Cloth Diapers: Drying Racks

Drying Racks

Over Drying / Drying on High Heat Risks:

If you do not have a drying rack and are only using your dryer, you run the risks of over drying your cloth diapers. Mostly, this risks comes if you are drying your cloth diapers constantly on a high heat setting instead of no heat, low heat or tumble dry settings. The more heat your diapers are exposed to the more broken down your water proof laminate in your cloth diapers become over time. The result will most likely lead to your cloth diapers leaking, loose laminate or holes in your laminate. Sometimes it takes cloth diapers a while to dry, when using no heat or low heat settings and you may be tempted to use some high heat to speed up the process. To avoid the temptation of using high heat on your cloth diapers to make them dry faster, I recommend getting a drying rack and letting the sun dry your cloth diapers for you.

Do I need a drying rack?

No. If you have a dryer, you can dry your cloth diapers using that on no heat, low heat or tumble dry setting. However, you may want to consider a drying rack to avoid over drying your cloth diapers in the dryer on high heat setting to make them dry faster.

Where can I buy a drying rack?

Local Stores that sell drying racks: Target,Wal-Mart, K-Mart

Online Stores that sell drying rack: Target.com, Wal-Mart.com, Amazon.com, E-bay.com

How many drying racks do I need?

There is no right or wrong number to this question, it is more about preference. If you are new to cloth diapering and drying them on a drying rack, I would probably start out with one. Some drying racks can cost anywhere from $10 and up and you don't want to invest in having more than one drying rack if you are not sure you will like it or use it. For me, I had one drying rack with one child, because I can fit all of my items from one wash on one drying rack, while tossing my cloth wipes into the dryer. With two in cloth diapers, I will be purchasing an additional drying rack.

Are there any risks with using drying racks?

I have read that frequently drying your cloth diapers on drying racks or drying lines can lead to the diapers stretching from the diaper being heavy with water over time. To avoid this risk, you should dry your cloth diapers flat. If your drying rack is in an open space on a windy day, sometimes if the wind is strong enough it can knock down your drying rack to the ground, causing your diapers to get dirty. To avoid this, you may want to check on your drying rack a few time on a windy day. I have also read that over drying outside can lead to your diapers and inserts breaking down with strong UV rays. To avoid this you want to dry your cloth diapers in indirect sunlight and only for a couple of hours instead of several hours.

Are there any alternatives to using a drying rack?

Yes, you can find drying lines, which hang on poles or walls and takes less room than drying racks or use your dryer on no heat, low heat, or tumble dry settings.