Washing Detail
The number one thing
to remember when caring for your diapers, is they are just another load!
:)
There is no magical
solution that you should need and no crazy tricks. Simply find a good
detergent that works well for you and wash your diapers regularly. If
you notice they smell dirty, mildew-y or strong with ammonia then it
is time to find a new detergent because your current selection is either
causing buildup or is not getting the diapers clean. If the detergent
is causing red or rash, discontinue use immediately and try a more mild
detergent. Baby's with severely sensitive skin do well with well with
fragrance and dye free detergents. It is important that your cloth diaper
detergent does not have any fabric softeners in it.
To Wash
1. Cold rinse
2. Hot wash - cold rinse: only add 1/2-1/4 the recommended amount of
detergent for the appropriate load size. (Please see our detergent recommendations
below)
3. Col rinse
4. Tumble dry low or hang dry.
HE Machines
Please do not use the sanitize cycle on your Rumparooz pockets. You
may use that cycle on your inserts. The high temperature is not good
for the laminate and can melt the laminate bond. Rumparooz use a TPU
process for their PUL which is a heat bonding method and NOT a chemical
solvent process. The TPU process is earth friendly! The only portion
of the diaper that can withstand the heat of the sanitize cycle would
be the inserts. If you are having residue or stink issues and feel that
the sanitize cycle is in order, please use feel free to sanitize your
inserts as that is most likely where the issue is held. Washing your
pockets on the sanitize cycle will void the warrenty.
The Scoop on Poop
Breast Fed Poo:
You do not need to to do anything. Breastmilk poo is 100% organic and
will dissolve in the wash.
Formula Fed and Solid Poo:
Simply "plop" that poo into the toilet and flush! Solid and
thicker poo will not cling to the fleece - a little residue is fine.
Poo of a runnier consistence is a great candidate for a diaper sprayer.
*Did you know that even disposable diaper companies post to their packaging
that all solids should be disposed of in the toilet before tossing the
diaper?
Soothing Rumps
Diaper Rash Cream:
Rarely will you have to use a diaper rash cream while using cloth diapers.
If you have a consistent rash problem, this may be a detergent irritation
issue and you should switch your diaper laundry detergent. Other times
the rash may be a yeast infection and you should contact your family
physician. On the occasion that you need to use a medically prescribed
cream or an over the counter ointment, we recommend to ALWAYS use a
liner. Place the liner between the cream on your baby's behind and the
microchamois inner of the Rumparooz. Our first recommendation would
be a washable liner made of microchamois so that the diaper retains
the stay dry quality the microchamois provides. There are also disposable
liners available on the market, however we find these liners will crinkle
and crunch and can be far less soothing on an irritated behind. Even
is a cream boasts "Cloth Diaper Safe" - it is our advice to
still use a liner.
Stains
TO REMOVE STAINS, LAY IN THE SUN WHEN WET!
With proper care, your Rumparooz pockets should not stain. If you notice
they have a grey/dingy look, please change your detergent as that is
not normal. Newborn poop will have a tendency to discolor diapers and
inserts more then an older baby but the discoloration will fade with
time. If you have sunshine available, you can lay or hang your diapers
in the sun for a whitening effect - no kidding! Please do not use the
following to try and treat stains:
Bleach, Stain Remover, Borax, Bac-Out, Biokleen, Oxy-Clean.
Soaking / Wet Pail
Diapers should be stored in a dry pail. Extensive soaking isn't necessary
for your pockets, but you may soak your inserts as needed.
The Great Detergent
Debate : Our Recommendations
The following information is a friendly recommendation about what we
find works well. Through heavy testing, observation and reporting we
are able to offer knowledgeable guidance on how to extend the life of
your diapers. These recommendations do not require that you wash Rumparooz
brand diapers separately from your other diaper laundry as all diaper
laundry is best washed together. If you have a detergent that works
well for you, please dis-regard the following.
Our Detergent Recommendations
• Tide
• Gain
• Ecover
• Baby Ganics
• Earth's Best
• Seventh Generation
Kanga Care & Rumparooz
are in no way affiliated with the makers of any of our recommended brands
of detergents and receive no compensation. These are simply our recommendations
we have found through both personal trial and error and through continued
customer feedback over the past 4 years.
For questions regarding
this matter, please email us at customercare@kanga-care.com
Enzymes
We highly recommend the use of detergents that contain enzymes.
Are Enzymes Safe?
YES. Enzymes are proteins, therefor, they are completely biodegradable.
They are non-toxic to plants and animals in the environment. They are
harmless if accidentally ingested by a child.
More About Enzymes:
Why enzymes are important in your detergent:
• Enzymes are
biodegradable, leaving no harmful residues
• Enzymes are used to dissolve protein stains
• Enzymes break down necessary fats and oils which which attach
themselves to your diapers and cause stink
• Enzymes can reduce the environmental load of detergent products
since they:
ª Save energy and CO2 emissions by enabling lower wash temperatures
while maintaining washing performance
º Partly replace other chemicals in detergents, such as surfactants
ª Enable compactation, reducing packaging and transportation costs
º Are biodegradable, leaving no harmful residues
ª Have no negative environmental impact on sewage treatment processes
º Do not present a risk to aquatic life
Why are enzymes important
in a laundry detergent?
The enzymes used in laundry detergents act on materials that make up
a variety of stains and soils so that these materials can be washed
away more easily. These enzymes are named after the materials they can
act upon, for example, proteases break down protein based stains, lipolases
break down lipid (fat) based stains and amylases break down starches
and other carbohydrate based stains (amyl is Greek for starch). Since
one enzyme molecule can act on many substrate (i.e., soil) molecules,
a small amount of enzyme added to a laundry detergent can provide a
big cleaning benefit to the consumes.
Other Detergent Recommended
Guidelines
If you chose a detergent other then those listed above, we suggest the
following guidelines:
Use caution with the following ingredients:
• Borax
• Oxy Clean
• Fabric Softener - this ingredient should be avoided completely.
Ingredient may coat fabric leaving it unable to absorb.
**In un-balanced quantities, these products can prematurely break down
the PUL (waterproof material) and elastic; making the material dry,
brittle and susceptible to cracking.
These products are
OK to treat your inserts with:
• Borax
• Bac-Out
• Oxy Clean
• Soaking
• We do not recommend the use of bleach. If you feel the need
for bleach, please only use it on your inserts and run multiple rinse
to be sure the bleach is rinsed clean.
Homemade Detergents
You may choose which ever detergent you like. We simply offer suggestions.
However, many homemade laundry detergents are not recommended for diapers,
because the formula is uncontrolled, unregulated and is not PH balanced.
These laundry boosters do not contain enzymes which are essential to
getting your diapers clean. Many also contain synthetic fragrance oils
which in the incorrect amount can burn the skin. Most of the homemade
detergents include a mixture of borax and oxyclean which will shorten
the life of the PUL material in modern style cloth diapers when used
in the wrong proportions.
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