Washing cloth diapers is straightforward once you know the routine: cold pre-rinse, hot wash with detergent, extra rinse, dry. This article covers storage, washing, stain removal, and troubleshooting common problems like odors and buildup.

Why Use Cloth Diapers

Most families choose cloth diapers for cost savings, environmental reasons, or concerns about chemicals in disposables. Here is what the research actually shows.

Cost

A full set of cloth diapers costs $300-800 upfront. Disposable diapers cost $2,000-3,000 from birth to potty training (around 6,000-8,000 diaper changes over 2-3 years).

After factoring in water, electricity, and detergent for washing, cloth diapers save most families $1,300-1,900 over disposables. The savings increase significantly if you reuse the same diapers for a second child.

The break-even point is typically 6-12 months. After that, the ongoing cost is just laundry.

Environment

The environmental comparison is more nuanced than many sources claim.

Disposables: Create significant landfill waste. Diapers are the third largest consumer item in landfills (about 4% of solid waste). They take an estimated 500 years to decompose. Manufacturing has a larger carbon footprint than cloth.

Cloth: Uses more water and energy due to frequent washing. Detergent production has environmental costs. However, washing in cold water, line drying, and using energy-efficient machines reduces impact substantially.

Studies, including one from the UK Environment Agency, found the overall environmental impact is roughly similar. Cloth can be better with efficient washing practices. Disposables may be preferable in areas with water shortages. Neither choice is dramatically better or worse for the planet.

Baby's skin

The Cochrane Collaboration reviewed 28 studies and found insufficient evidence that either diaper type prevents diaper rash better than the other. A 2024 study found no significant difference in rash frequency between cloth and disposable users when caregivers changed diapers regularly.

What matters more than diaper type:

• Changing diapers every 2-3 hours

• Keeping the diaper area clean and dry

• Using gentle, unscented products

Cloth diapers are free from the fragrances, dyes, and chemicals found in some disposables, which may matter for babies with sensitive or reactive skin. But modern disposables have also improved. Neither is inherently better for preventing rash.

The honest take

Cloth diapers make sense if you want to save money over time, reduce landfill waste, or prefer natural materials against your baby's skin. They require more upfront investment and ongoing laundry. Disposables are more convenient, especially for travel and daycare, and work just as well for your baby's skin.

Many families use both: cloth at home, disposables when out or traveling. There is no wrong choice.

How to Store Dirty Cloth Diapers

The dry pail method is the modern standard. Place used diapers in a lined container or wet bag without soaking them. This is simpler, safer, and easier on modern cloth diapers than older methods.

Storage options

Pail with liner: Use any trash can or diaper pail lined with a reusable PUL wet bag. On wash day, the liner goes into the machine with the diapers. Buy two liners so one is always ready while the other is in the wash.

Hanging wet bag: Works well for small spaces. Hang on the back of a door, in a closet, or on a hook near the changing area. Wet bags contain odors and go directly into the wash.

Open basket: A laundry basket with holes allows maximum airflow, which reduces odor and bacterial growth. This works if you have a dedicated space away from pets and children.

Best practices

Airflow matters. Store diapers in a well-ventilated area. A closed container concentrates odors and can promote mold growth. If using a wet bag, leave it partially unzipped between changes. If using a pail, a lid with holes or no lid at all is better than a sealed lid.

Handle solids first. For formula-fed babies or babies eating solids, knock or scrape waste into the toilet before storing. A diaper sprayer attached to the toilet makes this easier. Breastfed baby poop is water-soluble and can go directly into the pail without rinsing.

Wash every 2-3 days. Waiting longer allows bacteria to multiply, stains to set, and ammonia to build up. With good airflow, you can stretch to 4 days, but 2-3 is ideal.

Keep away from heat and sunlight. Heat accelerates bacterial growth and can damage PUL. Store the pail in a cool spot.

Clean the container. Wipe down the pail or basket each wash day. Wash wet bag liners with every load.

On the go

Use a small wet bag with a zipper for outings. PUL fabric with sealed seams contains moisture and odor. When you get home, empty dirty diapers into your main pail and leave the wet bag open to air out until laundry day.

Why the wet pail method is outdated

Soaking diapers in water was common years ago, but modern cloth diaper manufacturers advise against it. Extended soaking damages elastics and waterproof layers (PUL/TPU). Wet pails are heavy, messy, and create a drowning hazard for toddlers and pets. The dry pail method works better with modern diapers and front-loading machines.

How to Wash Cloth Diapers

The wash routine has three steps: pre-rinse, main wash, and extra rinse.

Step 1: Pre-rinse (cold or warm water)

Run a short cycle with cold or warm water and a small amount of detergent. This removes surface waste before the main wash. Cold water prevents protein stains (like poop) from setting.

Step 2: Main wash (hot water)

Run a full cycle on hot with a full dose of detergent. Hot water sanitizes and deep cleans the fabric. Use the longest, heaviest cycle your machine offers.

Step 3: Extra rinse

Run one or two additional rinse cycles to remove all detergent residue. Leftover detergent irritates baby skin and reduces absorbency over time.

Step 4: Dry

Tumble dry on medium heat, or line dry. Sunlight naturally bleaches stains and kills bacteria. If line drying diapers with elastic, drape them so the wet weight does not stretch the elastic.

Detergent recommendations

Powder detergent cleans better than liquid for cloth diapers. Tide Original Powder is widely considered the gold standard in cloth diaper communities. It contains the right balance of enzymes, surfactants, and water softeners to handle diaper laundry.

Other effective options: Tide Free & Gentle Powder, Persil, Gain Ultra Powder.

What to avoid:

• Fabric softener: Coats fibers and blocks absorbency

• Dryer sheets: Leave residue that causes leaks

• Detergent pods: Can leave residue and may damage waterproof layers in HE machines

• Baby-specific detergents: Optional. Standard detergents with enzymes work well for the heavy soiling in cloth diapers

• Homemade detergent: Lacks the cleaning power needed for diapers and leaves buildup

HE machine tips

High-efficiency machines use less water, which can leave diapers under-washed. Tricks to add more water:

• Add a wet towel to the load to trick the sensor into adding more water

• Select the "bulky" or "heavy" cycle

• Use the "extra rinse" option

• Wash 12-18 diapers at a time so the load agitates properly against itself

Hard water

Hard water contains minerals (calcium and magnesium) that build up in fabric over time. This buildup traps bacteria, causes ammonia smells, and reduces absorbency.

Signs you might have hard water:

• Mineral deposits around faucets and showerheads

• Soap and shampoo do not lather easily

• White residue on dishes after washing

• Diapers smell like ammonia even when clean

How to test: Water hardness test strips are available at hardware stores and pet stores. Many pet stores test water for free. Dip a strip in your tap water and compare to the color chart.

Understanding results (parts per million):

• 0-60 ppm: Soft water. No action needed.

• 60-120 ppm: Moderately hard. Consider adding a water softener to your wash.

• 120-180 ppm: Hard. Add a water softener to every wash.

• 180+ ppm: Very hard. Water softener is essential.

Solutions:

Add Calgon or Borax (found in the laundry aisle) to your main wash cycle. Use about 1/4 cup for moderately hard water, 1/2 cup for very hard water. These products bind to minerals so your detergent can clean effectively.

Important: Do not run extra rinses with hard water. The rinse redeposits minerals that the detergent and softener worked to remove.

How to Remove Cloth Diaper Stains

Stains do not mean diapers are dirty. A properly washed diaper can still have discoloration. If the staining bothers you, here are the most effective removal methods.

Sunning

UV rays from sunlight break down the chemical bonds that give stains their color. This fades discoloration without chemicals and works well for cloth diapers.

1. Wash diapers as normal

2. While still wet, lay them flat in direct sunlight or hang on a line

3. Leave for 2-3 hours (longer can weaken fabric)

4. Check stains. If they remain, re-wet and repeat

Sunning works even through windows or on cloudy days, though direct sun is faster. In very hot climates, limit sun exposure to one hour at a time to protect elastics.

What sunning does and doesn't do: Sunning fades visible stains on the fabric surface. It does not remove soiling embedded deep in fibers. A diaper that looks clean after sunning is not necessarily cleaner than before. Sunning is cosmetic, not a substitute for proper washing. If diapers smell clean and absorb well, the wash routine is working regardless of whether faint stains remain.

Lemon juice

The citric acid in lemon juice breaks down stain molecules by destabilizing their structure. Combined with sunlight, it fades discoloration effectively.

1. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle

2. Spray the stain

3. Place in sunlight for a few hours

4. Wash again before using (citric acid must be rinsed out to avoid fabric damage)

Avoid using lemon juice on silk, wool, or dyed fabrics.

OxiClean (oxygen bleach)

Oxygen bleach removes stains without the harshness of chlorine bleach. OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder works well for cloth diapers.

1. Fill a tub or sink with warm water

2. Add one scoop of OxiClean

3. Submerge clean but stained diapers

4. Soak for 1-6 hours (not overnight)

5. Wash with your regular diaper laundry

Important: Oxygen bleach is safe for cotton prefolds and inserts. Use caution with diapers containing elastic or waterproof PUL layers. Extended soaking can damage these materials. For diapers with PUL, limit soak time to 1-2 hours.

OxiClean MaxForce Spray can be used as a pre-treatment before washing.

Prevention tips

• Wash diapers within 2-3 days of use

• Use cold water for the pre-rinse (hot water sets protein stains)

• Do not put stained diapers in the dryer until the stain is gone. Heat sets stains permanently.

• Breastfed baby poop stains more than formula, but also washes out more easily

Dealing with Mold

Mold can grow on cloth diapers left wet too long, stored in humid conditions, or not dried completely.

Signs of mold:

• Black, green, or gray spots

• Musty smell that persists after washing

• Fuzzy growth on fabric

How to treat mold:

1. Wash diapers on hot with detergent and one cup of bleach (chlorine bleach, not oxygen bleach)

2. Run extra rinses until no bleach smell remains

3. Dry completely in direct sunlight if possible

4. Inspect. If mold remains, repeat or discard the diaper

Bleach is not recommended for regular use because it weakens fibers, but for mold it is necessary. One treatment should not damage your diapers.

Prevention: Wash diapers every 2-3 days. Dry diapers completely before storing. Do not leave wet diapers in a sealed bag or pail for extended periods.

Cloth Diapers at Daycare

Many daycares accept cloth diapers. The key is making it easy for caregivers who may not be familiar with them.

Best diaper types for daycare: All-in-ones (AIOs) or pocket diapers work like disposables. No folding, no covers. Caregivers change them the same way they would change a disposable.

What to send:

• 6-8 diapers per full day (babies under 6 months may need more)

• A wet bag for storing dirty diapers

• Disposable liners (optional, but makes solid waste easier for caregivers to handle)

• Clear instructions if needed

Talk to the daycare first. Some have policies about cloth diapers. Others just need reassurance that it will not create extra work. Demonstrating how simple modern cloth diapers are often helps.

Traveling with Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapering on the go requires planning, but many families do it successfully.

Packing:

• Bring 1.5 times your normal daily usage. For a weekend trip, pack 15-20 diapers.

• Roll diapers to save space. Vacuum bags or packing cubes compress them further.

• Pack detergent for washing at your destination.

Storage on the road:

• Use a wet bag for dirty diapers. Double-bag if odor is a concern.

• In a car, store the wet bag in the trunk.

• Diapers still need to be washed every 2-3 days to prevent ammonia buildup and mold.

Washing while traveling:

• Book accommodations with laundry access (Airbnbs, hotels with guest laundry).

• Flats and prefolds are easiest to hand-wash in a pinch and dry quickly over a shower rod.

• For longer trips without laundry access, consider using disposables for part of the trip.

It does not have to be all or nothing. Using disposables for travel or daycare does not undo the benefits of cloth diapering at home. Do what works for your situation.