Cloth diapers are gaining popularity among parents of infants and toddlers. One benefit of cloth diapers is their cost-effectiveness, especially when laundered in your home. When they are made of an organic and renewable fiber, such as organic cotton, cloth diapers are also very gentle on babies' sensitive skin. An organic natural fiber requires a few specific care methods when being cleaned.
Prewashing
Organic cotton fabrics are usually unbleached. The bleaching process removes natural oils and waxes from cotton fibers. Without having gone through this process, your organic cotton diapers will still be coated with these oils and waxes, which can inhibit absorption. To remove this coating, wash your diapers at least three times in hot water with your diapering detergent. Completely dry your diapers between each full cycle in the washing machine. Organic cotton diapers can be put in the dryer to dry. After the third wash-and-dry cycle, your new diapers are ready to use.
Washing
On washing day, place your used diapers into the washing machine. Run the diapers through a cold rinse cycle without detergent to get rid of any solid matter that did not dump into the toilet. Do a regular full wash in hot water with the minimum amount of recommended detergent. Then complete another cold rinse, and place your diapers in the dryer or hang outside to dry.
Detergents
Cloth diapers require detergents that are free from fabric softeners, UV brighteners, enzymes, perfumes, dyes, natural oils and stain guards. These additives leave a residue on fabrics, which can lead to decreased absorbency, odors and leaking. The company that made your organic cotton diapers should be able to provide you with a list of recommended fabric detergents.
Extra Care
Your diapers should smell clean, not like urine or detergent. If either of these odors remains after washing and drying your diapers, adjust your washing routine. First, run your diapers through a few more rinse cycles on cold until your dry diapers no longer retain a smell. If your diapers retained a urine smell before the additional rinses, for future washes increase the water level the diapers are laundered in. If detergent odors had remained before the additional rinses, decrease the amount of detergent used for future washing. Additionally, diaper creams or lotions can negatively affect your organic cotton diapers, as they are very difficult to rinse away. If your baby requires one of these, insert a liner between the baby's skin and the diaper.
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