Washing Diapers

[organicmom3]

I've got my first load in the washer, sort of following the recommendations on the paper they came with except I just realized I have them on cold as for the regular washing instructions rather than hot....ooops?...It says to do it 3-5 times so I guess I'll use hot the next couple of times...

Anyway, it says to wash 3-5 times in hot water using a little detergent...drying in between washes.

For regualr care it says to first use half detergent box calls for (top loader), wash in cold, then hot and follow with a rinse, and tumble dry on medium heat....using 1/4 cup bleach once a moth in the hot wash cycle....

Does this seem the general practice or does anyone have any further advice? I will be using a variety of both prefolds, fitted and all in one diapers.

[Addie]

Sounds about right. The only thing I'd add is that the prepping that involves 3-5 wash/dry cycles on hot should only be for your cotton goods - prefolds, cotton fitteds, cotton doublers. With the cotton, you need to remove the natural oils and lint, and get them to quilt up a bit before use. If you're using synthetic covers or all-in-ones, one wash/dry cycle before using is sufficient.

[junipervt]

when you start the reg wash routine (after the preping) you can probably skip the 1st cold wash if you spray (w/ a diaper sprayer) or dunk & swish poopy diapers in the toilet. This is what I've always done & I don't have any problems. I do an extra cold rinse at the end to be sure all of the detergent is out.

One other thing to remember is to not fill the washer as high as you would w/ clothing. When I put my diapers in it looks like a med sized load, but I set it on large. That way the diapers have more room & water to move around in & get cleaner.