Cloth 101
Cloth diapers can be confusing when you are new to them so here are some helpful tips.
Prefold Diapers:
These are the "old fashioned" diapers most people think of when you say cloth diapers. They are a rectangular diaper that you have to fold and fasten to your baby with pins or a Snappi, you will also need a Diaper Cover for these. Prefold diapers are a great way to cloth diaper when you don't have the ability to purchase other diapers.
Diaper Cover:
The water proof cover to a Prefold or Fitted diaper. Covers can be used three or four times before they need to be washed.
Fitted Diaper:
Fitted diapers are pre sewn into the shape of a diaper and have the extra absorbancy needed to be great diapers they just need a Cover in order not to leak.
Pocket Diaper:
A Pocket diaper comes with two parts, you will get a liner ( the absorbant part) and a water resistant outer shell. Pocket diapers fasten to your baby with velcro or snaps, and are very Dad and Babysitter friendly.
One Size Diaper:
One size diapers are a pocket diaper they just have a way to grow with your baby and can last from birth to potty. This is a great way to diaper your baby for two or more years and not have to spend much.
How many diapers do I need?
A newborn baby typically needs to be changed 10-15 times a day, 2 to 6 month old babies usually use 10-12 diapers a day and 6+ months often use 6-10 diapers a day. You should wash your diapers everyother to every third day. I personally stared with 18 diapers and have worked my way up to well above 30 diapers.
Cloth seems so expensive:
Cloth diapering saves you a lot of money over time. I personally have saved nearly $4000 in three years just by cloth diapering my two children. Just think how many impoverished children would have money for food, clothing and all of their other needs if every child used cloth diapers at least part time, that is almost 20 million children in the United States alone. Cloth diapers are an investment in the beginning but when you consider the fact you can save them for your next child or even pay yourself with the movey you've saved it is a great way of life!
Diaper Care and Washing Instructions
Preparing cloth diapers for use:
- Hemp: Wash hemp products 3-5 times separate from your other diapers before you use them in order to strip them of their natural oils that may damage your other diapers. Wash your hemp in hot water using 1/2 to 1/4 the recommended amount of detergent. Then dry your hemp on a hot setting. Your hemp products will shrink but the more you wash them the more absorbent they become. Once you have done this step you can wash hemp with your diapers.
- Polyester: Wash once in Hot water with 1/2 to 1/4 the amount of recommended amount of detergent, then dry on a warm or hot setting.
Washing Diapers:
- Always use an additive free detergent I use and love Country Save.
- Soaking diapers is not necessary.
- Wash diapers every other to every third day.
- Remove solids from diapers before washing,
- When you use pocket diapers it is easiest to dump the solids into your toilet then remove the diapers liner and just toss the whole thing into the dry pail, That way you don't have to touch the diaper again. No mess no fuss. When you are ready to wash your diapers just dump the diapers out of the dry pail bag into your washing machine, you can even wash your pail bag at this time. Run a cold rinse so you can get anything that was left in the diapers out, then wash in hot water with 1/2 to 1/4 the amount of normal recommended amount of detergent. Run a final rinse in cold water if needed. Then machine or hang to dry. If you wish you can add a few drops of tea tree oil into the wash cycle for an antibacterial.
Ingredients to avoid in your laundry detergent: Natural soaps, dyes, perfumes, enzymes, softeners, fabric enhancers, optical brighteners, and coconut oils. These can damage the diapers and cause reactions with your child's bum.
Optimal Detergents: Country Save, Allen's Naturally, Planet Ultra, and Mountain Green
Diaper Creams should not be used directly on your diapers, If you need to use a diaper cream place a fleece liner between your baby and the diaper. |
