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How hot is too hot for PUL diapers?

Last edited 07/30/2013

Labels say certain things, but it doesn't mean that not following them will ruin the item. For example, my white towels, it says to wash on warm and use non chlorine bleach, and I have been doing the opposite for the last 5 years and they still look brand new. I put them through the hottest wash, use bleach, baking soda, oxy clean and borax and it gets them super clean. 

I'm wondering if the tag on diapers must be followed to the T, or the diaper will fall appart, or could I use super hot water on them without PUL delaminating?

I've seen videos where people strip their PUL diapers with boiling water in the tub. Some specifically turn up their water heater and make the water too hot to touch. Some say do the cold wash and you'll be fine... So, I'm lost here. 

I have several items that I'm curious about maximum temperature that you would subject them to and if there is a detergent or additive (baking soda, borax, oxy clean, bleach, vinegar) that I should avoid?

I'm planning on doing a speed wash with 2 extra rinses after the wash to get all the washing agents out, but I'm curious if any one ruined their diaper because of the temperature or chemicals. 

PUL pocket diapers (I have Kawaii, Diaper Safari, Jc Trade, Baby Wizard and Sunbaby)?

MF inserts?

Bamboo, Charcoal Bamboo, Cotton and Hemp inserts?


Comments (8)

Posted 07/30/2013
Posted 07/30/2013
I believe the general consensus around here is hot wash is good, sanitize wash setting (if you have it) is too hot. Laundry additives you listed are ok for washing, but not to leave your diapers soaking in those things for long periods of time.
Some people use bleach every wash, some only use it every once in a while, some never. I think it's just findin what works for you, and making sure that whatever additive you use is properly diluted before you add your diapers.
Also, I think I've read that if your diapers delaminates its more likely a manufacturing defect rather than your wash routine because PUL was made to withstand a crazy beating becasue it's for hospital use (or something like that anyway)
Posted 07/30/2013

So, the bright white cycle is ok, but Sanitize is a no no?

Posted 07/30/2013

The best information I've read says that quality PUL can withstand heat to something like 468 degrees.  That doesn't mean that all PUL is good quality, though.  I think that your diapers can withstand any heat that your washer will put them through, but I don't think that I'd make a practice of using the sanitize cycle.  Just not worth the risk, IMO. 

I wouldn't boil your MF or your charcoal bamboo b/c they likely have MF in the center. 

All the additives you named are fine--but there is one of them that shouldn't be mixed with vinegar because of a particular chemical reaction.  Maybe no borax and vinegar?  Or is it RLR and vinegar?  I can't recall. 

Posted 07/30/2013
Yeah, it doesn't matter the temperature you wash at for PUL. id be more worried about elastics. Too hot and they'll loose their snap a whole lot faster. So if you wanna wash on hot keep it to hot only not sanitize.
All the laundry additives are fine, but not at once obviously ;-) never mix chemicals! Lol. Like vinegar and baking soda makes CO2 and that's not good. Vinegar and bkeach make chlorine gas, bleach and ammonia will probably kill you.

if their diapers were ruined it was probably more about the diaper than the wash routine.
You shouldn't REALLY need to have a crazy wash routine though. If you're using enough detergent then they should come out clean and ready to go.
I decided after reading the PSA here

That I would start off with a simple wash routine. If that didn't work then id add things until I figured out what works.

So I started with
Cold rinse
Hot wash w/ tide to line 1
Cold rinse x2

Now the only (6 months in) I've only tweaked slightly and that's just for convenience really not because I had issues.

I upped the amount of detergent because I didn't feel like line 1 was gonna cut it forever. Now I use between line 2-3
I fill and fabric softener ball with vinegar and that cuts out the second rinse since vinegar helps rinse out the detergent better.
And I use warm/cold instead of hot because that was just a waste of hot water lol.

So it'll just depend on what YOU decide and what works for you.
Ignore the myths. You'll read them everywhere. If your diapers fall apart it was no fault of yours. If they get smells then check out that link and adjust accordingly. If not the yay!

New WAHM behind ChunkyMunk Fluff Join me on Facebook


Posted 07/30/2013

Wow, thank you. I might just need to put one of each in the wash and run it on Sanitize to see what happens. 

I normally use vinegar alone once a month on my towels to increase absorbancy. I just put vinegar into all compartments of a washer, prewash, main wash, bleach and softener, and put on speedwash afterwards. It makes them very soft and fluffy. Vinegar suppose to get rid of any detergent build up, as far as I understand, so I won't mix it with anything.


Posted 07/30/2013
Be careful with the vinegar though as too much could help along yeast infections and you could also get opposite effects of what you want.

Mom to 2 awesome boys

Monkey Pooh 3 years old and Cheeky Monkey infant!

Posted 07/31/2013

how would a vinegar help with yeast infection? 

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