Washing and caring for cloth diapers - the right washing and care products
Cloth diapers are not only sustainable and skin-friendly, but with proper care, they're also exceptionally durable. To ensure you can enjoy your cloth diapers for a long time, the right washing routine and the right detergent are crucial. Here, you'll learn how to wash, care for, and keep cloth diapers hygienically clean, and you'll find the right detergent – simple and suitable for everyday use.
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Washing cloth diapers – How to do it correctly:
- Store in a dry place: Store your used cloth diapers (absorbent inserts and AIO/Pockets) openly in a wet bag, pail liner, or diaper pail, as this is odorless for a maximum of 4 days - without them coming into contact with water; these must be stored separately.
- Pre-wash: Start with a short pre-wash (cold or max. 40 degrees) without detergent to rinse and pump out urine and stool residues
- Main wash: The main wash is then carried out at 60°C with an enzyme-free heavy-duty detergent with at least 15% soap content, preferably in powder form
- Rinse thoroughly: Make sure you rinse thoroughly to remove all detergent residues (water+, pre-rinse, rinse...)
- Dry properly : It is best to air dry the inserts, only use the dryer if absolutely necessary (pay attention to the material), and only let overpants and PUL items air dry!!
- Wash PUL overpants: these are sufficient at 40°C and best with colored laundry and color detergent to ensure long durability
Important tips
- No fabric softener or hygiene rinse - these can severely impair absorbency and damage the materials, as well as cause skin irritation
- Vinegar, bleach or high temperatures - avoid all of these!!!
- Dose detergent appropriately - please follow the retailer's instructions, too much leads to residues, too little does not clean sufficiently
- It is best to use our recommended detergents from our range to protect the sensitive baby skin and the materials
How often should you wash diapers?
After at least 4 days of storage to prevent odor and bacterial growth. This keeps your diapers hygienic and fresh – without any effort.
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FAQ
How many cloth diapers do I need?
No action is required for breast milk stool, as it is water-soluble and odorless and can be washed with the appropriate washing routine.
For solid food or formula stool, simply use our diaper liner and dispose of the solids in the trash or toilet. If any solids have gotten on the insert, please remove them before washing.
What accessories do I need?
Ideally, wash your new cloth diapers once with a 40°C wash cycle, using a cloth diaper-friendly detergent like Ulrich natural!
Your absorbent materials need about 8-10 washes to reach their full absorbency.
Washing and care
1. How often should I wash cloth diapers?
Cloth diapers should be washed at least every 2-4 days to prevent unpleasant odors and maintain the quality of the diapers.
2. How do I prepare cloth diapers for washing?
Remove all solid residues (e.g., by rinsing or shaking off) before storage. For diapers with inserts, you should remove the inserts from the diaper if possible.
For stool residues, it is advisable to rinse with cold water to minimize odors, but note that these diapers must be stored in a separate wet bag or dried beforehand to prevent mold growth. Excessively wet inserts or diapers should also be dried before storage to prevent liquid from forming in the wet bag.
3. At what temperature should I wash cloth diapers?
Cloth diapers should normally be washed at 40 to 60 degrees Celsius, depending on the manufacturer's instructions. At 60 degrees, bacteria and germs are better removed, but you should observe the care instructions for the diapers to avoid shortening their lifespan. PUL covers should always be washed at 40 degrees to significantly increase their lifespan, and ideally with colored laundry and the appropriate detergent.
4. Can I use fabric softener?
Fabric softener must be avoided as it can impair the absorbency of cloth diapers. Instead, you can use a special detergent for cloth diapers that leaves no residue and is gentle on the materials. You can, of course, find this in our Ulrich natürlich shop.
Detergent should always meet the following criteria: - less than 15% soap content, even better under 5% - no chemical bleaches - no artificial fragrances - no preservatives or dyes
5. How can I remove stains from cloth diapers?
Stains can be removed by sun (UV light) or a special stain remover for cloth diapers, which you can find from Ulrich natürlich in our shop. Another method is to pre-treat the stains on the diapers with curd soap and then wash them in the washing machine to remove stains. (always just before washing)
6. Should I wash my cloth diapers before first use?
Yes, we recommend washing cloth diapers before first use. This helps to increase absorbency and remove any residues from production. Cloth diapers reach their full absorbency after about 8-10 washes.
7. Can I dry cloth diapers in a dryer?
No, please don't. Even if some products state it's possible and the dryer dries at a low temperature and on a gentle cycle, frequent tumble drying can permanently damage the material and remove the absorbent material, as dryers de-lint (you'll notice it in the lint filter). Air drying is definitely the better choice; hang the diapers on a clothesline.
8. How can I avoid unpleasant odors?
To avoid unpleasant odors, diapers should be washed regularly with the correct washing routine and dried properly. The storage system (such as a wet bag) should be well ventilated, and it is helpful to store diapers in a clean, dry room.
9. How do I wash properly?
- Simply put your diapers in the washing machine drum with our self-emptying wet bag, after opening both zippers.
- First, select a short program like "Pre-rinse" or "Rinse and spin."
- After this program, the coarse impurities are already out of your machine; now select a suitable full wash program and add more water + programs (pre-rinse, post-rinse, etc.).
- Spin speed max. 1200
- Observe detergent dosage (please pay attention to our recommended detergent - Ulrich natürlich Diaper Detergent to ensure long durability).
- For heavily calciferous water, we strongly recommend adding a descaler such as the lactic acid descaler from Ulrich natürlich (protects your materials and your machine).
- You can also add other laundry that you want to wash at the selected temperature; the machine should be well and efficiently filled.
- Start the washing program.
Why washable feminine hygiene?
We ship carbon neutrally with Austrian Post. For shipments outside Austria, the parcel is handed over to a shipping partner of Austrian Post.
Our delivery times are:
- Within Austria approx. 2-4 working days
- Germany-wide approx. 3-7 working days
- Italy (South Tyrol) approx. 2-5 working days
1. Why should I switch to washable feminine hygiene products?
Washable feminine hygiene products offer many advantages:
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Environmentally friendly: They are reusable and help reduce the use of disposable products such as pads and tampons, resulting in less waste.
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Cost-effective: Although the initial investment may seem higher, washable products can save you a lot of money in the long run because they can be reused many times.
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Health benefit: Our washable products are made from natural materials that are gentle on the skin and do not contain chemical additives found in many disposable products.
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Comfort: Many people find washable products more comfortable because they are made of breathable materials such as cotton or bamboo, which leads to less irritation.
2. How does a washable cloth pad work?
Washable cloth pads consist of several layers, including an absorbent layer and a water-repellent layer to prevent leakage. They are easy to use:
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Place the pad in your underwear.
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Change your pad as needed, usually every 4-6 hours, depending on the heaviness of your period.
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After use, you can rinse the pad with cold water to remove blood, store it in a wet bag, and then wash it in the washing machine after your period.
3. How many washable pads do I need?
The number of pads you need depends on how often you want to change them. Typically, we recommend using 2-5 pads per day. You should always have enough pads to replace during the wash cycle. It's also a good idea to have several sizes (light, medium, and strong absorbency) to meet different needs.
4. How do I clean washable feminine hygiene products?
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Pre-rinse: Rinse the pad with cold water to remove any residue. Avoid using hot water, as this can cause the blood to stick.
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Washing: Machine wash the pads at 40-60°C using a mild detergent. Avoid fabric softener, as this can impair absorbency.
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Drying: Air dry the pads.
5. Can I use washable pads when traveling?
Yes! Washable pads are also a good choice for traveling. You can use a wet bag (reusable bag) to safely transport used pads until you can wash them. This provides a hygienic solution even when you're on the go.
6. What is a menstrual cup and why should I use it?
A menstrual cup is a flexible, reusable container inserted into the vaginal canal to collect menstrual blood. It is a popular alternative to tampons and pads for the following reasons:
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Longer wearable: A menstrual cup can be worn for up to 12 hours, depending on the intensity of your period.
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Environmentally friendly: Since it is reusable, the waste generated by disposable products is significantly reduced.
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Cost-effective: Although the cup is more expensive initially, it will last for many years and save you money in the long run.
- Fewer cramps : By using a menstrual cup instead of disposable tampons, your mucous membrane remains intact and cramps can be reduced
7. Is the menstrual cup safe?
Yes, menstrual cups are safe when used correctly. They are made of medical-grade silicone and are non-toxic. Make sure to clean the cup regularly and not wear it for longer than recommended (usually 8-12 hours).
8. How long does a menstrual cup last?
With proper care, a menstrual cup can last for several years, making it a very cost-effective and environmentally friendly option.
9. Why are washable products better for the environment?
Washable products reduce the need for disposable items, which typically end up in landfills and take hundreds of years to decompose. They also save on packaging and help reduce plastic consumption. By switching to washable products, you can help reduce the environmental impact of period products.
Conclusion:
Washable feminine hygiene products are an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and healthy choice. They offer you a convenient way to manage your period without relying on disposable products. Whether pads or menstrual cups, these products offer a variety of benefits for you and the environment.
Exchanges and Returns
If the products you purchased are not right for you, you can of course return them to us.
Please note our return policy, which we have summarized here:
- Only unwashed and unused goods will be accepted (hygiene guidelines)
- Use the withdrawal button in the footer section of the website
- Return your return to us at your own expense
You will receive your money back to your payment method from the shop within 14 working days after receipt of the goods and inspection.
Complaints:
- Please contact us by email at office@lumina-stoffwindeln.at
- Please send us a description of the problem, as well as pictures and your invoice
Together we will then clarify the problem and the further course of action.
If you are unsure about using our products and are therefore considering a return, please take a look at our free online cloth diaper consultation and/or book a free 30-minute appointment with Andrea.
How does the Austrian diaper voucher work?
- Shop with us to the value of your desired diaper voucher
- After a successful purchase, send us your diaper voucher with all copies by post
- Once a month, all vouchers are processed, and after receipt of the money from the WIWA association, you will also receive your voucher amount back
Please note
- Only Lumina products are eligible for diaper vouchers (XKKO, Ja & Anders, Everdrop, and Ulrich are not).
- Feminine hygiene products are not eligible for diaper vouchers.
- Discounted sets are also not combinable with the diaper voucher, nor is our newsletter discount.
For all further information, please refer to our blog post
