Expore the series of publications that offer useful information for people with special needs: children, the disabled and elderly, and for farm safety. Publications are accessible in pdf format or can be ordered from the ISU Extension Publications office.
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How to Wash Cloth Diapers
Follow these suggestions to maintatin white diapers:
- To remove solid waste, rinse diapers in toilet bowl. (Be sure to hold onto the edge of the diaper so that it does not get flushed and clog the plumbing.)
- Collect the day's soiled diapers in pail. Use cold water soak detergent, borax, or two tablespoons of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water to control odor.
- Launder diapers daily or often enough to contrl odor.
- Pour diapers and soak solution into washer and spin.
- Next, use detergent with presoak cycle and spin.
- Wash in hot water with detergent and dilute chlorine bleach to sanitize and kill germs.
- Bleach only once or twice a week to prolong wear.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Fabric softeners reduce absorbency if used too often.
- Use regular dryer setting or line dry.
Dispose of single use diapers in an environmentally safe way -- Feces or solid waste should be removed from single use diapers and flushed fown the toilet. Diapers should be folded up with the soiled side inside when they are put in trash.
Family Pesticide Safety series