Can I wash diapers with only cold water?

sabrina69barnes

Our hot water heater went out last Tuesday. It was replaced on Thursday and after some trouble shooting by our plumber he determined that the new one is defective. Another one will be delivered and installed on Tuesday. I have a large stash of diapers but now DS only has a few clean ones left since I haven't done laundry in almost a week. I'm wondering if I'd be able to wash a small load of diapers to get us through. I have a large pot and could boil a few gallons of water to add to the wash but the rest of the cycle would be cold. They weather is crappy and I'd prefer not to have to run out if I can avoid it. WWYD, attempt to wash a smaller load or just buy spoises and wait until we have hot water again? TIA.

If it matters my wash routine is different that what most people do because of our water quality. I usually do a prewash on hot, heavy duty cycle on hot with a 3/4 full scoop of Tide and 1/2 cup bleach, then a heavy duty cycle on cold.

unaveragejane

I would say it should be okay to use cold water one time in most circumstances, but since you have water quality issues already, I'm not sure. In all honesty, I'd probably go the disposable route for the time being unless you have prefolds that you can boil.

Danie007

I would iffy about trusting cold water to wash diapers that have been sitting around a whole week. Otherwise, I would say once or twice wouldn't be a big deal.

Into+the+Kitty

I would wash them in cold and add as much boiling water as you can (pour the boiled water in before adding diapers or you can damage them). If anything then they will at least be semi clean. Though I'd imagine you water issues on top of not cleaning them for a week they probably won't get clean enough to put back on your kid without ammonia issues.

jess9802

I am not sure what water quality issues you have but I wash in cold water and have never had issues with ammonia, buildup, or barnyard. I use bleach every few months and it's worked fine. What do you have to lose by trying?

freezorburn

Yeah, I would just try to get your diapers as clean as you can right now, and not let them sit dirty any longer. But I would wait until you can do a proper wash cycle with hot water before putting them back on the baby.

Do you have any flats? You might be able to get away with smaller, more frequent loads with the boiled water with flats.

LatteLady5

freezorburn said:

Yeah, I would just try to get your diapers as clean as you can right now, and not let them sit dirty any longer. But I would wait until you can do a proper wash cycle with hot water before putting them back on the baby.

Do you have any flats? You might be able to get away with smaller, more frequent loads with the boiled water with flats.

Yeah I agree. I'd go ahead and wash them in cold to get them cleanish, rewash them in hot when your heater arrives and use disposables in the mean time.

Kelly11235

i might consider hand washing them in a tub, instead of washing in the machine, and using boiling water to warm up what comes out of the tap.