Question about washing used dipes

[ihugtrees]

I am about to start washing my newborn stash, all of which are used. I plan on using Seventh Generation color safe bleach to kill lingering germs, then rinsing them several times to get all of it out. So should I 'strip' my washer before washing the dipes? If so, how do I go about doing this exactly? We use Seventh Generation laundry detergent for our clothes, and plan on making the switch to a homemade cloth friendly detergent as soon as this bottle runs out.

Oh, and how many times should I rinse to be sure the bleach is out of the diapers?

[treemom2]

I used all used dipes with my DS when he was born. We washed them in hot water 2-3 times then hung them in the sun to get out the stains and remove any harmful stuff (bacterias, yeast, etc. . .). I, personally chose not to use bleach on my cloth dipes. . .I think the sun does a great job of killing anything as does time and the hot water for washing. Also, before putting the dipes on my babe, I always washed once with soap and hot water then did a second wash or just a second rinse (when I had a machine that did multiple rinses) to make sure all the soap was out.

[SuzyLee]

I would wash them on hot with a little Dawn and a little bleach, and rinse them on hot or warm until the suds are gone (may take like 5 rinses).

[Michigan Mama]

I'm not big on bleach, but would use it for used dipes, I think. Or if they could be boiled, I'd do that. Then with 3-4 hot (HOT) rinses after, or until all the bubbles are gone. Good luck!