Cloth Diapering 101 (it's easier than it seems)
*Update 3/21: I have been getting requests to write about using cloth wipes too! Scroll down to the bottom of the post to see the updated information (:*
Hello everyone!
Sorry I have been so absent from this. My school work load last term plus extra projects I became a part of and being a mama and wife just really took up all of my time. I'm deciding to take a break from the coronavirus and climate change news to do this hopefully informational post about cloth diapering! (Side note: cloth diapering during the coronavirus pandemic has honestly been a blessing because I heard stores are being wiped out in diapers and wipes).
I actually didn't start cloth diapering my son until he was 13 months old. I wanted to start it way sooner (like when he was first born) but I let a bunch of excuses get in the way of me actually doing it. I honestly feel silly for that now because of how easy it actually has been! So, I hope this post can help soon-to-be parents or parents of young ones still in diapers make the transition to cloth diapering if that's something you've been interested in!
First, let's talk about money. Even though you will ultimately save money in the long run from cloth diapering, it can be an expensive endeavor in the beginning as you're building up your supply to make it worth it. We use the original BumGenius insert diapers and if we bought those brand new it would have easily cost us at least $400 for the amount of diapers we have now. If you are in the position to buy all your cloth diapers brand new then by all means go for it! But for us that can't do it, a GREAT place to look is the BumGenius Buy/Sell/ Trade group on Facebook. That's where I got mine and the woman I bought them from gave me her whole stash, about 30+ covers and inserts (including 2 giant wet bags to store the dirty ones) for $250 after shipping. That made the transition much more affordable. So, if cost is something that has gotten in the way of committing to cloth diapering, try to see about getting them used.
Second, how do you care for them? A lot of parents have different ways and reasoning for washing their cloth diapers they way that they do, you will probably do it a few different ways in the beginning until you find something that works best for you. This is how I do it:
Hello everyone!
Sorry I have been so absent from this. My school work load last term plus extra projects I became a part of and being a mama and wife just really took up all of my time. I'm deciding to take a break from the coronavirus and climate change news to do this hopefully informational post about cloth diapering! (Side note: cloth diapering during the coronavirus pandemic has honestly been a blessing because I heard stores are being wiped out in diapers and wipes).
I actually didn't start cloth diapering my son until he was 13 months old. I wanted to start it way sooner (like when he was first born) but I let a bunch of excuses get in the way of me actually doing it. I honestly feel silly for that now because of how easy it actually has been! So, I hope this post can help soon-to-be parents or parents of young ones still in diapers make the transition to cloth diapering if that's something you've been interested in!
First, let's talk about money. Even though you will ultimately save money in the long run from cloth diapering, it can be an expensive endeavor in the beginning as you're building up your supply to make it worth it. We use the original BumGenius insert diapers and if we bought those brand new it would have easily cost us at least $400 for the amount of diapers we have now. If you are in the position to buy all your cloth diapers brand new then by all means go for it! But for us that can't do it, a GREAT place to look is the BumGenius Buy/Sell/ Trade group on Facebook. That's where I got mine and the woman I bought them from gave me her whole stash, about 30+ covers and inserts (including 2 giant wet bags to store the dirty ones) for $250 after shipping. That made the transition much more affordable. So, if cost is something that has gotten in the way of committing to cloth diapering, try to see about getting them used.
Second, how do you care for them? A lot of parents have different ways and reasoning for washing their cloth diapers they way that they do, you will probably do it a few different ways in the beginning until you find something that works best for you. This is how I do it:
- Wash the diapers on a regular wash cycle with cold water and no detergent
- Wash the diapers on a regular wash cycle (yes again) with hot water and detergent
- Just do a rinse cycle with cold water and no detergent
- Hang dry the inserts (if you are using BumGenius, check with the brand your using if the inserts can be put in the dryer)
- Put the inserts in the dryer and dry them on very dry
- I wash the wet bag as well with the diapers and hang dry it with the inserts because it can definitely get gross
That's pretty much it!
Important note: You have to use a very sensitive detergent for the diapers. Something that is specifically for babies or sensitive skin that does not have a scent. I use Dropps (https://www.dropps.com/ ) for all of my laundry detergent (and dishwasher) needs! They have a special detergent that is just for newborn clothes and can be used for cloth diapers as well! I use them because they are completely plastic free. The pods are made without harsh chemicals and they aren't wrapped in plastic and they come in a completely recyclable (or compostable) cardboard box. It has been an affordable and easy sustainable switch! We have never had issues with our son getting a rash from this detergent.
Other things you should know about cloth diapering that are good to keep in mind:
- Cloth diapers are easy to travel with, but I would recommend getting a smaller wet bag to store the dirty ones. Marley's Monsters (https://www.marleysmonsters.com/) makes reusable wet bags and they have the cutest prints and so many to choose from! Plus they are located in Eugene, Oregon, so that is a good way to support local Oregon businesses!
- I had a lot of moms tell me that their babies and younger toddlers can be in cloth diapers for 2-3 hours (just pee), that has not been the case with my son. He will get a rash if he stays in a dirty cloth diaper for too long. I pretty much change him as soon as he needs it to avoid that.
- You can't put diaper cream directly onto the BumGenius insert! It ends up ruining the material, so keep that in mind!
- We also don't have him in cloth diapers over night. Again because of the rash, but also it normally leaks through if he pees quite a bit during the night. I think cloth diapering younger babies at night would be fine because you are constantly changing them throughout the night.
- We use Dyper (https://dyper.com/) which are compostable diapers made from bamboo! They are amazing. Soft, durable, no weird smell, and they keep my son dry and rash free.
- For the poopy diapers, you will have to get as much of it into the toilet as possible. For extra messy ones, I would suggest getting a bidet of some kind to be able to spray it down before putting it into your washing machine.
- If your little one is in daycare, they may still be open to using cloth diapers! Just ask them and if they aren't you can still do it at home to cut back on putting disposable diapers into the landfill
Honestly, that's really it! It's a pretty easy transition, especially once you get the hang of it. Don't let excuses get in the way of you living a more sustainable lifestyle. There will always be reasons to not do anything and everything in life, but once you decide to just start making the transitions, you'll wonder why you ever waited so long to start.
Let's talk about cloth wipes
Reusable cloth wipes are a great alternative to disposable wet wipes if you are trying to count down on the amount of waste you generate! I buy my cloth wipes from Marley's Monsters (link above) and they have been amazing! Very soft and durable. You can buy them either in plain white or patterns. They have patterns for girls, boys, and a gender neutral mix and match package. The least amount of cloth wipes you can buy are a 12 pack for $18. If you want to buy in bulk, you can get a 24 pack for $34 or a 40 pack for $50.
How to care for them:
Let's talk about cloth wipes
Reusable cloth wipes are a great alternative to disposable wet wipes if you are trying to count down on the amount of waste you generate! I buy my cloth wipes from Marley's Monsters (link above) and they have been amazing! Very soft and durable. You can buy them either in plain white or patterns. They have patterns for girls, boys, and a gender neutral mix and match package. The least amount of cloth wipes you can buy are a 12 pack for $18. If you want to buy in bulk, you can get a 24 pack for $34 or a 40 pack for $50.
How to care for them:
- Wash the wipes on a regular wash cycle with cold water and no detergent
- Wash the wipes on a regular wash cycle (yes again) with warm water and detergent (again I recommend using the Dropps newborn pods)
- Do a rinse only cycle with cold water to finish
- Tumble dry in dryer
Marley's Monsters also gives instructions on how to wash them on the package, but this is what I like to do. Again, you can play around with how you wash them until you find something that works best for you!
Other things you should know about using cloth wipes
- You can definitely take them on the go, but definitely bring that wet bag!
- For on the go use, bring a spray bottle with just warm water or warm water and the homemade solution that you use. Spray either your child's bum or the cloth wipe and ta-da! That's it!
- I store our clean cloth wipes in a decorative, small wooden crate and the dirty ones in a white metal pale from Ikea
- Marley's Monsters (seriously they are amazing and have everything) has cloth wipe containers for easy use!
- Some parents are able to use only warm water to wipe their child's bums, but that gives my son a rash if I do it too many times in a row with diaper changes
- Marley's Monsters also has a "cloth wipe baby solution" recipe on their package that you can use to help reduce rashes if you start to experience the same problem
- They also have for sale (which I just bought, but have not tried them yet so I can't give any recommendations) "Cloth Wipe Bits" -- Below is exactly what it says about them on their website:
{Now in a biodegradable cardboard packaging!
Urban Oreganics' *mildly scented* calendula infused soap bits are the perfect addition to the cloth wipes you use to clean your little one's precious bum. The ingredients were carefully chosen to soothe, relieve itch and irritation, as well as moisturize your baby's skin. (bags include approximately 125 bits)
Each multi-purpose cube can also be used as a cloth menstrual pad cleanser, single-use guest soaps, or when traveling and exploring the great outdoors - just add a little water and lather up!
FORMULA & BENEFITS:
✧ organic pure virgin coconut oil: hydrates and conditions, retains moisture, anti bacterial
✧ non-GMO vitamin e oil: protects and repairs
✧ organic aloe vera juice: soothes irritated skin, retains moisture
✧ organic raw shea butter: retains moisture, anti inflammatory, soothes irritated skin
✧ organic calendula oil: anti inflammatory
✧ organic calendula petals: anti inflammatory
✧ organic pure virgin coconut oil: hydrates and conditions, retains moisture, anti bacterial
✧ non-GMO vitamin e oil: protects and repairs
✧ organic aloe vera juice: soothes irritated skin, retains moisture
✧ organic raw shea butter: retains moisture, anti inflammatory, soothes irritated skin
✧ organic calendula oil: anti inflammatory
✧ organic calendula petals: anti inflammatory
TO USE:
Dissolve one cube in one cup hot water, pour the solution over cloth wipes in a warmer/container or in a spray bottle for on-the-go use! For maximum longevity, store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.
Dissolve one cube in one cup hot water, pour the solution over cloth wipes in a warmer/container or in a spray bottle for on-the-go use! For maximum longevity, store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.
Urban Oreganics handcrafts the highest quality bath & beauty products in Portland, OR. Their handmade creations are lovingly fashioned in small batches and tested on friends and family, never on animals.} *They are currently sold out of this item at this time and with the COVID19, I'm not sure when they will be restocked*
That's it for cloth wipes! Deciding to make the switch can be challenging, but once you start it really is easier than you think!
If you are a parent that cloth diapers (or uses cloth wipes) and want to add anything to this post in the comments please do so! And if you are a new parent wanting more information about cloth diapering, just post a comment and I'll make sure to respond (:
I hope everyone is staying mentally and physically healthy during these wild times.
~Sadie~
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