Happy Heiny’s: We recommend using the dry pail method (that means no soaking before washing!) Diapers from exclusively breastfed babies can be thrown right in the pail. Diapers from babies eating solids will need to have large pieces shaken into the toilet before putting them in the pail. To wash- empty the pail right into the washer (try to wash no more than two dozen diapers at once so they get nice and clean) and run on a cold rinse cycle with no detergent. Then wash them in hot with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of detergent (1/2cup is about half of the small load size on the scoop.) You can either hang them to dry (sun will naturally bleach out stains) or you can put them in the dryer on high. Do not use bleach or fabric softeners for the diapers. The bleach will degrade the fabric and softeners will cause build up which will reduce the absorbency of your diapers. You can use 1/3 cup baking soda in a second rinse or a Downy ball with vinegar for additional help removing stains.

Prefolds and Flats: Wash all your new undyed Chinese prefolds 3-5 times before use. There are natural waxes and oils in the cotton that prevent them from being absorbent.  Using a regular laundry detergent, wash the prefolds in a hot wash cycle then dry them on high at least three times. This will remove all the waxes and oils, bring the diapers to their maximum absorbency, and fluff them up nicely! All of our hand dyed Chinese prefolds and flats have already been washed and fluffed. They should only need one additional wash before use. They have been washed with a dye fixative so they should not bleed onto other fabrics, but it is still a good idea to wash them with a white towel the first time just to be sure.  Using regular laundry detergent, wash as you would your other diapers.  I do a cold rinse, hot wash with detergent, cold rinse then line or tumble dry.

Bummis: covers can be re-used until soiled or smelly. Just air dry in-between uses and rotate covers after each change. The covers can be washed and dried right along with your diapers, but do not overdry. Remember to close the Aplix tabs before washing to avoid lint build-up in the tabs.

Wool covers: Wool should be washed (preferably by hand) in cool water with wool wash. You can use the gentle cycle in the washing machine. Wool covers should be re-lanolized (lanolin is what makes them moisture resistant) about every 3-4 washings. Simply dissolve a small line (~1/4") of lanolin in hot tap water then place in a sinkful of cool water and add freshly washed covers. Soak for about 5 minutes, roll in a clean towel to remove excess water, and lay flat to dry.

Fleece: Ok...this just can't be any easier. Machine wash in Warm, cold, or hot water. Tumble dry.

Starbunz: There are many options to caring for your Starbunz diapers, but I will start with the optimal choice. Wash your diapers in hot water with a good laundry detergent. If you have pocket diapers, remove the inserts before washing. To avoid pilling, line dry or dry on low heat. Because Starbunz diaper shells are 100% polyester, they do not hold water (that's the soakers job) so they are fast to dry when hung.