Are there things I should avoid when washing cloth diapers?
- Do not use liquid fabric softeners or dryer sheets. They clog up fabric fibers, reducing diaper absorbency.
- Do not use detergents that contain fragrance, brighteners, or whitening agents. Harsh chemicals can irritate your baby’s delicate skin and cause diaper rash.
- Do not use bleach. It can ruin the elastic and damage the waterproofing of your pockets or covers. Also avoid borax, whitening additives, detergents with chlorine bleach, and stain removers.
- Avoid rubbing detergent directly on the pocket or cover. It will damage the waterproofing and void your warranty.
- If you use a diaper cream, put a liner between your baby’s bottom and the diaper. This will prevent the cream from transferring to the diaper and reducing its absorbency.