When new mothers choose to cloth diaper their babies, the cleaning process can be a significant source of anxiety. However, once you get an easy and effective method down, it can alleviate the stress considerably. Read on to find out how you can clean your baby’s cloth diaper in five easy steps.

1. Prepare the diaper pail

It is best to choose a diaper pail and liner that are designed for cloth diapers. These diaper pails will be waterproof while the liners can double as laundry bags to be tossed in the laundry with the soiled diapers. Pails should seal well to contain odors. 

Start the washing process by filling the diaper pail halfway with warm water and add a ½ cup of borax per gallon of water. The borax will work to remove stains and deodorize the fabric.

2. Soak and Wash the Diapers

It is essential to wash diapers separately from your other laundry using the correct laundry cycle. Use hot water and a gentle detergent. Some detergents are specially made for babies in that they are dye and fragrance-free.

Wash diapers as you would any other items of clothing being careful not to overcrowd the washer. A couple of dozen diapers will be the maximum amount of diapers you want to wash at once.

3. Extra Rinse

Once the initial cycle is done, an extra rinse will be necessary. Add 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar to this rinse cycle to get rid of detergent residue and whiten diapers. Do not use a fabric softener as these can reduce the absorbency of the cloth. 

4. Drying Your Diapers

Because gentle laundry detergents tend to be free of brighteners, baby’s diapers can often end up looking dingy. The sun, however, can work as a natural bleach. That’s why it’s a good idea to dry your baby’s diapers in the sun. Just hang or lay diapers in the sun for 15 to 20 minutes to lighten stains or even get rid of them completely 

If you prefer to dry diapers in a dryer, avoid using dryer sheets that can reduce the absorbency of the cloth and contain fragrances that can irritate your baby’s skin. 

5. Removing Stains

If diapers become overly stained, they may need extra attention. If this is the case, an oxygen-based bleach will be an effective way to get those diapers looking clean and white.

Simply follow the package directions to find out how much oxygen bleach to use per gallon of warm water. Submerge diapers and allow them to soak for eight hours. Repeat process if necessary. Again make sure to do process above too with an extra rinse to make sure all detergents, etc. are out of your diapers and cannot affect your baby's skin.

Hopefully, these simple instructions will help to alleviate some of the stress new mothers might associate with washing their cloth diapers. Once you get used to the process and figure out a way to work it into your schedule, it will start to come as second nature. Good luck getting your cloth diapers clean, bright and looking great.