What do I do with my new diapers?

[Youngfrankenstein]

For my baby shower I got a dozen Gerber, bleached pre-folds and a dozen Indian unbleached prefolds. Should I just wash them like "regular"? Anything else I should do to prep them? I haven't cloth diapered since my second ds in 2001!

I also got 2 Thirsties Duo wraps. Do I wash those too?

[octobermom]

The gerbers can pretty much be washed one and be good to go (there not great diapers) the indians will need to be washed at leat 5 times on hot to reach a decent assorbancy drying between a few cycles will help fluff them up. You don't have to wash the covers but a one time though won't hurt and will seal any holes ect from sewing. enjoy.

deanna

[Gabes Mommy]

The Gerbers should be fine with a normal wash. The indian prefolds will need to be washed in hot water at least 5 times, or boiled. Otherwise, they won't have much absorbency.

[Youngfrankenstein]

Thank you. I had no idea I had to wash the UPFs so much. I plan on completing my stash with more of those. Are they good diapers if you wash them first? My mom got me the Gerber prefolds which should be okay but I won't be buying any more of them.

[Ola_]

You need to wash the unbleached prefolds lots because they still have the natural oils in the fibres that need to be stripped out. The bleaching process would remove a lot of this for bleached diapers, and of course the thinner they are the less there is to wash out. But the good news is that it's a one-time preparation and once they are ready they are very absorbent.

[paintingmom]

If you have a large stock pot or even just a large pot you can cut that washing in half if not more depending on the prefolds you got.

Just cover a bunch with water and boil them for 20 minutes making sure you watch and stir.

SOOOOO much faster, saves water, and energy.