Friday, July 14, 2006 - Cloth Diapers Have Worked Well For Us

Christine, the homeskoolmom, asked a question about using cloth diapers (without using a diaper service) because she has moved to the country from the city. 

We have used cloth diapers with Isaac, 6ds3, and now with Caleb, 7ds1, since he was born.
Since we are solely using cloth diapers again for the second time, I thought I would post about our experience and link it for her, that way I can share it with everyone!

When the boys were newborns, I guess we made sure we had about 20 diapers in that size. That gave us a reasonable amount to have clean for the day, even when there were some to be washed.  As they grew, I just made a batch of diapers as needed.  I learned how to make them simple and quickly!

When I first started researching cloth diapers: how many we'd need; how EXPENSIVE they are to buy!; How to care for them; it really grossed me out to think that I would wash the diapers altogether in the water they had soaked in all day without rinsing every one of them separately.

We have tried a few different methods, and this is what has worked best for us:

We have always washed them everyday.    

We used to soak the diapers, but that just meant they soaked in dirty water all day.  Even when adding vinegar, it was bad. They soaked in the smell, and, while it didn't stink, it had 'that diaper smell'.
So, now, we put the diapers into a diaper pail, with a lid. We do not soak them. Since Caleb is a year old, we do have to empty the soiled diapers into the toilet, but we don't rinse them.

Here is our regiment:

• We put the diapers directly into the diaper pail after changing the baby. *We have a separate little plastic wastebasket for the rubber pants. They will really smell if you leave them in the pail all day with the diapers.  Mostly, we re-use the rubber pants (when the diapers are just wet.)
• We wash the diapers every morning or evening, depending on the quantity for the day. The laundry rule is that the last load of laundry have to be emptied from the washer and dryer and the clothes put away by 9pm. this is 1dd16, SuperAngel, Amanda's  responsibility for the time being. She is very capable and a great organizer, so handling the laundry suits her.
• We rinse them first, in warm water, with vinegar (and sometimes just a bit of laundry detergent). *I use Shaklee Laundry products, so you may have to adjust accordingly.
• Then, we launder them, as usual, except we do add baking soda( for the smell) and salt. *Don't ask me where I got this idea (about the salt), but it makes them brighter.

We use:

1/4 c. of Shaklee Powder

1/4 c. Baking Soda

1Tbsp. salt

Pre-rinse with about 1/2 c. of vinegar for a full load.

Add 1/2c. vinegar to the rinse, if you like.

• Then, we rinse in cold water. You may add vinegar, if you decide you need to.
• Extra rinse them, because they will be right on baby's bottom!
• Hang them to dry.  We have a rack we use, but I like them off of the line better. If we are in a pinch and need a dry one right after laundering, we will put one into the dryer!

 It surprises me, how it really doesn't bother me to make, wash and 'deal with' cloth diapers, instead of just using paper ones.  I was just telling my Mother the other day that I really don't mind using cloth diapers. As a matter of fact, I told her that it isn't the 'hassle' it has always been made out to be. It is easier to me, and saves us money, even when considering the washing and such.  I guess, if we trekked all over town, instead of staying home daily, that would make a difference.

We did use them with 1dd16, but stopped when she got a little older and we didn't desire home as much.  I wish we had continued to use them.

Dh, Matt, is happy and appreciates that we are willing to use cloth diapers and save him money.

We don't go places much, but when we do, we just take along plastic baggies to put the diapers into, then put them ito the pail when we get home.

TIPS:

*Use diaper liners for extra absorbency

*Use cloth wipes, too.

*Use vinegar in the first rinse. It helps take away the ammonia smell.

*Do NOT use fabric softener. It makes them less-absorbent. Use vinegar in the last rinse instead!

*Line-dry them if possible. That makes them more absorbent, too.

*Use a separate container for the rubber pants.

*Do not dry the rubber pants in the dryer. Use a towel to dry them out or just line dry them.

* Wash diapers, liners, wipes and rubber pants together.

*When using pins, position your finger between the diaper and baby so you get stuck instead of baby! You probably already know this, but it is good information, anyway!

Friday, July 14, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Saturday, July 22, 2006 - Cloth diapering.