How to Clean Cloth Diapers

Using cloth diapers is well worth the extra laundry for many families, as disposable diapers contribute significantly more trash to landfills. Disposables makeup 3.4 million tons of landfill waste per year and don't decompose.

While cloth diapers are more of an investment in time and energy, they are much cheaper than disposables in the long run. Cloth diapers are also free of potentially irritating dyes and absorbency gels used in disposable diapers. Lastly, cloth diapers do need to be changed more often than disposables, but this may result in fewer diaper rashes.

Many laundry detergents have additives that can build up on cloth. Regular detergent without optical brighteners tends to work best on cloth diapers. You should also avoid using fabric softeners, as they coat fabrics and reduce absorbency.

Simple Green Laundry Detergent is gentle enough for sensitive skin but strong enough to clean dirty cloth diapers. It works hard to remove tough soils and eliminates the need for adding a separate baby detergent to your wash routine.

The formula uses plant-based surfactants and a smart enzyme system with no chlorine, optical brighteners, borax, or phosphates. It does not contain detectable amounts of the carcinogen 1,4-dioxane or endocrine-disrupting phthalates, and NPEs found in some other brands.

It's best to do diaper laundry every two or three days. Putting it off any longer can result in mildew stains and more washes needed to get the diapers clean.

Use this tip for more information about pre-treating fabrics.

To learn more about washing baby clothes, click here.

Directions for Cleaning Cloth Diapers:

Remove solids before washing cloth diapers by either swishing them around in the toilet or using a diaper sprayer hooked onto the toilet.

For heavy stains, dampen material before pre-treating with full strength Simple Green.

After pre-treating, wash immediately.

When in doubt about a surface, always spot test first.

HE Washing Machines:

1. Spot clean. Pre-treat spots as needed with full strength Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner.
2. Add dirty diapers. Add diapers to your washing machine.
3. Add detergent. Pour a small amount of Simple Green Laundry Detergent into the dispenser.
4. Start the first rinse cycle. First, select a "speed wash” cycle using cold water. Starting with cold water is important to reduce staining, and finishing with a hot wash does a better job of getting the diapers deep cleaned.
5. Add detergent. Once the first cycle is finished, pour your regular amount of detergent into your dispenser.
6. Run a second wash. Use very hot water, the maximum water setting, and set your machine to include a second rinse.
7. Dry. Hang your freshly washed diapers on a line to dry, either outside or inside. If you need a faster drying method, use either low heat or an air-dry setting on the dryer. Drying diapers with high heat can be damaging to elastics, snaps, and waterproof linings.

Conventional Washing Machines:

1. Spot clean. Pre-treat spots as needed with full strength Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner.
2. Start the first rinse cycle. Start your washer on a "speed wash" cycle using cold water.
3. Add detergent. Pour a small amount of Simple Green Laundry Detergent into the water.
4. Add detergent booster, if necessary. Add ¼ cup of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner for heavily soiled diapers.
5. Add dirty diapers. Place the diapers in your machine and wash.
6. Run a second wash. Once the first cycle is finished, run a second wash using very hot water, the maximum water setting, and your regular amount of laundry detergent. Also, set your machine to include a second rinse.
7. Dry. Hang your freshly washed diapers on a line to dry, either outside or inside. If you need a faster drying method, use either low heat or an air-dry setting on the dryer. Drying diapers with high heat can be damaging to elastics, snaps, and waterproof linings.

Tip: Overloading a washing machine inhibits thorough cleaning and rinsing. Running smaller loads may take longer, but the results will be much better.

Tip: Why not clean your diaper pail while the diapers get washed? Use this tip.