Cloth Diaper Care: Dishwasher Stripping

If you've been using cloth diapers on your child for any length of time, you may need to strip them of any detergent residue to prevent odors and leaks. You can often strip them using the methods outlined in my article entitled "How to Strip Cloth Diapers." But sometimes it doesn't work. Maybe your water heater doesn't go high enough to really do the job, and your cloth diapers still end up stinky and leaky. Or maybe you have to use a Laundromat, and it takes a million quarters to get your diapers completely residue-free. But if you have a dishwasher, you can strip your diapers quickly and easily, right in your own kitchen.

Dishwasher stripping: Step 1 - Wash cloth diapers as usual

Before you begin, you need to start with clean diapers. Run them through a normal wash/rinse cycle as usual, with your normal amount of detergent and any other laundry additives such as vinegar or baking soda that you may use. (Cloth diapers should always be laundered in a dye-free, perfume-free detergent with no fabric softener to keep residue build-up and rashes to a minimum.) You do not need to dry the diapers, but it is a good idea to make sure they are rinsed well.

Dishwasher stripping: Step 2 - Load cloth diapers into the dishwasher

Once your diapers are clean, simply load them into the dishwasher. Diapers with PUL should be placed on the top rack to prevent damage to the laminate, but otherwise, anything goes. Make sure that your cloth diapers and inserts are secure, and will not fall into the bottom of the dishwasher and onto the heating element - the fabric will burn, and any fabric that touches the heating element will be ruined. Be sure that no loose tabs or fabric are hanging through the bottom rack. (Note: wool should never be put into the dishwasher, as the heat will strip it of its water-resistant and antibacterial properties, and you'll have to lanolize it all over again.)

Dishwasher stripping: Step 3 - Run the wash cycle