Cloth Diapering - I cloth diapered my son and so if you need more info than whats included here you can always PM or e-mail me...

Diapering Do's and Don'ts

Do hang your diapers in the sun to remove stains. You can hang them in a sunny window in the winter, or if you live in an apartment.

Don't Use bleach or Borax, they will "eat" the fabric, causing the fibers to break down before their time,

Do rinse with vinegar if you need a little help with rising. It removes all traces of detergent and urine. Vinegar is not for everybody though! If you have hard water you may notice your diapers hold the vinegar. In this case, don't use it. Also, if your washer does a second rinse, or you have a front loader, you probably do not need it.

Don't soak, dunk, or rinse your diapers.

Do use cloth wipes. Just throw them in with your diapers, and wash them together.

Don't use Fabric Softener. It will make your diapers much less absorbent.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cloth Diapering

How many do I need?

A newborn will need about 10-12 changes a day for the first few months. After that you will probably do seven to nine changes a day. We suggest at least three dozen prefolds, as a good start. You will need at least 6-8 wraps, and we think a couple of Polar Babies, and maybe an Aristocrat, to use at night. We also suggest two dozen of our wonderful wipes. You won't need to use a wipe every time, just when you have a poopy diaper. That's it! Try one of our starter packages, for everything you need to start using cloth.

Try to think about how often you want to do laundry, consider that a newborn will need about a dozen a day. An older baby will need less.

How do I wash them?

It's almost too simple. Just put the diapers, covers, and wipes together in a pail, preferably in the bathroom. When you get a very poopy diaper, shake it over the toilet. What doesn't fall off will come out in the wash. You don't even need to do this as long as your baby is primarily breastfed, because breastfed poopies are pretty soluble, and they will just wash away.

We suggest a diaper pail with a swinging lid. You can use a kitchen garbage can, no need to buy a fancy pail for this. Just make sure the lid is pretty air tight. No need to soak!

We have three excellent methods for washing:

#1-Your own machine Run a first wash. This wash gets the poop out, and rinses the diapers clean. Use warm or hot water. After the first wash is done. Run a second wash with a 1/4 cup or so of Bac Out. This wash needs to be on cold, as the enzymes in the Bac Out work only in cold water. You might want to do a soak with the Bac Out. If you can set your washer to do this great. If not, just pop open the lid for a few minutes once the washer is full and let those enzymes do their job! If your diapers need a boost, try a little oxygen bleach, color safe bleach( the kind that contains no bleach but is actually hydrogen peroxide), or best of all, put them in the sun for a safe all natural bleaching.

#2-Laundromat or Laundry room If you don't have the luxury of owning your own washer, you can still use cloth diapers. Just run them through the washer twice, as described above. When they are done, separate the covers, and hang them to dry (Your shower curtain rod works great for this.)

#3-Front Loader. Lucky you! Use the sanitary or super hot setting. This setting is usally a very long cycle, lasting one and a half to two hours. It takes the place of doing two washes. Dry as usual.

What kind of soap works best?
We recommend using a phosphate-free detergent, like Country Save. Bio-Kleen works great too. Stay away from so called 'baby soaps' like Dreft, which claim to be safe on baby's delicate skin, yet are full of irritating fragrances. Many of our customers have reported great results with the 'free' detergents.

What about using vinegar?
If you think your diapers are not rinsing well, on the second run add a Downy Ball half filled with vinegar. The vinegar acts as a fabric softener, removes all traces of soap and urine, and corrects the ph level. Vinegar does wonders for diapers! Makes them nice and soft, removes all detergent residues, restores the ph level, and removes any odors. Your diapers emerge from the washer smelling, feeling, and looking great.

Aren't you supposed to soak them first? Or dunk them in the toilet? Or rinse them first? Nope! A generation or two ago people did these things, but washing machines, and diapers have improved a lot!

What is the difference between a wrap and a cover?
Nothing, they are the same thing.

Do I have to pin them?
No! All of our covers hold the diaper securely in place. Pins or Snappis are only needed with Aristocrats.

What is an AIO?
An all-in one diaper. This is a fitted diaper with the cover built in. We don't carry them because we don't use them. In our experience, they take too long to dry, cost way too much, and wear out quickly.

What is DSQ?
Diaper Service Quality. The only true DSQ's are found through mail order, or webstores like us. The so-called DSQ's found in retail chains are birdseye, or gauze. True DSQ diapers are premium twill. The diapers found in stores make great burp cloths, and dolly diapers. But not baby diapers!

Are Chinese Diapers made in China?
Yes! Our diapers are made in China. They are made by a privately owned American - Chinese partnership, using only fair labor practices. Chinese cotton diapers are prized worldwide for their premium quality. See our Prefold FAQ for more on this.

How long will they last?
Your baby will probably outgrow them before they wear out! Old diapers make great cleaning rags too!

How do cloth diapers work?
In a diapering system, you need an absorbant diaper and a waterproof cover.

What is the cheapest quality cloth diapering method?
I use Diaper Service Quality (DSQ) prefolds, fastened with pins, covered with nylon pants. DSQ prefolds are about $25 per dozen mail order, pins are $1.50 for 2 pair; nylon pants are about $2-$4 each. These diapers and covers are supposed to last through two babies.

The diapers in the discount stores are less expensive, ($10-$12 per dozen), but also less absorbant. (Gerber DSQs, found in some stores, are the exception--they are absorbant and long-lasting, though not quite as soft and thick as mail order DSQs.) As the baby gets older, you'll need to double diaper, so you'll need to buy more diapers. You would wind up spending just as much money. Vinyl diaper pants don't breathe well and they crack with age eventually. Nylon diaper pants are nearly indestructible. Dritz brand diaper pins, available mail order and in some fabric stores, work the best.

What other kinds of cloth diapering methods are out there?
Some people are looking for more convenience or want to avoid using pins. For these people there are fitted diapers which attach with velcro or snaps. There are also diaper covers made that attach with velcro or snaps. With an immobile baby, you can lay a prefold in velcro or snap cover and put it on the baby without using pins. There are also all-in-ones, which are a diaper and cover in one, like disposables.

These options are generally more expensive. Sometimes they are more convenient, but sometimes they cause new problems. For example, velcro sticks to itself in the dryer, can wick the urine outside of the cover, and some babies can figure out how to work the velcro. Pinning isn't that hard, in my opinion! But some of these are nice to have on hand for babysitters.

How do you put the prefold at the baby?
This is somewhat hard to describe in writing. Weebees, a cloth diaper company, has instructions with pictures at their website: http://www.weebees.com/web_page/diapering.html

How many diapers and covers will I need?
You can get by with 2 dozen diapers, but 3 dozen is better. With 3 dozen I wash every 3 days. You'll need about 6 covers in each size. (You only need to change the cover when it gets poopy.)

What other equipment will I need?
You'll need a diaper pail for cloth diapers--the stores don't seem to sell these anymore, so look at yard sales, or use any bucket or trashcan with lid. You need a diaper bag big enough for cloth diapers (or just throw your supplies into a backpack with a changing pad). Some nylon ditty bags are nice to have in your diaper bag to put the wet ones in when traveling--you can wash the bag as well!

When the baby gets bigger and eats solid foods, many people use disposable liners to catch the poop.

You'll also need washrags for wipes. You can buy these mail order, or just get a few dozen cheap washcloths from a discount store. Wash them with your diapers.

Do I have to dunk and soak?
You can if you want. But some people let the washing machine do the work. They dump the solids into the toilet and put the poopy diapers through an extra cycle or two in the washing machine to get them clean.

How do I wash them?
Everyone has their favorite method. I wash the poopy diapers in cold with detergent. Then I add the wet diapers and wash on hot with detergent. I then give the diapers an extra rinse with a half-cup of vinegar, which neutralizes the ammonia in the diapers. Then I hang them on the line. Not only does this save energy, it also gets any stains out of the diapers. But it makes the diapers a little stiff, so I run them in the dryer a few minutes to soften them up. Do not use bleach or fabric softener on your diapers! Bleach prematurely wears the fabric, and fabric softener makes them less absorbant.

Where can I get more information?
Theresa Rodriguez Farrisi's 1997 book Diaper Changes (ISBN #0-9656955-5-7) tells everything you would ever want to know.

Better for Baby
First of all, it is important to know why choosing cloth is superior for your baby. According to studies, 78% of disposable-diapered babies have diaper rash, compared to 7% of cloth-diapered babies. Cotton diapers are better for your baby because cotton "naturally breathes", while disposables (made of paper and plastic) don't have the breath-ability that cotton does. Thus, diaper rash occurs in more disposable-diapered babies. As I state in my email signature, "If you had to be in a diaper all day, wouldn't you want to sit in soft cotton?"

Caring for the Earth
As for environmental concerns, using cloth is just plain superior! There is beginning to be quite a problem with disposables in landfills. When using disposables, people generally do not flush solid waste down the toilet (as the instructions on the package recommend). Instead, the waste remains in the diaper and goes off to the landfill. The problem with this is that there is over 5 million tons of untreated solid waste in landfills and they may contain intestinal viruses. It is estimated that there are almost 100 intestinal viruses out there; this is how our groundwater becomes contaminated. Insects transport these viruses around and thus diseases break out.

On the other hand, cloth diapers with solid waste are shaken off into the toilet (or if liners are used, simply flushed down the toilet). The waste is taken care of the way it is meant to, that is, it goes through a sewage treatment center. This ensures that we are not contaminating our earth and each other.

The Savings
As for the monetary value of using cloth, you might be surprised at how much you will save! According to some mothers, you will save on average about $1,500.00! Other mothers who use the most convenient cloth diapers (all-in-ones) save around $1,000. Even other moms save around $2,000.00 when they use an inexpensive cloth diapering system.

On the other hand, when you finish using diapers with your child, you're done. All you have left is a huge mountain of trash. However if you have used cloth diapers, you are ready for the next child, thus saving even more money! Some mothers have purchased a new appliance with the money they have saved using cloth diapers. What a great idea!

Okay, Now How Do I Get Started?
Here comes the fun part! You now know that cloth is better in so many respects, so which products do you choose? Well, there are so many quality cloth diapers out there that it's hard to make a decision! However, it is so much fun to "test" different products. Many of the moms I know who use cloth diapers rave about how they "love cloth diapering." However, I have yet to hear one mother using disposables say the same thing! There are basically three different components of cloth diapering: prefolds, diaper covers and all in ones.

Prefolds are the square, flat diapers you fold. Prefolds are used to soak up urine and to hold solid waste. These are available in a variety of layers and materials. There is cotton flannel, birds-eye cotton and terry material ("terry" is what towels are made of and is super absorbent) used for making prefolds. Prefolds have no outer layer to hold wetness in; therefore these are used with diaper covers or wraps.

Contoured diapers are cut and sewn to resemble an hourglass shape. They are made of the same materials that prefolds are made of. The only difference is their shape; some parents like using these "contoured" or "shaped" diapers better than square shaped prefolds. This is totally a matter of preference. Contoured diapers are also used with diaper covers or wraps.

Fitted Diapers cover baby's entire bottom. To use fitted diapers, just place under baby, bring front up to baby's tummy, and either Velcro® or snap. With fitted diapers, a diaper cover or wrap is still needed to hold wetness in because they do not have any wetness protective layers in them.

How many do I need?
With using prefolds, contoured, or fitted diapers you will need:
10-12 diapers per day for newborns
6-8 per day for older babies

Diaper covers are used with prefolds, contoured or fitted diapers. You simply fold the prefold and place on the cover. Then you bring the diaper and cover under baby (just like using a disposable). Diaper covers either have Velcro®, or snaps to fasten them. Diaper wraps may also be referred to as "pull-ons", meaning that instead of using Velcro® or snaps to fasten, you just pull up over baby. There are some great quality fleece and woolen wraps out there to choose from. Many moms prefer to use these covers or wraps at nighttime because they are so effective in preventing leaks and blowouts. And we love to prevent those little incidents from happening!

How many do I need?
6 are a minimum, 8-10 make life easier!

All In Ones are probably the most convenient cloth diaper on the market today. If you are really used to disposables and are afraid of transition, perhaps you should try using these first. These have layers of absorbent cotton sewn inside and have a nice protective layer preventing wetness from leaking onto the outside of the diaper. You just put on the baby and go! There are also some wonderful all in ones products out there. If you are traveling, shopping, or having Grandma over to help with the baby, try using an all in one. People are always amazed at how they look and function. These are definitely worth the investment. However, some moms prefer to use these minimally because they may be more expensive than using diaper covers/wraps and prefolds. When used every day, the outer protective layer may deteriorate quicker due to washing more often.

How Many Do I Need?
10-12 per day for newborns
6-8 per day for older babies

Miscellaneous Items Used for Cloth Diapering

Doublers are a long, wide strips of cotton (or cotton and terry) layers laid on a prefold or inside of an all in one. These are beneficial because they have all of the absorbency of an extra diaper, but not all the bulk. Doublers are generally used for heavier-wetting babies, for traveling long distances, or for nighttime. Usually moms purchase a few for these occasions; they are nice to have on hand.

Liners are used to eliminate the need to shake off waste in the toilet and to rinse off dirty diapers. There are reusable cotton liners and there are also flushable, biodegradable liners. The cotton liners are reused again after being washed, and the flushable liners are just flushed down the toilet. These are also convenient products to have on hand.

I hope this information has been helpful to you! Cloth diapering has been one of my greatest experiences with my baby. It is my hope that you will appreciate cloth diapering just as much as I have! If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me at . Good luck and happy diapering! Remember, your baby will be so thankful for your decision, and so will your pocketbook!

This information on washing diapers was taken from www.peapods.com:

Anyway, no matter who cleans them, there are a few simple guidelines. First, a few don'ts:

Never use Chlorine Bleach on diapers. It will eat them up and turn them into lint.

Don't use detergents like Ivory or Dreft. Even though they have pictures of babies on them, these detergents won't get your diapers very clean but will make them (and your baby) smell perfumey.

Avoid smelly dryer sheets for the same reason.

Don't wash diaper covers (esp. wool) with the diapers. Most covers should be washed with your baby's other clothes in warm water. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. For wool covers, try using Eucalan detergent.

And, two reminders:

Remember that you'll probably go through about a dozen diapers per day, so you'll want to start off with at least 2 or 3 dozen diapers. You don't want to spend all your time washing diapers.
Also, be sure to wash new diapers twice before using. Cotton diapers need this to quilt up and build absorbency.

After changing your baby, shake out any loose solid material into the toilet right away. This is increasingly important after your baby starts eating solid foods. As your baby has more solid poops, you may want to try using flushable diaper liners.

Then, you can either keep dirty diapers dry in a bag or bin (the dry method) or soak them in water in a 5 gallon bucket with a bit of detergent added (the wet method--see safety note below). I've always preferred the dry method myself because I don't like the idea of lugging a big bucket full of wet dirty diapers down to the basement. The wet method does reduce odors prior to wash day, however.

If you choose the dry method, you might consider getting a large nylon duffle bag or use a kitchen garbage bin (preferably with a lid) to store the diapers in prior to wash day. When it's full, dump them into your machine for a full wash & rinse cycle with detergent using cold water and the highest water level setting. (The cold water will prevent stains from setting in and reduce your energy costs.) Then, wash them again with a full wash & rinse cycle with hot water and add 1/4 of white vinegar during the rinse cycle. (The hot water naturally whitens your diapers and helps kill germs.) Use a little less detergent on the second wash. The vinegar will help remove urine deposits and restore pH. If your machine doesn't have an automatic rinse cycle softner dispenser, consider purchasing a "Downy Ball" (at left) at your local grocery or department store.

If you're using the wet method, the instructions are the same except you don't need to wash twice. Try to get the diapers as clean as you can before putting them in the soaking bucket, though. Swishing them in the toilet with a diaper duck works very well for this.

Safety note: If you use the wet method, be sure to keep a tight lid on the bucket or keep it out of reach of little ones. A bucket with liquid in it can pose a drowning hazard to young children.

As for detergent, we recommend Bi-O-Kleen (which we sell) as the best all-around diaper detergent. Honest, it's really good on diapers and it's great for clothes, too. We've also had some success with Arm & Hammer unscented baking soda detergent, which is available at most grocery stores. To remove those stubborn light mustard stains, try spot treating with Bac-Out Natural Enzyme stain remover.

Now, dry your diapers on medium heat and you're done! Or, to save on energy costs, try line drying the diapers, followed by a final 5 minute "fluff up" in the drier. (Thanks to Andrew, a customer in MN, for that suggestion.)

Here are some links on how to fold a diaper:
http://www.earthbaby.com/diaperfolding.html
http://www.dy-dee.com/html/Folding/folding.html

Bi-O-Kleen:
http://www.earthbaby.com/biokleenlaundry.html
http://www.peapods.com/shop.cgi?page=diaperacc.html&cart_id=7178560_24959#bio

Eucalan Woolwash:
This is the best way to wash anything wool, including wool diaper covers above, wool sweaters, socks, our BabyCare Lambskins, etc. It restores the wool's natural lanolin oil while it cleans.
http://www.peapods.com/shop.cgi?page=diaperacc.html&cart_id=7178560_24959#duck

There are many different types of prefolds (chinese are better IMO), diaper covers and AIOs (all in ones). You can always ask other mamas for which ones they prefer or you may have to test out a few to find out which ones work best for you. Also you can always shop Ebay where they have most of the things you find on these websites for cheaper. If you can find/afford a diaper service they are nice alternatives to having to wash your own diapers. But they can be really expensive. A lot of the information may be repetative but all is worth reading. Also some things like washing a diaper may be different site to site but you will have the same basics.

So any other mamas that have cloth diapered or have some information please share it - likes/dislikes, what kind you used, how you washed them etc...