Thursday, October 1, 2015

Baby Care: Cloth Diapers & Laundry Tips

The Experience of Being a First Time Mom: Baby Helpful Tips

Prepping Diapers

Before putting those new cloth diapers on your baby, it is important to prep them for use by following the manufacturer's instructions. Typically, instructions for synthetically-based diapers will differ from those that use natural fabrics such as hemp, unbleached cotton, and bamboo.

·        Natural Fiber Cloth Diapers — anything containing hemp, bamboo, or natural cotton needs to be washed and dried around 3 to 6 times before first, so lots of patience is required. This rinses out the natural oils contained in the fibers. On this note, be sure to prep natural diapers separately from synthetics to avoid natural oils from getting into the synthetics.

·       Synthetic Cloth Diapers — Mainly microfiber-based, these only require one washing with detergent before first use, so the getting started process is much easier. Although synthetic isn't typically as absorbent as natural fibers, they wick well and typically soak in urine quicker, so are nice for babies with a heavy, quick stream.

What to do with dirty diapers
·        Remove diaper and wrap from baby.

·        Remove inserts from the pocket diapers.

·        Flush away flushable liner or shake off excess poop into the toilet if there is any. Let it soak overnight. Spray off remaining solids with water.

·        If your baby is exclusively breastfed, there is no need to shake excess poop into the toilet as it will wash out easily.

·        Put wet or soiled diapers in a pail or a hanging diaper bag. Dirty wraps can be stored with your dirty diapers.

·        Wash every 2-3 days. Polyester wraps can be washed with your diapers; nylon and wool wraps should be washed separately.

Before you start using your diapers – very important
If you plan to wash the diapers yourself, start by checking the directions provided by the manufacturer on the label or packaging. Some require special handling. (For example, most wool covers need to be hand washed, lanolized, and air dried.) Laundering instructions vary among manufacturers. Following each can certainly maximize their lifespan and absorbency, but if you have assorted brands, instructions will vary sometimes by quite a bit.

Keep it simple! This routine has proven to work well for most people, regardless of what type of machine or cloth diapers you use.
Washing Diapers Regularly and for First time Wash

·        Begin a cold, pre-wash with water only and no detergent.

·        After a cold rinse, run a regular wash cycle: Cold/Cold Wash using detergent.

·        Use only ½ or mostly 2 or 3 tbsp. of recommended of preferred detergent.

·        Use Gentle/Hand Wash cycle

·     Follow up with an extra rinse. Rinse diapers in lots of water to avoid build-up of detergent, bacteria and urine.

·        Also, water plus added

·        Wash no more than 12-24 diapers at a time.

·     For first time wash, repeat the procedure and wash it two or three times without drying.

·      If possible dry outside on a clothesline (check the label of your product, as some products should only be hung to dry). Sunlight is a natural brightener and disinfectant!

Drying
Every brand of cloth diaper has specific drying instructions. Some recommend air-drying the cover but machine-drying the insert. Some allow the whole thing to be machine-dried, but usually on low or medium heat. Once machine dried, let cloth diapers cool before stretching via folding or stuffing to maintain laminate and elastic integrity. Avoid drying cloth diapers containing waterproofing, elastic, or velcro/hook and loop closures on high heat as this will degrade them much quicker.
·        Lay the diaper in a flat surface to allow it to dry. Line drying in the in the sun is the best possible. Only after 1 hour of drying. Or let it lay dry overnight.

·        Avoid hung dry. If it is hung, the weight of the diaper may stretch and pull it down.

When to Wash
Get that cloth diaper laundry done every 2 days if possible, 3 days max. If you wait any longer, urine-soaked diapers will lock in ammonia and microorganisms have greater opportunity to grow creating persistent odor issues and potential for diaper rash. Furthermore, once ammonia and stink lock in, it is harder to remove.

Note:
·     Don't use fabric softener, EVER. That will coat the fabric fibers and prevent them from fluffing to full absorbency.
·        Don’t use bleach often it will cause yellowing.
·        Don’t use baking soda.
·        Separate washing the diaper cover and its inserts.
·        Choose a detergent that does not contain any of the following additives, as they can create residue problems. Detergent residue will lead to leaking, absorbency issues and more likely to cause leaks, stinky and rashes.

·        Fabric softeners

·        Natural oils

·        Perfumes

·        Dyes

·        UV brighteners

·        Dryer sheets

·        Stain guard ingredients

·        Enzymes (they will not affect performance, but may cause rashes on some babies’ skin)

Liners
We recommend using either flushable or re-useable liners for poop management. They will reduce the amount of clean up that is necessary as well as aid in minimizing stains and repelling issues. Stool should always be flushed down the toilet!

·        Flushable Liners

With a flushable one, the majority of poop will come off with the liner, and can be flushed right down most toilets. A dose of caution here as most flushable liners are not compatible with either septic systems or old, weak plumping. In this situation, a flushable liner should be thrown in the garbage once the solids have been flushed down the toilet.


·        Reusable Cloth Liners

With washable liners, there is a bit more dirty work to be done. You will have to remove the poop from it before tossing it into the dry pail. Although it is best to use cloth safe diaper creams, it is occasionally necessary to use those thick, pasty, white ones containing zinc oxide and petroleum. In this circumstance, it is very important to use a liner and preferably a re-useable, washable liner which is thicker than a disposable liner. Diaper cream is very difficult to remove from cloth diapers and will cause repelling and leakage.
What is “Stripping”?  

Stripping refers to the removal of any soap, minerals, and stink that sometimes accumulate over time in the fibers of cloth diapers.  All fabrics cling to these things during the wash but unlike cloth diapers, our sheets and clothes don’t need to hold liquid so this isn’t usually a concern.  When stripping diapers there are several approaches, some of which could void the warranty of your diapers, so do your research and understand what you are getting into.  

The simplest form of stripping just involved repeated HOT WASH CYCLES with no detergent.  The hot water will remove the built up soap and rinse it away.  Other stripping methods will recommend using Original Blue Dawn (just a drop…) and bleach.  If someone tells you to strip your diapers using your dish washer- DON’T DO IT.  This is extremely unsafe since a diaper could land on a heating element inside and start a fire.  Not only that, but you can potentially ruin your diapers.

Detergents for Cloth Diapers
* = Do Not Use for Cloth Diapers
** = Uses fragrance/dyes/enzymes/brighteners
*** = Pretty Good
**** = Thumbs up!
Remember that even the detergents that have been given four stars will work differently based on the water, washing conditions, and individual children. Do some experimentation and find the option that works best for your family and your routine.

Rating
Image
Detergent
Brand and Name
Cost Per Load
Enzymes
Brighteners
Dyes
Fragrances
Softeners
Bleach
****
HE
Ruby Moon
Purchase
N/A
No
No
No
Some varieties
No
No

****
HE
Charlie's Soap
Purchase
 
$0.19
No
No
No
No
No
?
****
HE

Charlie's Soap
Purchase
 
$0.19
?
No
No
No
No
?
****
HE

*Mountain Green
Free and Clear
Purchase
 
N/A
No
No
No
No
No
?
***
HE

*Mountain Green
Baby Detergent

A PETA acceptable product
N/A
No
No
No
Yes
No
?
****

 
Mollie's Suds Laundry Power
 
?
No
No
No
No
No
No
****

 
Honest Company Laundry Detergent
 
?
No
No
No
No
No
No
***

 
20 Mule Team
Borax
 
$0.25
No
No
No
No
No
?
***
 
All
Free and Clear
 
$0.18
No
Yes
No
No
No
?
**
 
All
Baby Care Plus
 
N/A
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
?
Rating
Image
Detergent
Brand and Name
Cost Per Load
Enzymes
Brighteners
Dyes
Fragrances
Softeners
Bleach
***
HE

All
Small and Mighty
 
$0.23
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
?
****

 
Allens
Naturally Powdered and Liquid Laundry Detergents
 
$0.26
No
No
No
No
No
?
*


Arm & Hammer
FabriCare
 
$0.23
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
?
**
 
Arm & Hammer
FabriCare Free
 
N/A
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
?
****

 
Arm & Hammer
Essentials Free

Note: The Mountain Rain edition has fragrance and dyes
N/A
No
No
No
No
No
?
Rating
Image
Detergent
Brand and Name
Cost Per Load
Enzymes
Brighteners
Dyes
Fragrances
Softeners
Bleach
***
 
Arm & Hammer
Sensitive Skin
 
$0.20
No
Yes
No
No
No
?
***
 
Bio-O-Kleen
Laundry Powder
 
$0.20
No
No
No
No
No
?
***
 
Bio-O-Kleen Free & Clear Powder

 
$0.24
Yes
No
No
No
No
?
**
 
Bio-O-Kleen
Premium Plus Laundry Powder
 
$0.22
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
?
****
 
Bio-O-Kleen
Liquid Laundry Detergent
 
$0.20
No
No
No
No
No
?

***
HE
Caldrea
Sweet Pea Laundry Detergent

Note: Contains plant-derived surfactants, Borax and essential oils of Geranium, Orange, Jasmine, Coriander, Rose and Bergamot. HE (front loader) compatible
$0.50
No
No
No
Yes
No
?
*


Cheer
Cheer
 
N/A
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
?
***
 
Cheer
Free and Gentle
 
N/A
Yes
No
No
No
?
?
****
 
Country Save
Country Save Liquid
 
$0.19
No
No
No
No
No
?
Rating
Image
Detergent
Brand and Name
Cost Per Load
Enzymes
Brighteners
Dyes
Fragrances
Softeners
Bleach
****
HE
Country Save
Country Save Powdered Detergent
 
$0.16
No
No
No
No
No
?
**
 
Dreft
Dreft
 
$0.27
Yes
Yes
No
No
?
?

****
HE
Dropps
Liquid Laundry Pacs
 
$0.31
No
No
No
No
No
?
***
 
Earth Friendly Products
Baby Hypoallergenic Laundry Soap

Vegetable & Coconut Based Soap...may not be strong enough to launder cloth diapers
N/A
No
No
No
No
Yes
?
****
HE
Ecos
Free and Clear Liquid
 
N/A
No
No
No
No
No
?
***
HE
Ecos
Magnolia & Lillies, Lavendar & Lemongrass Scents

Note: scented Ecos contains coconut based surfactants and softeners as well as essential oils
 
$0.22
No
No
No
Yes
No
?
Rating
Image
Detergent
Brand and Name
Cost Per Load
Enzymes
Brighteners
Dyes
Fragrances
Softeners
Bleach
***
 
Ecos
Powdered Laundry Deteregent
 
N/A
No
No
No
No
Yes
?
***
 
Ecover
Non Bio Laundry

Vegan Approved
$0.47
No
No
No
Yes
No
?
****
 
EnviroRite
Laundry Detergent

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Vegetable-Based Cleaning Agents, Surfactacts, Microbiostat
$0.19
No
No
No
No
No
?
*


GAIN
GAIN
 
$0.45
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
?
*
HE

GAIN
GAIN HE Powder
 
N/A
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
?
Rating
Image
Detergent
Brand and Name
Cost Per Load
Enzymes
Brighteners
Dyes
Fragrances
Softeners
Bleach
**
 
Ivory
Snow

may not be strong enough to launder cloth diapers
$1.20
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
?
**
 
Kirkland's
Kirkland's Signature (Costco brand)

This product is nearly identical to Tide
N/A
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
?
**
 
Kirkland's Signature
Environmentally Friendly

contains vegetable based surfactants including those derived from coconuts
N/A
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
**
HE
Kirkland's Free and Clear (HE)
Costco brand
 
$0.15
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
?
****
 
Lifekind
Naturally Safer Triple Concentrated

Note: contains Seed & Pulp Extracts, Orange Peel Extracts, Surfactants from Coconuts.
$0.23
No
No
No
No
No
?
****
HE
Maggie's Soap Nuts
Maggie's Soap Nuts

Note: 100% natural - Grows on Trees!!!
N/A
No
No
No
No
No
?
Rating
Image
Detergent
Brand and Name
Cost Per Load
Enzymes
Brighteners
Dyes
Fragrances
Softeners
Bleach
*
Melaleuca
MelaPower
 
N/A
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
?
**
 
Melaleuca
MelaPower Scent Free
 
N/A
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
?
**
HE
Method
HE Laundry Detergent
 
N/A
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
?
***
 
Method
Baby Laundry Detergent
 
N/A
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
?
***
HE
Method
Free and Clear
 
N/A
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
?
Rating
Image
Detergent
Brand and Name
Cost Per Load
Enzymes
Brighteners
Dyes
Fragrances
Softeners
Bleach
***
HE
Mountain Green
Original Citrus

A PETA acceptable product
N/A
No
No
No
Yes
No
?
****
 
Nature Clean
All Natural Laundry Liquid
 
N/A
No
No
No
No
No
No
****
HE
Nellie's
Nellie's Laundry Soda

contains coconut oil based ingredients.
N/A
No
No
No
No
No
?
****
 
OXY-PRIME
OXY-PRIME Powder
 
N/A
No
No
No
No
No
?
****
 
Penguin
Sport-Wash

Restores factory applied waterproofing (DWR). Contains biodegradable vegetable surfactants
N/A
No
No
No
No
No
?
***
Pink Solution

 
$0.12
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Rating
Image
Detergent
Brand and Name
Cost Per Load
Enzymes
Brighteners
Dyes
Fragrances
Softeners
Bleach
****
 
Planet
Ultra Powder
 
N/A
No
No
No
No
No
?
**
 
Purex
Purex
 
N/A
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
?
**
 
Purex
Baby
 
N/A
No
Yes
?
Yes
No
?
***
 
Purex
Free and Clear

Note: Many moms have expressed satisfaction with this detergent.
N/A
No
Yes
No
No
No
?
****
HE
Rockin Green
Classic & Hard
 
$0.20-.25
No
No
No
Optional
No
No
*
HE
SA8
Sensitive
 
N/A
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
?
Rating
Image
Detergent
Brand and Name
Cost Per Load
Enzymes
Brighteners
Dyes
Fragrances
Softeners
Bleach
*
HE

SA8
BioQuest Concentrated
 
N/A
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
?
****
 
SensiClean
SensiClean

Note: Some burns and rashes have been reported by users of this detergent.
N/A
No
No
No
No
?
?
**
 
Seventh Generation
Natural Laundry Baby
 
$0.53
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
?
**
 
Seventh Generation
Free and Clear

contains vegetable based surfactants and enzymes including those derived from coconuts
$0.53
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
?
**
 
Seventh Generation
Natural Laundry
 
$0.46
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
?
Rating
Image
Detergent
Brand and Name
Cost Per Load
Enzymes
Brighteners
Dyes
Fragrances
Softeners
Bleach
**
 
Shaklee
Liquid-L
Note: HE version has been linked with rashes
 
$0.38
Yes
Yes
?
Yes
No
?
****
Sport-Wash
Residue Free

Note: Some burns and rashes have been reported by users of this detergent.
$0.59
No
No
No
No
No
?
***
 
Sun
Free

Note: Many moms have expressed satisfaction with this detergent.
N/A
No
Yes
No
No
No
?
****
HE
Sun and Earth
Deep Cleaning
 
$0.24
No
No
No
No
No
?
***
 
Sunlight
Ultra Sensitive Skin
 
N/A
No
Yes
No
No
No
?
Rating
Image
Detergent
Brand and Name
Cost Per Load
Enzymes
Brighteners
Dyes
Fragrances
Softeners
Bleach
***
HE
Sunlight
Ultra Sensitive Skin HE
 
N/A
No
Yes
No
No
No
?
**
 
Surf
Surf
 
N/A
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
?
**
 
Surf
Aloha Splash
 
N/A
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
?
*
 
The Laundress
The Laundress Baby Detergent
 
$1.21
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
?
*
Tide
Tide
 
$0.25
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
?
?
Rating
Image
Detergent
Brand and Name
Cost Per Load
Enzymes
Brighteners
Dyes
Fragrances
Softeners
Bleach
***
 
Tide
Free
 
N/A
Yes
Yes
No
No
?
?
*
HE


Tide
HE
 
$0.33
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
?
?
****
 
Trader Joe's
Cleanliness is Next to Godliness
 
N/A
No
No
No
No
No
?
***/ *
 
Vaska
Herbatergent Lavendar and Non Scented

Note: Contains plant based surfactants and lavendar contains essential oils
$0.32
No
No
No
optional
No
?
**
 
Wisk
Free Clear Ultra
 
N/A
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
?
***
HE
Woolite
HE

Note: Woolite has an alkaline pH that may strip wool fibers so wool users should use caution.
$0.25
No
No
No
?
No
?

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