Washable diaper washing routine simulator

Detergent dosage, water hardness and machine capacity: your personalized routine

This unique simulator in France, Ma Boule De Couches®, generates your personalized washing routine for your baby's cloth diapers in just a few seconds. The calculation is based on three essential elements: the hardness of your water , the capacity of your washing machine , and the dosage chart of your detergent brand .

By combining this data, the tool automatically determines the correct dosage of laundry detergent , the preferred cycle, and the necessary adjustments to guarantee an effective wash that is healthy for your baby and optimal for the performance of your washable diapers.

This simulator goes beyond generic recommendations: it provides a complete routine tailored to your household, taking into account your washing frequency, the volume of diapers, and the specifics of each situation. A simple, reliable, and transparent way to secure your daily laundry routine.

The washable nappy washing guide Washing your reusable nappies properly

Washing cloth diapers: your ideal routine

Washing cloth diapers can seem complicated at first: what temperature, which detergent, how many wash cycles per week? Thanks to our exclusive Ma Boule De Couches® calculator, you get a personalized washing routine tailored to your water hardness, your washing machine and your usage frequency.

1) Your machine & dosage

Drum capacity (kg) ⚠ A “10 kg” machine often provides only ~8 kg of real usable drum capacity. Drum filling level i

2/3 (mandatory)

Never fill 100%: diapers must move and rub. Water hardness

Quick test (check proper loading)

Slide your flat hand over the laundry after loading.
– If your hand passes easily → correct load.
– If it does not pass → machine too full.
– If it passes too easily → load too small (add small items).

Label reference “Very dirty laundry” dose (ml) E.g. label: “110 ml / 4–5 kg line”. Swoosh test

Positive swoosh (foam / greasy film / odor)

2) Mandatory program (2 cotton cycles)

Cycle 1 — Pre-wash

Cotton program • ≥30 min • spin ≥1200 rpm
Water: ≥ 45 L

Cycle 2 — Main wash

Cotton program • ≥1 h 30 • spin ≥1200 rpm
Water: 65–75 L

Key points

Frequent 60°C washes = faster wear of inserts & diapers
Always 2 cotton cycles: a short wash first, followed by a long wash
Rinse+ : enable it whenever available
Avoid under-dosing and homemade recipes

Umrechner g ↔ ml

Gewicht (g) Waschmitteldichte ⚖️ Standardwert ≈ 0,7 g/ml (Waschpulver). Bitte Packung prüfen und ggf. anpassen. Volumen (ml)

Tip: if the machine is not fully loaded

You can slightly adjust the dose if your machine is half full or if you know the real drum capacity.

Example: 7 kg machine → label dose “very dirty laundry” = 110 ml.
Half-filled drum (~3.5 kg usable) → approx. 55 ml.
Soft water: 1/3 in pre-wash (~35 ml) and 2/3 in main wash (~70–80 ml).

Important: it is better to add small laundry than to underdose.

What about eco-friendly detergents?

Eco detergents are sometimes less concentrated: start with the “very dirty laundry” dose, then adjust if needed.

Increase gradually if the result is insufficient
Add percarbonate (effective from 40°C, optimal at 60°C)

Specific washing machines (Candy, Hoover, Samsung…)

This article is based on discussions and feedback from the group Cloth diapers: Real-life discussions (Europe - Pacific) .

Cloth diapers require efficient washing to prevent buildup, ammonia odors and loss of absorbency.

Some modern machines (Candy, Hoover, Samsung Ecobubble) use too little water, which can reduce washing performance.

Precautions and settings to activate

Extra rinse: up to 4–5 additional rinses
Intensive rinse: adds one rinse
Spin speed ≥1200 rpm: essential

Machine < 5 years: mandatory routines. Machine 5–10 years: standard routine possible, adjustments may be needed.

Three recommended routines

4-step routine

Quick wash without spin (5 min, no detergent)
Cotton 20°/30° – spin 1200 – extra rinse
Quick wash without spin (5 min, no detergent)
Cotton 40°/60° – spin 1200 – extra rinse

Cotton prewash routine

Cotton prewash 20°/30°
Cotton prewash 40°/60°

Routine with prewash option

Cotton + prewash option 20°/30°
Cotton + prewash option 40°/60°

Detergent dosage

Cycle 1: cycle 2 dosage ÷ 2.25
Cycle 2: heavily soiled laundry dosage adjusted to real load weight

Recommended detergents: Epsil, Tandil, Formil, Super U Freshness

Avoid: Le Chat Bicarbonate, Ariel

Swoosh test

Clear water → effective washing
Cloudy water / foam → adjust dosage

With these best practices, your diapers stay clean, healthy and durable.

FAQs

Discover the first washing routine calculator for cloth diapers designed to determine the correct detergent dosage, temperature, and ideal frequency based on your machine, water, and the number of diapers used.

This exclusive Ma Boule De Couches® tool is the only comprehensive online calculator currently available, developed with parent testers and textile experts. Whether you're a new parent , a childminder , or a professional daycare , this calculator guides you in caring for your reusable diapers with precision and peace of mind.

1. Why a washing routine calculator?

A well-balanced routine ensures the cleanliness, longevity, and absorbency of cloth diapers. Too little detergent leads to bacterial buildup and lingering odors; too much detergent causes fiber saturation and leaks.

The Ma Boule De Couches® calculator defines the correct balance according to

the concentration and type of laundry detergent
the machine's actual capacity
water hardness
washing frequency
the number of diapers washed per cycle

2. How does the calculator work?

The tool analyzes your data (water, machine, detergent) to calculate the optimal detergent ratio and the appropriate program. It takes into account the actual load of reusable diapers and environmental parameters (drum type, temperature, cotton or mixed cycle).

The result tells you:

the exact dosage of laundry detergent
the ideal washing frequency
the recommended cycle and temperature
the corresponding maintenance instructions

3. Our tips for optimal washing?

1. Pre-washing (essential)

Run a cotton cycle between 20°C and 30°C for at least 30 minutes . This first wash removes urine and residue before the main cycle. Use a small amount of detergent or simply plain water, depending on the load size.

2. The main wash

Run a long cotton cycle of at least 1 hour 30 minutes at 40°C for regular use or 60°C for deep cleaning or shared use. This program ensures complete hygienic maintenance. Avoid "eco" cycles, which are often too cold and don't rinse thoroughly enough.

3. Drying

Air dry in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight. A gentle tumble dryer is only suitable for inserts; it is not recommended for PUL or waterproof bassinets.

4. Why is this page a reference?

The first online calculator dedicated to washing reusable nappies.
Developed with textile experts and test families
Based on hundreds of validated routines
Continuously updated according to developments in the laundry detergent market

Thanks to this approach, Ma Boule De Couches® has established itself as the reference for understanding, adjusting and ensuring the reliability of washing washable diapers.

5. Need personalized support?

Our experts can help you build a customized routine tailored to your washing machine, water, and detergent. This support is available to the entire Ma Boule De Couches® community.

Guide complet des couches lavables Ma Boule De Couches®

Découvrir le guide complet des couches lavables

Tout savoir sur les systèmes TE2, les routines de lavage efficaces et les économies réelles à long terme. Un guide clair, certifié et illustré, rédigé par Ma Boule De Couches® pour accompagner les familles et les structures d’accueil.

Accéder au guide complet