What laundry detergent should I use for diapers?
Any detergent that is free of additives, such as fragrance, dyes, bleach (or bleach alternatives), optical brighteners, or softeners. I have used and recommend Charlie’s Soap. Detergents to avoid: BioKleen, Mrs. Meyers, Dr. Bronners. These are fabulous healthy, eco-friendly alternatives, but they are plant based and contain oils that cause build-up and residue on diapers…that is bad news.
Other known diaper offenders to avoid:
- All free & clear (free & clear usually only applies to being free of dyes & fragrance)
- Tide free & clear
- Dreft
- Gain
- Watch out for optical brighteners, whiteners, stain blockers, softeners, etc.
- Also, avoid using a “soap”, such as a castille-based detergent. They tend to leave a waxy residue after a few months.
Please note: these detergents work fine on clothes, but your clothes aren’t made to absorb the stuff diapers are made to absorb. Therefore, consider the contents of the detergent you use. It is important to become a label reader. Most “main stream” detergents contain not only harmful ingredients, but they also contain chemicals that are designed to attach to fibers which then act as “stain hiders” or color brighteners or softeners, etc. These additives are bad news for diapers that do not work properly when coated with such residues. If you want your diapers to last (and save you even more money) then treat them kindly.
Some diaper manufacturers have a warranty on their diapers. Warranties can be void if a detergent was used that is not on the manufacturers list of approved/recommended uses. Please check the manufactures site for more info and their laundry recommendations.
Here is a list of Terra Tots’s top recommendations:
- Charlie’s Soap laundry powder (HE compatible)
- Country Save
- Mountain Green – free & clear
- Mountain Green – baby
- Sun Free (must be the “free” version)
- Thirsties detergent
- Ecos
- Arm & Hammer Essentials
How often should I wash diapers?
This depends highly upon how many diapers you have in your “stash”. If you start with at least 18-24 diapers, then you should be able to go at least 1.5 to two days before laundering again. As the baby gets older (usually past the three/four month mark) the need to wash so frequently will lessen. Most can go at least three days at that point, however – I don’t recommend going past four days…whew, stinky and the bacteria will be growing.
Washing is not difficult. Breastfeeding poo tends to wash out with little effort and the glorious sun will bleach any stains. As the poo gets solid, try using a diaper sprayer….see below:
What to do with the poo?
Human fecal matter (of any age) should be disposed of properly, typically being flushed down the toilet. This should be done no matter what type of diaper you are using. Please do not throw your poop in the trash. If you would like specific detail of how feces should be disposed of, please call the local sewage waste facility.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for a handy way to get poo off diapers, consider a diaper sprayer. The sprayers are easy to install. It attaches directly to the plumbing line of a toilet and makes spraying out diapers a breeze.
Is wool easy to use?
So easy. Most wool covers require hand washing, but it is an easy process. Before using wool, it must be lanolized to prevent leaking. Washing is not required after each use. Only if the cover is soiled or when it starts to stink. Wool contains natural properties that neutralize odors and bacteria. Also, wool is very breathable, and can be worn in summer or winter. It is a smart choice for overnight diapering.
How to wash wool:
Use a soap/detergent that is designed for wool, or a gentle soap. Fill the sink (or any large basin/bowl) with lukewarm water. Rub the soap into the fabric and gently massage soiled area. Refill sink with clean lukewarm water. Rinse until water is clear and not cloudy. TO DRY: lay cover into a flat towel. Roll the cover into the towel and gently squeeze. Do not wring the diaper cover. Lay flat or hang to air dry. Treat the wool cover just as you would a wool sweater.
How to lanolize a wool cover:
There are specific products designed to make lanolizing easy. A stand by method for us: Melt 2 tsp of lanolin into a cup of very hot water. Make sure lanolin beads are fully melted. Some find that mixing a few drops of baby shampoo or soap help emulsify the lanolin. Pour the mixture into a sink of lukewarm water (OR into a bucket/bowl) and soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Do not rinse. Use the above method for drying.
Wipe solution:
It is easy to make diaper wipe solution at home. There are several recipes for great solutions. Below is my favorite.
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup witch hazel
- 6 drops of tea tree oil
- Occasionally, I would add a bit of rose water.
Be sure to keep your solution fresh. It will last 2-3 days. After that, dump, and make a new solution.