Things to remember: NO BLEACH, NO FABRIC SOFTENERS!

We recommend Charlie's Soap Laundry Detergent for your diapers. Just 1 tablespoon is all you need to get your diaper clean and fresh. DO NOT use "baby" detergents (Dreft, etc) and try to say away from detergents with additives, optical whiteners or optical brighteners. If you have sensitivities to detergents then Charlie's is probably your best bet.

Keep all dirty diapers in a DRY PAIL (we use a flip top garbage can with a diaper pail liner). Foot pedal pails are a plus!

Be sure to wash your diapers AT LEAST every three days. Every other day is optimal.

Be sure to remove inserts from pocket diapers and secure all hook-and-loop tabs.

Knock any solids off into the toilet. We recommend a Mini-Shower to help spray off "mushy" poop. When it is time to wash put all diapers in the washer (some covers may need to washed separately on a lower temperature). Run a cold rinse (you may add at this point) with no detergent. This will help rinse out any poop and will help prevent staining. If there are no poopy diapers you may skip this step. Run a HOT wash with 1 tablespoon of Charlie's Soap (or if you use a different detergent, use 1/4 - 1/2 of the recommended amount) followed by a cold rinse. If the rinse output has a lot of suds in it then you are using too much detergent and you should run a second cold rinse.

Everything can be dried in the dryer on LOW, including pocket diapers and covers. Some items may require extra drying time.

If you have problems with staining you can put the diapers in the sun and allow the sun to bleach them. You don't have to have a sunny day; any sun will help. I recommend the dash of your car for a perfect place to sun your diapers.

Vinegar can be used occasionally to strip diapers of ammonia odors (do this in rinse cycle just as you would a fabric softener).