FAQ

How Many Cloth Diapers Do We Need to Get Started?

It depends on such criteria as the age of your baby and the amount of laundry you wish to endure.

Newborn Cloth Diapers:  Newborns need to be changed at least 12-15 times a day. This means you need to purchase approximately 24-36 diapers,if you wish to launder every other day.

3 Months to Toddler:  From the age of 3 months, the extent of diaper changing decreases to 10-12 diapers a day, so you can settle with 20-30 diapers. This quantity allows you to do laundry every 2-3 days.

If you chose to buy our Baby Koala OS that suits all babies – newborns and toddlers until they are potty trained–we recommend you start with 24 cloth diapers.

How Do Start Using My New Cloth Diapers?

In order to start using our pocket microfiber Baby Koala diapers, liners, and soakers   you need to wash them first, so they are fresh and clean before touching your baby’s sensitive skin.

Natural fabrics made of cotton, hemp, or bamboo can be used immediately. But, their absorbance is improved the more they are washed.  The easiest way is to simply put them in the washing machine (without a softener, of course).Cloth diapers should be washed and dried 3-4 times before their first use.

If My Baby Has a Rash, Can I Use Diaper Cream?

Cloth diapers made of cotton or hemp can be used with a rash cream.Petroleum-based creams tend to produce less stains. However, synthetic polyester fabrics can be seriously stained and damaged by petroleum-based creams, like Vaseline,which will affect the diaper’s absorbency. If the diaper was smeared with petroleum, try washing it with a dishwashing liquid. But, remember to rinse it before tossing the diaper to the washing machine.

It is best to place a liner that comes between your baby’s petroleum-smeared bottom and the diaper.

How Should I Clean a Dirty Diaper?

After the diaper is removed, it should be aired in an open laundry bag or in a well-ventilated location.  You don’t want to soak your diapers in a tub with water or vinegar. This may affect the product’s longevity.

Diapers of breast-fed babies can be tossed straight into the washing machine, even if they are soiled. Babies who feed on formulas or those who started eating solid food need to have their soiled diaper rinsed into the toilet before they are tossed into the washing machine.

How Should I Wash Cloth Diapers?

You should keep in mind that your soiled diapers are considered a heavy-duty laundry. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean that special detergents must be used in order to clean them. All you need is a certain laundry routine – always choose the longer plan that includes prewashing. 

Here are some steps you should follow:

1. If your cloth diaper is soiled, rinse into the toilet. If using a disposable liner, simply toss liner into the garbage.
2. Choose your detergents well -You should choose a high-quality detergent but avoid using softeners that create a layer over the cloth and damage its ability to absorb liquids. We recommend using a detergent that contains enzymes. Enzymes are biodegradable and are used to dissolve protein stains. They also break down the fats and oils in your diaper. You can use products like Tide, Persil, Ariel, and any other high-quality detergent.
3. Water softener- Hard water containing an appreciable quantity of dissolved minerals can affect the detergent’s cleaning abilities and leave a trace on the cloth.In case of hard water, we recommend adding a cup of Borax or Calgon to your washing machine.
4. Use the pre wash setting. This will remove all traces of solid waste from the cloth. Do not overload your washing machine.  Your diapers will not be cleaned properly.
5. Do a warm rinse cycle and then a HOT wash cycle with the FULL recommended amount of detergen Set washer to large load and use hot water.Keep it to 40°C (104°F) in order to maintain the longevity of your diapers.
6. Drying process – you can hang your diapers to dry or use a drier, however this will consume more energy.

Typical Problems

• The Diaper is Smelly – Diapers have not been properly cleaned will smell of ammonia. Please read the article,"How to Solve the Problem of Smelly Diapers." This problem can be solved by ‘stripping’ followed by a deep cleansing. Stripping is the process of removing oils from your diapers. If you have used detergent with fabric softener, diaper creams, or other kinds of oils, you may need to strip your diapers. If your diapers are smelly, it may also be time to change up your wash and care routine.
• Diaper Rashes – Diaper rash and smelly diapers are the consequences of bacteria and ammonia caused by mistreated diapers. Please follow our wash and care instructions to learn how to properly clean your cloth diapers. Rashes can appear due to other reasons such as teething, certain foods, skin sensitivities, etc. Please consult your dermatologist if the skin rash is persistent or reoccurring.
• Leaky Diaper – If your diaper leaks, you should check the absorbing insert or check to see if the diaper is fitting properly. A diaper should be snug, but not too tight around the waist. Sometimes the diaper’s microfiber absorbs liquids. Read more in the article "Help! My Diaper is Leaking!"