Washing Series, Prepping

This topping covers prepping your new diaper fluff.

Here is a very informative document from a group member on how to prep your diapers.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ClothBumsofEugene/doc/277545765690050/

Here is an article on why to prep your diaper fluff.
http://www.diaperjunction.com/cloth-diaper-preparation.html

Here is an article about prepping, what to do and how to do it and very importantly what not to do! This is a very good break down.
http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/how-to-prep-cloth-diapers-your-questions-answered/

Here is a good run down of prepping and prep cheats.
http://blog.diapershops.com/cloth-diapering-101-how-to-prep-cloth-diapers

See also our document on Stripping in our Washing Series.
http://clothbumsblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/washing-series-stripping.html

One of our group members wondered if it was okay to prep covers, pockets, inserts and prefolds together.

It is highly recommended as one of the links above states, that you wash natural fibers such as cotton, bamboo or hemp inserts and prefolds separate from your synthetic diaper wash, 3-4 times before washing together. The reason being is natural plant fibers have natural oils on them that need stripped away before they can absorb. This prepping process is what leaves them absorbent enough to be used for baby.

MF and synthetic fibers only need to be prewashed once with an extra rinse and they will be absorbent and usable right away. This is due to lack of natural oils on them. Really you just need to remove any shop dirt and sanitize them for use on babies skin.

Washing synthetic fibers with natural fibers before the natural fibers have been prepped can result in the natural oils being deposited on to your MF and covers and rendering them non absorbent. This will cause repelling and create a need to strip. Meaning it could create more laundry work for you than is needed.

Prefold covers do not need to absorb or allow liquid through, so it should be safe to wash them with natural fibers. Pocket diapers have an inner liner that keeps babies skin dry while allowing liquids to pass through and into the absorbent insert chore. By washing pocket covers with natural fibers it an cause the inner layer to repel and not allow liquids into the absorbent chore. Avoid preparing pocket covers and natural fiber inserts together. Micro Fiber (MF) inserts should not be prepped with natural fiber inserts. Pocket covers and MF inserts should be washed desperately until your natural fibers are prepped.

You should also prep new items separately from your established stash, the reason being is when oils release from your new natural fiber items they can attach to your established stash crating repelling and absorbency issues on you established stash.

So what is really needed to prep your items?

Micro Fiber inserts, pocket covers, and prefold covers.
Wash once with hot water and detergent. Run an extra rinse cycle or two making sure detergent is rinsed free.

Natural fiber prefolds, flats, fitteds, and inserts, including cotton, bamboo and hemp.
Wash 3-4 times with hot water using detergent at least 2 of those times. Rinse an additional 2 times, check absorbency.
Alternately hand prep with dish soap, and lots and lots of hot water rinsing.

Wool
Wash once as listed in our hand washing document in our washing series.
http://clothbumsblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/washing-series-hand-washing.html

Silk
Wash once as listed in our hand washing document in our washing series.
http://clothbumsblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/washing-series-hand-washing.html

After your items have been prepped you can wash your covers and absorbent layers together (wool and silk being the exceptions of course.)

You would only need to separate your diaper laundry if you need to use vinegar or sanitizing agents on your prefolds, inserts, fitted or flats. You will need to protect your sensitive PUL items from harsh agents that could delaminate them.

And do not stress if you forget and wash your new natural fibers with your synthetics, worst case scenario now the synthetic items will need several additional time through as well. With some additional washing everything should be nice and absorbent and ready to go.