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Washing Instructions
General Washing Tips
No Chlorine Bleach.
Most importantly - No fabric softener, dryer sheets or baby detergents! Fabric softener is made to coat the fabric to make it soft and it will create a layer on the diapers so they will not absorb. Baby detergents (including Dreft) have softeners so they are not good for diapers. Look for ingredients for conventional detergents that say Free & Clear - they mean free & clear of dyes and fragrance but may still have softeners.
We highly recommend Allen’s Naturally* Powder or Liquid, Rockin' Green Soap*, Thirsties Super Wash*, Charlie’s Soap* and regular Tide (not Tide Free) for washing diapers and organic clothing. *Indicates that these detergents are advertised as ideal for high-efficiency washers and top loaders alike. If you're using a "regular" detergent that doesn't come with instructions for washing cloth, use 1/4 the recommended amount.
We like these two websites below for detergent reference. They have tried the detergents and rated them for use with cloth diapers.
Diaper rash creams and ointments should not be used with cloth diapers or should be used with caution. Creams and ointments can adversely affect the absorbency of the diaper by creating a coating build-up. If you need to use one, put a small washcloth or disposable diaper liner over the diaper to keep as much cream/ointment off the diaper as possible. To prevent diaper rash, change baby as soon as he/she wets, wipe and dry baby’s bottom before putting new diaper on, wash with recommended detergent and make sure detergent rinses from diapers to prevent detergent build up that could irritate baby.
Wash all items before use. Prewash and dry hemp and unbleached cotton items separately from other items 3-4 times on a hot cycle with detergent to remove the natural oils.
Turn organic clothing with graphic designs inside out when washing as this will help preserve the design.
To help reduce stains, keep prefold and flat diapers wet until washing and run a cold pre-rinse with no detergent right before washing.
You can optionally add a sprinkle of baking soda or Borax to your diapers and pail to help neutralize odors. Once mixed with water in your washer, the baking soda or Borax will help to lift stains. Borax works better in hard water and baking soda in soft or average water.
Use your washer’s highest water level setting when washing diapers. The extra water helps rinse the detergent out of the diapers. Run an extra rinse cycle at the end of the wash to make sure detergent has rinsed out of the diapers. If you see suds in the rinse cycle, that means there is still detergent in the diapers and you may want to rinse until the water is clear.
Fasten all Velcro before washing. Many diapers and covers have washing tabs to fasten the Velcro so it doesn't snag in the wash.
Remove inserts from pocket diapers.
**If you're having trouble with smells in your cloth diapers (highly ammonia smells after baby wets the diaper) or with diaper rash from the prefolds and stripping the diapers isn't working, try a cold pre-wash cycle with 2-3 squirts of Bac-Out before washing the diapers as usual. You can also try Thirsties Pre-Wash or Rockin' Green Soap Funk Rock Ammonia Bouncer! All 3 options are great to eliminate that knock-you-off-your-feet ammonia smell!
It is important to wash all your cloth diapers, covers and inserts a couple times prior to use. Wash-Dry-Wash-Dry-Wash-Dry. This helps the diapers fluff and increase the absorbency.
The following are the recommended washing instructions from all the manufacturers whose diapers we carry.
Best Bottom Diapers
Oh so easy!!
Before first use the shells, stay dry inserts, and overnight inserts only need to be washed one time. Hemp/Organic Cotton inserts need to be washed 4-6 times to reach full absorbency. Please note that hemp inserts will shrink slightly during first washings making them consistent with the other insert sizing.
1. Remove solids
2. Either reuse the shell until soiled or wash day. Separate shell from insert before washing. Fasten laundry tabs (if applicable).
3. Rinse cold, wash warm/hot with 1/4-1/2 additive-free detergent, rinse (warm or cold).
4. Tumble dry or line dry. No fabric softeners or rash creams (if you need to use rash creams put a barrier between baby and diaper for example a flushable liner or reusable wipe work great).
We recommend washing every 2-3 days. We have found that the Best Bottom system washes beautifully as it takes up less space in your washing machine allowing more room for agitation getting your diapers super clean.
Dream-Eze All-In-One
Because of the organic cotton inners your Dream-Eze AIO must be washed/dried on hot 3 times prior to first use and WILL NOT reach it's full absorbancy until approximately 6-8 washes.
FuzziBunz
In order to ensure long-lasting quality and utility from your FuzziBunz™ diapers, it’s important that you wash and care for them as instructed by the manufacturer. Please keep your receipt – it will guarantee that you get swift and uncontested service provided that you need to return your diapers. FuzziBunz™ diapers are an investment – please keep all of your paperwork.
Caring for your FuzziBunz™:
FuzziBunz™ diapers are single use diapers. Wash both the FuzziBunz™ and insert after each use.
Most babies will experience little to no diaper rash after using FuzziBunz™. Do not use any rash or diaper ointments or creams with the diapers.
When wet, separate insert and FuzziBunz™ and store in a dry diaper pail.
If soiled, simply knock solids into toilet. Small solids stuck to the fleece will dissolve in the wash. Use a mini-shower toilet attachment to rinse off soiled diapers over the toilet (optional).
Washing/Drying your FuzziBunz™:
First, run a cold rinse or soak cycle with no detergent.
Second, run a hot cycle with detergent. Do not use bleach. Recommended detergents are Rockin' Green Soap Classic Rock, Hard Rock and Soft Rock.
Third, if your hot wash is not automatically followed by a cold rinse, run a cold rinse cycle. This step only necessary with a particularly dirty load.
Tumble dry the diapers in dryer on low or hang to dry. Do not use fabric softener or pure soap*. Never dry on high heat.
Gro Baby Organic Soaker Pads
Gro Baby Organic Soaker Pads must be washed/dried on hot 3 times prior to first use and WILL NOT reach it's full absorbency until approximately 6-8 washes.
Remove as much solid matter as possible.
Place soiled soaker pads in a dry diaper pail - no soaking is necessary.
Wash every 2 days.
Start with a cold rinse.
Wash in hot water with half the amount of recommended detergent.
Do an extra rinse if desired.
Tumble dry or hang outside for extra freshness and to remove stains.
Do NOT use bleach, enzyme cleaners or fabric softeners.
Kanga Care / Rumparooz / Eco Posh
Washing Detail
The number one thing to remember when caring for your diapers, is they are just another load! :)
There is no magical solution that you should need and no crazy tricks. Simply find a good detergent that works well for you and wash your diapers regularly. If you notice they smell dirty, mildew-y or strong with ammonia then it is time to find a new detergent because your current selection is either causing buildup or is not getting the diapers clean. If the detergent is causing red or rash, discontinue use immediately and try a more mild detergent. Babies with severely sensitive skin do well with well with fragrance and dye free detergents. It is important that your cloth diaper detergent does not have any fabric softeners in it and is not a "free & clear" version. "Free & Clear" detergents will cause leaks, buildup and the famous ammonia stink which can lead to an ammonia burn on the baby's skin.
To Wash
1. Cold rinse
2. Hot wash - cold rinse: only add 1/2-1/4 the recommended amount of detergent for the appropriate load size. (Please see our detergent recommendations below)
3. Cool rinse
4. Tumble dry low
HE Machines
Please do not use the sanitize cycle on your Rumparooz pockets. You may use that cycle on your inserts. The high temperature is not good for the laminate or elastic and can melt the laminate bond to the fabric and cause the elastic to lose its elasticity. Rumparooz use a TPU process for their PUL which is a heat bonding method and NOT a chemical solvent process. The TPU process is earth friendly! The only portion of the diaper that can withstand the heat of the sanitize cycle would be the inserts. If you are having residue or stink issues and feel that the sanitize cycle is in order, please ONLY sanitize your inserts. That is also most likely where the issue is held. Washing your pockets on the sanitize cycle will void the warranty.
The Scoop on Poop
Breast Fed Poo:
You do not need to to do anything. Breastmilk poo is 100% organic and will dissolve in the wash.
Formula Fed and Solid Poo:
Simply "plop" that poo into the toilet and flush! Solid and thicker poo will not cling to the fleece - a little residue is fine. Poo of a runnier consistence is a great candidate for a diaper sprayer.
*Did you know that even disposable diaper companies post to their packaging that all solids should be disposed of in the toilet before tossing the diaper?
Soothing Rumps
Diaper Rash Cream:
Rarely will you have to use a diaper rash cream while using cloth diapers. If you have a consistent rash problem, this may be a detergent irritation issue and you should switch your diaper laundry detergent. Other times the rash may be a yeast infection and you should contact your family physician. On the occasion that you need to use a medically prescribed cream or an over the counter ointment, we recommend to ALWAYS use a liner. Place the liner between the cream on your baby's behind and the microchamois inner of the Rumparooz. Our first recommendation would be a washable liner made of microchamois so that the diaper retains the stay dry quality the microchamois provides. There are also disposable liners available on the market, however we find these liners will crinkle and crunch and can be far less soothing on an irritated behind. Even is a cream boasts "Cloth Diaper Safe" - it is our advice to still use a liner.
Stains
TO REMOVE STAINS, LAY IN THE SUN WHEN WET!
With proper care, your Rumparooz pockets should not stain. If you notice they have a grey/dingy look, please change your detergent as that is not normal. Newborn poop will have a tendency to discolor diapers and inserts more then an older baby but the discoloration will fade with time. Sunning is the best way to get your diaper back to white! Plus, you do not have to have direct sun light. Even on a cold day you can lay your diapers in a window and achieve the same whitening results. When sunning your diapers, take care not to lay them out in too hot of temperatures or in direct scorching sun as this can melt the elastic.
Please do not use the following to try and treat stains on your pockets:
Bleach, Stain Remover, Borax, Bac-Out, Biokleen, Oxy-Clean. (If needed, you can use these products on your INSERTS ONLY.)
WE DO NOT RECOMMEND SOAKING YOUR DIAPERS. Soaking your diapers in caustic detergent eats away at the waterproof laminate, elastics and natural fibers such as cotton, hemp and bamboo.
Soaking / Wet Pail
Diapers should be stored in a dry pail. Extensive soaking isn't necessary for your pockets and will void the warranty. You may soak your inserts as needed.
WE DO NOT RECOMMEND SOAKING YOUR DIAPERS. Soaking your diapers in caustic detergent eats away at the waterproof laminate, elastics and natural fibers such as cotton, hemp and bamboo.
Detergent Recommendations
The following information is a friendly recommendation about what we find works well. Through heavy testing, observation and reporting we are able to offer knowledgeable guidance on how to extend the life of your diapers. These recommendations do not require that you wash Rumparooz brand diapers separately from your other diaper laundry as all diaper laundry is best washed together. If you have a detergent that works well for you, please continue to use. If at any time you notice the following, please discontinue use immediately and switch to one of our recommended detergents: leaks, stains, dirty smell, ammonia, gray tint, dingy, redness, rash, burning, waterproof laminate separating from fabric of pocket diaper, elastic losing elasticity.
Kanga Care's Detergent Recommendations
• Tide (original, do not use Free & Clear)
• Gain
• Ecover
• Earth's Best
We have recently removed Seventh Generation detergents due to high levels of Borax in their newer formula. Please discontinue use of this detergent so that your elastic is not a risk for damage.
Kanga Care & Rumparooz are in no way affiliated with the makers of any of our recommended brands of detergents and receive no compensation. These are simply our recommendations we have found through both personal trial and error and through continued customer feedback over the past 4 years. For questions regarding this matter, please email us at customercare@kanga-care.com
Enzymes
We highly recommend the use of detergents that contain enzymes.
Are Enzymes Safe?
YES. Enzymes are proteins, therefor, they are completely biodegradable. They are non-toxic to plants and animals in the environment. They are harmless if accidentally ingested by a child.
More About Enzymes:
Why enzymes are important in your detergent:
• Enzymes are biodegradable, leaving no harmful residues
• Enzymes are used to dissolve protein stains
• Enzymes break down necessary fats and oils which which attach themselves to your diapers and cause stink
• Enzymes can reduce the environmental load of detergent products since they:
ª Save energy and CO2 emissions by enabling lower wash temperatures while maintaining washing performance
º Partly replace other chemicals in detergents, such as surfactants
ª Enable compactation, reducing packaging and transportation costs
º Are biodegradable, leaving no harmful residues
ª Have no negative environmental impact on sewage treatment processes
º Do not present a risk to aquatic life
Why are enzymes important in a laundry detergent?
The enzymes used in laundry detergents act on materials that make up a variety of stains and soils so that these materials can be washed away more easily. These enzymes are named after the materials they can act upon, for example, proteases break down protein based stains, lipolases break down lipid (fat) based stains and amylases break down starches and other carbohydrate based stains (amyl is Greek for starch). Since one enzyme molecule can act on many substrate (i.e., soil) molecules, a small amount of enzyme added to a laundry detergent can provide a big cleaning benefit to the consumes.
Other Detergent Recommended Guidelines
If you chose a detergent other then those listed above, we suggest the following guidelines:
Use caution with the following ingredients:
• Borax
• Oxy Clean
• "Free & Clear" formulas - these versions of detergents should be avoided completely. In cloth diapers they cause ammonia and build up which can lead to ammonia burns, rash and leaking.
• Fabric Softener - this ingredient should be avoided completely. Ingredient may coat fabric leaving it unable to absorb.
**In un-balanced quantities, these products can prematurely break down the TPU (waterproof material) and elastic; making the material dry, brittle and susceptible to cracking.
These products are OK to treat your inserts with:
• Borax
• Bac-Out
• Oxy Clean
• Soaking
• We do not recommend the use of bleach. If you feel the need for bleach, please only use it on your inserts and run multiple rinse to be sure the bleach is rinsed clean.
Homemade Detergents
You may choose which ever detergent you like. We simply offer suggestions. However, many homemade laundry detergents are not recommended for diapers, because the formula is uncontrolled, unregulated and is not PH balanced. These laundry boosters do not contain enzymes which are essential to getting your diapers clean. Many also contain synthetic fragrance oils which in the incorrect amount can burn the skin. Most of the homemade detergents include a mixture of borax and oxyclean which will shorten the life of the TPU and elastic materials in modern style cloth diapers when used in the wrong proportions.
Kushies
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