FAQ Washing cloth diapers
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.