How to Effectively Hand Wash Cloth Diapers at Home
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Time to read 5 min
How to Effectively Hand Wash Cloth Diapers at Home: Methods and Tips
Cloth diapers are an increasingly popular and cost-effective choice for families, but washing them without a home washing machine can feel daunting. Whether you're dealing with power outages, traveling, cannot afford a home washing machine or simply prefer hand washing, there are several different methods for hand washing cloth diapers. Below, we explore several approaches to hand wash cloth diapers at home, along with practical tips to make the process easier.
Why Hand Wash Cloth Diapers?
There are many different reasons why you may find that you need to hand wash cloth diapers at home, or even on the go. Some common reasons you might find that you need to hand wash cloth diapers are:
Lack of access to washing machines may mean that you are not able to afford a home washing machine or washing in a laundromat setting.
Power outages or temporary lack of access to a working washing machine may require you to hand wash cloth diapers for a short period of time.
Traveling or camping in an area where laundry facilities are unavailable.
Eco-conscious lifestyle, as hand washing uses less water and energy than machines.
Recommended Supplies for Hand Washing Cloth Diapers
Before diving into the methods, gather the following supplies:
A container (5-gallon bucket is recommended) or tub.
A plunger or rapid washer (optional but helpful).
Cloth diaper-safe detergent. You can find a list of our popular recommendations here.
Rubber gloves (optional).
Towels for wringing excess water.
Drying rack or clothesline.
Methods for Hand Washing Cloth Diapers
1. Bucket and Plunger Method
The bucket and plunger method is a practical and effective way to hand wash cloth diapers. This method involves using a 5-gallon bucket and a plunger to agitate and clean the diapers. This is one of the most popular methods due to its efficiency and minimal mess.
How to Perform the Bucket and Plunger Method for Washing Cloth Diapers:
- Remove the Soil and Poop: Using a toilet sprayer if available, rinse soiled diapers into the toilet, under cold water to remove solid poops. When hand washing, it is also important to pre-rinse all pee diapers as well. This helps remove as much excess soil as possible before hand washing.
Fill Bucket: Add cold water to the bucket and place the rinsed diapers inside.
Plunge: Using a clean plunger, agitate the diapers by plunging 20–50 times. This mimics the agitation of a washing machine.
Drain and Refill: Drain the dirty water, refill with hot water, and add detergent (approximately 2 tablespoons for a full 5 gallon bucket).
Main Wash: Plunge again for 20–50 strokes and let the diapers soak for 10–15 minutes.
Rinse: Drain the soapy water and refill with cold water. Plunge until the rinse water runs clear (this may take 1–2 cycles).
Wring and Dry: Wring out excess water using towels if needed, then hang diapers to dry on a clothesline or drying rack.
This method is ideal for small batches of diapers.
2. Bathtub Method
If you have a larger number of diapers to wash at once, using a bathtub can be more practical than the bucket method outlined above.
Steps for Washing Cloth Diapers by Hand in the Bathtub:
- Remove the Soil and Poop: Using a toilet sprayer if available, rinse soiled diapers into the toilet, under cold water to remove solid poops. When hand washing, it is also important to pre-rinse all pee diapers as well. This helps remove as much excess soil as possible before hand washing.
Fill Tub: Fill your bathtub halfway with warm water and add detergent (adjust quantity based on load size).
Agitate: Use your hands or feet to agitate the diapers in the tub for 5–10 minutes. Alternatively, use a plunger for deeper cleaning.
Soak: Let the diapers soak in the soapy water for 15–30 minutes.
Rinse: Drain the tub, refill with clean water, and agitate again to rinse out detergent residue.
Repeat if Necessary: If bubbles persist in rinse water, repeat until clear.
Dry: Wring out excess moisture and hang diapers to dry.
The bathtub method is convenient for larger loads but requires more physical effort.
3. Washboard Method
This old school method can be more labor-intensive than using a bucket and plunger but provides a thorough cleaning, especially for diapers with tough stains. It's also a good option if you prefer a more hands-on approach or if you're washing diapers in a location without access to a plunger or bucket setup
Steps for Washing Cloth Diapers by Hand with the Washboard Method:
Remove the Soil and Poop: Using a toilet sprayer if available, rinse soiled diapers into the toilet, under cold water to remove solid poops. When hand washing, it is also important to pre-rinse all pee diapers as well. This helps remove as much excess soil as possible before hand washing.
Set Up Basin: Fill a washbasin with warm water and detergent.
Scrub: Rub each diaper against the washboard or itself to dislodge stains and dirt.
Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse each diaper under running water or in clean basin water until suds disappear.
Dry: Roll up diapers in towels to remove excess moisture before air drying.
Tips for Successful Hand Washing
Regardless of your chosen method, these tips will enhance your results:
Rinse Soiled Diapers Before Washing: The cleaner your diapers are before hand washing, the more simple the entire process will be. We recommend rinsing all pee and poop diapers before beginning the hand washing process to ensure as much of the excess soil is removed as possible before you begin.
Use Warm or Hot Water: Hot water helps break down stains and odors effectively during the main wash cycle. We recommend water temperature around 100 degrees F.
Avoid Overloading: When hand washing cloth diapers, less is more. Wash small batches of approximately 6–8 diapers at a time for better agitation and cleaning results.
Roll in Towels: To speed up drying, roll wet diapers in clean towels and press firmly to remove excess moisture before hanging them up.
Sun Drying Benefits: Drying diapers in sunlight helps sanitize them naturally while removing stubborn stains.
Challenges of Hand Washing Cloth Diapers
While hand washing offers flexibility, it requires effort and time compared to machine washing:
Manual agitation can be tiring but manageable with breaks. Consider your personal physical limitations when considering hand washing cloth diapers.
Thorough rinsing is critical to avoid residue that may cause rashes or odors. If your diapers have residual odor after hand washing, perform an additional hand wash cycle before wearing the diapers on your baby.
To make hand washing sustainable long-term:
Invest in durable tools like a 5 gallon bucket, plungers or rapid washers.
Establish a consistent routine that fits your schedule.
Conclusion
Hand washing cloth diapers may seem labor-intensive at first, but it’s an empowering skill that ensures clean, fresh results even without modern conveniences like a washing machine. Whether you opt for the bucket-and-plunger method, bathtub approach, or washboard scrubbing, you’ll find that each technique has its merits depending on your needs.
With proper preparation, attention to detail during rinsing, and efficient drying techniques like sun exposure or towel rolling, hand-washing cloth diapers can become an eco-friendly part of your parenting journey!
The Author: Krystal Keller
Krystal is a Pittsburgh-based graphic designer and entrepreneur who co-founded Kinder Cloth Diaper Co in 2021. A cloth diapering parent, she brings a unique blend of creative expertise and sustainable business innovation to the cloth diaper industry.
