What is what to do when you wash a diaper?

When washing diapers, here's a breakdown of what to do:

• Prepping New Diapers: New diapers, especially those made of natural fibers, need to be prepped before their first use to increase absorbency. This usually involves washing and drying them several times.

• Removing Solids: Before washing, remove as much solid waste as possible. This can be done by dumping it into the toilet or using a diaper sprayer.

• Rinsing: Rinse heavily soiled diapers immediately to prevent staining and odor buildup.

• Storing Dirty Diapers: Store dirty diapers in a dry pail or wet bag until wash day. Avoid soaking diapers in water, as this can breed bacteria.

• Washing: Wash diapers every 2-3 days to prevent buildup and odors. Use a detergent that is free of dyes, fragrances, and enzymes. Use hot water for the main wash. You may want to do a cold prewash first.

• Drying: Diapers can be dried in the dryer on low or medium heat or hung to dry on a clothesline. Sunning diapers is a great way to naturally bleach stains.

• Stripping Diapers: Over time, diapers may develop buildup that affects their absorbency. Stripping is a process to remove these deposits.

• Detergent: Choose a diaper-safe detergent and use the correct amount. Using too much detergent can lead to buildup, while using too little may not clean the diapers effectively.