To ensure cloth diapers get properly clean and last a long time, it's important to know how to wash them correctly. This applies not only to cloth diapers, but also to all other fabrics and clothing items that go in the washing machine.
This article provides a brief overview of how to properly wash cloth diapers. We will focus specifically on all-in-one diapers like Lybbie, which have a PUL coating on the outside.
Laundry detergent for cloth diapers
To ensure that cloth diapers get very clean, it is important to use the right detergent.
Regular detergent or color detergent
For most cloth diapers, regular laundry detergent is used. When choosing regular detergent, make sure it is sensitive and as gentle as possible.
Liquid detergent or powder detergent
Powder detergent achieves the best results when washing cloth diapers. Liquid detergents often contain preservatives that are not environmentally friendly. Powder detergents also have a significantly better cleaning performance than liquid detergents.
Additives in the detergent
To ensure cloth diapers are clean and hygienic, the detergent should contain plenty of surfactants. This guarantees that bacteria and ammonia are removed during washing.
Optical brighteners, enzymes, fabric softeners, and fragrances should not be included in detergent for cloth diapers. These can damage the material of the cloth diaper or the delicate baby skin.
Do not use too much detergent.
More isn't always better. Too much detergent can build up in the cloth diapers and cause them to smell. Therefore, always use only the recommended amount of detergent when washing cloth diapers.
Pro tip
If you buy a very good, sensitive, powdered laundry detergent specifically for cloth diapers, you can also use it without any problems for white and easy-care fabrics. A separate detergent just for cloth diapers is therefore no longer necessary.
Washing temperature
To hygienically clean cloth diapers, it is important to adjust the washing temperature accordingly. This also depends primarily on the detergent used.
Washing temperature: 40°C or 60°C
Lybbie diapers can be washed at both 40°C and 60°C. This depends on the degree of soiling and the detergent used. Generally, higher temperatures can accelerate wear and tear on the outer PUL material (the waterproof layer), so lower temperatures are preferable.
60°C washing temperature with oxygen bleach
Oxygen bleach breaks down into its components at around 50°C and is therefore only fully effective at this washing temperature. For this reason, cloth diapers to which oxygen bleach has been added, or whose detergent contains oxygen bleach, should be washed at around 60°C.
40°C with the addition of TAED to the detergent
To enable bleach to work even at lower temperatures, the activator TAED is often added to detergents. It is non-toxic and non-irritating to the skin. With TAED, bleaching agents like oxygen bleach become active even at a washing temperature of 40°C, meaning that diapers get clean even at 40°C.
90°C unnecessary
Modern detergents contain such excellent ingredients that washing at 90°C is generally unnecessary. PUL material, like that used in Lybbie diapers, can be easily damaged by excessively high temperatures. Therefore, washing cloth diapers at 90°C should definitely be avoided.
Washing cycles
To ensure that cloth diapers are hygienically clean, several factors should be considered when selecting the washing cycles.
Warm pre-wash program (30°C-40°C)
To remove the worst of the dirt and urine from the diaper laundry, a warm pre-wash cycle (between 30°C and 40°C is recommended). It is important that the water is completely pumped out at the end and not reused for the main wash. If this is not possible, it is recommended to run a short 30°C to 40°C cycle before starting the main wash. Washing powder should be used for this.
Warm to hot main wash cycle (40°-60°C)
The main wash cycle then follows. Depending on the detergent used and the degree of soiling, this should take place at 40°C to 60°C. It is essential to use the correct amount of detergent as directed by the manufacturer.
Extra sink
Some washing machines offer an extra rinse cycle after the wash. This is always a good idea to remove detergent residue from cloth diapers (or other clothing items).
Water Plus or Eco
To ensure your cloth diapers are perfectly clean, press the "Water Plus" button and avoid using the Eco program. The Eco program typically uses too little water at too low a temperature and is unsuitable for cloth diapers.
Do not soak before washing.
Some washing machines pre-soak the laundry, or allow it to soak briefly before washing. This is not recommended for cloth diapers, as soaking can cause the fibers to swell excessively and then be damaged by the mechanical stress in the washing machine.
filling the washing machine
As with all laundry loads, the washing machine drum's capacity is also crucial for successful cleaning. It's recommended to ensure the washing machine is between half and three-quarters full.
Drying the cloth diaper
After washing, the cloth diapers are dried. To ensure the diapers are ready for use again quickly, we've used fast-drying materials and integrated a sewn-in absorbent tongue that can be pulled out. This allows the diaper to dry extremely quickly.
No dryer
The dryer damages the PUL (polyurethane laminate) of cloth diapers too much and should therefore be avoided. But a dryer is also less suitable for many other fabrics.
Hang up the diaper
To ensure the diapers last as long as possible, they should be hung on a clothesline. Depending on the humidity and temperature, Lybbie diapers can even be ready for use again within a few hours.
