What you will need to get started:
Mild detergent, the cheaper the better because it will have a smaller concentration of chemicals. Make sure it is free of all perfumes, dyes, whiteners/brighteners and fabric softeners (they make the diaper repel urine)
Borax (Target sells this) or Baking Soda
Vinegar
Tea Tree Oil (found at most health food stores)

First thing's first:
When changing diapers, shake solids into the toilet, no need to rinse or dunk unless you want to
No need to shake breast fed baby poo, it is 100% water soluble!
You can sprinkle some Baking Soda into you diaper pail for odor control

Washing the Diapers:
Step 1: Set washing machine to soak/pre-wash COLD and use highest load setting
Add your mild detergent (only use half of the recommended amount)
Add about a ½ cup of Baking Soda or Borax
Then add you diapers (soiled and wet)
Step 2: Run a wash cycle HOT (this will help sanitize) No need for detergent
Add a couple drops of Tea Tree Oil to help with odors (this is not needed but it helps)
Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle Hint: If you have a washing machine with a fabric softener compartment pour it in, if not a Downy ball works wonders for this!
When the cycle is complete give the diapers a little sniff, if they still smell soiled then run another rinse cycle hot

Drying the Diaper:
You can machine dry or line dry your diapers
Machine drying will help to sanitize your diapers and leave them feeling soft
Line drying your diapers in the sun will help remove staining
DO NOT USE DRYER SHEETS; this will affect the absorbency of your diapers. Fabric softeners leave a film on fabrics that will repel urine
When your diapers are dry, they should smell clean!

Stripping Your Diapers:
If you notice a foul odor when your baby soils a diaper, you may have some soap/detergent/fabric softener build up or even some bacteria in which case you may need to strip you diapers
I like to clean my diapers as normal with the exception that I add ½ cup of bleach to the first wash cycle
I follow that with a couple rinses (until I can no longer smell the bleach or detergent/soap)
You should do this occasionally anyway to keep the diapers healthy, but don't do it too frequently, this could cause a bad rash on your baby's buns!

This is much easier to do than it is to read, so don't be intimidated. There are so many other Mamas out there doing the same thing! I can honestly say that I would rather be washing diapers every couple of days than putting something against my baby's skin that is known to be toxic. It's the least I can do for my little beans!

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