Why do my new prefolds look so flat and stiff?
New unbleached cotton prefolds look very flat and stiff before you wash them because the diaper retains a lot of natural waxes found in cotton. They will not absorb anything in this state! You need to pre-wash them before use to remove these waxes. Any unbleached cotton or hemp diapering product needs to be repeatedly washed in the hottest water you have until the natural waxes and oils have been removed. I do not find drying to be necessary during break-in washing. Some people will boil their prefolds to accelerate this process but never boil any diaper with snaps or elastic. Snaps will melt and fall off your diaper!
