"If you're using cloth diapers, you MUST have SO MUCH LAUNDRY to do!"
Insert image of person flailing their arms around, making grandiose gestures.
Is there extra laundry?
Sure.
Will you ever leave the basement/laundromat? There's already so much laundry to do as it is...
Yes. You will see sunlight and your family if you choose to cloth diaper.
Laundry frequency comes down to a couple things...
1) How many diapers do you have?
The more diapers, the less frequently you'll have to wash. THOUGH, you don't really want to wait any more than three days between washings, just to prevent any problems with lingering stink.
Figure that a newborn goes through 10-12 diapers a day... so, that's 30-36 diapers. Yes, it does seem like a lot. Sure, you can get 20-24... A lot of suppliers carry newborn sizes, so there's a choice in your style. Personally, we went with prefolds and covers until lil' was about 3 months old. Prefolds are the least expensive way to go, but we'll get into styles and costs soon enough.
2) What's on your diapers?If baby is going through a large number of diapers, say because they're sick, you'll want to wash a little more frequently... You don't HAVE to, but that's a lot of stinky drawers sitting around.
Toddler pee is infamous for stinking. Blame pH. You may want to wash more frequently just to cut down on ammonia smell.
Detergents...
Do you need to buy detergent specifically for your cloth?
No.
Do you need to read the detergent labels?
YES.
fresh & fluffy carries a number of brands of detergents (Rockin' Green, Ruby Moon, BabyGanics Loads of Love, Thirsties Pre-Wash and Super Wash) which are cloth diaper safe.
"Cloth Diaper Safe?"
Yes!
There are things, such as brighteners and enzymes, that you don't want to use on your diapers (more info is available in the link in the next sentence).
Here is a listing of detergents and how they rate for cloth diapers (may or may not be available in your area): Diaper Jungle's Cloth Diaper Detergent Chart.
Washing
Timing
You can start a load before dinner and throw it in the dryer before bed (MAKE SURE YOUR DUCTS ARE CLEAN regardless of what you dry and when). It's not like diapers are going to get wrinkly and will need to be ironed before baby wears them...
Technique
Most people chose to do a rinse/no-detergent-cycle (new research is showing you can do this on COLD or WARM). This, in theory, helps to loosen up residuals and allows the diapers to soak up water and not the forthcoming soap.
Hot wash/cold rinse/extra rinse.
The hot wash helps to kills nasty stuff on the diapers and the extra rinse makes sure there's not a lot of soap left.
I choose to do an extra spin too, just to have the machine get out more water.
Detergent, again
You only need to use a little detergent. Like way less than you think you need. Detergent build-up can cause a bevy of problems...
You can use OxyClean once in a while. Vinegar helps to disinfect; use sparingly. Bleach is NOT advised.
Water
You need enough water in the tub to have everything agitate freely... Set the washer for the largest load possible. (unless you're not doing a "regular" load of diapers, 'natch).
HE Tip
HE machines have a sensor in them that determines the weight of the load and adds the water accordingly.
Try soaking a bath towel with water and tossing in with your diapers. The weight of the towel should give you enough water.
Drying
When the weather is nice, hang those bad boys on the line!
Sunshine is awesome for stain removal and there are theories that it helps to disinfect too. (All I know is that I sun dryed my diapers 90% of last summer and couldn't see stains or smell stink)
If you opt for the dryer, be mindful of your PUL/TUL (that nifty plastic that keeps the wet in the diaper). You don't want that to melt. Most covers air dry pretty quick, though it's advisable to toss them in on low/medium every now and again... the heat from the dryer will help to re-seal any tiny tears.
We throw everything in on medium for a hour then pull out what's dry (microfiber, covers, pockets...) and start another cycle.
"So", you ask, "With all this washing and rinsing and drying and whatnot, how can this REALLY be better?"
It takes a cup of petroleum to manufacture ONE disposable diaper. Not even counting the transportation, the packaging, the machinery...(Cite: http://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/dangers-of-disposable-diapers)
Yes, cloth diapers do require water to wash and energy to dry, but the chances are that the water you used is going to be treated and reused and the energy it takes to dry them is less than it takes to make disposables, the garbage bag they go in, the gas the garbage truck uses to pick them up and haul them away...
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