How to Prep Prefolds

When you buy new prefolds, they are flat and stiff. They will be coated with oils and waxes, especially if you have unbleached prefolds. Before you can use the diapers, you must prep them by washing them several times before use.

Bummis sent me an Organic Cotton Cloth Diaper Kit for review purposes. I am using the diapers from that kit to show you how to prep them.

Here are the diapers straight out of the box, notice how stiff and flat they are.

The user guide that came with the kit told me to wash the diapers on hot at least three times. The diapers should be dried in between washes to help them shrink and quilt properly.

Make sure you use a diaper safe detergent!

Here is a prefold after being washed one time.
I washed and dried these prefolds 4 times. They are soft, absorbent, and ready to use.
To check the absorbency of your diapers, pour some warm water onto one of them. The water should absorb into the diaper immediately. If it beads up, wash and dry the prefolds

One important thing to remember when prepping prefolds is:

You MUST prep prefolds separately. The oils in the diapers could affect the absorbency of your other diapers. After the initial prepping of the diapers, you can wash them with all of you other diapers without a problem.

The great thing about prefolds is that they get softer the longer you use them.

Prepping prefolds is really easy and hopefully this post will answer some questions that you might have had. If I missed anything that you are wondering about, just leave a comment and I'll be sure to answer you!