Cloth Diaper FAQs

Why choose cloth? TOP

There are 3 main reasons why people choose cloth diapers over disposables: it is good for baby, good for our environment and it saves money. Pretty convincing?

Today's disposable diapers contain traces of harmful and cancer causing chemicals. Traces of Dioxin, a by-product of the beaching process can be found in disposable diapers. Dioxin is a carcinogen and has been found to be linked to cancer. Disposables also contain Tributyl-tin which can cause hormonal problems and the chemical sodium polyacrylate which has been linked to toxic shock syndrome in tampons.

Cloth diapers can be used hundreds of times, saving tons of diapers from entering our landfills. Disposable diapers can take hundreds of years to decompose, while cloth diapers can be used as rags even after they have served their purpose in the diapering years. Cloth diapers bought for one child can be reused on a 2nd and sometimes a 3rd child. After all, in order to help preserve our future, we need to reduce, reuse and recycle. Cloth diapers are a cost effective and easy way to "go green" for many families.

Cloth diapering can really save a family money. Each child from birth to age 2 can cost around $1,500 - $2,000 for disposable diapers and wipes, or anywhere from $60 to $80 dollars a month. A family can cloth diaper one child for $300 if buying economical prefolds. The cost goes up a bit for easy to use pocket or all-in-one diapers. Many manufacturers now make one-size diapers which fit your child from birth to potty training, saving families even more money!

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What kinds of cloth diapers are out there? TOP

Flat diapers - these diapers were commonly used 30 or more years ago. They are simply a flat sheet of material that can be folded and used as a diaper. Today, flats are most commonly folded into a pad and used as a doubler to add absorbancy in a diaper. They are very versitile and reasonably priced.

Prefold - similar to a flat, but like the name, they are prefolded and sewn together so that the exta layers are in the middle 'wet-zone'. Prefolds are very commonly used because they are a very economical and versitile diapering option. They can be used as a diaper and pinned or snappied on, or simply tri-folded and layed into a cover, or used in an existing diapering system as an insert or doubler.

Contour - contours are very similar to prefold diapers, however they have an hourglass shape to them to better fit a baby's curves. These can be pinned or snappied on, or just fastened on with a wrap style cover.

Fitted - fitted diapers are commonly made of cotton or bamboo and usually shaped similar to a disposable diaper. They can snap or velcro on and must be used with a cover. A great example of a fitted diaper is the Mother-ease Sandy.

Pocket - pocket diapers are similar to disposable diapers, only resuable. They have a waterproof outer PUL fabric sewn to an inner fabric (most commonly fleece). There is a gap betwee the two layers in the back so that the inside of the diaper can be 'stuffed' with absorbant inserts (most commonly microfleece or hemp). Pocket diapers and inserts are usually quick drying, reasonably priced, and you can customize the amount of absorbancy. The drawback to this diapering system is the extra step of stuffing before use and unstuffing before washing. Great examples of these are Knickernappies and Fuzzi Bunz diapers.

All-in-one - these diapers are exactly how they sound, all in one. These are very similar to pocket diapers, however the insert is sewn into the diaper. No stuffing or unstuffing is required. These are the most simple diapering systems to use. The drawback is that it is one of the more expensive reusable diapering systems and the diapers usually take a while to dry. A great example of an all-in-one is the Dream-eze.

All-in-two - these diapers typically have an outer shell and an inner soaker that snaps into the shell. The idea behind these diapers is that when the diaper becomes wet, the soaker is simply unsnapped and replaced with a fresh one. The cover can be reused unless soiled. They are great for travel, however it is one of the more expensive diapering systems to use. A great example of an all-in-two diaper is the Gro Baby.

What do I need to start cloth diapering? TOP

The answers to this question seem endless. It really depends on how many children you will be cloth diapering, your diapering preferences, how often you prefer to wash your diapers, etc.

Lets start first with diapering accessories. You will need a diaper pail and a pail liner. A diaper pail can be as simple as a plastic kitchen trash can with a simple flip open lid. I find that a 13 gallon trash can works best for diapering one or two children. A pail liner makes it very easy to transport and dump the diapers into the washer. It works best to have two so that you can wash your liner with the diapers and still have a clean one to use in the meantime.

It is also convenient to have reusable wipes which will eliminate the need to throw away disposable wipes in a separate trash can. I do, however keep some disposable wipes on hand to handle the very messy poops! Reusable wipes can be purchased or even made from old clothing if you are handy with a sewing machine. You can keep a spray bottle of water by the changing table to wet down your wipes or simpy put a day's worth into a wipe warmer with some water (I wouldn't suggest any more than that or they will get mildewy). Some people even keep a thermos of warm water nearby. Add even more luxury by dissolving wipe solution drops in the water.

A good rule of thumb for the number of diapers you will need is 12 diapers per child, per day. If you decide to wash every other day, it is best to use 24 diapers. I do not recommend letting soiled diapers sit for any longer than 3 days or you may end up with hard to eliminate stains and odors. Keep in mind that if you are starting with an older child, you will need less.

What do I do with the POOP? TOP

This is probably one of the first questions that people usually ask. The answer is easy and not as bad as you might think. If the infant is exclusively breastfed, then you don't need to do anything, just simply place the soiled diaper right into the pail. Breastfed infants do not have solid poop and it will just wash right off when you do your diaper laundry. If the poop is solid, simply dump it off into the toilet and throw your diaper into the pail. If it is more of a mushy consistency, you can dunk and swish into the toilet (yes, this is not for the faint at heart) or better yet use a diaper sprayer made specifically for this purpose (highly recommended). If you decide that you just don't really want to deal with the methods above, you can purchase biodegradable liners that will "catch" the poop, allowing you to easily flush the mess.

Tip: if you need to rinse any solid matter off of the diaper, make sure you have a diaper pail or bag right next to you, since the diaper will be dripping. You won't want to be stuck with having to carry a dripping diaper from the bathroom to your diaper pail. Let's just say this was a lesson learned for me and it ended with me having to mop and disinfect my floor!

How do I wash my diapers? TOP

When I started cloth diapering, I was so surprised at how easy washing was.

There are two methods to storing your diapers, dry pail and wet pail. The wet pail method consists of a pail filled with water and a little laundry detergent or other additives that the diapers soak in while they wait for the next wash. Although many people at one time used the wet pail method, research has shown that it is not really necessary to let your diapers soak in between washes. If you decide to use the wet pail method, keep in mind that it could be a drowning hazard to small children if it is not kept up and out of reach. The dry pail method is just how it sounds, thow the diapers into a dry pail where they will wait for the next wash.

Washing is simple. Put the diapers and the pail liner (emptied out) into the wash and run a cold rinse with no detergent. This rinse helps prevent stains and washes off any extra solid matter. Next, run the diapers through a hot wash with 1/4 to 1/2 of the recommended amount of detergent, and follow with a cold rinse. If you see any suds in your cold rinse, you will need to run another rinse. Then dry your diapers on the low setting in the dryer or hang to dry.

Do NOT use any bleach, optical brighteners or enzymes as this will make your diapers wear faster and void any manufacturer warranties. Be sure to use an appropriate diaper detergent free of additives as this could cause a rash. Alan's Naturally is a popular brand detergent used by many cloth diapering mama's. It pays to do a little research before settling on a brand. Keep in mind that some brands do not work well with hard water.

What if my diapers leak? TOP

There are a few reasons why you diapers could be leaking. Here are some trouble-shooting questions to help you solve the issue:

Does the diaper fit well? If the leakage is occuring around the legs, make sure that the diaper or cover is adjusted for a snug fit. Also make sure that there are no absorbant materials 'peeking' through. If the leakage is in the back, check for a snug fit around the waist.

How long has the diaper been on? Common changing times for cloth diapers vary between 1 and 2 hours during the day. If the diaper becomes saturated, it is common to see leakage through the stitching which will 'wick' onto the baby's clothing. Try more frequent changing or the addition of more absorbancy (inserts, doublers, etc.).

Do your diapers have build-up? Too much detergent can build up and stick to the fibers on the diapers and actually repel liquid. Diapers that have build up issues will typically leak or have a strong odor when urine is introduced. Try first to run the diapers on a few hot washes with no detergent. Ifthe problem persists, you will need to check with the diaper manufacturer for the recommeded stripping procedure.

Do you used fabric softener or dryer sheets? Fabric softener actually makes fabrics water proof and your diapers will repel liquid. Even if you don't use softener on your diapers, dryer sheets will deposit residue on the inside of your machine and it will transfer to your diapers.

How do I get rid of stains? TOP
Sun, sun, sun. The easiest way to get rid of stains is to sun your diapers for a few hours at a time. The sun is a natural bleaching agent and will work to fade those stains. If you prefer a more direct and immediate approach, check with the manufacturer for approved stain removal methods. Remember, using unapproved products on your diapers will actually void any manufacturer warranty.