Keep Your Cloth Diapers Sparkling White

Many mothers are drawn to the idea of cloth diapers… until they think of washing them. It’s easy to wonder: How do I keep cloth diapers white? Will they stink? Will I be doing laundry nonstop? These are valid questions, and the good news is that it’s actually more doable than it may seem initially!

Cloth diapering isn’t just a throwback trend. For many families, it’s a conscious decision rooted in values: reducing waste, limiting exposure to chemicals, and saving money over time. But like anything new, there’s always a learning curve. That’s why I’ve created this guide: I want to give you real-world strategies that work and the reassurance that you really don’t have to get it “perfect” to succeed.

Why Choose Cloth Diapers in the First Place?

Now, before we get into the nitty-gritty of keeping them white, we first need to revisit why so many families choose cloth diapers over regular ones in the first place.

• They’ll save you money down the line: While the upfront cost for cloth diapers may be higher, the great thing is that they actually pay for themselves (and quickly, too). Over the course of two years, the average family can save hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars compared to disposable diapers.
  
• They content fewer chemicals: Cloth diapers contain fewer chemicals than regular ones, which means they allow you to avoid gels, fragrances, and other additives often found in disposables. For babies with sensitive skin, this can make such a big difference (speaking from experience here!).
  
• Their environmental impact is minimal: Disposable diapers are among the biggest contributors to landfill waste in the world, and what makes things worse is that they take hundreds of years to decompose. Cloth diapers dramatically reduce that footprint.
  
• They allow for earlier potty learning: Anecdotally, many families report that their children potty train earlier with cloth because they can feel wetness more acutely.

Here Are Three Cloth Diaper-Washing Hacks To Keep Your Diapers Clean And Sparkling:

1. Use a bamboo liner inside the diaper to catch poo: The bamboo liner allows the pee to pass through to the cloth, while most of the poop stays on top. This means that things are much easier for you because you can simply take the liner out. If there is some remaining poop, a quick swish of the diaper in the toilet or wash with a bidet or diaper hose attachment will remove the rest of the waste.
2. Use white vinegar in your washer as a “fabric softener”: What you can do is to simply put white vinegar into the spot in your washer where you would normally put fabric softener. I find this keeps the diapers white and gets rid of any lingering odors. Since doing this, I have not had any issues with smelly diapers!
3. Dry your cloth diapers in the sun: Believe me when I tell you that this is so effective for removing any stubborn stain or odor in case the first two methods I shared don’t do the job quite well enough. I especially love sun-drying my cloth diapers because the longer you leave them in direct sunlight, the better they stay white.

Bonus: Practice Elimination Communication with your baby! Even part-time EC will help you reduce the number of diapers you wash.

Your Go-To Wash Routine (Yes, You’ll Find One That Works)

Let me start this out by saying that there’s no universal wash routine because water hardness, machine type, and detergent all vary, depending on so many factors. But, what I can tell you is that most cloth diaper routines follow this basic pattern:

1. Pre-rinse: Run a cold rinse or quick wash without using any detergent to remove solids that may still be left on the diaper
2. Main wash: Use hot water, a cloth-safe detergent, and a heavy-duty setting to properly wash them
3. Extra rinse: This one is optional, but it’s super helpful in ensuring all detergent is rinsed out (and the diaper is safe for baby’s bottom)

As I previously mentioned, drying in the sun is ideal when possible. If you’re using a dryer, please make sure you stick to medium heat to protect elastic and PUL fabric.

Wondering what laundry detergent to use? Look at Fluff University to find out if your laundry detergent is cloth diaper compatible.

Common Concerns About Cloth Diapering (The Ones That Don’t Always Get Talked About)

Let’s be real, okay… It’s not just the laundry or the poop that makes people hesitate. Cloth diapering comes with a lot of decisions, and that can feel overwhelming when you’re already running on limited sleep. If you’ve ever found yourself second-guessing whether it’s “worth it,” you’re definitely not alone.

Here are a few concerns parents often have, and some perspective to help you move forward with more confidence:

“What if I get it wrong?”

Cloth diapering can feel like a rabbit hole of advice, forums, and routines. It’s easy to worry that you’ll mess it up… or that you’re not doing it “right.” The truth is, you don’t need to follow anyone else’s system perfectly. You’ll find a routine that works for your water, your washer, and your baby. And even if it takes some trial and error, that’s okay.

“Is this even realistic when we leave the house?”

Honestly, you don’t have to be 100% cloth, 100% of the time. Many families use cloth at home and switch to disposables or hybrids when they’re out and about. I personally do this when my family and I are out and about with my twins, and it’s super convenient. Wet bags make it easier to store used diapers on the go, and you can always adapt depending on the situation. Flexibility is your friend here.

“My partner/family isn’t on board.”

If your co-parent or relatives think cloth diapering is too much work, that can feel a bit discouraging. But remember: your choices don’t have to please everyone. So, start with what feels manageable for you. Sometimes just showing others how it works—or choosing part-time cloth—can help ease skepticism.

“Am I signing up for nonstop laundry?”

It may seem like it, but not at all! With a good rotation of diapers (20-24 is a solid stash for full-time use), most families find themselves washing every two to three days. Once you get into a rhythm, it becomes second nature, and not much different than regular baby laundry.

RECAP TIME: How to Keep Cloth Diapers White… And Your Sanity Intact

We’ve gone through quite a lot of info in this blog, so I’d like to run through everything one last time. Of course, feel free to come back to this post whenever you have doubts!

So, here’s a quick recap of effective tips:

• Use bamboo liners to catch solids and simplify diaper cleanup
• Rinse your diapers with white vinegar in your machine’s fabric softener slot to eliminate odors
• Sun dry when possible for natural stain removal and freshness
• Experiment with part-time EC to reduce diaper use overall

But above all, give yourself some grace. Cloth diapering doesn’t have to be all or nothing. What matters most is finding a rhythm that works for your family and helps you feel confident in your choices.

Are you a postpartum parent looking for some extra support during your PP period? Schedule a consultation with us, and let’s see how we can help make things easier (and lighter) for you!