My Diapers Are Here!! Now what?

[WifeofAnt]

I now have 3 dozen unbleached Infant prefolds and 2 dozen unbleached Premium prefolds (both 4x8x4s by Osocozy) with 4 small Bummis Super Whisper Wraps and 4 medium Bummis Super Whisper Wraps. I ordered cloth diaper detergent from Jillians Drawers (along with snappis and everything else) but it hasn't gotten here yet. I'm also expecting 2 Thirsties Duo covers and 2 BumGenius 4.0s.

What do I do now? I thought it might come with instructions but it doesn't. Do I wash them on hot? With/without detergent? How many times? Do I dry them between washings? How should I dry them (line dry is not an option here)?

How do I wash once baby gets here (we're using sposies for meconium)? Top loader instructions? Front Loader instructions (we're moving when LO is 2-3 months)? What if I need to put a cream on his butt? What fold works best for boys? Can BG and prefolds be washed together? Dried together? What about the covers?


I bought some Gerber prefolds (look bleached) for burp cloths. Do those have a special pre-wash or special way to wash? They won't be used for diapers. Is it going to be hard to tell them apart from my unbleached diapers? Why do they use 100% polyester for an 'absorbent' layer when my diaper covers are also 100% polyester? Bad choice of fabric or just stupidity?

Thank you! I know I'll have more questions later but this is all I can think of now.

[Juvysen]

Originally Posted by WifeofAnt

I now have 3 dozen unbleached Infant prefolds and 2 dozen unbleached Premium prefolds (both 4x8x4s by Osocozy) with 4 small Bummis Super Whisper Wraps and 4 medium Bummis Super Whisper Wraps. I ordered cloth diaper detergent from Jillians Drawers (along with snappis and everything else) but it hasn't gotten here yet. I'm also expecting 2 Thirsties Duo covers and 2 BumGenius 4.0s.

What do I do now? I thought it might come with instructions but it doesn't. Do I wash them on hot? With/without detergent? How many times? Do I dry them between washings? How should I dry them (line dry is not an option here)?

wash them 4 or so times. I don't think you will need to dry them in between washings. Use detergent, but not much... make sure it's a diaper friendly detergent. I dry mine on low.

How do I wash once baby gets here (we're using sposies for meconium)?

I wouldn't bother with sposies for mec. It's no big deal and actually easier than washing later on with solids poo.

Top loader instructions?

When I had a toploader, I'd run them through once with detergent (about 1/4 of what is called for on the instructions for your detergent - again, find a diaper friendly detergent) and then run them through once without detergent. then dry on low

Front Loader instructions (we're moving when LO is 2-3 months)?

with my front loader, I run them through a rinse cycle with no spin (it's about a 10 min cycle) then I add some detergent and run them through a heavy duty cycle. You may have to adjust your wash routine based on your washer and the water your house has.

What if I need to put a cream on his butt?

use powder instead of cream, or use sposies or a liner when you use cream. I hardly ever need it, so I just do a disposable when I do.

What fold works best for boys?

I dunno... I've only ever trifolded the prefolds for my son (and never used prefolds with my daughter)

Can BG and prefolds be washed together? Dried together? What about the covers?

yes. yes. you may want to air dry the covers to make them last longer, but I don't.

I bought some Gerber prefolds (look bleached) for burp cloths. Do those have a special pre-wash or special way to wash?

No. Just wash 'em or toss 'em in with your diapers.

Is it going to be hard to tell them apart from my unbleached diapers?

shouldn't be... are they hard to tell apart now?

Why do they use 100% polyester for an 'absorbent' layer when my diaper covers are also 100% polyester? Bad choice of fabric or just stupidity?

stupidity... they're completely non-absorbant, afaik. I tried using them on my daughter and she peed right through.