The routine is simple: remove solids, keep used pairs in a wet bag or pail until wash day, wash at the temperature the care label allows with the amount of detergent listed on the detergent pack, then dry as the label says. What keeps cloth training pants absorbent is mostly what you leave out, such as fabric softener and extra detergent, while gentle heat is kinder to the waterproof layer. Your care label comes before any general advice here.
Read the care label first
The maker's instructions decide the water temperature, whether the dryer is allowed, which additives to skip and whether bleach is acceptable. Keep the tags or take a photo of them before they come off. If a label is missing, look on the maker's site or ask them.
Cloth trainers combine different materials, such as cotton, bamboo, polyester and a waterproof layer, and they do not all tolerate the same treatment. Many care instructions limit heat because of the waterproof layer, so check before you use hot water or a hot dryer.
What to do with a wet or soiled pair
A wet pair can go straight into your wet bag or pail. A soiled pair needs a little more attention:
- Tip or scrape solids into the toilet.
- Rinse the pair under cold water, unless the label says otherwise.
- Wring it out gently and put it in storage.
- Wash your hands with soap.
Some families use a handheld sprayer for the rinse. If you do, a splatter shield is one accessory to look at; one option is Spray Pal Splatter Shield for Cloth Diaper Sprayers. Only the solids go in the toilet. Wipes and liners go in the bin unless their pack says otherwise.
Storing until wash day: wet bag or pail
A wet bag is a waterproof zippered bag that hangs on a door handle or sits in the bathroom. A pail is a lidded bin with a washable liner. Either works, and what matters is that it stays out of reach of children and is emptied on schedule.
- Do not leave pairs soaking in water unless the maker's instructions call for it.
- Do not leave them for many days, since damp fabric can turn musty.
- Wash the bag or liner with the load, following its own label.
One option for a wet bag is ALVABABY Wet Dry Bags with Two Zippered Pockets, Dinosaur & Fish, 2 Pack. The cloth diaper accessories collection has more wet bags, as well as detergents and sprayers. See the current price on each product page.
A basic wash routine
This is a typical sequence. If your label says something different, use the label.
- Fasten any hook-and-loop tabs so they do not snag other items, and follow the label on whether snaps go in open or closed.
- Run a short rinse or pre-wash to remove most residue.
- Run the main wash at the temperature the label allows, with the detergent amount printed on the detergent pack and no more.
- Add an extra rinse if the load still feels soapy. If you have hard water, which is common in parts of Canada, check the detergent pack for its hard-water directions.
Do not overload the machine, because the water needs room to move through the fabric. Wash soiled pairs in their own load, apart from the rest of the household laundry.
Some families choose a detergent sold for diaper laundry. One option is Rockin' Green Dirty Diaper Laundry Detergent Powder, Unscented, 1.3 kg. Check that your maker allows whichever detergent you pick.
Shop this guide
- Mr Dragon Reusable Potty Training Pants with Snaps, Size S (12-20 lbs) (ships via Amazon)
- Tiny Twinkle Baby Loop Handle Travel Packing Organizer (ships via Amazon)
- Upairy Potty Training Underwear, Reusable Cotton, 4 Pack, Medium (ships via Amazon)
- Tru Earth Baby Laundry Detergent Eco-Strips, Fragrance Free, 64 Count (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Reusable Training Pants
- See all: Cloth Diaper Accessories
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Drying: line vs dryer
Line or rack drying is gentle and uses no dryer heat. Give the pairs space so air can move around them, and expect a slower dry in humid weather or in a Canadian winter with the rack indoors. Check the thick parts, such as the waistband and the padded centre, which can stay damp longest.
If the label allows the dryer, choose the heat setting it lists. Heat can wear down waterproof layers and elastics over time, so gentler is better when you are unsure.
Things that reduce absorbency
- Fabric softener and dryer sheets can coat the fibres.
- Too much detergent can leave residue in the fabric.
- Some creams and lotions can transfer to fabric, so follow the maker's guidance on what to avoid.
- Hard water minerals can build up over time.
Bleach is a separate question: use it only on pairs whose label allows it. One quick check some families use is to drop a little water on a clean, dry pair and press lightly. If it soaks in, the fabric is absorbing, and if it still beads on the surface, review the list above and ask the maker for advice. Laundry is one thing to review, but for red or sore skin, or a rash that is not improving, ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
When a pair is worn out
Retire a pair when you notice any of these:
- The elastic is stretched and no longer holds.
- The waterproof layer is cracking, peeling or leaking through.
- The fabric is thin or pilled and no longer absorbs well.
- The seams are splitting.
- Leaks continue after a proper wash and a fit check.
Replacements and other reusable options are in the cloth and reusable diapers collection.
Common questions
Can I wash cloth trainers with the family laundry?
Soiled pairs get their own load. For pairs that are only wet, some families rinse them and add them to a regular load when the care labels allow the same temperature.
Do I need a special detergent?
Not necessarily. Choose one that the maker allows, and avoid the additives their label tells you to skip.
How often should I wash them?
Often enough that used pairs are not sitting damp for days. Many families settle on every day or every second day, and the maker's instructions may set a limit of their own.
Why do they smell after washing?
A lingering smell often means the load is not coming fully clean or fully rinsed. Check that you are using the amount on the detergent pack, that the machine is not overloaded and that the pairs are drying all the way through. If the smell stays, contact the maker.
If you would like help choosing laundry items or wet bags, send us a message through the contact page and we will reply within one business day.