Lesson #2: Detergent Matters

When I started cloth diapering, I used a "free" detergent.  Scent-free, dye free, etc. and dermatologist tested.  It seemed safe to me.  However, this detergent caused massive build-up on my diapers and lead to many leaks and some skin irritations on my son because of it.  I ended up getting rid of those diapers because the build-up was so thick.

I had absolutely no idea that detergent is so impotant when cloth diapering.   The right detergent means cloth diapering successfully...no rashes, burns, or odours and very few leaks.  Because some detergents don’t rinse well, they end up leaving a residue on the diapers that builds up and causes the diapers to lose absorbency, leak, and even irritate baby’s skin.

When washing cloth diapers, you should be sure to stay away from most baby and natural oil based detergents (this shocked me).  They often leave a residue on the diapers and cause a waxy build-up which will eventually lead to diapers that not only do not absorb, but essentially repel liquids.  You should also stay away from chlorine bleach as it can breakdown the elastics and waterproof layers of some cloth diaper fabrics. You should also never use any fabric softener when drying cloth diapers in the dryer.*

A good detergent should leave your cloth diapers soft, absorbent, and smelling clean.  If your cloth diaper detergent isn’t doing this, maybe it’s time for a change!

                                                             *some information taken from www.ampdiapers.com