How to Prepare a Flannel Diaper

Flannel is a soft, lightweight cotton that is an excellent material for cloth diapers. Flannel cloth diapers are absorbent and easy to use. Like all cotton diapers, however, flannel diapers should be pre-washed before their first use. Flannel diapers may shrink in their first washing; usually they are made so that after shrinking they will be the correct size. Unbleached cotton diapers may also have natural oils that prevent the diapers from being sufficiently absorbent until after they have been washed. Flannel diapers will become softer and more absorbent the more they are used and washed.

Things You'll Need

• Washing machine
• Cloth diaper detergent
• Drying machine or clothesline

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Place the flannel diapers in your washing machine in a load that includes only cotton diapers. Do not overload the machine; using more water than you need is better than using too little.

   • 2

     Add detergent that is approved for use by the manufacturer of your flannel diapers. Use the amount of detergent recommended by your washing machine manufacturer.

   • 3

     Set your washer for a hot wash cycle. If possible, set it to use extra water.

   • 4

     Wash the diaper load.

   • 5

     Remove the diapers and dry them. You can dry them in a machine or on a clothesline. If you line dry, place them in direct sunlight.

   • 6

     Repeat steps 1 through 5 at least three times.