How to Prep and Wash Cloth-eez Birdseye Flats and Absorbers

Quick answer

Prep new Cloth-eez Birdseye Flats by washing them separately two to three times in hot water with a small amount of detergent, then dry fully. Wash used flats and Absorbers together in a routine that includes a prewash, a hot main wash, and a thorough dry.

Step-by-step prep and wash routine

1. Prep new flats separately: Wash new Cloth-eez Birdseye Flats alone two to three times in hot water with a small amount of detergent. This removes natural cotton oils and opens up the fibers so the flats absorb instead of repelling. Check absorbency by dropping water on a dry flat; if it beads up, wash it again.
2. Prep Absorbers gently: Wash new Cloth-eez Absorbers once in warm water with detergent, then air-dry or tumble on low. Avoid hot water and high heat, which can stress the Spandex over time. Keep Absorbers out of a hot dryer even when you dry flats on higher heat.
3. Shake solids into the toilet: Before washing, shake or scrape solid waste into the toilet. For breastfed newborns, you can usually skip this step and wash directly. Never rinse poopy diapers in the sink where food is prepared; use a utility sink or diaper sprayer.
4. Run a short prewash: Run a cold or warm prewash with a small amount of detergent to remove the bulk of soil before the main wash. If the prewash water looks very dirty, repeat it before moving on.
5. Wash hot with detergent: Run a hot main wash with the full detergent amount for your load size and water hardness. Use a detergent without fabric softener or optical brighteners. Check your machine's load size; too many diapers means poor agitation and leftover residue.
6. Rinse and check for suds: Follow with a second rinse if your machine allows. If you see suds in the rinse water, run another rinse until the water runs clear. Residual detergent can cause smells and reduce absorbency over time.
7. Dry flats fully, Absorbers gently: Tumble flats on medium or high heat or line dry. Dry Absorbers on low heat or line dry to protect the Spandex. Damp diapers develop mildew quickly; make sure everything is completely dry before storing.

Product facts

• Cloth-eez Flat Birdseye Diapers - Classic White: White Cloth-eez Birdseye Flat Diapers are chlorine-free, optical brightener-free, and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified (certificate 17.HPK.12333). You can prep them without worrying about chlorine or brightener residue against baby's skin, and the white color makes it easy to see when they are clean.

  

• Cloth-eez Absorber: Cloth-eez Absorbers are made of two layers of 92% cotton and 8% Spandex at 280 gsm. The stretch helps you get a snug fit without binding, but the Spandex means you should air-dry or use low heat to keep the elastic working.