How to Wash Cloth Diapers: Prevent Rashes & Odors

Cloth diapers are environmentally friendly and significantly cheaper than disposables, but that laundry pile can look intimidating. If you are worried about the mess, don’t be.

Reusable diapers are actually quite easy to manage once you understand the basic wash routine. Here is everything you need to know to keep those diapers fresh, clean, and absorbent.

What To Consider Before Washing Cloth Diapers

Before you throw everything into the machine, you need to check a few variables to ensure you get the best clean.

The most critical factor is your water hardness. If you have hard water, it contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. Over time, these minerals get trapped in the fabric, causing odors and repelling issues. You can easily test this with a hardware store strip. If you have hard water, you will need to add a water softener or use a powdered detergent designed for heavy-duty cleaning.

You also need to choose the right detergent. While many people suggest “gentle” options, cloth diapers are essentially the dirtiest laundry you will ever do. You generally need a strong detergent to break down human waste. However, avoid additives like fabric softeners, which coat the fibers and stop the diaper from absorbing liquid.

How To Machine Wash Cloth Diapers

A solid wash routine prevents “stink” issues and diaper rashes. Ideally, you should wash your stash every 2 to 3 days.

• Time: 2-3 hours
• Difficulty: Beginner

What You’ll Need

Gather the following supplies to get the job done:

• Strong laundry detergent
• Washing machine
• Dryer or clothesline
• Clothespins (if air drying)

1. Remove Solid Waste

If your baby is exclusively breastfed, their waste is water-soluble and can theoretically go straight into the washer. However, once your baby starts solids or formula, you must remove the poop first.

You have a few options here. You can use a “dunk and swish” method in the toilet bowl to dislodge solids. Alternatively, many parents install a diaper sprayer (a handheld bidet) that attaches to the toilet water supply. Spray the solids into the bowl, then place the wet diaper in your pail.

If you use disposable liners, simply lift the liner out and throw it in the trash.

2. Store in a Dry Pail

Gone are the days of soaking diapers in a bucket of bleach water, which is a drowning hazard and damages fabric.

Place the dirty diapers in an open, aerated diaper pail or a hanging wet bag. Airflow is your friend here; it helps slow down the conversion of urine into ammonia.

3. The Pre-Wash Cycle

The first cycle in your machine is arguably the most important. Its job is to rinse away the bulk of the urine and poop so the main wash is done in clean water.

Select a “Speed Wash” or “Normal” cycle with cold or warm water. Add a small amount of detergent (line 1 on the scoop). This loosens solid particles and flushes out urine.

4. The Main Wash Cycle

Once the pre-wash is done, leave the diapers in the drum. Now it is time for the heavy lifting.

Set your machine to a “Heavy Duty” or “Whites” cycle using hot water. Add the full recommended amount of detergent for a heavily soiled load. This high agitation and hot water ensure deep cleaning and sanitation.

If your machine allows it, add an extra rinse at the end to ensure all detergent suds are washed away.

5. Dry the Diapers

Heat can damage the waterproofing (PUL) and elastics over time, so air drying is the safest method for diaper covers.

Hang shells and covers on a drying rack or clothesline. If you are drying inserts, fitteds, or prefolds (the absorbent parts), you can toss them in the dryer on medium heat or hang them outside. Sunlight is a natural stain remover and sanitizer, so line drying in the sun is excellent for stubborn stains.

How To Hand Wash Cloth Diapers

If you don’t have a washer or you are traveling, you can clean diapers effectively by hand. It requires a bit more elbow grease but works well.

• Time: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Intermediate

What You’ll Need

Grab these items before you start scrubbing:

• Detergent
• Hot and warm water sources
• Scrub brush
• Clothesline or rack
• Bathtub or large 5-gallon bucket
• Rubber gloves
• A clean plunger (optional but recommended)

1. Pre-Rinse

Rinse the soiled diapers in cold water to remove as much urine and waste as possible. Let them sit in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen debris.

2. The Agitation Phase

Fill your bucket or tub about halfway with hot water and add detergent. You need to simulate the agitation of a washing machine.

Add the diapers and use a plunger to push and pull water through the fabric. Do this vigorously for several minutes. If you don’t have a plunger, you can use your hands (wear gloves to protect your skin from the hot water and bacteria).

3. Soak and Scrub

Let the diapers soak in the hot, soapy water for 20 to 30 minutes. If you notice staining, scrub the specific spot with a brush and a bit of extra detergent or stain stick.

4. Rinse Thoroughly

Drain the dirty water. Refill the tub with fresh warm water and agitate the diapers again to release the soap. Repeat this drain-and-fill process until the water runs clear and there are no more suds.

5. Dry

Squeeze out excess water gently; do not wring or twist the diapers aggressively, as this can stretch the elastics. Hang them to dry, ideally in the sun.

How to Strip Cloth Diapers

Stripping is an intensive cleaning process used to remove mineral buildup from hard water or detergent residue. You should not do this regularly. Only strip diapers if you are buying them used (pre-loved) or if you are battling severe repelling and stink issues that a normal wash won’t fix.

• Time: 2-4 hours
• Difficulty: Intermediate

What You’ll Need

You will need a specific mix of ingredients to break the mineral bonds:

• Washing machine or bathtub
• RLR, GroVia Mighty Bubbles, or a DIY mix (Borax, Washing Soda, and Calgon)

1. Start with Clean Diapers

Wash your diapers as normal first. Stripping works best on clean, wet diapers.

2. Soak in Solution

Fill your bathtub or top-loading washer with hot water. Add your stripping agent (like a packet of RLR). Throw in your absorbent inserts and prefolds.

Note: Avoid soaking waterproof covers (PUL) in this harsh solution if possible, as it can degrade the lamination.

Let them soak until the water cools completely (usually 2 to 4 hours). Stir occasionally.

3. Rinse and Wash

Drain the water and run the diapers through a rinse cycle without detergent. Follow this immediately with a hot water wash cycle using detergent to ensure all the minerals and chemicals are flushed out.

4. Sanitize (Optional)

If you bought the diapers used, follow the strip with a bleach soak (1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of cold water for 30 minutes) to kill any yeast or bacteria. Rinse thoroughly with hot water afterward.

Pro Tips for Success

Prepping New Diapers

New natural fiber diapers (cotton, hemp, bamboo) contain natural oils that hinder absorption. You must wash and dry them 3 to 5 times before using them on your baby to reach full absorbency. Synthetic inserts usually only need one wash.

Avoid Diaper Rash Creams

Standard diaper rash creams usually contain zinc oxide or petroleum, which create a waterproof barrier on the fabric. This causes pee to roll right off the diaper and leak. If you need cream, use a diaper-safe brand or place a liner between the baby and the diaper.

The Smell Test

Clean diapers should smell like nothing. If they smell like barnyard, they aren’t getting clean enough (add more detergent). If they smell like ammonia, you likely have detergent buildup or need a better rinse cycle.

Don’t Overfill the Machine

Cloth diapers need friction to get clean. The drum should be about 2/3 to 3/4 full. If you don’t have enough diapers to fill the load, bulk it up with small items like hand towels or baby clothes.

FAQs About Cloth Diapers

Do You Really Save Money Using Cloth Diapers?

Yes, families can save over $1,000 per child compared to disposables. While the upfront cost for a stash (around $300 to $500) is higher, you reuse them for years. If you have a second child, the savings double since you already own the diapers.

Is Washing Cloth Diapers Sanitary?

Yes, modern washing machines and detergents effectively sanitize the fabric. By removing solid waste before washing and using hot water with heavy-duty detergent, the diapers come out just as clean as your regular underwear or towels.

How Do You Clean Poopy Cloth Diapers Without a Sprayer?

If you lack a sprayer, use the “dunk and swish” method. Hold the clean corner of the diaper and agitate the soiled part in the toilet bowl water. Alternatively, use disposable liners that catch the solids so you can simply toss the mess into the trash.

Can I Wash Cloth Diapers And Inserts Together?

Yes, you should wash the waterproof covers and the absorbent inserts in the same load. The agitation helps scrub them clean. Just remember to separate them before drying if you plan to machine dry the inserts and air dry the covers.

Should I Soak Cloth Diapers Before Washing?

No, soaking dirty diapers creates a drowning hazard for children and breeds bacteria. It also damages the PUL waterproofing and elastics faster. Store dirty diapers in a “dry pail” with plenty of airflow until wash day.

Do You Wash Cloth Diapers In Hot Or Cold Water?

You should use both. Start with a cold pre-wash (or short cycle) to rinse out proteins and urine to prevent stains setting. Follow that with a hot main wash cycle to activate the detergent and deeply clean the fabric.

How Long Does it Take For Cloth Diapers to Dry?

It depends on the material. Microfiber and cotton prefolds dry quickly (45 minutes in a dryer), while heavy hemp or bamboo inserts can take over an hour to tumble dry or a full day to line dry.

Why Do My Cloth Diapers Smell Like Ammonia?

Ammonia smell usually indicates that urine isn’t being fully rinsed out, often due to detergent buildup or not enough water in the wash cycle. You may need to run a “strip” to reset the diapers, then adjust your routine to include an extra rinse or slightly less detergent.

In Summary

Washing cloth diapers doesn’t have to be a science experiment. Stick to a simple routine: flush the solids, run a cold pre-wash, follow up with a hot heavy-duty cycle, and dry.

With a little practice, this will become just another part of your weekly laundry, saving you money and reducing landfill waste in the process.