Cloth diapers are a great eco-friendly alternative to disposable diapers. However, cloth diapers require a bit more planning and preparation. An important question for new cloth diapering parents is how many cloth diapers you need for one load of laundry.
Quick Answer
As a general rule of thumb, you will need approximately 15-18 cloth diapers to make one full load of laundry. However, this number can vary based on a few factors:
- Diaper size – Newborn and infant sized diapers take up less space than bigger toddler or adult sized diapers
- Diaper style – All-in-one diapers tend to be bulkier than pocket or prefold diapers
- Washing machine size – Larger capacity machines can fit more diapers per load
- Level of soiling – Heavily soiled diapers take up more room than freshly wet diapers
- Water hardness – Hard water may require an extra rinse cycle, taking up more space
The average is about 15-18 diapers for a standard sized washing machine. Continue reading for more details on calculating exactly how many cloth diapers you will need per laundry load.
Factors That Determine Cloth Diaper Laundry Loads
When figuring out your cloth diaper laundry routine, there are a few key factors that determine how many diapers fit in each load:
Cloth Diaper Size
The size of your child’s diapers affects how many can fit in your washing machine. Here is a rough estimate of how many diapers per load based on size:
- Newborn: 20+ diapers
- Infant: 18-22 diapers
- Crawler: 16-20 diapers
- Toddler: 14-18 diapers
- Adult: 10-14 diapers
As expected, the tiniest newborn diapers take up minimal space, allowing you to fit many into a single load. Bigger toddler and adult diapers take up much more room, so you may only get 10-14 in a load.
Cloth Diaper Style
Certain types of cloth diapers are trimmer and more compact than others. Here is how the main cloth diaper styles compare for laundry loads:
- Prefolds – Being the thinnest diaper style, prefolds allow you to fit the most diapers per load. Expect 18+ diapers.
- Fitteds – Similar to prefolds, fitted diapers are trim and allow 16-20 per load.
- All-in-Ones – Fluffier and thicker than other styles, all-in-ones only fit 10-15 diapers per load.
- Pockets – Stuffable pocket diapers are streamlined so you can wash 15-18 at once.
All-in-one diapers tend to be the bulkiest, taking up the most space. Prefolds are the slimmest, maximizing your laundry loads.
Washing Machine Capacity
The size of your washing machine directly impacts how many cloth diapers you can wash per load. Here are estimates based on washer capacity:
- Mini/Portable – 10-12 diapers
- Compact/Apartment – 12-15 diapers
- Standard – 15-18 diapers
- Large/Heavy Duty – 20+ diapers
- Commercial/Industrial – 25+ diapers
If you have a mini washing machine, you will be limited to only 10-12 diapers per load. A heavy duty, large capacity washer can fit 20+ at once.
Level of Soiling
How dirty your diapers are also affects how much room they take up:
- Freshly Wet – These require minimal rinsing and can be tightly packed.
- Lightly Soiled – Slightly dirtier diapers may need extra space for agitation.
- Heavily Soiled – The most room needed for heavily soiled diapers to rinse clean.
A full load of freshly wet diapers takes up much less overall volume than a load of heavily soiled diapers. The cleaner the diapers, the more that will fit.
Water Hardness
If you have hard water, it may require extra rinse cycles for your diapers to get fully clean. The additional cycles will take up more machine capacity. Plan to wash fewer diapers per load if you need multiple rinses to combat hard water.
Average Numbers of Diapers Per Load
Taking all these factors into account, here are some general guidelines for how many cloth diapers make a full load:
- 15-18 diapers – This is the typical average amount for most families.
- 10-15 diapers – What to expect with large diapers, all-in-ones, or small washers.
- 20+ diapers – Attainable with tiny newborn diapers, prefolds, or extra large washers.
For most people, planning for 15-18 diapers per load is a safe bet. But calculate your own needs based on your specific diapers, washer, and water situation.
Calculating Your Cloth Diaper Wash Load Size
To figure out exactly how many diapers fit in each load for your family, follow these steps:
- Pick 1-2 day’s worth of your baby’s dirtiest diapers.
- Load the test diapers into your washing machine.
- Note how full the drum is. About 2/3 to 3/4 full is ideal.
- Count the number of test diapers. This is your ideal load size.
Repeat this process a few times to get an accurate average. Make sure to test with different levels of soiling to account for variations.
You may need to tweak your wash routine seasonally as your baby grows. But this process gives you a customized number for your cloth diaper laundry loads.
Factors that Influence Total Cloth Diaper Stash Size
Once you know how many diapers fit in each load, you can calculate the total number of cloth diapers needed in your stash.
Here are some variables that determine your complete diaper stash size:
- Number of diapers per load (from previous sections)
- How often you do diaper laundry
- How frequently your baby soils their diapers
- If you use cloth at childcare, babysitters, etc.
- Number of duplicate diapers for heavy rotation
- Nighttime diapering needs
- Growth patterns and size changes
You will need more total diapers if you wash less often, have a frequent wetter, use cloth full-time, or want more standby diapers. Calculate your total quantity using your personalized wash load info.
Tips For Washing Cloth Diapers
Once you know how many diapers you can wash per load, you can develop an effective cloth diaper laundry routine. Here are some useful tips:
- Wash diapers every 2-3 days to prevent odor and stains.
- Shake solids off diapers into toilet before washing.
- Use a mild detergent made for cloth diapers.
- Consider doing a prewash cycle for heavily soiled loads.
- Air dry diapers or dry on low heat to preserve elastic.
- Set aside stained or damaged diapers to sun or soak.
- Separate daytime and nighttime diapers for targeted washing.
Learn your washer’s settings and find a routine that gets diapers clean without too much wear. This will maximize your cloth diaper investment.
FAQ on Cloth Diaper Laundry
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about washing cloth diapers:
Is it okay to mix poop/pee diapers in one load?
Yes, you can wash urine and poop diapers together. Just be sure to shake solid waste into the toilet before washing. The entire load will get fully sanitized.
Do I need to disinfect or sanitize regularly?
Sanitizing every few months is recommended, but not mandatory. Proper washing with detergent kills most bacteria. Sanitize if you have a yeast rash or feel your routine needs disinfecting.
Can I wash cloth diapers with other laundry?
It is best to wash diapers separately, especially from towels or clothes with loose fibers that can clog absorbency. But in a pinch, you can combine diaper and baby clothing loads.
Is cloth diaper safe laundry detergent necessary?
Specialty detergent is recommended but not absolutely required. Choose a gentle, fragrance-free detergent and avoid too many additives. Vinegar and baking soda also work well.
How often should I strip or deep clean diapers?
Stripping to deep clean diapers is only needed every few months for maintenance. Increase stripping if you notice stains, smells, repelling, or decreased absorbency in your diapers.
The Bottom Line
When transitioning to cloth diapers, it is helpful to calculate exactly how many you need per laundry load. The average amount is 15-18 diapers, but your specific number may vary based on diaper size, style, washer capacity, and other factors. Test out a few loads with your diapers and machine to dial in the optimal quantity for your situation.
