Reusable Diaper Product Care
Cloth Diaper & Waterproof Pant Care
Very Important! Before you use your diapers: All cloth diapering products MUST be prewashed at least once prior to use. Thicker, heavier diapers and inserts should be washed three times and dried once to ensure optimal absorbency.
Storage of Soiled Diapers: Soiled diapers should be stored in a water-resistant, odour-proof pail, container, or bag. Remove any solids (feces) prior to placing soiled diapers into the container. Do not rinse washable items or immerse them in water until ready to launder. The longer a diaper sits wet, the faster it will wear out. The best way to preserve your diapers is to keep them as dry as possible between washes and to carefully follow the remainder of our care instructions.
Preparation Prior to putting any item into a washing machine make sure that any solids are emptied into the toilet. Keep these points in mind when choosing a detergent for washing cloth diapers:
- Do not use any detergent that contains natural oils or fabric softeners. These will coat the absorbent fibers of the diaper and cause liquids to be repelled.
- Make sure you're choosing a detergent that contains enough surfactants to get your diapers clean. Diapers are more heavily soiled items, with multiple layers of fabric, compared to your regular laundry.
- Avoid any detergent that contains sodium percarbonate or bleach.
- Avoid detergents that have ingredients you are sensitive to.
- Avoid any detergent that contains enzymes as they can cause rashes.
- Ensure that your load is not too large or too small. Either will result in poor cleaning and reduced longevity.
Omutsu Care Pre-wash in your machine with one line of detergent. Then do a main wash in the washing machine with one full cap or scoop of detergent. You may wish to perform a pre wash by hand to remove any excess dirt. Dry as desired. Omutsu diapers should be washed three times and dried once prior to being used for the first time.
Pocket Diaper Care Remove the absorbent insert from the inner pocket so that you have two separate pieces. Both the pocket diaper’s PUL outer and the absorbent insert can be washed together in a washing machine. Use a heavy duty, full wash cycle with warm (not hot) water and a residue, softener, bleach free detergent. Either hang both the diaper and insert up to dry or place them into the dryer on low temperature. Heavily soiled diapers may require a pre-wash with detergent prior to the main wash with detergent.
Adult Prefold Care Adult Prefolds can be washed along with ordinary laundry. Remove any solids and if necessary perform a prewash, with detergent, for heavily soiled diapers or those with strong odors. Follow up with a full wash with extra detergent. Dry as desired.
Swim Diaper & Wrap Care Like the outer part of a pocket diaper, use a heavy duty, full wash cycle with warm water and a residue, softener, bleach free detergent. Hang to dry or dry on low temperature.
Training Pant Care Training pants can be washed like ordinary underwear if they are not heavily soiled. Place them into the washer along with your usual laundry and then dry them in the dryer. Use low-medium heat when drying to extend the life of the item.
Plastic Pant Care Hand wash with detergent and water. Can also be washed in the washing machine with cold water, but this is not recommended and can significantly reduce the life of the product. Hang or towel dry.
Latex & Rubber Pant Care Hand wash with water and a delicate detergent. Machine washing is not recommended, but if absolutely necessary the rubber pant should be put into a mesh bag and washed on a delicate cycle. Hang to dry. Once dry, store away from the sun and apply powder to extend the item’s life, as well as to remove oils and moisture.
Waterproof PUL Pant Care Waterproof PUL pants such as DL diaper covers can be washed in a washing machine and dried in a dryer on low-medium temperatures just like your regular laundry. Use warm water and a full wash cycle. Pre-wash with detergent if heavily soiled.
Drying Hang drying is recommended if possible, although a dryer can be used if noted in the sections above. The best way to dry covers is be using the ‘delicate setting’ and then with air only (no heat). Inserts, boosters, fitted, and prefold diapers can be machine-dried on medium or hung to dry.
Notes We recommend not hanging items directly over a radiator or any other dry heat source, as this will prematurely age elastics, can lead to melted laminate, and shorten the life of your waterproof materials. Avoid contact with all, bleaches and fabric softeners in any form. If necessary use oxi-clean to whiten. Use of fabric softener with washable diapers will cause them to repel all liquids and decrease their absorption capacity. This includes liquid and sheet style softeners.