Best Washing Machine For Cloth Diapers & Ultimate Buying Guide
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Cloth diapers add less trash to the dumping sites than disposable ones, yet they give you some extra laundry to do. Washing cloth diapers involve rinsing multiple times, different wash cycles and detergent, which can be overwhelming to new parents or those who are just getting used to cloth diapers. A right washing machine can cut down the work you put to wash your baby’s recyclable diaper. Yet, with thousands of models of washing machine out there, it is hard to know which one is suitable for cloth diapers. So we’re here, after a thorough and extensive research, proposing to you a list of 6 washing machines of many kinds for cloth diapers that suit your space, your budget and bring happiness to your little one.
You are living in a tiny home where you can’t find space for a permanent appliance and you’re tired of hand washing all the cloth diapers (which doesn’t remove all the smell and stain). Then a portable washer is a perfect match for you.
They are small and have short cycles so you can do your laundry daily without worrying about the electrical bills. Yet these compact washing machines feature a powerful motor that surely erase the poop stain and stink from your baby’s cloth diapers.
Multiple cleaning settings and water level settings
Cons
Unnecessary loud beep noise when it finishes
Instruction manual can be improved
This Giantex washing machine may appear small but it functions like a standard size model. With a decent capacity of 1.34 cu.ft which can hold up to 9.92 lbs of clothing, this little monster can wash 15-20 diapers at a time. Not only you can use it to wash your baby’s linens, this machine is also perfect for any type of small loads, such as workout clothes, work/school uniforms or anything else you want to wash quickly. Using this machine is pretty straightforward. You just need to choose the program you want and let it wash and you can go to hang out with your baby. Transparent lid allows you to see and monitor the water and washing conditions. It also includes a child lock function that locks all buttons and stops the machine if the top lid is opened, keeping your curious child away from danger. Unlike most portable washing machines, this unit comes with a built-in drain pump that removes the water itself, you don’t have to elevate it for the water to come out like gravity drain.
Lightweight and small enough to be placed in a bathtub
Clean well
Energy-efficient
Can fit a single king size sheet or throw blanket in washer tub
Short wash time
Spin the clothes almost dry
Cons
Spinner basket is small
Hoses are short
Gravity drain
If you don’t want to spend big bucks on a separate washing machine for your new-born, yet still have eyes for quality and power, then consider this SUPER DEAL Twin Tub Washing Machine. Claimed to be built to last, this unit is constructed of high-density plastic with an aluminum pump that ensures a long lifespan. It comes in a compact and lightweight design that is simple to move and easily fits in the smallest space available in your tiny home. Especially, its big capacity in such a small silhouette is a plus point to parents of new-borns or toddlers since there will always be some sort of mess on their clothes and clean shirts or pants will be run out of quickly. Its 9.9 lbs tubs are large enough to hold a queen or king sheet in case your kid messes with it, saving you trips to the laundromat where you try to stop your baby crying while other customers give you a glare. It has two tubs, one for washing and one for spinning that can operate at the same time, saving you a lot of time (well, to go to clean other messes done by the baby). Moreover, the fast cycles are amazing for busy parents, with only 15 minutes to wash and 5 minutes to spin the clothes to 90% dry. And with the fast cycles, don’t wonder why you don’t see any change in your electricity bills because this unit is super, super energy efficient.
Features
Access Location
Top-Load
Capacity
9.9 Lbs
Dimensions (L x W x H)
21.9” x 14.8” x 23.2”
Weight (lbs)
13.5
Highlight Features
Durable construction, Fast cycles
Verdict
Cheap price doesn’t mean bad quality and construction. With this SUPER DEAL 2IN1 Twin Tub Washing Machine, you will get all the power you need to wash cloth diapers without breaking the bank.
Come with all accessories, including the faucet adaptor
Multiple settings
Solid construction
Cons
None!
You’ve just put your baby to sleep, you give yourself a pat and “Phew!”. Then you find out you have time to do laundry, you turn on the machine. Then it vibrates like crazy and makes loud noise that wakes your little one up. Your work is now sent down the drain. That’s why you need to get a quiet washing machine like this RCA RPW091 to make you, your baby and your neighbors happy. I’d lived in an apartment where you can hear those noises from a washer when someone does laundry. So yes, the noise is not so pleasant at all, and I can’t imagine being near those washing machines. This RCA RPW091 features a noise level of below 72dB when operating, which is as quiet as a normal conversation so your baby can sleep safe and sound when you do the laundry. This washer has smaller capacity than others (0.9 cubic feet), but it still can fit 10-12 cloth diapers at a load. What I love about this washer is that beside its lightweight and small silhouette, it comes with 2 rollers in the back that make it super easy to move around. Hook it up in the bathroom or kitchen and put it away when not using, simple right?
Features
Access Location
Top-Load
Capacity
0.9 Cu.Ft /6.6 Lbs
Dimensions (L x W x H)
16" x 17.5" x 30.5"
Weight (lbs)
50
Highlight Features
Steel drum, Rollers, Ultra-quiet, Adaptor included
Verdict
If you live in an apartment where noise should be limited, then RCA RPW091 compact washer is the one for you and your little one.
Huge capacity, enough for summer weight comforters or queen size sheets
Compact design for small spaces, easily fit into a closet for storage, or the backseat of a car
Lightweight, can be picked up and moved easily
Consume less water
Fast cycles
Clean well
The spinner is powerful and spins the clothes to almost dry
Cons
Need attention throughout the cycles
The spin side is considerably smaller than the wash side
To the housewives and househusbands of large-sized families, if you haven’t seen the bottom of your laundry hamper or bag in years, we can feel you. That’s why we’re here with a large capacity washing machine that deals with your “Mount Laundry”. Meet Kuppet twin tub washing machine that is able to hold up to 18 lbs in the washer and 8 lbs in the spinner tub. With this enormous capacity, you can just do one load a day and never worry that your children will run out of fresh clothes. Even if you have more than one load to do, this machine features fast cycles that take you only 15 mins to wash and 5 mins to spin dry, which saves you a lot of time to do other chores haha. The wash and spinner tubs have separate timers, so you can run them at the same time to save more time. What I love about this tiny washing machine is how compact it is despite the huge capacity. So if you have a big family living in a tiny home or you want to do the laundry in your RV during the summer road trip, this Kuppet washer is a perfect match.
Features
Access Location
Top-Load
Capacity
26 Lbs
Dimensions (L x W x H)
27.4" x 16.1" x 31.9"
Weight (lbs)
37.5
Highlight Features
Large capacity, Built-in drain pump, Fast cycles, Separate timer control for wash and spin operations
Verdict
Now you can feel the thrill of victory and satisfaction of finally seeing the bottom of your laundry hamper with this huge Kuppet washing machine.
No lock on the lid allows you to open it to stop the cycle at any time
Eco cycles save energy and water
Durable
Large capacity
Cons
Delicate cycle ends in a soak rather than spinning the water out of the tub
Speed Queen TR3000WN is one of the most reliable washing machines that are solidly built to offer long-lasting performance and remarkable results. It features an amazing washing system that makes your dirty clothes as clean as a whistle while keeping them as good as new. Its agitator and tub powered by 1 HP power and inverter drive offer a gentle wash which rotates the maximum amount of water out of your clothes. So there is no need for a dryer, you just need to hang dry your clothes in a few hours and everything is done. Just like other front load washers, you don’t need to worry about the noise it makes. Other notable features of this Speed Queen TR3000WN are warm wash, extra rinse, softening, pre-wash, soak and bleach. The Solid Mount Suspension guarantees top performance, less vibration and long machine life thanks to the complete steel base with various sturdy springs. It has an unique auto-fill system that ensures every load uses the same amount of water for an efficient wash. You can choose among 4 heavy-duty wash cycle options (Heavy Duty, Normal Eco, Perm Press, and Delicate). The dynamic auto balancing technology makes use of sensing and algorithms to reduce most of the vibration.
Features
Access Location
Top-Load
Capacity
3.2 Cu.Ft
Dimensions (L x W x H)
28” x 25.63” x 42.75”
Weight (lbs)
180
Highlight Features
Full-sized agitator, 4-preset cycle, Auto balancing system, Heavy duty suspension, Stainless steel tub, Auto-fill option, 3 year warranty
Verdict
Speed Queen TR3000WN is a top load washer constructed with premium heavy-duty materials that withstand the test of time.
Feature stain-specific settings for grass, wine, tomato, blood, and dirt
Steam cleaning power for the toughest stains
Energy Star certified
Useful tumble care option for those who regularly forget to take out just-washed clothes out Quick cycles
Cons
Not so sleek design
For a mid-range washing machine, GE GFW450SSMWW comes with a lot of cool features. It boasts fast cycles for busy parents and steam cleaning power for blowing away the toughest stains, especially on cloth diapers. It is even built with some specific settings to break up wine, grass, blood and other stubborn stains. Compared to units of the same price range, this washer offers more capacity of up to 4.5 cubic feet and more cycle options. You will never need to pack your bedding and other bulk items to the laundromat anymore. Good news to forgetful folks like me, especially those who have newborns in the house, GE GFW450SSMWW also features Tumble Care setting that periodically tosses the clothes that have been washed for up to 8 hours to help keep them fresh in case you forget to hang them. There are up to 10 programmed cycles for you to choose for your hamper. Parents will appreciate a cycle for activewear and two sanitized ones that are NSFcertified, which means 99.9% of bacteria is killed. The washing machine is not the most energy efficient on the market but it comes with an Energy Star certification.
Features
Access Location
Front-Load
Capacity
4.5 Cu.Ft
Dimensions (L x W x H)
33.5” x 27” x 39.75”
Weight (lbs)
246
Highlight Features
Auto temp control, Auto detergent dispenser/ fabric softener dispenser, Tumble care, Stainless-steel tub, Stackable
Verdict
GE's GFW450SSKWW is a solid front-load washer with more features than any models in the same price range.
How To Choose The Best Washing Machine For Cloth Diapers (Buying Guide)
Standard-size vs portable/ compact washers
The space you have for the laundry area affects the type of washer you need to buy. Most of the standard size washers and dryers are about 24 to 33 inches wide. For easier loading and unloading, you should set aside 36” in front of a washing machine and 42” for a dryer.
You should purchase a sturdy pedestal base for your laundry appliances to make loading and unloading more convenient
If you have little space to work with, look for a portable or compact washer. This kind of washer is designed for small spaces, occupying less than 33 sq.in. of floor space. They do come in semi-automatic design so make sure to check if you want to stay by your washer to tend it.
Capacity
When selecting a washer, consider how much laundry it will hold. If you have many cloth diapers to wash, look for a bigger capacity machine. However, if you don’t want to leave your cloth diapers overnight and they are too little to launch a full cycle, consider a portable washer that features fast cycles to save energy.
Front-load vs top-load washers
All types have their advantages and drawbacks. The pros and cons below refer to the washer types as a group, based on our testing.
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Who Makes The Best Washing Machine For Cloth Diapers?
Speed Queen
The company was established by Joe Barlow and John Seelig in 1908 as Barlow & Seelig Manufacturing which purchased and enhanced existing washing machine designs. In 1911, the company’s very first washer powered by an electric motor was produced and since then, they have been continually striving to build the best laundry equipment with the best customer service and support.
Innovation is what the company is looking for to give their customers to bring your washing experience to the next level. With over 100 years of expertise, the company surely get your back when it comes to durability.
GE (General Electric) Company
GE is an American multinational conglomerate that does business in: aviation, digital industry, additive manufacturing, healthcare, finance, venture capital, power, and renewable energy.
In 2019, GE was the 21st-largest firm in the United States by gross revenue. Two employees of GE -Irving Langmuir and Ivar Giaever - have been awarded the Nobel Prize. So you know where to place your trust.
Giantex
As the leading Service-centric e-retailer in North America, Giantex takes pride in offering its customers high quality products at competitive prices. From indoor to outdoor, you can always find what you need within your budget without worrying about the quality thanks to Giantex.
FAQs
Is it sanitary to wash cloth diapers in a washer?
Yes absolutely, it is the best way to wash cloth diapers. Yes you may be grossed out by the idea of washing poopy diapers in the same washer that cleans the rest of your clothing. Yet there is no scientific findings that support the theory that the poo will stay in the machine and stick to other clothes.
So you can rest assured that it is totally safe and sanitary to wash cloth diapers in a washer. Just remember not to let the cloth diapers rest without being washed for more than a day since the smell can develop and the stains set. At that time, a washer cannot save your cloth diapers anymore.
Should cloth diapers be washed in hot or cold water?
Remember this rule of thumb: Cold water for stains and hot water for cleaning cycles.
Either you rinse by hand or use the pre-wash cycle of the washer, wash your cloth diapers in cold water. This will help you get rid of any stains on your diapers that poop has left behind. If you use hot water during this stay, stains are likely to set.
During your main wash cycle, you can still use cold water if you wish, but hot water really gets your cloth diaper spotless clean. Contrary to popular belief, hot water does not damage the diapers. A dryer will be more likely to cause damage to the elastic than in a hot water wash.
After the hot wash, if your machine has an extra rinse option, make use of it, but once again, cold water is your friend at this point. The greater amount of water you're putting through the diapers, the less residues stay.
How often should cloth diapers be washed?
The mistake that most parents who use cloth diapers is not washing diapers daily. Beside that you may running out of clean diapers for your baby, and fail to change your baby as soon as he wets, stool on the diapers start to smell, stains set, which makes it harder to wash.
Then ammonia builds up so the even washed diapers will emit a weird smell when your baby wets, and he/ she may get a diaper rash.
How long do cloth diapers take to air dry?
The covers would dry in 3-4 hours but the inserts may take more than 8 hours to dry when hung dry.
Can I dry my cloth diapers in the dryer?
Yes, generally cloth diapers can go in the dryer, but on a low heat setting. However, if your cloth diapers contain waterproofing, elastic, or Velcro, it is a no-no to put them in the dryer since heat can stretch elastic and Velcro.
My friend who has a baby learned it the hard way. She dried all of her AIO diapers on the high heat setting for about 60 minutes after every wash. And 6 month laters, the elastic and the Aplix fasteners failed completely and she needed to spend a fortune to replace the broken diapers.
How do I know if my cloth diapers are clean?
The most simple and straightforward way to check is to smell them. If they smell of urine or poop, then wash it again. Clean diapers are important to your baby’s health. If you spot redness on your baby’s bottom, you might need to wash the cloth diapers with more detergent or disinfect them. If it doesn’t work, consider another brand of detergent.
Can you use liquid detergent on cloth diapers?
Using powder or liquid detergent is just a preference thing. Each kind has their own pros and cons according to parents.
Liquid detergent is easy to dissolve and get to the dirty parts of the diapers and inserts. However, most liquid detergents contain additives that make the gel substance stick together.
Power is generally cheaper and more eco friendly thanks to the cardboard box. Some may don’t like the fact that powder detergent doesn’t dissolve well in the washer, which can lead to detergent build up.
Conclusion
Cloth diapers are a blessing to new parents, who have tight budgets and still care for the environment. However, taking care of cloth diapers is a pain in the neck. Cloth diapers are not something you can neglect without facing the consequences of making them unusable. That’s why this list of 6 best washing machines for cloth diapers come into being. They save you time, labor and help take care of your cloth diapers for the years to come. Thank you for reading. Please don’t hesitate to tell us your comments or questions about cloth diapers. See you in the next post.