Washing diapers before first use

[HappyMamaBeth]

I have some AIOs that have natural lining and soakers and PUL outers (Swaddlebees Econappis and Ecobumz).  When I do the several washes before using them, do I use any detergent, or just hot water?

What temp do I dry these on (since they have the PUL)? 

[Galatea]

Natural fibers should be washed four times on hot with detergent.  This is how I do it:

Wash hot with decent amount of detergent.

Wash hot with small amount of detergent.

Dry on medium.

Wash hot with no detergent.

Wash hot with no detergent.

Dry on medium.

This way they get a good amount of detergent to break them in, but you also get the excess out. 

As for drying, if they have the absorbent part sewn in, it will help to turn them inside out for quicker drying.

[HappyMamaBeth]

Originally Posted by Galatea 

Natural fibers should be washed four times on hot with detergent.  This is how I do it:

Wash hot with decent amount of detergent.

Wash hot with small amount of detergent.

Dry on medium.

Wash hot with no detergent.

Wash hot with no detergent.

Dry on medium.

This way they get a good amount of detergent to break them in, but you also get the excess out. 

As for drying, if they have the absorbent part sewn in, it will help to turn them inside out for quicker drying.

Thank you!!

[Dichotomy]

I hope Im not hijacking the thread....but I came here to ask about first time washings, too, and noticed this thread.

I have all different types of diapers to prep for our baby due in December. Ive started with the unbleached prefolds, but will also be washing AIOs, pockets, inserts, and some covers.

So far with the prefolds Ive done as follows:

Hot wash with about 2 tbsp detergent, cold rinse, second rinse

Dry

Hot wash with about 2 tbsp detergent, cold rinse, second rinse

Dry

Hot wash with about NO detergent, cold rinse

Dry

After these 3 times, they still dont seem quite to absorbency, so Im currently doing another Hot wash no detergent, cold rinse. Then dry.

Should I have done more washes with detergent than what Ive done already? Or is it normal for my diapers to be not quite there yet after only 3 washes?

Should I not be drying after each wash?

Also, with the AIOs and fitteds should I follow these same steps?

Or do you recommend something else entirely than what Im doing?

For my pockets and covers, should those only need to go through 1 wash/dry cycle?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Galatea]

If the AIOs are natural fiber inners, then you can take them and the fitteds and throw them in with the prefolds and wash them all another 3 times and you should be good to go.  The pockets and covers need to be washed just once with a tiny bit of detergent.

I also would only do 2 Tbsp on the first wash, then 1 Tbsp on the second, and then none on the 3rd.

[Dichotomy]

Originally Posted by Galatea 

If the AIOs are natural fiber inners, then you can take them and the fitteds and throw them in with the prefolds and wash them all another 3 times and you should be good to go.  The pockets and covers need to be washed just once with a tiny bit of detergent.

I also would only do 2 Tbsp on the first wash, then 1 Tbsp on the second, and then none on the 3rd.

My newborn AIOs are lil joeys, so they're microfiber. But I was planning on washing those with my micro inserts.

Youre supposed to keep synthetic and naturals separate, right? Is this true only for pre-washing? Or is it necessary for every time I wash?

As far as detergent goes for washes once the baby is here and wearing the dipes, do you recommend washing with 1 tbsp or 2?

Sorry so many questions!

[Galatea]

Only need to separate materials for the prewash, not the regular washes.  I only use 1 Tbsp Rockin Green for 40 diapers in a front loader!  It will depend on your machine and number of diapers.