You've made the choice to use cloth diapers and you have your stash purchased. Now what? What do you have to do to get them ready for baby to wear?
Whenever you purchase cloth diapers you will want to wash them before baby wears them just to ensure they are clean for the first use. Some types of cloth diapers and the corresponding fabric used in them will require different levels of preparation. We'll cover them all so you know where to start no matter what type and style you have.
Synthetic fabrics like polyester, microterry and microfleece often comprise the components of pocket diapers and/or All In One diapers. These materials should be washed and dried once prior to first use to clean the diapers. A wash cycle on hot with the recommended amount of cloth diaper friendly detergent with a cold rinse cycle and an extra rinse will be sufficient preparation. Dry them in the dryer or on the line, especially in the summer, and they are ready to go. Even in the colder months you can line dry diapers (and other laundry) inside on a drying rack. Line drying is a great way to save energy and reduce your costs all while helping to lessen your carbon footprint.
Natural fabrics like cotton and hemp will require some additional steps in the preparation process. Natural fabrics contain oils and wax in the case of unbleached cotton. These oils and wax are released from the fabric during the initial wash and dry cycles. These fabrics will also shrink and fluff up so washing cotton and hemp products in hot water, rinsing and drying in the dryer multiple times will remove the natural oils and prep the fabric. Each time these fabrics are washed and dried it helps to prime the fabric or make it more absorbent. Hemp will require 8-12 wash and dry cycles to allow it to reach it's maximum absorbency. It can be used after the first wash and dry cycle however after each washing it will gain more absorbency each time.
If you are using hemp or cotton inserts/prefolds inside of pocket diapers you will want to wash these fabrics separately from your pocket diapers and microfleece products for the first 4-6 wash and dry cycles in order to prevent the natural oils and wax from coating the interior fabric of your pocket diapers potentially causing them to repel liquid and leak. Once these initial wash and dry cycles are complete, then all your diaper products can be washed together without concern of the natural oils/wax coating your diapers.
When line drying hemp it can get a bit hard and stiff but you can always put the hemp in the dryer on the fluff or wrinkle release setting to soften them up. You can also take them off the line while just slightly damp and place them in the dryer for a few minutes to soften them as well. The addition of PVC free or wool dryer balls in your dryer will help to soften clothes and reduce drying time as well.
Once you've got those diapers washed and dried you are ready to begin using them. I can see baby's smiling face already - so comfortable in their new cloth diapers!
Be sure to contact us if you ever have questions regarding preparation and care - we luv to help!
Baby Luv Boutique
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