This is the one thing people tell me keeps them from using cloth diapers. I will admit, I'm a SAHM (Stay at Home Mom) so it's easier for me to throw in a load of diapers in the middle of the day. But I honestly don't think it's that hard, and if you time things right, you could do a load at night after work every 2-3 days and it would work out fine. It's easier to wash diapers than clothes because you don't have to sort, fold, or put on hangers! The diapers can sit in the washer or dryer until you're ready to deal with them. The different brands are getting better about giving specific instructions on how to wash their diapers than they did when I started.
Prefolds are probably the most forgiving things to wash. I don't see how you could ever ruin them. Anything with elastic or a waterproof layer needs to be cared for more carefully.
Here's what I've learned NOT to do with our pocket diapers:
Don't soak
Don't use vinegar
I use this system with all of our diapers:
Detergent:
I use All Free&Clear, but there are several brands recommended on various web sites. Make sure there are no dyes, perfumes, brighteners, enzymes, fabric softener, or wrinkle guards.
Diaper Pail:
I use a Snap-EZ liner in a tall kitchen trash can with lid and step opener
Wash Routine:
1. Run the prewash cycle with COLD water and a splash of detergent
2. Run a regular cycle with HOT water and 1/2 the recommended amount of detergent
3. Run a 2nd Rinse
4. Dry everything on Medium
5. Hang anything that is still damp (usually the All-In-Ones take longer to dry)
Frequency:
I washed every 3 days with a toddler, every 2 days with a toddler and a newborn
Here's a link to the info on washing on the cotton babies site: http://www.cottonbabies.com/clothdiapers.php#detergent
Stains:
Poo stains come RIGHT out in the sun! I just lay them outside, and the stains come out in a matter of hours in our Colorado sun. I think the sun kills bacteria as well.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Yes, YOU can do it! And it's not that hard!
You Can Do It!
Blog Archive
My Cloth Diapering Experience
I started using cloth diapers when my first baby was born, and now use them on both of my daughters. Yes, I have two in diapers right now! When my friends and family heard I was going to use cloth, many laughed and said it wouldn't last. I found that it really isn't that hard, and there are many products in the cloth diapering world that make it so much easier than in the "olden days" of diaper pins and plastic pants. I've had many friends ask for advice on how to get started and what to buy. I hope to give some help with this blog. Please feel free to post comments on what works for you and what other questions you have.
Types of Cloth Diapers
- prefold – rectangular cloth with several layers sewn together, usually used with a cover/wrap; CPF - chinese prefold, IPF - indian prefold or DSQ - diaper service quality are all good quality prefolds
- contour -- hourglass shaped, but do not have any fastening devices, also used with a cover/wrap; these don't need to be folded
- fitted - shaped like a disposable, closes with velcro or snaps, used with a cover/wrap; these may contain messes better and are easy to snap/velcro on
- Pocket - a diaper with an outer layer of waterproof material, an inner layer of microfleece or suedecloth, and a pocket for an absorbent insert; inserts of different absorbancies or multiple inserts can be used for day/night
- All-in-one (AIO) - like a pocket, but the absorbent layer is sewn in, used just like a disposable
- One Size - size can be adjusted to grow with child
Favorite Diaper Sites
Future Topics
- One Size Diapers
- Favorite Brands and Sites
- Washing
Why use cloth?
Environmental Concerns
It takes 1 cup of crude oil to make the plastic for 1 disposable diaper.
Disposable diapers are the 3rd largest single consumer item in landfills, and represent 30% of non-biodegradable waste. That’s 1 ton of waste per child!
Disposables generate sixty times more solid waste than cotton.
It is estimated that it would take a disposable diaper 500 years to decompose in a landfill.
Whether or not you use cloth diapers, consider this:
Our landfills contain 5 million tons of untreated human waste (due mostly to disposable diapers) - a breeding ground for diseases that could potentially contaminate our groundwater. There are an estimated 100 intestinal viruses living on the feces in landfills and these viruses are also possible contaminates of our water supplies and could latch on to the insects that would bring these diseases back to us.
So, dump that poop in the toilet where it belongs whenever possible!
Cost
Here is a cost comparison of disposables vs different types of cloth diapers. It’s a little shocking to learn how much we spend on diapers! This information was taken from http://www.diaperdecisions.com/. See the website for the details and all the assumptions that were made. The costs for cloth include energy costs for washing. Keep in mind that you may be able to find cloth diapers for much cheaper, since these are list prices for new diapers.
Disposable diapers: $2577
Prefolds and covers: $431
Fitted Diapers and Covers: $1620
Pocket Diapers: $1251
All-In-One diapers: $1943
FUN!
In my opinion, cloth diapers are cute and fun to show off! There is an addictive component to cloth diapering, and you may find yourself looking at the latest and greatest styles even after you have a sufficient stash!
Other benefits of cloth include comfort and earlier toilet training. Some children are very sensitive to the chemicals in disposable diapers and do much better with cloth. Most children who wear cloth toilet train earlier because they can feel when they are wet.
Drawbacks of cloth include needing to change diapers more often, less convenient, and more water use.
It takes 1 cup of crude oil to make the plastic for 1 disposable diaper.
Disposable diapers are the 3rd largest single consumer item in landfills, and represent 30% of non-biodegradable waste. That’s 1 ton of waste per child!
Disposables generate sixty times more solid waste than cotton.
It is estimated that it would take a disposable diaper 500 years to decompose in a landfill.
Whether or not you use cloth diapers, consider this:
Our landfills contain 5 million tons of untreated human waste (due mostly to disposable diapers) - a breeding ground for diseases that could potentially contaminate our groundwater. There are an estimated 100 intestinal viruses living on the feces in landfills and these viruses are also possible contaminates of our water supplies and could latch on to the insects that would bring these diseases back to us.
So, dump that poop in the toilet where it belongs whenever possible!
Cost
Here is a cost comparison of disposables vs different types of cloth diapers. It’s a little shocking to learn how much we spend on diapers! This information was taken from http://www.diaperdecisions.com/. See the website for the details and all the assumptions that were made. The costs for cloth include energy costs for washing. Keep in mind that you may be able to find cloth diapers for much cheaper, since these are list prices for new diapers.
Disposable diapers: $2577
Prefolds and covers: $431
Fitted Diapers and Covers: $1620
Pocket Diapers: $1251
All-In-One diapers: $1943
FUN!
In my opinion, cloth diapers are cute and fun to show off! There is an addictive component to cloth diapering, and you may find yourself looking at the latest and greatest styles even after you have a sufficient stash!
Other benefits of cloth include comfort and earlier toilet training. Some children are very sensitive to the chemicals in disposable diapers and do much better with cloth. Most children who wear cloth toilet train earlier because they can feel when they are wet.
Drawbacks of cloth include needing to change diapers more often, less convenient, and more water use.
3 comments:
This is exactly my complaint with the fancy cloth diapers. They are too dainty in the wash!
The best thing that has helped me in washing has been getting a new, side loader washer with a "sanitary" cycle. I don't have to remember to forward the laundry. Just press a button and go! I dry on the line when possible, as it removes stains and odors.
"Biocleen" products are also highly recommended and can be found at natural food stores.
I've been line drying everything right now, too. Why no vinegar?
I'm not sure why, but the Cotton Babies website says not to use vinegar. It may be the reason my seams wore out. Line drying in the sun is great for getting out the stains too! I am too lazy to do it these days...
Post a Comment