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Landfills were not designed to handle human waste - so more and more families are choosing cloth as a safer, more natural and environmentally friendly option! But how to launder? It may sound a daunting prospect, but it's so easy. There are 2 basic methods for storing wet and soiled cloth diapers: the wet pail method and the dry pail method. In the wet pail method, all cloth diapers are placed in a pail filled with water. Storing the diapers in water (usually accompanied by baking soda) is said to help prevent stains from setting. When wash day comes, the water is drained in the bathtub or toilet and then the diapers go into the wash. This method has lost much of its popularity due to odor issues that arise from stagnant water, the potential for messiness, and the potential drowning hazard present by having a pail full of water in the vicinity of children. A wet pail can also be inconvenient when you consider that AIOs and diaper covers often need a separate (dry) pail. The dry pail method seems to be the preferred method. In this method, wet and soiled diapers are merely placed within a covered (or uncovered) pail with no pre-soaking. Odors can easily be controlled by sprinkling baking soda on the diapers or by putting a deodorant disc at the bottom of the pail. Many dirty diaper bags are made with a small piece of fabric sewn into an inside seam. This piece is designed for adding a drop or two of your favorite essential oils (Tee Trea and Lavender are often used) to help mask any especially pungent odors. Which Washing Method Works Best? Wash no more than two dozen diapers at one time, as too much friction can cause pilling. Also, make sure you fasten all velcro tabs to avoid diaper chains. Because detergent build-up can occur, use less detergent than you normally would. Use about 1/4 of the recommended amount of your preferred detergent. Send your diapers through two cycles - a COLD/COLD wash or a COLD rinse or soak, and a HOT/COLD wash. If you have hard water, you may experiment by adding 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser during the final rinse. If you are experiencing odor problems, 2-3 drops of Tea Tree Oil or 1-2 squirts of Bac-Out Stain & Odor Eliminator can help. Be aware that using too much of an essential oil in your wash routine may begin to cause repelling in your diapers. (Water and oil don't mix!) More available at: http://www.diaperjungle.com/washing-cloth-diapers.html |
