Cloth Diaper Wash Routine: How to Get Them Clean

Washing cloth diapers feels like a hurdle when you are new to it. Most parents picture boiling water, special chemicals, or some secret routine.

None of that is true. If you can run a load of towels, you can wash cloth diapers. The whole job is two cycles: a cool rinse to flush the mess, then a hot wash to clean the fabric.

We have used cloth diapers for years and saved thousands of dollars doing so. Below you will find the wash routine, which detergents actually work, how to load the machine so diapers come out clean, and how to fix odor and leaks when something is off.

How Do I Empty the Diapers?

Knock solid waste into the toilet with a diaper sprayer, a disposable liner, or a dedicated spatula, then store the diaper in a dry pail; exclusively breastfed poop needs no rinsing.

If you exclusively breastfeed your baby, you catch a lucky break. Breast milk poop is water-soluble. You can toss these diapers directly into the pail without rinsing, and your washing machine will handle the rest.

If your baby drinks formula or has started solid foods, you must remove the waste before washing. Leaving solid poop in a diaper pail causes intense odors and bacteria growth.

Here are the best ways to remove solids from a diaper before storage.

• Diaper Sprayer: This is the most popular method. A diaper sprayer attaches to your toilet’s water supply and works like a mini shower head. You spray the waste directly into the bowl. We recommend using a spray shield to prevent splashing the bathroom.
  
• Disposable Liners: You can place a thin, disposable liner inside the diaper to catch solids. When it is time to change the baby, simply lift the liner out and toss it in the trash. This minimizes the mess significantly.
• Spatula Method: Some parents keep a dedicated “poop spatula” in the bathroom. If the stool is plop-able or sticky, use the spatula to scrape it into the toilet. Sanitize the tool after every use.
• Shake and Plop: As your baby gets older, their stool becomes more solid. Often, you can simply turn the diaper over the toilet, give it a shake, and gravity does the rest.

Whichever method you use, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds afterward ⁽¹⁾.

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How Many Cloth Diapers Do I Need?

Storing Dirty Cloth Diapers

Proper storage prevents stink and protects the fabric until wash day.

We recommend using a “dry pail” system. This means you store the dirty diapers in a pail or wet bag without any standing water. Soaking dirty diapers in water creates a drowning hazard and breeds bacteria that can destroy the elastic and waterproofing.

1. Open vs. Closed Pails

Airflow is your friend. While it seems counterintuitive, an open pail (like a laundry basket with holes) often smells less than a sealed can.

When you seal dirty diapers in an airtight container, the urine breaks down into ammonia. This creates a burning “barnyard” stench that is hard to wash out. An open pail allows airflow, which dries the diapers out and reduces ammonia formation.

2. Wet Bags

Use a waterproof bag, known as a wet bag, to line your pail. We suggest buying two large pail liners. When one is in the wash with the diapers, you can immediately line the pail with the spare.

How Often Should I Wash?

Aim to wash your cloth diapers every two to three days.

Waiting longer than three days allows stains to set and bacteria to multiply. This makes the cleaning process much harder. Conversely, washing every single day adds unnecessary wear and tear to your fabrics (and your sanity).

The Golden Rule: The Two-Cycle Wash

Regardless of your machine type, the secret to clean cloth diapers is using two distinct wash cycles. One cycle is rarely enough to remove all the urine and waste.

1. Cycle One: The Pre-Wash

The goal of the first cycle is to remove the bulk of the “gunk.”

Set your machine to a quick wash or normal cycle with cool or warm water. Add a small amount of detergent (line 1 on the cup). This cycle flushes out the urine and poop so the diapers are not swimming in dirty water during the main wash.

2. Cycle Two: The Main Wash

The goal of the second cycle is deep cleaning.

Set your machine to a heavy-duty cycle with hot water, which for diapers means roughly 105 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit, according to cloth diaper manufacturers. That is intentionally cooler than the 140 degrees Fahrenheit typically needed to kill common bacteria in a regular laundry load ⁽²⁾; the lower range is generally recommended to protect elastic and PUL. Add the full recommended amount of detergent for a heavily soiled load. This long, hot agitation is what actually cleans the fibers, so make sure the drum is loaded correctly (see below) for enough friction.

Which Detergent Works Best for Cloth Diapers?

The best detergent for cloth diapers is a mainstream option with real enzymes and surfactants, like powdered Tide or Persil, not an expensive specialty “cloth diaper” formula. Baby waste is a mix of proteins, fats, and starches, and it takes that enzyme power to break it all down. That is also why many “gentle” or free-and-clear formulas fall short: they lack the cleaning power, and some leave a residue that makes diapers repel.

We recommend avoiding homemade detergents. Most recipes rely on bar soap (like Fels-Naptha), which leaves a waxy residue on fabrics. This residue causes diapers to repel liquid, leading to leaks.

Here are reliable detergent options.

• Powdered Tide: This is the gold standard in the cloth diaper community. It softens water slightly and cleans aggressively.
  
• Persil: A very strong liquid detergent that works well on tough stains.
• Seventh Generation Ultra Power Plus: A great option if you prefer a plant-based detergent, but ensure you use hot water to activate it properly.
• Kirkland Signature (Costco): An affordable free-and-clear option, though it still carries enzymes for real cleaning power, unlike most gentle formulas.

How Should I Dry Cloth Diapers?

Dry cloth diapers in the dryer on low or medium heat, or on the clothesline; both work, so pick whichever suits your routine.

1. Machine Drying

Most modern cloth diapers, including those with PUL (waterproof laminate), can go in the dryer on low or medium heat. High heat may degrade the elastics over time.

Pocket diapers and inserts dry quickly. All-in-one diapers, which have thick internal layers, may require a longer cycle.

2. Line Drying

Hanging diapers outside is energy-efficient and extends the life of your elastics.

The sun is also a natural stain remover. If your diapers have yellow shadows from breastfed poop, laying them damp in direct sunlight for a few hours can bleach them sparkling white.

Why Do My Cloth Diapers Smell?

Cloth diapers usually smell because hard water minerals, detergent buildup, or cream residue are trapped in the fabric, or the wash routine is not agitating them clean. Here is how to fix the most common problems.

1. Hard Water Issues

Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium. Over time, these minerals get trapped in the fabric, holding onto bacteria and causing stink.

If you have hard water, your detergent might not be effective enough on its own. You can add a water softener to your main wash cycle. Calgon and Borax are popular boosters that help your detergent rinse clean.

2. Repelling and Leaks

If liquid beads up on the diaper instead of soaking in, you likely have residue buildup. This usually comes from diaper creams or fabric softeners.

To fix this, scrub the inside of the diaper with blue Dawn dish soap and a toothbrush, then rinse thoroughly. Ensure you only use cloth-safe diaper creams (avoid petroleum/zinc combos unless using a liner).

3. Barnyard or Ammonia Smell

Clean diapers should smell like nothing.

If they smell like a barnyard immediately out of the dryer, they are not getting clean. You likely need more detergent or a better agitation cycle.

If they smell like ammonia (strong chemical smell) as soon as the baby pees, you have detergent buildup or trapped bacteria. You may need to “strip” and sanitize your diapers.

4. Stripping vs. Sanitizing

These are two different processes used for deep cleaning.

• Stripping: This removes mineral and detergent buildup. You use a product like RLR or GroVia Mighty Bubbles. It releases the “gunk” trapped in the fibers.
  
• Sanitizing: This kills bacteria and yeast. You typically use diluted bleach. This is necessary if you buy used diapers or if your baby has a yeast rash.

To sanitize with bleach, add regular liquid bleach (check the bottle date to ensure freshness) to a cold water soak. Soak clean diapers for 30 minutes, then rinse hot.

FAQs

The Bottom Line

Strip the mystery away and the whole routine is two cycles and a well-loaded drum. A cool pre-wash flushes the mess so it never cooks into the fabric, then a hot main wash with the full detergent dose does the actual cleaning. The one detail most parents miss is friction: fill the drum about three-quarters full so the diapers rub against each other, because that rubbing is what lifts the soil, alongside a hot main wash.

Pick an enzyme detergent you trust, keep the pre-wash cool and the main wash hot, and load the machine to that three-quarters mark. Do that and your diapers come out clean load after load, with the savings adding up the whole time.