Frequently Asked Cloth Diaper Questions and
How To's
Why use cloth?
To save money of course. Whereas the initial cost can be a little daunting, the money saved in the long term makes cloth diapers well worth the investment. Cloth diapers can be used for more than one child, being passed down from child to child. Cloth diapers do not contain harmful chemicals. Several brands of disposable diapers are currently causing chemical burns on children's genitals and little tushies. Disposble diapers are also known to contain dioxin a known carcinogen that also affects babies nuerologically and is absorbed through the skin. There is also the go green/reduce your carbon footprint movement. Cloth diapers mean that you are not putting any disposable diapers into landfills. Cloth diapers also double as swim diapers.
Cloth vs. disposble Cost breakdown
Disposable diapers cost about 20 cents per diaper. If your child uses 8 diapers per day (a newborn typcially goes through 12 diapers per day), you will spend at least $584.00 per year on disposable diapers. Most children potty train at around three years old, so that's $1,752.00 or more per child from birth to potty training. If you buy 15 small cloth diapers, 15 medium cloth diapers, and 10 large cloth diapers, that is only $520.00, a savings of $1,232.00. If you keep your diapers and use them on your next child, you save even more.
How do I clean them?
This is very easy actually. Dispose of the solids first. I hold the diaper over the toilet and then just spray it down with the shower head or a store bought diaper sprayer. Then throw the diapers into the washing machine. Wash them in hot water with your normal detergent (just less of it about 1/4 of what you normally use). You should not use fabric softener or dryer sheets with any cloth diaper because it can affect the diapers ability to retain fluids. Some women do a cold water rinse cycle before washing diapers, this is completely up to your discretion. After they have been washed, simply throw them in the dryer on medium to high heat or hang them up to dry. Hang drying them will extend the life of your cloth diapers. But, you will need to throw them in the dryer every now and then to keep the PUL sealed. If there are any stains inside the diaper, you can lay them out in the sun stain side up and it should bleach the stains right out.
What sizes do you have?
I currently offer small, medium, and large. The small fits a child that wears a size 1-3 disposable diaper (8 lbs - 18 lbs). The medium fits a size 3-5 (17 lbs- 30 lbs). And the large fits a size 5-6 (30 lbs and up). My AI2s and diaper covers tend to run a little smaller because of the extra elastic in them. All children are built differently so please keep your child's body style in mind when ordering diapers. My one year old daughter and my 2 year old boy both wear a medium diaper.
How many do I need?
Count the number of diapers you use in a day and then buy at least 2 days worth of diapers. If you only buy one days worth of diapers, you will be forced to wash diapers every day instead of every other day. The normal number of diapers needed is around 15. If you are unsure about cloth diapering, just order a few to see if you like it. When you fall in love with cloth diapers, you can always order more. And if you decide that cloth just isn't for you, then at least you have swim diapers.
How do I choose what style to order?
The type of cloth diaper you use is a personal choice and is entirely up to you. If you are unsure which type you will like, you can order several different types and try them out. I love the AI2s but my Hubby prefers the AIOs. So we have both in our house.
Types of diapers available.
All in One (AIO) cloth diapers.
My diapers have several layers of fabric (a combination of bamboo/organic unbleached cotton and cotton flannel) inside them to soak up liquid and they also contain a hidden layer of waterproofing material. For the inside of the diaper, against baby's butt, I use either 100% cotton t-shirt material, 100% cotton flannel, polyester butter suede, or polyester crushed panne. I attach elastic to the leg areas and also across the back for a snug fit and to help control leaks. I use velcro or snap closures for an adjustable fit. I also leave a pocket in the diaper so that you can add extra padding if you have a heavy wetter or for overnight. These diapers are machine washable and can be put in the dryer. You should not use fabric softener with any cloth diaper because it can affect the diapers ability to retain fluids.
Pocket diapers.
If you like the look of my AIOs, but don't like the idea of the soaker pad being sewn into the diaper, you can order a pocket diaper. A pocket diaper looks and is put together the same way as my AIO, except I do not sew the soaker layer into the diaper. Instead you stuff the pocket with a soaker pad when you use the diaper. This cuts down on drying time. The soaker pad is a combination of 50% bamboo/50% organic unbleached cotton and 100% cotton flannel. I attach elastic to the leg areas and also across the back for a snug fit and to help control leaks. I use velcro or snap closures for an adjustable fit. These diapers are machine washable and can be put in the dryer. You should not use fabric softener with any cloth diaper because it can affect the diapers ability to retain fluids. Each Pocket diaper comes with one soaker pad. Additional soaker pads can be ordered for $3.00 each plus shipping.
All in Two (AI2) cloth diapers.
AI2s are a diaper shell that looks just like the AIOs from the outside. They do not have the soaker sewn into the diaper though. They come with a removeable soaker pad that can be replaced when your baby wets and simply lays in the diaper held in place by the elastic. The inside of my AI2s are PUL and can be wiped clean. The soaker pad is a combination of 50% bamboo/50% organic unbleached cotton and 100% cotton flannel. I attach elastic to the leg areas and also across the front and the back for a snug fit and to help control leaks. I use velcro or snap closures for an adjustable fit. AI2s are a good option for someone concerned about drying times and carrying lots of diapers around town for changes. Instead of changing the entire diaper, you simply remove the wet soaker pad from the diaper shell, place a clean soaker pad in the diaper shell, and put the diaper back on baby. These diapers run a little smaller then my AIOs and my pocket diapers because of the extra elastic. These diapers are machine washable and can be put in the dryer. You should not use fabric softener with the soaker pads it can affect their ability to retain fluids. Each AI2 comes with one soaker pad. Additional soaker pads can be ordered for $3.00 each plus shipping.
Diaper covers.
Diaper covers are shells that are used over cloth diapers that are not waterproofed. The inside of my diaper covers are PUL and can be wiped clean. I attach elastic to the leg areas and also across the front and the back for a snug fit and to help control leaks. I use velcro or snap closures for an adjustable fit. These run a little smaller then my AIOs and my pocket diapers because of the extra elastic. Diaper covers do not come with a soaker pad. These diapers are machine washable and can be put in the dryer.
Types of liner fabrics available.
I use either 100% cotton t-shirt material, 100% cotton flannel, polyester butter suede, polyester microfleece, polyester crushed panne, or polyester minky. If you would like a specific one of these in your diapers, please let me know when ordering. If you do not specify when ordering, I will choose for you.
I don't like velcro and prefer snaps. Can you do that?
You're in luck! I now offer a choice of velcro or snaps on my diapers.
How do I get some cloth diapers?
I have several in my inventory already that you can buy through PayPal, my stock does rotate quickly though. If you want more than just one or two, please contact me for a special order. The cost for one cloth diaper (S, M, or L) is $13.00 plus shipping. Shipping can be combined. Please specify size, type of diaper, print, liner fabric, and closure preference when ordering. Orders of 10 or more diapers recieve your choice of either a free diaper, a free pillowcase dress, three free mama cloth, or a free small wetbag.
I have washed my diapers and they still stink?
This could be caused by simply not using enough laundry detergent. You might have to play with the amount you use to find what works best for you.
This could also be caused by detergent buildup in your diapers. If that's the case, you'll need to strip your diapers. To strip diapers, just wash them in hot water with a tablespoon of original blue dawn. Only the original blue dawn will work.
As soon as my baby urinates, there is a strong amonia smell?
This could be caused by detergent buildup in your diapers. If that's the case, you'll need to strip your diapers. To strip diapers, just wash them in hot water with a tablespoon of original blue dawn. Only the original blue dawn will work.
My diapers are stained, what do I do?
First, remember that stains do not mean your diapers aren't clean. To get the stains out try sunning them. Just lay them in a good strong sun beam for the day.
It's raining or cold outside, can I still sun my diapers?
Yes, you can still sun your diapers in the rain or the cold. Just like you can get a sunburn on a cloudy day, you can still sun bleach your diapers. It might take a little longer though. If you do not want to leave you diapers out in the rain, you can lay them inside your house in the sun. You can also lay them in the dashboard of your car.
I sunned my diapers all day and they're still stained, now what?
Just spray some lemon juice on the stains and sun them again. The lemon juice and the sun will pull out those really stuborn stains. Just make sure you get all of the lemon juice washed out of the diaper before you put the diaper back on your baby.
I've heard you can use vinegar and baking soda to get cloth diapers clean, is that safe?
Absolutely! A half a cup of vinegar and a few tablespoons of baking soda are great for cleaning diapers.
I use borax on my babies clothes, can I use it with my cloth diapers?
You sure can. Borax is what I personally wash my diapers with.
My diapers are repelling (not absorbing, and pushing the urine away from the inner causing them to leak)?
Repelling is normally caused by detergent buildup in your diapers. If that's the case, you'll need to strip your diapers. To strip diapers, just wash them in hot water with a tablespoon of original blue dawn. Only the original blue dawn will work.
My baby had a yeast infection, should I do anything different with my diapers?
Yeast will live in your cloth diapers and cause repeat infections in your baby if you do not get rid of it. This does not mean that you have to throw away your diapers. You just need to steralize them. Wash them in very hot water. You can also add a small amount of bleach to the wash to insure the yeast is killed.
My baby has a diaper rash and I need to use diaper rash cream, is that okay?
No! Zinc and petroleum based diaper rash creams will stain your cloth diapers. They will also cause buildup and that will lead to repelling. Try using coconut oil on your baby for the diaper rash. If you MUST use a diaper rash cream, line the inside of your diapers with a disposable baby wipe or highend paper towel (I like Viva). Then just throw the "liner" away with each diaper change. Disposable baby wipes can actually be washed and reused a few times, if you want.
My diapers aren't absorbing as well as they did when I first got them?
This could be caused by detergent buildup in your diapers. If that's the case, you'll need to strip your diapers. To strip diapers, just wash them in hot water with a tablespoon of original blue dawn. Only the original blue dawn will work.
My diapers are leaking, but only at the legs?
Your PUL needs to be heat sealed. Simply wash the diapers with your normal routine and then throw them in the dryer on medium to high heat.
I'm having compression leaks, what causes this?
Any diaper, cloth, disposable, or whatever, can only hold so much liquid. Once the diaper is full it can and will leak out the extra urine. Try changing the baby more often, the average is every two to three hours. You can also add an extra soaker pad to your diaper to make it more absorbant. I do this when I'm going to be out of the house for awhile or for overnight.
I have hard water, can I still use cloth diapers?
Yes, you can. You will need to play with your wash routine to find what works best for you. I highly suggest using a water softener (such as Calgon) in your diaper wash. Borax can also be used as a water softener.
Can I use Oxiclean on my cloth diapers?
Yes, oxiclean is safe for cloth diapers.
Is there anything I can do to make my diapers dry faster or come out of the dryer softer?
Several women swear by wool dryer balls. They are said to help diapers (and clothes) dry faster. They are also supposed to work like fabric softner and dryer sheets by keeping fabrics soft and eliminating static cling. You can buy them online or you can make your own. I'm in the process of testing these out myself.
Due to the personal nature of diapers, I can not give refunds or exchanges.
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This page was last modified on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 09:49:07 PM Find me on Facebook.