First, lets talk about new diapers.
New hemp needs to be washed in hot by itself about 3-4 times before washing with any other diapers. Wash it at least once alone, then you can wash it with your regular clothes laundry
(not diapers, and not towels). Hemp is coated in natural oils that make not only it repell, but will make your other diapers repell. Another option is to boil it first, then wash it 2-3 more times with regular clothes laundry. You do not need to dry between washes.
New PFs also need to be washed by themselves. Wash alone twice on hot (use soap), then you can wash with regular clothes laundry. Wash 4-6 times before use, but PFs will continue to soften up and become more absorbant the more you wash. You do not need to dry between each wash, or use soap each time. **Note- PFs will shrink quite a bit after the first wash. They will look huge when you open the package, but don't worry.
Microfiber, pockets, and covers do not need anything special. I would wash AIOs a couple of times before use, depending on the soaker.
Regular wash routine.
I would start with a basic routine, and only change it if you need to. This is a pretty simple wash routine, and works well for most people.
Cold rinse (especially important if your child is still young enough that you are not rinsing diapers, the cold rinse will hopefully help with stains).
Warm or hot wash with 1/2 the recommended amount of detergent.
Extra rinse
Look at this list for detergent choices-
http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoices.htm
http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/hedetergentchoices.htm
Gone are the days of soaking diapers in the toilet and bleaching at every wash. If your child is not on solids yet, you dont need to do anything to your poopy diapers other than wash. When your child eats more solid, and his/her poop becomes more solid, you will need to dispose of it in a toilet before washing. You do not need to use bleach at all.
Drying
The best way to dry your diapers is debatable. The dryer is hard on elastic, and too much heat will cause it to become brittle. However, heat also re-energizes the PUL. So, if you chose to dryer your pockets and covers, they will be dry in 10 minutes or less, so be sure to check them, and not let them get too hot.
Heres what I do (so obviously, I think its best, lol). I put all new diapers in the dryer on high for 10 minutes. After that, twice a month, I put all my pocket, covers, and AIOs in the dryer for 10 minutes on high. Everything that does not have elastic, gets dryed on low (usually takes 2 20 minute cycles). Everything that is waterproof, is line dryed normally.
Bamboo will become brittle if over heated, so only dry on low, or air dry. Hemp becomes hard and scratchy when air dryed- so fluff that in the dryer after its dry.
Stains Happen.
I havent met a stain that sun and lemon juice won't kill. I also use a few sprays of Simple Green in the wash to avoid staining and smells.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
The Perfect System
One of the most common questions people ask when learning about cloth diapering is, "What is the "best" system?" Unfortunately, there is no perfect system. Not everyone has the patience for PFs, and not everyone has the money for pockets. So, here's a breakdown:
AIOs, AI2 (All-In-One, All-In-2)
AIO are a complete diaper. Its basically a cloth disposable. It is absorbant and waterproof. AIOs are they easiest way to CD. AI2 consist of a waterproof shell, and snap in or lay in soakers. The shell is not absorbant, but the soakers are not waterproof. AIOs and AI2s are the easiest way to CD, however they are also the most expensive. I also question how clean they can get, since water can't flow all the way through fabric.
Pockets
Pockets have one layer of waterproof material, and one layer of wicking material with a "pocket" you put an insert into. They are not traditionally absorbent on their own, you must stuff with an insert. Pockets are more versatile than AIOs, because you can adjust the absorbency for nights and outings, or other special circumstances. They are usually a bit cheaper than AIOs, but not always. They do require a bit more work though, because you have to "stuff" the insert into teh pocket before wearing.
Fitteds
Fitted diapers are shaped to fit baby and will usually include some form of closure, either snaps or aplix. Fitteds are often bulkier than PFs, but also easier to put on, and sometimes more absorbant. You will need a cover to make fitteds waterproof. Fitteds are perfect for under wool, but any cover works well with them.
Pre-folds, contours, and flats
Flats are simply large squares of cotton or other fabric that you fold many times to fit baby. Pre-folds are less work, they are partially folded and then sewed so you will have many fit options, but not quite so much folding to do. PFs and flats are most likely what you were cloth diapered with, if you were CD as a baby. Contours are many layers of fabric that are sewn together in a shape that fits baby, no folding required. All three will require a cover to be waterproof. You may also choose to close your PFs, contours, and flats with either pins, or snappi.
I think that the perfect system is a mixture between all of these things. In my own "stash". I have 6 PFs, 5 fitteds, 5 contours, 2 AIO, 2 AI2, and a bunch of pockets.
AIOs, AI2 (All-In-One, All-In-2)
AIO are a complete diaper. Its basically a cloth disposable. It is absorbant and waterproof. AIOs are they easiest way to CD. AI2 consist of a waterproof shell, and snap in or lay in soakers. The shell is not absorbant, but the soakers are not waterproof. AIOs and AI2s are the easiest way to CD, however they are also the most expensive. I also question how clean they can get, since water can't flow all the way through fabric.
Pockets
Pockets have one layer of waterproof material, and one layer of wicking material with a "pocket" you put an insert into. They are not traditionally absorbent on their own, you must stuff with an insert. Pockets are more versatile than AIOs, because you can adjust the absorbency for nights and outings, or other special circumstances. They are usually a bit cheaper than AIOs, but not always. They do require a bit more work though, because you have to "stuff" the insert into teh pocket before wearing.
Fitteds
Fitted diapers are shaped to fit baby and will usually include some form of closure, either snaps or aplix. Fitteds are often bulkier than PFs, but also easier to put on, and sometimes more absorbant. You will need a cover to make fitteds waterproof. Fitteds are perfect for under wool, but any cover works well with them.
Pre-folds, contours, and flats
Flats are simply large squares of cotton or other fabric that you fold many times to fit baby. Pre-folds are less work, they are partially folded and then sewed so you will have many fit options, but not quite so much folding to do. PFs and flats are most likely what you were cloth diapered with, if you were CD as a baby. Contours are many layers of fabric that are sewn together in a shape that fits baby, no folding required. All three will require a cover to be waterproof. You may also choose to close your PFs, contours, and flats with either pins, or snappi.
I think that the perfect system is a mixture between all of these things. In my own "stash". I have 6 PFs, 5 fitteds, 5 contours, 2 AIO, 2 AI2, and a bunch of pockets.
Sposie Math Two
OK, last time we did this we used Pockets. Pockets are one of the easiest ways to CD, but can also be the most expensive. PFs are the cheapest way. So, if you used all PFs, lets look at the money you can save.
- Again, $.25 a disposable. 7 a day.
- PFs are cheaper, and not stay dry, so lets say you'll need 2 dozen.
- And again, we'll say your child is a light to moderate wetter. If your child is a heavy wetter, you may need to use another system.
7 disposables a day x $.25= $1.75 a day to disposable diaper.
OK, to start, you'll need infant sized PFs, and 5 small covers. You'll also need something more absorbant for nights, we'll use hemp PFs (although you may choose to use pockets for nights). You'll need a wetbag and snappis or pins.
2 dozen infant PF= $30.00
2 small proraps covers= $16.00
2 small Bummi covers= $20.00
1 small wool soaker (prices vary, but for recycled wool- excellent for night)= $15.00
wetbag= $15.00
2 Snappis= $5.00
2 medium hemp PFs (for nights)- $17.00
You've spent $118 to CD for the first six months. You will "break even" in 67 days, about two months. So you have 4 months of free diapering.
Now, with sposie math one- you would have sold those diapers to finance the new ones. Problem with PFs is they dont hold their resale value as well as pockets. You can sell them and make probably $50 back. So you've actually spent $68 to CD, about 39 days worth of disposables.
Medium PFs are called "regulars". You'll also want to add a mini-shower when your child starts solids.
2 dozen regular PFs= $34.00
Same 5 covers= $51.00
mini shower= $35.00
2 hemp PF= $19.00
You've spent $139.00 to CD for the next 12 months of your childs life. You will "break even" using cloth over disposables in 80 days. A little over 9 months of "free" diapering. Sell them again for $50, and you'll break even in 50 days (you've spent $89.00).
Time now for "Premium" PFs and large covers.
2 dozen premiums= $40.00
Same 5 covers= $51.00
2 Hemp PFs= $21.00
$111.00 to CD this final stage (remember, some children never need larges, some need extra larges). You'll break even in 63 days. Sell them when your child potty trains, and make back $50. You've now spent just $61.00, 35 days worth of disposables.
Ok, lets say you decided not to sell those diapers and save them for a second child, or even donate them when you are finished with them. These next calculations will use that assumptions.
You've spent $368 to cloth diaper your average child. Because your child is average, we'll say they potty train at 3 years.
In three years you $1917 to use disposable diapers.
It takes 210 days total to break even, just 7 months. If you use your diapers for three children, you will get over 8 years of free diapering.
- Again, $.25 a disposable. 7 a day.
- PFs are cheaper, and not stay dry, so lets say you'll need 2 dozen.
- And again, we'll say your child is a light to moderate wetter. If your child is a heavy wetter, you may need to use another system.
7 disposables a day x $.25= $1.75 a day to disposable diaper.
OK, to start, you'll need infant sized PFs, and 5 small covers. You'll also need something more absorbant for nights, we'll use hemp PFs (although you may choose to use pockets for nights). You'll need a wetbag and snappis or pins.
2 dozen infant PF= $30.00
2 small proraps covers= $16.00
2 small Bummi covers= $20.00
1 small wool soaker (prices vary, but for recycled wool- excellent for night)= $15.00
wetbag= $15.00
2 Snappis= $5.00
2 medium hemp PFs (for nights)- $17.00
You've spent $118 to CD for the first six months. You will "break even" in 67 days, about two months. So you have 4 months of free diapering.
Now, with sposie math one- you would have sold those diapers to finance the new ones. Problem with PFs is they dont hold their resale value as well as pockets. You can sell them and make probably $50 back. So you've actually spent $68 to CD, about 39 days worth of disposables.
Medium PFs are called "regulars". You'll also want to add a mini-shower when your child starts solids.
2 dozen regular PFs= $34.00
Same 5 covers= $51.00
mini shower= $35.00
2 hemp PF= $19.00
You've spent $139.00 to CD for the next 12 months of your childs life. You will "break even" using cloth over disposables in 80 days. A little over 9 months of "free" diapering. Sell them again for $50, and you'll break even in 50 days (you've spent $89.00).
Time now for "Premium" PFs and large covers.
2 dozen premiums= $40.00
Same 5 covers= $51.00
2 Hemp PFs= $21.00
$111.00 to CD this final stage (remember, some children never need larges, some need extra larges). You'll break even in 63 days. Sell them when your child potty trains, and make back $50. You've now spent just $61.00, 35 days worth of disposables.
Ok, lets say you decided not to sell those diapers and save them for a second child, or even donate them when you are finished with them. These next calculations will use that assumptions.
You've spent $368 to cloth diaper your average child. Because your child is average, we'll say they potty train at 3 years.
In three years you $1917 to use disposable diapers.
It takes 210 days total to break even, just 7 months. If you use your diapers for three children, you will get over 8 years of free diapering.
The many joys of Wal-Mart
I know some of you may be off-put by Wal-Mart. Thats cool. But those of you who are in the CD boat to save money, Wal-Mart can seriously help with that.
Heres your list of CD things to buy there:
Fleece Liners- buy cheap fleece, do not buy the stuff marked "suitable for outerwear". Do not spend more than $2 a yard. The fleece will not fray when cut, so cut into rectangles to line your diaper with. Use with anything cotton (not stay dry, like PFs and some fitteds), or use anytime you use a diaper rash cream. Wash with your dipes and re-use. You can also use flannel as a liner, but it will not be stay dry. Flannel will also fray, so either do something with the edges, or throw out after 3-4 washes.
Baby Washcloths- Use as baby wipes. You can make or buy a wipe solution, or use just plain water. We use a spray bottle (we bought at Wal-Mart) full of water.
TTO- Tea Tree Oil. Will disinfect your diapers in the wash, and will help to expell smells from the diaper pail. Put a drop or two on a piece of fleece in the bottom of your pail, or inside your wetbag. TTO will be with the vitamins in the pharmacy section. It is usually a small bottle inside a box. You may need help finding it- but it is there. Please be careful though, TTO is toxic if ingested, especially by infants. Please use caution to keep it away from little mouths.
Pail liners- In the camping section, they will sell large, waterproof bags. They are usually less than $7. In the laundry area, they will sell cloth laundry bags. They are also very reasonably priced. They will also sell mesh laundry bags. Any of these things work great for pail liners.
Simple Green- Not *all* Wal-Marts carry Simple Green. If yours doesnt, try a hardware store. SG is a concentrated all purpose cleaner. It is non toxic and bio-degradable. We use it for everything around the house, but we also use it as a stain fighter/ odor eliminator in the wash. We spray 3-5 sprays (depending on the size of the load) of the concentrate in the diaper wash. Magic.
Do not use the Gerber cloth diapers they sell at Wal-Mart for anything but burprags. However, if you can get Gerber brand "premium" or "DSQ" PFs, those work great. Also, the covers they sell at Wal-Mart are plastic, and do not allow for any air to move. I wouldn't recommend them either.
You can re-use Wal-Mart sacs as travel wetbags.
Diaper Pails- All you really need is a sturdy trashcan with a well fitting lid. I'm told the metal ones Wal- Mart has are great. They have a foot petal, and removable bin.
Detergent- Good prices.
Lemon Juice- With the bottled/ canned juices, not with the lemons. :) Natures best stain fighter is lemon juice and sunlight.
Microfiber cloths- they are in the auto section. They are approximately $.50 a piece, and come in packages. Use them as inserts (usually 2 are needed, depending on the quality of microfiber and the child). Some are coated, so test the water absorbency before use. If they are treated, just strip them. You can trifold to use in pockets- or if you are very ambitious, sew the thirds together. You can also sew the thirds together with a layer of fleece- and make stay dry doublers. Microfiber cannot go against the skin. It absorbs so well, it will absorb the oil from the skin.
I know there are more wealths to be found at Wal-Mart, but my brain is tired. If you think of any- let me know and I'll add it to the list.
Heres your list of CD things to buy there:
Fleece Liners- buy cheap fleece, do not buy the stuff marked "suitable for outerwear". Do not spend more than $2 a yard. The fleece will not fray when cut, so cut into rectangles to line your diaper with. Use with anything cotton (not stay dry, like PFs and some fitteds), or use anytime you use a diaper rash cream. Wash with your dipes and re-use. You can also use flannel as a liner, but it will not be stay dry. Flannel will also fray, so either do something with the edges, or throw out after 3-4 washes.
Baby Washcloths- Use as baby wipes. You can make or buy a wipe solution, or use just plain water. We use a spray bottle (we bought at Wal-Mart) full of water.
TTO- Tea Tree Oil. Will disinfect your diapers in the wash, and will help to expell smells from the diaper pail. Put a drop or two on a piece of fleece in the bottom of your pail, or inside your wetbag. TTO will be with the vitamins in the pharmacy section. It is usually a small bottle inside a box. You may need help finding it- but it is there. Please be careful though, TTO is toxic if ingested, especially by infants. Please use caution to keep it away from little mouths.
Pail liners- In the camping section, they will sell large, waterproof bags. They are usually less than $7. In the laundry area, they will sell cloth laundry bags. They are also very reasonably priced. They will also sell mesh laundry bags. Any of these things work great for pail liners.
Simple Green- Not *all* Wal-Marts carry Simple Green. If yours doesnt, try a hardware store. SG is a concentrated all purpose cleaner. It is non toxic and bio-degradable. We use it for everything around the house, but we also use it as a stain fighter/ odor eliminator in the wash. We spray 3-5 sprays (depending on the size of the load) of the concentrate in the diaper wash. Magic.
Do not use the Gerber cloth diapers they sell at Wal-Mart for anything but burprags. However, if you can get Gerber brand "premium" or "DSQ" PFs, those work great. Also, the covers they sell at Wal-Mart are plastic, and do not allow for any air to move. I wouldn't recommend them either.
You can re-use Wal-Mart sacs as travel wetbags.
Diaper Pails- All you really need is a sturdy trashcan with a well fitting lid. I'm told the metal ones Wal- Mart has are great. They have a foot petal, and removable bin.
Detergent- Good prices.
Lemon Juice- With the bottled/ canned juices, not with the lemons. :) Natures best stain fighter is lemon juice and sunlight.
Microfiber cloths- they are in the auto section. They are approximately $.50 a piece, and come in packages. Use them as inserts (usually 2 are needed, depending on the quality of microfiber and the child). Some are coated, so test the water absorbency before use. If they are treated, just strip them. You can trifold to use in pockets- or if you are very ambitious, sew the thirds together. You can also sew the thirds together with a layer of fleece- and make stay dry doublers. Microfiber cannot go against the skin. It absorbs so well, it will absorb the oil from the skin.
I know there are more wealths to be found at Wal-Mart, but my brain is tired. If you think of any- let me know and I'll add it to the list.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
My favorite part about Cloth Diapering...
I love that my daughter is in comfy fabrics instead of scratchy papers. I love that she smells like baby, not like disposable diapers. I love that she isnt sitting in chemicals, and that we have a little extra cash to spoil her with books and puzzles. But my favorite part of cloth diapering is the work at home moms (WAHM). These mothers are able to earn a living at home with their children. Moms supporting moms benefit us all. So, whenever possible, I buy from a WAHM. Almost all shops are run by a WAHM, and even the bigger names in CD were started and run by WAHM.
I think WAHMs know what works and what doesn't, because they actually use the product they are making. I believe you'll get a better product and customer service from a WAHM.
My favorite place to look for WAHMs is hyenacart. Look around, there is some awesome stuff there, including rare fabrics and organics.
I think WAHMs know what works and what doesn't, because they actually use the product they are making. I believe you'll get a better product and customer service from a WAHM.
My favorite place to look for WAHMs is hyenacart. Look around, there is some awesome stuff there, including rare fabrics and organics.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Snappi and PF how to. :)
I usually use an angel fold. It is open at the back, and folded in at the front. ^^This is an angel fold. I find it's easy and effective (holds in runny poo pretty well).
Line the diaper even with the belly button or a little below. If your child has a shorter rise, or is smaller in general, you can fold the back (open) end down a little. I put the washcloth to cover baby bits, obviously you wouldn't do that.
Bring the front (closed) end up. The sides should meet the front. If you have a larger child, and it doesn't meet, you can fan out the front so they touch.
The snappi has teeth at all three ends. I touch the teeth to the diaper on one end, then pull it tight to the other side. I usually then have to re-adjust.
Pull the middle section down. That will tighten the sides up, and help keep the diaper from drooping.
This is to show you how the teeth pull the fabric just a little.
Then, put on your cover. I run my finger all the way around the cover, to be sure that the gussets have been out and the PF is tucked all the way in. Otherwise it will leak.
Why use cloth?
I'm no expert, and I can't put it any better than these articles have, so I'm just going to link you to them:
http://clothdiapers.thefunnyemu.com/why.html
http://www.diapersafari.com/diaperinfo/whyclothdiapers/ http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/diapers/joy-of-cloth.html
http://www.ecobaby.com/cloth.htm
http://www.diaperpin.com/clothdiapers/article_diaperdrama3.asp
In case you aren't the link clicking kind, I'll tell you why *I* do it.
It started because I didn't see money in our budget for diapers every week, just to be thrown out. I saw a blurb online somewhere about using PFs and CDing for less than $150. I thought that sounded like a great idea- so I looked into it more. When I came upon pockets and AIOs it really felt do-able. And fun! You can see "Sposie Math" for more about the savings. I decided then that CDing is what I was going to do.
As I did more research, I saw how many chemicals were in disposables, and how dangerous they could be. The toxin "Dioxin" is what really got me. It causes liver disease, and suppresses the immune system. It's banned in most other countries (which is why sposies are more expensive in other countries) but allowed in the United States. The toxins in disposables cause many problems, from diaper rash and asthma, to cancer, TSS, UTIs, and suppressed immune systems (causing your child to get sick more often, and slowing the natural healing process).
Now, CDing has made me more environmentally smart. I've reduced the chemicals and toxins in our home dramatically. We have switched to organic foods and products whenever we can. We also support fair trade and sustainable resources whenever possible. The average child adds 6500 disposables to landfills every year (much of which does not biodegrade). Also think about the paper, petroleum, and other resources used. Also, people throw away the poop with the sposie. That raw fecal matter leaks into the areas around landfills, threatening the wildlife.
So, I always say, I came for the money, but stayed for the chemicals.
http://clothdiapers.thefunnyemu.com/why.html
http://www.diapersafari.com/diaperinfo/whyclothdiapers/ http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/diapers/joy-of-cloth.html
http://www.ecobaby.com/cloth.htm
http://www.diaperpin.com/clothdiapers/article_diaperdrama3.asp
In case you aren't the link clicking kind, I'll tell you why *I* do it.
It started because I didn't see money in our budget for diapers every week, just to be thrown out. I saw a blurb online somewhere about using PFs and CDing for less than $150. I thought that sounded like a great idea- so I looked into it more. When I came upon pockets and AIOs it really felt do-able. And fun! You can see "Sposie Math" for more about the savings. I decided then that CDing is what I was going to do.
As I did more research, I saw how many chemicals were in disposables, and how dangerous they could be. The toxin "Dioxin" is what really got me. It causes liver disease, and suppresses the immune system. It's banned in most other countries (which is why sposies are more expensive in other countries) but allowed in the United States. The toxins in disposables cause many problems, from diaper rash and asthma, to cancer, TSS, UTIs, and suppressed immune systems (causing your child to get sick more often, and slowing the natural healing process).
Now, CDing has made me more environmentally smart. I've reduced the chemicals and toxins in our home dramatically. We have switched to organic foods and products whenever we can. We also support fair trade and sustainable resources whenever possible. The average child adds 6500 disposables to landfills every year (much of which does not biodegrade). Also think about the paper, petroleum, and other resources used. Also, people throw away the poop with the sposie. That raw fecal matter leaks into the areas around landfills, threatening the wildlife.
So, I always say, I came for the money, but stayed for the chemicals.
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