Washing Diapers

This is the one thing people tell me keeps them from using cloth diapers. I will admit, I'm a SAHM (Stay at Home Mom) so it's easier for me to throw in a load of diapers in the middle of the day. But I honestly don't think it's that hard, and if you time things right, you could do a load at night after work every 2-3 days and it would work out fine. It's easier to wash diapers than clothes because you don't have to sort, fold, or put on hangers! The diapers can sit in the washer or dryer until you're ready to deal with them. The different brands are getting better about giving specific instructions on how to wash their diapers than they did when I started.

Prefolds are probably the most forgiving things to wash. I don't see how you could ever ruin them. Anything with elastic or a waterproof layer needs to be cared for more carefully.

Here's what I've learned NOT to do with our pocket diapers:
Don't soak
Don't use vinegar

I use this system with all of our diapers:

Detergent:
I use All Free&Clear, but there are several brands recommended on various web sites. Make sure there are no dyes, perfumes, brighteners, enzymes, fabric softener, or wrinkle guards.

Diaper Pail:
I use a Snap-EZ liner in a tall kitchen trash can with lid and step opener

Wash Routine:
1. Run the prewash cycle with COLD water and a splash of detergent
2. Run a regular cycle with HOT water and 1/2 the recommended amount of detergent
3. Run a 2nd Rinse
4. Dry everything on Medium
5. Hang anything that is still damp (usually the All-In-Ones take longer to dry)

Frequency:
I washed every 3 days with a toddler, every 2 days with a toddler and a newborn

Here's a link to the info on washing on the cotton babies site: http://www.cottonbabies.com/clothdiapers.php#detergent

Stains:
Poo stains come RIGHT out in the sun! I just lay them outside, and the stains come out in a matter of hours in our Colorado sun. I think the sun kills bacteria as well.

Customer Service is Still King

I am so incredibly amazed by the company who makes BumGenius diapers, CottonBabies. For the second time in 2 1/2 years, I've returned my diapers because the elastic had worn out. It's possible the elastic wore out because I was not washing them properly. BOTH times, they sent me an entire set of brand new diapers at no charge! I will definitely keep using their products and recommend them to everyone I know. What customer service!

A couple of things I was doing wrong: soaking the diapers before washing, using vinegar in the rinse cycle a couple of times. Don't do this with BumGenius diapers! The company has a one year guarantee on diapers assuming they are being cared for properly.