Sweet Cheeks Cloth Diapers ~ Laundering

TOP LAUNDERING QUESTION

Q:  Does flannel become stiff and hard with use and age?

A:  No.  All fabrics only become stiff when the detergent(s) used to launder them don't rinse clear of the fabric fibers (causing build-up).  If washed in biodegradable laundry products they wash completely clean and stay soft and absorbent and the life of the fabric is extended considerably.  I suggest (and use all the time) Shaklee's Basic-L (www.shaklee.com), though any biodegradable laundry product is great.

LAUNDERING TIPS FOR DIAPERS

New 100% cotton fabric (diapers, liners, breast pads, New Moon pads, etc.) will initially need 3-4 washings to reach full absorbency potential.

Remove solids before putting diapers to soak.  Soak in diaper pail in solution of washing soda, or vinegar, and water.  BLEACH IS NOT RECOMMENDED as it is a corrosive and can break down fabrics.  To launder, put contents of diaper pail into washer, run through spin cycle,  run through rinse cycle, then wash on regular cycle in hot water.

CARE OF FLEECE COVERS

Machine or hand wash in warm or cold water and either hang or tumble dry.  A diaper cover will only work as well as the diaper it's covering, so be sure your diapers meet your  baby's absorbency needs (extra liners, doublers, etc.).

LAUNDERING HINT

(Diapers & Covers)

Items dried on the clothesline are more absorbent than those that are dried in the dryer...and the sun works as a natural whitener!  Also, using liquid fabric softeners will decrease fabric absorbency so don't use it on diapers but it is great to use on diaper covers to help keep their moisture barrier properties at the maximum.

LAUNDERING OF 100% COTTON FABRICS

When vibrant 100% cotton fabrics are laundered for the first time they need to have their colors set.  NEVER launder them with other fabric items that may pick up the colors until the colors have been set.

TO SET COLORS

Add a cup of vinegar or salt to laundry water when new items are washed for the first time.  This "sets" their colors so they don't bleed onto other items.  Always wash like colors together, never with pale or white items.

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