Washing and Stripping

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is how do you wash them and what do you do with the poop?!

I am still amazed to this day, that people don't realize that poop belongs in the toilet and not in a landfill (like it would with a disposable).  My answer to the question is, I wash them in the washing machine and I put the poop in the toilet where it belongs.

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 Washing...

Everyone has their own washing techniques. Breastfed poops are water soluble and dissolve in the wash. "peanut butter" type poops or harder stools need to be dumped in the toilet and rinsed or sprayed with bac-out or stain remover to keep from staining. You can either use a pail (lined or unlined) or a wetbag. Wet pails are also used, but please be cautious of little ones as it is a drowning hazard.

Every mom has their own "concoction" of detergents, etc that they use. Baking soda and vinegar combo is popular, as are the "free and clear" detergents. It is recommended that you start by researching what is available to you and seeing what works for you

Here is a great resource to finding what can/will work for you
http://www.sunshinediapers.com/u_detergent.html

Stripping...What is it? When and How often?
Stripping is done to remove detergent and extra 'junk' from the diapers. PUL and microfleece/suedecloth are the biggest offenders and they just LOVE to hold on to anything they can. If you find that urine is rolling right off your diapers and not being absorbed, or that it's soaking right through everything, try stripping. First, wash like normal. Then do a heavy wash with about 2 or 3 tbsp of Dawn dishsoap. Then hot rinse until there are no more suds (usually 2-4 rinses). Voila, sparkling clean yummy diapers.