If you have decided to do cloth diapers, it is very important to know how to care for them so they can last a long time.  On this page I mainly talk about how to care for the all-in-one type diaper.  Different types (such as wool) have different care needed, so check with the manufacturer if you are unsure!

You really should NOT use diaper creams on your baby when cloth diapering.  The cream will reduce the absorbency of your diapers, and could potential ruin them.  I admit, I have been guilty of using it a couple times, but it really is not ideal.  If you do end up using it and notice the diapers leaking more than usual, you can use dawn dish soap to “strip” them.  It is a little time intensive because you have to do it by hand, but well worth it. (For additional information on stripping diapers, click here. I do not suggest the super hot water washes, mainly because of the fabric used in A-I-O diapers)

I do use dusting powder however.  I haven’t noticed any real problems with that at all (go talc free though!)

For diapers that are messy, you will probably want to invest in a diaper sprayer.  This really reduces how much you come in contact with the mess (if at all!)  They are pretty simple to install and use.  They just hook up to the toilet, and when you are done, you just flush the mess away.  You can also do it the old fashioned way and dunk it in the toilet to clean it.

For storing the sprayed out messy/urine soaked diapers, all you need is a dry pail or a water proof hanging bag (there are many of these on the market – I have an x-brand one and a fuzzibunz one.)  I admit that I also have a basket for the “to-wash-out” diapers during the day – and a travel wet bag for in our diaper bag.  You have to find a system that works for you at home.  I find I don’t always have time to immediately wash out a messy diaper right after it happens, so I put it in the basket so I can do it in the evening after baby is asleep.  Don’t wait too long though, else your diapers will stain (which if taken good care of, is unlikely to happen much!)

The frequency that you need to wash your diapers depends on how many you own.  Make sure you have enough of them to last your child while the others are in the wash and drying.  Once you are ready to wash them, you will want to dump everything (liners, outers, wipes, and maybe even the diaper wet bag if it is stinky) into the washer.  Make sure you use a free and clear detergent and NO softener (because it will effect absorbency.)  You only need a small amount too.  I have an HE washer, and each load takes 1/4 oz. to 1/2 oz. per load of 26-29 diapers.  This seems very small, but it is ample since the outers are laminated fabric.

You should NOT do this on hot.  If you have laminated outers, it might separate the cloth from the waterproof portion – thus ruining the diaper.  Warm is ok though!  You will also want to set it (or re-run) and extra rinse cycle.  Once you have washed it once, you will then wash it the same way again! (Exciting I know…)

If your diapers are still smelling funky, you can add some vinegar (1/2 to 1 full cup) to the wash.  They won’t come out smelling like it though, so don’t worry.

Once you are done washing them, you can either put the whole load into the dryer and dry it with NO heat (air dry setting), or you can hang the whole bunch outside (sunlight will not only dry everything quickly, but will also help your diapers smelling fresh!) Your last option (which I end up doing most of the time) is hanging up the outers  (the laminated fabric), and putting the liners and wipes into the dryer on high heat (as it doesn’t really harm them.)  The diaper wet bag can just be hung up with the diaper outers.

So there you go.  A basic run down on how to care for the A-I-O cloth diapers!  If you feel there is something I missed, leave a comment and I will be happy to update this.

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