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Why Should I Consider Using Cloth Diapers?
Submitted by member: Lauren
© 2004 - 2005 do not copy or redistribute
There are several factors to consider when deciding which type of diaper is best for you and your baby. Today's cloth diapers are dramatically different than the cloth diapers in the past. But why would you even consider a cloth diaper when you could use a disposable?
Savings
A baby goes through about 8 -12 diapers a day ~ or about 6,000 - 10,000 diapers before they are potty trained. At $0.30 a diaper, that adds up to about $1,800 - $2,600! By using disposable wipes, it will cost at least another $300. While the initial cost of cloth costs a bit more, in the long run you do save. Even when you add the cost of washing and drying, you will save $1,200 - $2,800 over this 2 - 3 year period!
Did you know that on the package for disposable diapers it says,
IMPORTANT: When disposing of soiled diaper, empty contents into toilet. Do not flush diaper. Please do not litter.
CAUTION: Choking may result from anything babies might put into their mouths. To avoid risk of choking, do not allow baby to tear the diaper. Discard any torn or unsealed diaper. Like most articles of clothing, ________® diapers may burn if exposed to flame. Always keep your child away from any source of flame.
Environment
A baby goes through about 6,000 - 10,000 diapers before they are potty trained. That adds up to over 2 tons of used, non-biodegradable waste per baby! Not only that, the gel used in the disposable diapers retain water, plus absorb even more, causing our water supplies to be tied up. You will only need about 48 - 72 cloth diapers for the entire diapering period! What a difference!
Convenience?
Yes, convenience. Today's cloth diapers are as easy to put on as a disposable. With home-laundered cloth diapers, you'll never have to run out and buy diapers. Just wash them at your convenience. It's only about an additional 2 - 3 loads of laundry per week.
How many cloth diapers will I need?
This depends on how often you intend to wash them and your budget. The typical baby uses 8 - 12 diapers per day. With a supply of 24 diapers, 4 diaper covers and 24 washable liners, you would need to do laundry about every other day. The ideal amount of diapers would be 36 - 48. This way you should be able to go 3 - 4 days between washing diapers.
What other supplies will I need?
Washable liners - great for keeping your diapers free from stains and for adding extra absorbency - a must for nighttime! They are also great for making a diaper more snug. I would suggest you buy about the same amount of liners as diapers, although some prefer to buy less and use them only for nighttime.
Diaper covers - these go over your diaper to keep baby's clothing/bedding dry. I suggest 6 - 8 covers since they should air between uses and this way you'll always have some available, even while doing laundry. For nighttime covers I suggest having at least 2, as these take time to dry.
Waterproof Tote Bag - for the times you're away from home and need something to carry your dirty diapers.
Diaper Pins with Secure Safety-Locking Heads - not needed for our fitted diapers, but great with prefolds.
Diaper Pail - If you plan to use the presoak method in your diaper pail, make sure it has a locking lid, as children have drowned in diaper pails.
Diaper Pail Instructions
Most people prefer a dry diaper pail, but if you prefer to soak your diapers, here's how to do it properly:
Half fill the diaper pail with cold water.
Add 1/4 cup baking soda, vinegar, OR washing soda to the water to help control odors and staining.
Never soak with bleach, detergent or pure soap. This will cause premature breakdown of fibers and wear out your diapers.
ALWAYS keep your pail locked if it contains liquid to prevent drowning.
For both wet and dry methods, follow these instructions:
For wet diapers, throw directly into the diaper pail.
Covers should be kept separately (see directions below).
Breastfed babies will have loose stools that don't require rinsing prior to washing. These can be thrown directly into the diaper pail.
For babies on formula or solids, shake stool into toilet. You may choose to rinse the liner if the poop won't shake off, but this isn't necessary as today's washing machines are very efficient.
If you prefer, you may spray a solution of baking soda and water on the diaper to help cut odor (for the dry pail method). Similarly, you may wish to use a DeoDisk or a cloth wipe soaked in vinegar in the compartment in your diaper pail for deodorizer.
Put in diaper pail.
Continue with washing instructions.
How to Wash Diapers
Washing diapers is really very easy.
If you've been soaking your diapers, drain off excess solution into the toilet. Empty diapers into washer and turn to the spin cycle to get out extra diaper solution. Continue with washing instructions.
You may wish to run your diapers through a cold presoak cycle, depending on the efficiency of your machine.
Wash only 2 dozen diapers at a time. It's best to use a detergent with no phosphates and minimal additives and to use less detergent than listed on the box. Do not use natural soap products as they contain oils that will coat your diapers and make them less absorbent. On diaper covers, natural soap will cause your covers to leak. Problem soaps are All Free and Clear, Dr. Bronners Soap, Bio-Kleen liquid and powder, 7th Generation, Dreft and Ivory Snow. Detergents we do recommend are anything cheap (Sunlight, Era, Tide, Cheer, Sams Choice). Just be sure to use 1/2 of the recommended amount. Do not wash too many diapers at once or pilling will occur from the friction in the washer.
Use a hot or warm wash and a cold rinse with the highest water level. If rashes are a problem, you may wish to double rinse or fill a fabric softener ball with 1/4 cup (or less) of vinegar and drop in at the beginning of the wash cycle (it will open automatically for the rinse cycle) or add it to your automatic fabric softener dispenser. You could also add vinegar manually right after the spin cycle. Vinegar helps get rid of detergent/soap residue. When washing diaper covers with diapers, it is best to skip the vinegar rinse.
Do not use fabric softener or chlorine bleach ~ bleach causes premature breaking of the fibers and fabric softener adds a coating to the diapers that make them less absorbent.
Dry on normal heat for about 60 minutes. To make diapers dry faster, add a dry towel to the dryer. Drying in the dryer helps sterilize the diapers, as does drying in direct sunlight.
Diapers will not reach their full absorbency until washed and dried a few times. This is because the cotton fibers need to be "fluffed up" a bit first.
How to Wash Diaper Covers
Some covers such as the Bummi wraps may be machine washed and thrown into the dryer to dry. But other covers require special care to retain their waterproofing.
Allow covers to air between wearing. Once soiled, they should be rinsed off and stored in a small basket until wash day. They should not be put in the diaper pail with diapers, if you use the presoak method, as this will peel the waterproofing off. Some covers can be machine washed, but should be air dried. An exception is made for wool covers. Check the instructions that come with your covers!
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