why would you need any bleach?

The bleaching process helps remove the waxy substance that cotton fibers emit during the weaving process. If you have unbleached diapers, the wax is still on them and interferes with absorbency. Using a non-chlorine bleach with detergent helps to speed up the removal of the wax.

[LionessMom]

Originally Posted by LisaG

The bleaching process helps remove the waxy substance that cotton fibers emit during the weaving process. If you have unbleached diapers, the wax is still on them and interferes with absorbency. Using a non-chlorine bleach with detergent helps to speed up the removal of the wax.

so if you wanted to do 3 washes instead of 5?

[LisaG]

Originally Posted by LionessMom

so if you wanted to do 3 washes instead of 5?

Not sure - that's the extent of my (limited) knowledge (taken from the insert that came with the diapers).