Washing Diapers with Hot Water or Cold?…
For 9 months I’ve been washing cloth diapers with Hot Water because that is what is recommended by the manufacturers of cloth diapers. All of my other laundry I wash using cold water as I have done for a few years.
I just read a blog that is changing my mind about washing cloth diapers using hot water, Green Breakthrough: Save Energy by Washing Diapers in Cold Water. With my cloth diaper washing, I had completely forgotten one of the reasons why I stopped using hot water with the rest of my laundry. The hot water in your washing machine (unless it has a heater) doesn’t get hot enough to kill bacteria. Think about it, the hot water for your washing machine comes from your water heater (unlike dishwashers that have their own heater).
I know that washing with cold water only is NOT recommended by most manufacturers and in most cases will void any warranties, but I’m going to try it. The diapers in my stash I’ve had for a while now with no problems so I’m comfortable doing this. I don’t recommend anyone new to cloth diapers use a cold wash, only test this out for yourself once you are happy with your diapers as in most cases this will void your warranty. I am not recommending this washing, but wanted to point out another option for families looking to save money.
The best way to sanitize your diapers is to put out in the sun. UV rays are great at killing bacteria and it’s natural!
I will report back here how it goes and if I notice any difference in my diapers from this change.
Rebecca (Green Baby Guide) said,
July 30, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
I am glad you’re giving it a try! Ever since I wrote that post, I’ve been washing my cloth diapers in cold water and haven’t noticed any difference.
I hadn’t thought about warranties on cloth diapers. I just use prefolds with covers, so I don’t think any warranties apply. I am not sure how washing cloth diapers in cold water could void a warranty, anyway. How would they know? And if it doesn’t work to wash in cold, you can simply switch back to washing in hot.
Green Bebe said,
July 30, 2008 @ 4:12 pm
Great to hear you haven’t noticed a difference. I’m on my way home now and have a load of dirty diapers waiting for me!
I agree with you about not understanding how washing cloth diapers in cold water could void a warranty but every manufacturer has washing instructions and all of them that I have seen say to specifically use hot water. Washing cloth diapers is not difficult, but when selling multiple brands and they all have very specific and different washing instructions it can be difficult to advise customers.