Ready to start asking and prepping....

[Babidol]

But I am clueless as to where to begin. I have prefolds and covers and some AIO's. Most of them are used but a few are new. Can someone explain to me exactly what I need to do to get these ready?

I should also mention I have a front loader with steam option, I don't have an extra water option, and I can do extra rinse/spin cycles but not just an extra spin on its own.

I'm 35 weeks today so I'm working on diapers, clothes, and my hospital bag!

[JJorn]

I know nothing about front loaders. But here is a general guideline for prepping.

New Synthetic materials (microfiber) - wash once and you are good to go.
New Natural materials (cotton, hemp, bamboo) - wash at least five times, often takes up to 8 times for full absorbency.
Used materials - wash once and go.

As for your wash cycle, most people do a prewash to help prevent stains, a hot wash with soap and then two rinses. You'll have to play around with this once you have soiled diapers to see what is going to work with your water, soap and washing machine. You want the water level to be high enough that all the diapers float around but low enough that they rub against each other.

[Babidol]

Thank you! I haven't started them yet but I have some new and some used. So this will take multiple very small loads. I think I will add white towels or baby blankets to help get the loads a little heavier.

[Scarlett]

I have a front loader, and it is really pretty easy. I usually do 2 cycles on the normal setting, no spin, heavy. Then I do one cycle switching no spin to high spin. I then do my "smell check" and move to the dryer if they pass, if not add in a rinse and spin. I honestly have not had any issues with mine, let me know if you have any questions.

[rachoochoo]

As far as washing the used, add peroxide into the load and it sterilizes them.

[Adhafera]

I know nothing about front loaders. But here is a general guideline for prepping.

New Synthetic materials (microfiber) - wash once and you are good to go.
New Natural materials (cotton, hemp, bamboo) - wash at least five times, often takes up to 8 times for full absorbency.
Used materials - wash once and go.

As for your wash cycle, most people do a prewash to help prevent stains, a hot wash with soap and then two rinses. You'll have to play around with this once you have soiled diapers to see what is going to work with your water, soap and washing machine. You want the water level to be high enough that all the diapers float around but low enough that they rub against each other.

This is exactly what I've done with mine, and so far so good! I'm loving CDs!

[Babidol]

As far as washing the used, add peroxide into the load and it sterilizes them.

Where would I add th peroxide? In the drum or with the detergent?

[Babidol]

I have a front loader, and it is really pretty easy. I usually do 2 cycles on the normal setting, no spin, heavy. Then I do one cycle switching no spin to high spin. I then do my "smell check" and move to the dryer if they pass, if not add in a rinse and spin. I honestly have not had any issues with mine, let me know if you have any questions.

This is great info! Do you do normal with a warm/cold or hot/cold setting?

[rachoochoo]

Where would I add th peroxide? In the drum or with the detergent?

With the detergent

[dana_renay]

Instead of washing your prefolds 5-8 times, you can boil them on the stovetop for 15-20 minutes with a tiny little bit of blue Dawn dish detergent (1/4 teaspoon). Then rinse well and do one wash cycle in the machine with no soap. Works great, saves time and water.

[Babidol]

If the pre-folds are diaper service quality prepped do I need to actually do the prep thing with them again? I thought I could just wash them once with the other used diapers?

[JJorn]

If they are already prepped I would just wash them one time. If water beads on the surface they are not really prepped (that is how you can tell with all natural fibers. If you fling a few water droplets on the surface they should be immediately absorbed when they are ready to go).

I have never done anything but washed used diapers. A hot wash with detergent is good enough to kill the E.coli in poop so why would you need to do something else? If you really want to do something, you a small amount of bleach.

[MommyShannon]

Do you have detergent just for your diapers? If you throw towels in, make sure they don't have fabric softener on them. I have an HE top loader and it has a Bulky setting that uses more water. I'm pretty sure I've read the steam setting can break down anything with Pul. Basically, the waterproof part on most diapers and covers shouldn't be any hotter than the "hot" setting.

[Babidol]

I don't have detergent yet but I'm planning to use tide original powder. I stopped using any kind of fabric softener or dryer sheet months ago in preparation of the diapers. I'm hoping any residual build up is gone from both the washer and dryer. I won't use steam. I figured that would hurt the diapers. I do have a heavy setting so I'll try that. I've also heard to wet the diapers too and fool the washer into thinking there is more in the load.