Cleaning
Washing/Care Recommendations:
Storing Dirty Diapers (until wash time)
We store our dirty diapers in a repurposed garbage can. One of those small (5 gallon or so) garbage cans with a lid and step that has as removable bucket. This size holds about 2 days worth of diapers. You can find them just about anywhere (Linens -n- Things, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, Lowes, etc.) Or you can use a tote/wet bag. Just hang it and cinch it up. The tote bags also work well as diaper pail liners.
We place each wet (pee-pee) diaper directly into the pail. We have had the most success by rinsing dirty (pooh-pooh) diapers off into the toilet using the mini shower and then placing the diaper into the pail. We love, love, love the mini shower - can't say enough wonderful things about it. Some people feel that until your baby is eating solid foods you can put the dirty diapers directly into the pail. We have had some troubles with stains using this method and have found that a good rinse with the mini shower is a quick way of preventing stains. Also, residential washing machines are not equipped to handle human waste. You want to remove as much of the pooh-pooh as possible with the mini shower or the pooh-pooh will still be in your washing machine after your diapers have completed the wash cycle.
After the pail begins to fill up, usually after a couple of days, you would empty the pail into your washing machine and begin your normal wash cycle. If you don't use the mini shower we recommend pre-treating the soiled areas and/or using a pre-wash cycle on your washing machine in addition to a normal wash cycle.
To Soak or Not To Soak...that is the question
There are two methods to storing dirty diapers between washings. They are the wet pail method and the dry pail method. We have had the most success with and recommend the dry pail method using the mini shower.
Wet Pail
Dry Pail
Washing Diapers
Wash diapers on hot water, heavy soil cycle on your washing machine with a mild detergent and non-chlorine bleach.
Washing Covers
Wash diaper covers on cold or warm water, delicate or normal or heavy soil cycle on your washing machine with a mild detergent and non-chlorine bleach along with your other laundry.
Storing Dirty Diapers (until wash time)
We store our dirty diapers in a repurposed garbage can. One of those small (5 gallon or so) garbage cans with a lid and step that has as removable bucket. This size holds about 2 days worth of diapers. You can find them just about anywhere (Linens -n- Things, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, Lowes, etc.) Or you can use a tote/wet bag. Just hang it and cinch it up. The tote bags also work well as diaper pail liners.
We place each wet (pee-pee) diaper directly into the pail. We have had the most success by rinsing dirty (pooh-pooh) diapers off into the toilet using the mini shower and then placing the diaper into the pail. We love, love, love the mini shower - can't say enough wonderful things about it. Some people feel that until your baby is eating solid foods you can put the dirty diapers directly into the pail. We have had some troubles with stains using this method and have found that a good rinse with the mini shower is a quick way of preventing stains. Also, residential washing machines are not equipped to handle human waste. You want to remove as much of the pooh-pooh as possible with the mini shower or the pooh-pooh will still be in your washing machine after your diapers have completed the wash cycle.
After the pail begins to fill up, usually after a couple of days, you would empty the pail into your washing machine and begin your normal wash cycle. If you don't use the mini shower we recommend pre-treating the soiled areas and/or using a pre-wash cycle on your washing machine in addition to a normal wash cycle.
To Soak or Not To Soak...that is the question
There are two methods to storing dirty diapers between washings. They are the wet pail method and the dry pail method. We have had the most success with and recommend the dry pail method using the mini shower.
Wet Pail
- Fill diaper pail 1/4 of the way full with cold water.
- After the pail begins to fill up, usually after a couple of days, empty the pail... water, diapers and all into the washing machine.
- Run one spin cycle to get the dirty pail water out of the washer before beginning normal wash cycle.
Dry Pail
- Using the dry pail method you do NOT fill the pail with water.
- Again, after the pail begins to fill up, usually after a couple of days, you would empty the pail into the washing machine and begin normal wash cycle.
- If using the dry pail method without the use of the mini shower, we recommend pre-treating the soiled areas and/or using a pre-wash cycle on your washing machine in addition to a normal wash cycle.
Washing Diapers
Wash diapers on hot water, heavy soil cycle on your washing machine with a mild detergent and non-chlorine bleach.
- Use about 25% of the amount of detergent you would normally use to reduce detergent residue build-up. (Detergent residue will cause your diapers to become less absorbent.)
- DO NOT use chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach will dramatically lessen the lifetime of your diaper. It eats away at the cotton and causes holes to appear. We do use non-chlorine bleach quite liberally. If you do not want or wish to use any bleach product sunlight is a natural bleaching agent. After you wash your diapers hang dry them outside and the sunlight will naturally bleach them.
- DO NOT use any type of fabric softener. Fabric softeners will lessen the absorbency of your diapers.
- We recommend using an extra rinse cycle which helps make sure all detergent is removed from the diapers making them less irritating to your baby's bottom and reduces the risk of detergent residue which causes diapers to become less absorbent.
- Dry on high heat or hang dry.
Washing Covers
Wash diaper covers on cold or warm water, delicate or normal or heavy soil cycle on your washing machine with a mild detergent and non-chlorine bleach along with your other laundry.
- Turn covers inside out. If cover has Velcro closures, like the Bummis Super Whisper Wrap, use the built in washing tab (small Velcro tab on inside of diaper) to fasten the Velcro closure straps to.
- Covers need to be washed more delicately compared to diapers. We wash our covers with other baby clothes with a mild detergent and non-chlorine bleach when needed.
- DO NOT use any type of fabric softener. Fabric softeners will lessen the waterproof capability of your diaper covers.
- Again, we recommend using an extra rinse cycle which helps make sure all detergent is removed from the covers making them less irritating to your baby's bottom and reduces the risk of detergent residue which cause diaper covers to become less waterproof.
- You can also hand wash your diaper covers in the sink using a small amount of mild detergent. We use an old toothbrush to help clean out the gussets of the cover.
- Tumble dry on medium or low heat setting or hang dry.
