Modern Cloth Diapers
RagaBabe Washing & Care
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Washing and Care Instructions ©2010 RagaBabe, Inc. • Wash and dry Organic Cotton Sherpa inserts, wipes and blankets separately from your diapers the first time they are washed so that the natural oils of the cotton will not get into the diapers or white lint attach to the Velcro. After the first wash, you can wash diapers and inserts together. • Wash all RagaBabe diapering products once before first use using the routine below for your type of washer. • Use caution when washing your RagaBabes with certain items that may cling to fabric, causing excessive pilling and leaving fibers on the velcro.  Recommended Routine • Flush all solids down the toilet. Rinse under faucet if necessary (or use a diaper sprayer). • Separate insert from diaper. • Fasten laundry tabs so the Velcro doesn't catch onto items in the wash. • Store used diapers and inserts in RagaBabe's Custom Laundry Bag. Our zipper sealed waterproof bag helps seal odor on the inside. • Wash diapers at least every other day. • When washing our RagaBabe Custom Laundry Bag or Wet Bag, close the zipper half way to prevent it from turning itself inside out and causing unnecessary abrasion to the laminated surface. (And of course, be sure it is empty!)  Top Loading Washers• STEP 1: Give diapers and inserts a SHORT COLD RINSE and SPIN. • STEP 2: COLD WASH diapers and inserts in the highest level of water possible with 1/4 of the amount of residue free detergent* that is recommended on label. (1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of powdered detergent such as Country Save. YES, teaspoon, not tablespoon!) If using a powdered detergent, it may help to dissolve in a partial cup of hot water for a few seconds before adding to the washer. • STEP 3: When the cold wash is complete, run the diapers and inserts through a HOT WASH with NO detergent. Never use bleach, fabric softener, dryer sheets or wash at extreme temperatures! Chlorine Bleach and similar bleaching products including OxiClean and Borax (and chlorine in pools), will permanently damage the fabrics. Lining fabric will be deteriorated by these chemicals, resulting in holes and tears, voiding warranty. The leak-resistant effectiveness and life of your diapers and inserts will be dramatically reduced. Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets are unnecessary and will deposit chemicals on your diapers that repel water and may produce rashes. Recommended Washing Temperature is no greater than 120 degrees F. In cases of yeast infection, occasional limited washings at up to 130 degrees could be used. Please note that washing at these high temperatures may reduce the life and water resistant properties of the diaper. High temperature washing (130+ to 140 degrees) can result in deterioration and cracking of the PUL (laminated outer shell).  Front Loading or High Efficiency WashersMany people have more trouble getting diapers clean in HE washers because less water is used and diapers may not get thoroughly rinsed of detergent. HE washers use sufficient water for regular clothing, but not when washing a load of diapers that are designed to absorb and hold a lot of liquid. The water that is supposed to be cleaning and rinsing is trapped inside the diapers, unable to slosh around and do it's job. So... Our HE recommendations: • STEP 1: Give diapers and inserts a SHORT COLD RINSE and SPIN. • STEP 2: COLD or WARM WASH diapers and inserts in the highest level of water possible using less than 1/4 of the amount of residue free detergent* that is recommended on the label. ( Use 1 teaspoon of powdered detergent such as Country Save.) • STEP 3: After washing using the complete cold wash cycle, run the diapers and inserts through a HOT WASH with NO detergent. HE Washer helpful tips: • Some have found a WARM/WARM setting is more effective for STEP 2. • If your washer has a 'Bulky' or 'Comforter' setting, use it to increase the water level. If not, using the DELICATE setting may increase the wetting action of the washer. • Throw in a towel -- the heavier load will cause your washer to add more water. • If stink/rash issues persist from inadequate water, some washers will allow you to add water through the detergent tray. (Use a milk jug or extra hose attachment to add several gallons toward the beginning of STEP 2 and STEP 3.)  Type of DetergentThe type of detergent you use for washing diapers is very important. Using the proper amount of residue free detergent* and the right amount of water will ensure that your diapers are not only getting clean, but also that the detergent is getting rinsed completely out of the diapers. RagaBabe currently recommends Country Save powdered detergent as our favorite choice. The washing results are excellent and the powder is very economical. A five pound package will be sufficient for 300 or more diaper loads. (1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons for top load, 1 teaspoon for front loaders.) If using Rock'N Green or other residue free detergents*, we prefer the unscented versions and again, use our suggested amounts! *Residue free detergent means it is free of conditioners, softeners, brighteners, stain blockers, dyes, perfumes, and fillers.  Drying Your RagaBabes• Place your diapers and inserts in the dryer set to warm. (It is OK to dry hot occasionally.) Depending on the load and your dryer, even RagaBabe All-In-Ones with their built-in soaker often dry in less than an hour! • Line drying or air drying is always an option. Energy Saving Quick Drying Tips... • Use dryer balls or tennis balls. (Remember -- NO dryer sheets!) • Fold open All-In-One diapers so the lining curves outward and outer shell curves inside. (Do not turn the diaper inside out!) • Throw a dry bath towel in the dryer with your diapers. • If drying a lot of inserts in a load, open the door halfway through to check if they are stuck together or clinging to the side of the drum. • Older models of washers may not have the high speed spin of newer units. Run an extra spin to squeeze out as much water as possible. Some newer washer models have an extra high speed spin option.  Diaper Stains and Smell IssuesRagaBabe diapers are designed with fabrics which resist these issues, but occasionally if you encounter a problem, here are some solutions... Stains: We recommend using BioKleen's BacOut, an amazing product that will help prevent stains and keep your diapers smelling fresh. It has a natural lime peel enzyme that breaks down organic matter (including poop). After water rinsing a dirty diaper, you can give it a quick spray with BacOut before placing it in the laundry bag. You can also use BacOut around the house on carpets, counter tops, sinks and drains. Placing your wet, clean diapers in direct sunlight to dry is also a great way to get rid of stains, while sanitizing as well. Remember that bleaching your diapers will destroy the fabric. The weakened lining fibers will develop holes and tears, voiding warranty. Smell: If you notice an unusually strong ammonia smell on the diaper after your baby wets, it is usually because the ph level has become too alkaline. This can also lead to rashes and cause your diapers to repel liquid. The number one cause of this is detergent residue build-up, which may be the result of improper detergents or using too much detergent. It is also possible, if using a front loading HE washer, that too little water is present. (See HE washer instructions above to increase the water level.) If this is a continual problem, you may have to strip your diapers (see Striping section below), to get a fresh start -- and try these corrective actions. As mentioned earlier, spraying BacOut onto diapers and inserts (especially if worn all night), will help reduce the ph level because of the acidity of the lime. You can pour BacOut directly into the cold wash cycle, but treating individual diapers before dropping them into the laundry bag is more effective and helps keep any smell at bay until laundry day. If you notice an ammonia smell on diapers coming immediately out of the wash, you may not be using enough detergent, as the urine is not being removed sufficiently -- or again, water level could be too low. Stripping Diapers and Inserts: If you are continually having issues with stinky, ammonia smelling diapers, you either have detergent buildup, or are not using enough detergent to get your diapers clean, and will need to strip your diapers and inserts. • Starting with "clean" diapers, wash them in hot water using a small amount of blue Dawn dish soap (non-ultra concentrated). Use 1/4 teaspoon for top loaders or 5 drops for HE washers. Be extremely cautious not to exceed these amounts, as a more concentrated soap solution may cause degradation of the lining fibers, creating holes and tears, voiding the warranty. • Run two more hot washes without soap. If you still see suds or soap bubbles, wash hot until clear. • Sun drying diapers and inserts is the best option after stripping, otherwise use the dryer. • Some moms have assumed that a leaking diaper is 'repelling' and immediately think they should strip the diaper. Many times it is a fit issue (see video for tips on getting a snug fit), an absorbency issue (add correct doubler/insert), or a size issue. Your diapers should now be free of detergent buildup. Be sure to follow the recommended wash routine, so that you will not have to strip your diapers. As discussed, you may have to change your detergent, the amount, or increase water level. At RagaBabe, we have tested our recommended detergent, Country Save, through hundreds of washings with excellent results. So to review... Give your diapers a sniff as they come out of the wash. You should smell nothing. If they smell stinky, you are not using enough detergent or enough water. If your diapers smell clean and fresh coming out of the washer/dryer, but you notice a strong smell once your child urinates, that tells you that you are either using too much detergent or not enough water is present to completely get the detergent rinsed out. Make the adjustments, knowing that you may have to do the stripping process.  Diaper Rash Cream RagaBabe diapers are extremely hypoallergenic. They have been tested on babies with extremely sensitive skin. In many cases, rashes will disappear when changing from disposable diapers to RagaBabes. If you need to use a diaper rash cream, protect the diaper from the oils and waxes by using a liner. Using a flushable, paper liner is a convenient option while using rash cream. If you prefer to use RagaBabe's organic cotton sherpa liner, wash it separately from your diapers, and add a couple drops of blue Dawn Dish Soap to the washer, along with your detergent. You could also hand wash the liner, scrubbing it with your fingers and Dawn soap. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with hot water to remove all soap -- then it is safe to wash with your diapers. Some rash creams claim they are safe to use with cloth diapers. You must still use a liner! Even though they do not contain petroleum jelly, they still contain waxes and products that will affect the absorbency of the diapers/inserts. Dealing with Yeast Issues while Cloth Diapering If I'm treating my child for a yeast rash, what can I do to help eliminate yeast cells on my diapers during washing? Good results have been found by using the following methods: • First of all, do not use bleach, as it will destroy the fabric in your diapers! • Hot water is an enemy of yeast, so if possible, temporarily increase the temperature of your hot water heater to around 130 degrees F. (No higher!) • If your diapers are dirty, do a cold rinse. Follow with a hot wash with our recommended amount of detergent (1 1/2 - 2 teaspoons top loader - 1 teaspoon front and HE). Add one of the following to the wash water: - 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar), or - 3 drops of tea tree oil, or - 15 drops of grapefruit seed extract • Follow with 1-2 hot wash cycles with nothing added. • If possible, dry in the sun, or after machine drying, set in direct sunlight. • Always wash on the highest water level available. If using an HE machine, see our washing instructions above for HE washer tips. |
