How to wash your baby's reusable diapers? Tips and tricks

At a time of widespread environmental concerns, the use of reusable diapers is one of the topics on the table for a more sustainable future. But how do you wash reusable diapers properly?

In this article, you'll learn about the benefits of using this type of diaper and the environmental impacts of disposable diapers. We'll also give you some washing tips and the best detergent to avoid compromising the quality and durability of the material.

What are the advantages of using reusable diapers?

What if we told you that using reusable diapers prevents the production of a ton of waste for each baby?

Current research and innovations bring several new developments in the range of reusable diapers:

• More practicality;
• Models of various colors, shapes and sizes;
• Softer, more comfortable materials: cotton, hemp or bamboo that allow for greater moisture absorption;
• They prevent the baby's genital area from overheating, preventing problems such as allergies and diaper rash;
• Accessories that make it easier to use;
• Reduced environmental impact depending on their use (washing and drying, for example). Disposable diapers are made up of 30% plastic and, since they cannot be recycled, end up in landfills, where they take about 500 years to decompose.

And are there greater savings when choosing this type of diapers?

Each child uses, on average, 240 diapers per month. It's estimated that couples with one child can save €1,350.30 over 2.5 years, and couples with two children who use reusable diapers can save €3,300.30 over 2.5 years.

Additionally, you can choose to buy second-hand, and knowing how to wash reusable diapers will help you save even more.

How to wash reusable diapers?

Reusable diapers are already a popular choice in many families' homes due to their many advantages, which improve baby well-being and allow for a more practical routine for parents. However, since the goal is to reuse rather than throw away after use, questions arise about washing.

This is perhaps one of the most questionable points about using reusable diapers, but it is also a simple process:

Avoid soaking

It is important to know that you should not soak diapers but rather store them in a dry, airy place until washing time, for example, a bucket or a bag;

The frequency of washing

While in winter it's recommended to wash every three days, in summer this interval is reduced to two. This is because disinfection may be necessary, and this process ends up wearing the material further.

Prepare before washing

You must remove feces and absorbent pads before placing them in the washing machine.

Rinse and spin cold

This first step is to remove excess residue from the diapers, and you can run a separate cycle and spin on cold to avoid stains.

Run a very dirty laundry cycle and add detergent

Adjust the cycle temperature according to the diaper brand's recommendations and use the appropriate detergent. Every 4 to 6 weeks, you can wash at 60°C, and if the diapers have persistent odors, you can continue washing at this temperature.

Avoid using fabric softener, as it limits absorption and can irritate your baby's skin, as it contains fragrances. Instead of using fabric softener, try using cleaning vinegar .

What detergent should I use to wash reusable diapers?

Here you can also opt for an upcycling solution: Laundry Detergent is suitable for washing clothes with difficult-to-remove dirt, such as grease and other organic dirt.

In addition to being a machine-washable product for all types of clothing, it's effective at all temperatures. If some stains persist during washing, add two tablespoons (30g) of bleach to the machine drum.

To ensure you have no doubts about the effectiveness of our detergent and bleach, Catarina Barreiros , an advocate for a less wasteful lifestyle, gives you her opinion on the quality and final results of the products when washing reusable diapers.

And at the end of the wash?

Occasionally, you can run an extra rinse cycle to remove any remaining detergent. After washing, it's best to let them air dry to avoid wasting time on dry cleaning.

By learning how to reduce the number of diapers discarded daily and how to wash reusable diapers with appropriate detergents, will reusable diapers become part of your baby's routine? Follow our blog for more news and inspiration on cleaning.

Author: Daniela Matos