Can you imagine taking your diapers out of the machine, clean, breathing in and smelling… weird?! but they are freshly washed, why do they smell like that, like dirty?
If you are unlucky enough to live this moment it's a symptom that your washing routine needs to be reviewed and you can start with 3 steps to properly wash reusable cloth diapers.
But everyone says it's normal and it's necessary to strip the diapers ah! And a disinfection too… mmm nop!
You only need to do a stripping and/or disinfection in case of bad smells, disinfection in case of fungus (eg candidiasis) or when you buy second-hand cloth nappies.
And now you think, Sonia doesn't know what she's talking about?!?! Everyone says it's perfectly normal to have to strip.
Again, it's not normal to have to do constant stripping. By the way, if you're subscribed to the newsletter, you've possibly already received my text where I share that I don't like the stripping concept and I prefer to do a deep wash which is simpler. Can you believe it took me years to realize that was exactly my recommendation?
How do you wash cloth diapers thoroughly?
And how are diapers washed thoroughly? Just like I tell you in the washing post but with 3x the detergent. This recommendation is from Grovia who, like me, live to simplify the use of cloth diapers. #simplifiesdiapers
It's easy, as you've already seen, just use a lot of detergent. Do the routine that I always recommend but you will put 3 times the amount of detergent for very dirty clothes, a washing activator and wash at 60º. In this case, the final rinse is mandatory.
And don't go to a facebook group now. If you put this recommendation of mine you will read comments like: if you have a lot of foam it is too detergent (I said it 7 years ago, something had to learn in the meantime, right?)
It's just foam and the detergent to be activated and washed. Even just shaking water makes foam, right?
Am I being repetitive? Maybe, I just need you to understand that the important thing is to simplify your washing routine to correct mistakes. Smells only appear if your diapers are not properly washed. And it's usually due to lack of detergent.
What about disinfection? Disinfection is only necessary even in cases of fungus or health problems.
But since everyone talks about stripping cloth diapers and I don't want you to miss anything, here's the recommendation from the Clean Cloth Nappy organization.
Reusable cloth diaper stripping method: detergent + wash activator
This stripping method is done in 3 steps. First you wash the diapers, then you soak them and then you go back to washing the diapers without adding detergents in the washing machine.
What do you need to strip cloth diapers?
- For every 10lt of water
- 6 tablespoons wash activator
- 6 tablespoons of powdered detergent or 1 capful of liquid detergent
Use a quality detergent like OMO, Ariel, Persil, etc. And as a wash activator you can use Vanish Oxi Action, amway bleach or similar.
Step 1 – Wash your diapers
you can to wash as I explain in this post or with your normal routine.
Step 2 – Let the diapers soak
Remember that dirty diapers can NEVER be left in water. That's why you washed them in the previous step. Skipping step 1 will make the smell situation worse.
Now, fill a large basin or bathtub with hot water (maximum 60°C) and dissolve the detergent and wash activator.
Dip all your diapers into the basin and let everything soak for 4 hours. Whenever you can, give them a stir and turn them around.
soon after 4 hours, pour the water out and…
Step 3 – Wash the diapers
Once you've drained or disposed of the water, you put all the diapers in the machine and wash them in the very dirty laundry cycle at 60ºC and WITHOUT adding anything else. Yes, you read that right, you will only wash the diapers without detergent. And at the end you do a rinse + cold spin.
And I say the same again, you just need to strip off second-hand bought nappies or because your washing routine isn't working well.
