When you receive your diapers, wash and dry once or twice before using. Washing will "fluff up' your diapers and increase their absorbency. Please note all flannel and fleece has been pre-washed before making the diaper, so you will not have problems with shrinkage.
**Diapers have fold back hook and loop (velcro like) tabs. Ensure tabs are firmly closed before washing. This will help to prevent a 'diaper ball' in the wash. If tabs should happen to open in the wash, it is best to remove any fuzz from velcro while it is still wet. (Much easier than waiting until dry).
Diaper care:
I prefer the dry pail method for keeping diapers. All wet diapers go directly into pail. Matter from soiled diapers is dunked into toilet and diaper put in pail. Usually solids roll off fleece liner and clean up is easy. Some diapers require dunking in toilet. You can sprinkle baking soda in pail to help control odours. It is best to wash diapers every second day, three days tops. If you leave diapers sitting longer than that you will get problems with odour and stains.
First do a pre-rinse or wash on cold water. This to get rid of any solid matter on diapers. Do not use detergent at this stage, and do not use hot water as hot water will help to set stains.
If diapers are very soiled I sometimes let soak in water and 1/2C of baking soda for a few hours or overnight. Baking soda also helps to remove urine odour.
Next, wash in warm or hot water with half the recommended amount of detergent. If you've used baking soda, add vinegar to the rinse cycle to restore the ph of the diapers. I add vinegar to a ‘Downy’ ball and drop into the wash. These are meant to be used with fabric softener but work great, as they release the vinegar during the rinse cycle.
Many people like to finish with another rinse cycle.
Hang your diapers, or put in dryer.
Trouble shooting:
· Do not use bleach. Bleach will break down the fibers of the inner rayon soaker and shorten the life of your diapers!
· If you have problems with staining hang your diapers out in the sun to dry. Many people call this sun-bleaching, as the sun will ‘fade out’ any stains you may have.
· If you have problems with odour, decrease the amount of detergent and/or add an extra rinse cycle to ensure you are rinsing all detergent out of the diapers.
Diaper covers have different washing requirements.