How To Wash Cloth Diapers

How to wash cloth diapers

A reliable wash routine is the difference between clean, long-lasting diapers and leaks, stink, and premature wear. This guide walks through the four-step routine that works for almost every household, then adapts it for HE and non-HE machines.

cloth diapers and laundry items prepared for cloth diaper washing routine
A proper wash routine works for baby, big kid, and adult cloth diapers alike. The fundamentals are the same; only the volume changes.

The short version: knock solids into the toilet, store in a dry pail, then wash every 2–3 days with a short prewash followed by a long, heavy-duty main wash. Use the full detergent dose for a heavily soiled load, and keep water temperature at or below 130°F (54°C) to protect PUL, microfiber, and bamboo. The rest of this page covers the details, the machine-specific settings, and what to do when things go wrong.

Before you start, make sure you're using a detergent that actually cleans diapers — many "gentle" or "free and clear" options don't. See our recommended detergents for cloth diapers and how much detergent to use. If your diapers are brand new, see how to prep cloth diapers before first use — natural fibers don't reach full absorbency until they've been washed several times.

Washing for older kids and adults — or for anyone managing heavier output, hemp-heavy stashes, or bowel incontinence — uses the same routine but with adjustments for load size, ammonia management, and pre-rinse strategy. See how to wash cloth diapers for older kids and adults for the full breakdown. If you don't have access to a washing machine — traveling, no laundry at home, or a temporary emergency — see how to hand wash cloth diapers.

The routine

The 4-step wash routine

This is the core routine. It works for baby, big kid, and adult cloth diapers, and for every fabric EcoAble sells — bamboo, hemp, cotton, microfiber, and PUL shells.

1
Handle soiled diapers
Knock or spray solids into the toilet. Wet-only diapers can go straight into the pail. Rinse and wring heavily soiled diapers to prevent staining and mildew, then store in a breathable dry pail. Wash every 2–3 days.
2
Prewash
A short cycle with real agitation to remove surface soil before the main wash. Use a small amount of detergent (about half the standard dose) and add water softener if you have hard water.
3
Main wash
The longest, strongest cycle your machine offers. Full detergent dose for a heavily soiled load. This is where the deep clean actually happens — don't shortcut this step.
4
Dry
Line dry or tumble dry on low to medium heat. Turn all-in-ones inside out to speed drying. Never exceed medium heat on PUL shells.
Three small habits that prevent most problems
  • Leave the pail lid slightly open for air circulation.
  • Put Hook & Loop diapers in a mesh laundry bag, 4–5 per bag, to stop them snagging each other.
  • Turn off any "auto prewash" or "extra rinse" setting — you're controlling those manually.
Quick compare

HE vs standard machines at a glance

Both machine types can wash cloth diapers well. The difference is in the settings you choose and how you load the drum.

HE machine Standard (non-HE) machine
Prewash cycle Quick Wash, Speed Wash, or Express (30–45 min) Heavy Duty, Cotton, or Normal — at least 6 min of agitation
Main wash cycle Heavy Duty, Whites, or Power Wash — longest, hottest available within safe temp Heavy Duty, Power Wash, or Super Wash
Drum fill 2/3 to 3/4 full — add small items to boost agitation Full water level, fabric fully submerged
Detergent (prewash) About line 1 or half a cap About line 1 or half a cap
Detergent (main wash) Full dose for heavily soiled load Full dose — slightly more for plant-based or free & clear
Avoid Rinse/Spin and built-in "Prewash" — not enough agitation Delicate or quick-wash cycles — not enough time

For specific dosing by detergent type and water hardness, see how much detergent for cloth diapers. For why agitation, detergent, and temperature have to work together — and what's actually happening inside the drum — see the science of washing cloth diapers.

HE machines

Washing cloth diapers in an HE machine

Prewash

Choose a short cycle with agitation, 30–45 minutes. Look for Speed Wash, Quick Wash, or Express. If you're on a top-loading HE with low agitation, use Normal or Cottons instead.

Add a small amount of detergent — about line 1 on the cap, or roughly half a cap. Add water softener if you have hard water.

Don't use these settings

Skip the Rinse/Spin option and the machine's built-in "Prewash" setting. Neither provides enough agitation, and you can't add detergent properly between cycles.

Main wash

Fill the drum 2/3 to 3/4 full. This is the single biggest factor in cleaning performance — an underloaded drum can't agitate properly and leaves soil trapped in the fibers.

proper washer load size for cloth diapers compared to small load causing poor agitation
A drum that's 2/3 to 3/4 full when wet creates the friction needed for proper cleaning. An underloaded drum lets diapers float without rubbing against each other — one of the most common reasons cloth diapers smell after washing.

If you don't have enough diapers to hit that fill level, add small clothing items to boost agitation. Don't add large items — they'll wrap around the diapers and trap soil.

good laundry items to bulk cloth diaper wash loads vs bulky items that reduce agitation
Small items like t-shirts, washcloths, socks, and baby clothes help bulk the load and improve agitation. Avoid bath towels, blankets, and other bulky items — they absorb water and reduce the friction that cleans the diapers.

Choose the longest, most powerful cycle: Heavy Duty, Whites, or Power Wash. Set soil level and spin to maximum. If your machine has stain treatment or a "Boost" option, turn it on. Turn off auto prewash and extra rinse.

Use the full detergent dose recommended for a heavily soiled load, plus water softener if needed.

Standard machines

Washing cloth diapers in a standard (non-HE) machine

Prewash

Use a cycle with at least 6 minutes of agitation — Heavy Duty, Cotton, Normal, or Regular. Cold or warm water is fine. Add a small amount of detergent (about half a cap) and water softener if needed.

Main wash

Select the longest cycle with the strongest agitation. On most machines that's Heavy Duty, Power Wash, or Super Wash.

Water temperature depends on your detergent. Synthetic detergents clean well at any temperature. Plant-based detergents work better in warm water — see warm vs hot water for cloth diapers for the full breakdown.

Use the full detergent dose for heavily soiled loads. Increase slightly if you're using a free & clear or plant-based formula. Add water softener if needed.

Temperature

Water temperature guide

Getting the temperature right is the single biggest factor in how long your diapers last. Hot water kills bacteria and lifts soil, but it also breaks down PUL laminate, microfiber, and bamboo fibers over time.

Temperature When to use it
Up to 90°F (32°C) — cold to warm Standard wash temperature recommended by most manufacturers. Safe for PUL shells and all fabrics long-term.
Up to 130°F (54°C) — hot Use occasionally — illness in the household, ammonia buildup, or as part of a monthly deep clean. Safe short-term but shortens fabric lifespan if used every wash.
Above 130°F (54°C) Never. Will delaminate PUL shells and damage elastics. No diaper component is designed for this temperature.

For more on when to use warm vs hot water, why the 130°F ceiling matters, and what HE machines actually deliver compared to their dial settings, see warm vs hot water for cloth diapers.

When it's not working

When something's wrong

If diapers come out smelling fine wet but develop a barnyard or ammonia smell once used, or start causing rashes, something in the routine is off. Use this table to figure out where to start.

If you're seeing this
Start here
Strong ammonia smell when wet
Not enough detergent or agitation. See why cloth diapers stink for the full diagnosis-and-fix process. Increase detergent dose first; if that doesn't fix it in a week, do a strip and rinse.
Barnyard smell out of the wash
Detergent buildup or hard water. Add a water softener and cut back slightly on detergent. See smell troubleshooting for the full fix.
Repelling (leaks even though absorbent is dry)
Usually fabric softener or diaper cream residue. Strip the diapers, then check what's going in the wash with them. See why cloth diapers leak for other causes.
Persistent stains after wash
Sun-dry for a few hours — UV removes most stains. Don't use chlorine bleach on regular loads.
Rashes that weren't there before
Either detergent residue (add a rinse) or buildup (strip and rinse). Rule out a new detergent or diaper cream first.

If you've been washing for a while without a deep clean, a monthly stripping routine keeps diapers performing. See how to strip cloth diapers and how to sanitize without bleach. Stripping isn't a replacement for a solid wash routine — it's a reset for when the routine has been off.

FAQ

Common questions

How often should I wash cloth diapers?
Every 2–3 days. Waiting longer lets ammonia and bacteria build up, which causes smells, stains, and rashes. Less than every 2 days is fine but wastes water unless you have a very small stash.
Can I use regular laundry detergent on cloth diapers?
Most regular detergents work, but some don't clean well enough (many "free & clear" and eco-friendly brands) and a few leave residue that causes repelling. Check our recommended detergents list before switching, and see how much detergent to use for dosing by detergent type.
Do I need to pre-rinse every diaper before the pail?
Wet-only diapers go straight in the pail. Solid-soiled diapers need the solids knocked or sprayed into the toilet. Heavily soiled diapers benefit from a quick rinse and wring before storage — it prevents set-in stains and mildew.
What do I do about poop?
Exclusively breastfed baby poop is water-soluble and washes out without rinsing. Once baby starts solids — or for big kid and adult diapers — knock solids into the toilet first. A diaper sprayer or a disposable liner makes this much easier.
Is hot water safe for cloth diapers?
Up to 130°F (54°C) is safe occasionally — for illness, ammonia buildup, or a monthly deep clean. Using hot water on every wash shortens the life of PUL shells, microfiber, and bamboo. For routine washes, 90°F (32°C) is the manufacturer recommendation. See warm vs hot water for cloth diapers for the full guidance.
Do I need a water softener?
Only if you have hard water. Hard water binds to detergent and leaves mineral deposits on fabric, which causes buildup and smells. If you've got hard water (most of the US west of the Mississippi does), add a softener like Calgon to both the prewash and main wash. See the chemistry of why hard water reduces cleaning power.
Can I dry cloth diapers in the dryer?
Yes, on low to medium heat. High heat damages PUL laminate and elastics. Line drying is gentler and makes diapers last longer, but it's not required. Turn all-in-ones inside out so the absorbent layers dry faster.
What's stripping and when do I need to do it?
Stripping is a deep-clean process that removes mineral and detergent buildup from diapers. You need it when diapers have persistent smells or leaks that a regular wash doesn't fix. See how to strip cloth diapers for the full process. Stripping isn't a routine step — if you're doing it more than every few months, your wash routine needs adjusting.
Can I wash diapers with regular laundry?
Small items like washcloths or baby clothes are fine in the main wash and help with agitation. Don't mix in large items (towels, sheets) — they wrap around diapers and trap soil. Keep anything with fabric softener residue completely separate.
How do I wash cloth diapers for older kids or adults?
The same 4-step routine, with adjustments for higher volume and more concentrated urine. Wash every 1–2 days instead of every 2–3, increase detergent to the heaviest dose your label recommends, and pre-rinse bowel-soiled diapers thoroughly with a sprayer. See how to wash cloth diapers for older kids and adults for the full breakdown including ammonia management, hemp care, and the medication-affected urine factor most resources don't cover.
How do I wash cloth diapers when I'm traveling or don't have a washing machine?
Hand washing works for travel, no-washer households, and washer emergencies. The core routine is soak with detergent, agitate firmly with a clean dedicated plunger or by hand for 5–10 minutes, rinse 2–4 times until water runs clear, wring, and air dry. See how to hand wash cloth diapers for full routines tailored to each situation.
Next steps

Set up your wash routine

Detergents
Recommended cloth diaper detergents
A tested list of detergents that clean well and don't cause buildup, sorted by formula type.
View the list →
Detergent dose
How much detergent for cloth diapers
Pre-wash and main wash dosing by machine, detergent type, and water hardness.
Read the guide →
Temperature
Warm vs hot water
When to use each temperature, the 130°F ceiling, and why HE machines deliver less heat than you think.
Read the guide →
Older kids & adults
Washing for older kids and adults
Volume, ammonia management, hemp care, bowel incontinence, and how medications affect the wash.
Read the guide →
No washer
How to hand wash cloth diapers
Routines for travel, no-washer households, and washer emergencies. Tools, drying, and honest limits.
Read the guide →
Smell troubleshooting
Why cloth diapers stink
Diagnose ammonia vs barnyard smell and run the 4-step fix to reset your diapers.
Read the guide →
Stripping
How to strip cloth diapers
The 4–6 hour soak process for resetting diapers when smells or repelling persist.
Read the guide →
The science
Science of washing cloth diapers
How surfactants, enzymes, and agitation actually clean cloth diapers — the chemistry underneath the routine.
Read the guide →

The wash routine guidelines on this page are for informational purposes only. EcoAble disclaims all liability for any loss or damage — direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential — resulting from the use of this information. It's your responsibility to follow settings appropriate for your washing machine and materials. EcoAble is not liable for any damage caused by washing machines, dryers, or misuse of our products. By using these guidelines, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.