Caring for Your Bamboo Diapers
What is bamboo?
- Bamboo is a biodegradable fabric made from an evergreen plant that grows in an unpolluted natural environment, without pesticides.
- A cross section of bamboo fiber reveals micro holes that enable excellent ventilation and moisture absorption. Not only does bamboo quickly absorb wetness and allow it to evaporate; it also adjusts to your body temperature and helps regulate it. When you touch the surface, it feels cooler than other fabrics.
- Bamboo is hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and odor resistant. Bamboo is naturally resistant to bacteria, odors and mildew.
- Easy to launder in a washer and dryer.
- Bamboo diaper is soft and non-irritating, even to sensitive skin.
- Our bamboo diapers are cooler to the touch.
- The naturally smooth fibers feel silky against the skin. Bamboo’s excellent wicking properties keep your baby warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
- Our bamboo diapers have an outer layer of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fabric. TPU is a biodegradable waterproof fabric that is made via heat lamination instead of chemical bonding. TPU cannot withstand high heat.
- Yes. The protective coating on new fabric and the oils in natural fibers block absorption. Wash new bamboo diapers and inserts 3–4 times in mild detergent to bring them to maximum absorbency. Reduce the amount of detergent to 1/4 of your normal amount. The detergent must be completely dissolved for optimum results. No drying is needed between washes.
- Shake the diaper insert over the toilet to flush away any solid waste. Then rinse thoroughly to avoid stains and odors. For optimal results, presoak inserts in cold water for half an hour before washing.
- Machine wash in warm water, using the gentle cycle. The washing temperature should not exceed 95 degrees F or 35 degrees C.
- You can wash the pocket and the inserts together.
- Any baby detergent that doesn’t contain brightener or fragrance is safe to use on our bamboo diapers. Reduce the amount of detergent to 1/2 of your normal amount. For optimum results, the detergent must be completely dissolved before you put the diapers in the machine.
- Do not use detergents that contain brighteners, fragrance, or harsh chemicals. Chlorine bleach may cause yellowing.
- Do not use baking soda to wash bamboo diapers or inserts, as it can cause bamboo fiber to disintegrate.
- Bamboo’s excellent water absorbency is best retained without the use of softeners.
- Some data suggests that bamboo can be fragile when wet.
- Allow for a 1–3% rate of shrinkage after washing (bamboo shrinks slightly more than cotton). We give our bamboo inserts an extra wash during processing to minimize shrinkage. We also build in a tiny amount of extra material just for good measure.
- Lay flat to dry. Line drying in the sun is best, if possible.
- You can also tumble dry on low heat. Remove bamboo diapers from the dryer as soon as the cycle is done.
- Do not hang dry, as the weight of the water will stretch out the fabric and the elastic.