| Cloth diapers are a great thing to use. They are better | | | | these can be expensive. A better way for you, if you |
| for the environment and can save you a lot of money. | | | | want to save more money, is to use soap nuts. These |
| This article goes over issues surrounding washing and | | | | are placed in a cotton bag and then put in your |
| drying cloth diapers and things to consider. | | | | machine. These are a great way to clean diapers. |
| Washing | | | | White vinegar can also be used to help neutralize |
| Traditionally boil washing was the used to wash cloth | | | | smells and you can also use tee tree oil for its |
| diapers. This was considered the only way to kill | | | | anti-bacterial properties. |
| bacteria and is still something many people do, | | | | Drying |
| however you can actually get away with washing | | | | If you have a concern for stains your best bet will be |
| diapers at 40 degrees. This, however, is not | | | | to dry your diapers outside in sunshine. Sunshine will |
| recommended when dealing with newborn babies and | | | | naturally bleach your diapers and will also deodorize |
| the first 6 weeks. In these weeks it is much better to | | | | them. If you decide on using a tumble drier be careful |
| stick to a 60 degree wash. After this time you can | | | | as a drier will shorten the lifespan of your diapers. I |
| then wash at 40 degrees, although it may be a good | | | | have found that my cotton diapers have fallen apart |
| idea to do a 60 degree wash every so often. Most | | | | fairly quickly as a result of using a drier often and I |
| wraps, however, can only be washed at 40 degrees | | | | have had to replace ties often. However I found a |
| so if you choose to do a 60 degree wash make sure | | | | drier important because it was the only way I could |
| your wraps aren't in it! | | | | get them to be soft and also I live in the UK and the |
| You also have to consider what to use to wash them. | | | | weather is never good enough to dry my diapers |
| You may be using cloth diapers because you don't | | | | quickly. |
| want chemicals near your baby's skin and thus want | | | | If you have problems with getting your diapers soft but |
| to use something eco to wash them in. Eco-balls are a | | | | don't want the drier to damage them, you could |
| popular choice to use on clothing but from research, AI | | | | compromise and half dry them on the line and then put |
| have discovered that eco balls are not a good choice | | | | them in the drier for a shorter period of time. Also don't |
| for dealing with diapers. According to searches on | | | | be tempted to use fabric conditioner to soften nappies |
| Google, eco balls can potentially damage the diapers. | | | | as fabric conditioner reduces absorbency. |
| There are many great eco detergents available but | | | | |