A new Cloth Diaper/ Nappy, Soaker, Insert or Booster will need to be pre washed at least once before use and they will reach full absorbency after being washed around 3 times. It is normal for them to shrink slightly! You may hand or machine wash them WITHOUT any laundry powder either with HOT or COLD water.
Storing soiled diapers
When changing your baby, get rid of any solids down the toilet (I prefer to use a toilet spray or sometimes a scrapper to remove the solids), and drop the used cloth diaper and liner if you use one in a diaper bucket or wet bag. You do not need to soak your diapers (Unless you really want to!) A few drops of lavender or tea tree oil in the base of the bucket or wet bag will keep it smelling fresh. Wraps can go in the bucket too, but don't soak them. This is called the Dry Pail Method. It’s not necessary to wash the diapers every day, every two or three days is fine just make sure you have enough diapers to last.
Tips on soaking diapers…(If you choose to soak)
With soaking you do exactly the same as with dry pailing explained above, except that you store your diapers in a bucket of diaper soak/ detergent instead of in a dry bucket. Normal diaper soak powder is available in most local supermarket, although this is often the less gentle option. More eco, diaper, and skin friendly options include Tea Tree Oil, Lavender Oil, or Nappy Fresh. I prefer Hypo-Allergenic-Detergent (any brands), both in powder and liquid forms.
Make up a bucket of diaper soak solution (follow the instructions) and put your used diapers in. If using Tea Tree or Lavender oil you only need a few drops for a normal household bucket or diaper bucket so one bottle tends to last for ages.
What’s best, Dry pailing or soaking?
Each of us have our own preferences about which way to care for our diapers, and you will probably already know which you prefer from reading the above, so it is hard to say that there is a best way. Dry pailing involves less opportunity for spillages and no smelly water! It may also be safer than having buckets full of water accessible to children, it’s also less work. A lot of people seem to start off soaking their nappies and end up dry pailing, so perhaps this is an indication of what works best and is most convenient!
*** Safety Tips ***
Always remember to keep any buckets of water away from mobile babies and toddlers because of the risk of drowning. If you soak your diapers, put the bucket somewhere inaccessible to your child, for example in a bathtub or simply put a tight cover over the bucket.
