Refresh and restore!
Use 1/3 cup vinegar in your rinse cycle to help restore normal pH and soften your diapers.
Use a few drops of essential oil of Rosemary in the rinse cycle to freshen your diapers.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
To bleach or not to bleach
When I first started cloth diapering, I heard many moms chatting about the terror of bleach. To me, it made sense to use it, though, since I knew it would be killing those germs and getting the diapers really clean.
The facts are that bleach isn't good for most diapers out there. It can eat away at the fibers in your diapers and cause holes and fray edges. It can also decrease the absorbency and durability of the diaper, and can decrease the waterproofing in some diapers.
Some brands recommend it; BumGenius, for example, recommends to use 1/4 cup of bleach occasionally to the hot cycle.
If bleach isn't for you, consider using baking soda and oxygen bleach instead. They are both great at whitening the diapers, if you are concerned about that.
The facts are that bleach isn't good for most diapers out there. It can eat away at the fibers in your diapers and cause holes and fray edges. It can also decrease the absorbency and durability of the diaper, and can decrease the waterproofing in some diapers.
Some brands recommend it; BumGenius, for example, recommends to use 1/4 cup of bleach occasionally to the hot cycle.
If bleach isn't for you, consider using baking soda and oxygen bleach instead. They are both great at whitening the diapers, if you are concerned about that.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
What is it?
What is stopping you from cloth diapering?
My husband was hesitant because of the "eww" factor. He thought it would be gross to have to dump the poop and to wash the diapers. Turns out, it isn't that bad. In fact, you are supposed to dump disposable diapers, too.
Once he realized just how much money we are saving, he decided to give it a shot (and heck, I didn't give him much of a choice). In 17 months, we have probably saved more than $1,000. We got many of our diapers as gifts, and others we purchased second-hand, so we don't have too much money in our stash.
So, what's stopping you? Hate the thought of saving all that money? Does it make you cringe to think of being environmentally responsible? Gosh, do you resent the idea of doing what is best for your baby's skin? Well, then cloth diapering probably isn't for you.
Oh wait? That isn't right? You would like to do all of those things? Then maybe you should give cloth diapers a shot! What is stopping you?
My husband was hesitant because of the "eww" factor. He thought it would be gross to have to dump the poop and to wash the diapers. Turns out, it isn't that bad. In fact, you are supposed to dump disposable diapers, too.
Once he realized just how much money we are saving, he decided to give it a shot (and heck, I didn't give him much of a choice). In 17 months, we have probably saved more than $1,000. We got many of our diapers as gifts, and others we purchased second-hand, so we don't have too much money in our stash.
So, what's stopping you? Hate the thought of saving all that money? Does it make you cringe to think of being environmentally responsible? Gosh, do you resent the idea of doing what is best for your baby's skin? Well, then cloth diapering probably isn't for you.
Oh wait? That isn't right? You would like to do all of those things? Then maybe you should give cloth diapers a shot! What is stopping you?
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Tuesday's Tip (6-22-10)
Double up!
As your child gets a little bit older, you might consider doubling up when stuffing their diapers, especially at night.
I typically use a newborn insert as a doubler, and it works great for us. I started this when I realized we were having some night leaks, and we haven't had a leak since I started doing this.
You don't have to use pocket diapers to be able to do this. You can always add an extra strip of absorbent material:)
I often double up when we are going out to run errands, too, just in case.
As your child gets a little bit older, you might consider doubling up when stuffing their diapers, especially at night.
I typically use a newborn insert as a doubler, and it works great for us. I started this when I realized we were having some night leaks, and we haven't had a leak since I started doing this.
You don't have to use pocket diapers to be able to do this. You can always add an extra strip of absorbent material:)
I often double up when we are going out to run errands, too, just in case.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Diaper choices
If you are first starting an exploration on today's cloth diapers, this should help you out.
There are three basic choices to pick from, and and then once you know what kind of diaper you want, then there are a billion more choices to make;)
1) The basic diaper and cover combo: Just like it sounds, this is a diaper that needs waterproof cover to go over it. But don't panic. This isn't the old pins and rubber pants that your grandmother used. These come in cute patterns with Velcro and snaps. Or many people use the old style diaper (prefolds or flats) with the new Snappi, a pretty cool little invention with claws on the end so you never need to use pins. Many of the diapers and covers have Velcro or snaps. I have heard that these are the most economical if you are looking for the cheapest, but I disagree.
2) All-in-ones: Literally as it sounds, this has everything in one package. The diaper is sewn into a waterproof cover or liner, and usually is held together by either Velcro or snaps. (Both have goods and bads about them). The best thing about these are that they are Dad and Babysitter approved because they are just as easy to change as disposable diapers. But rather than throwing them away, you simply toss them into a diaper pail (after dumping any spoiling). I think the most economical would be a One Size all in one, which literally grow with the baby (by means of snaps and settings!).
3) Pocket Diaper: This is somewhere in between the other two options. It is similar to an all-in-one, but has an opening to stuff an absorbent material into. The nice thing about this is that you can take out the pocket liner and it will wash "better" and dry a bit faster. These also have One Size diapers, which again will take you through a newborn to a toddler.
There are three basic choices to pick from, and and then once you know what kind of diaper you want, then there are a billion more choices to make;)
1) The basic diaper and cover combo: Just like it sounds, this is a diaper that needs waterproof cover to go over it. But don't panic. This isn't the old pins and rubber pants that your grandmother used. These come in cute patterns with Velcro and snaps. Or many people use the old style diaper (prefolds or flats) with the new Snappi, a pretty cool little invention with claws on the end so you never need to use pins. Many of the diapers and covers have Velcro or snaps. I have heard that these are the most economical if you are looking for the cheapest, but I disagree.
2) All-in-ones: Literally as it sounds, this has everything in one package. The diaper is sewn into a waterproof cover or liner, and usually is held together by either Velcro or snaps. (Both have goods and bads about them). The best thing about these are that they are Dad and Babysitter approved because they are just as easy to change as disposable diapers. But rather than throwing them away, you simply toss them into a diaper pail (after dumping any spoiling). I think the most economical would be a One Size all in one, which literally grow with the baby (by means of snaps and settings!).
3) Pocket Diaper: This is somewhere in between the other two options. It is similar to an all-in-one, but has an opening to stuff an absorbent material into. The nice thing about this is that you can take out the pocket liner and it will wash "better" and dry a bit faster. These also have One Size diapers, which again will take you through a newborn to a toddler.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Never enough diapers;)
Many people lately have asked me how many diapers someone needs. The answer is simple; you can never have enough. ;)
Seriously, I have about 28 diapers, and would recommend having between 24 and 32. When your baby is a newborn, you are going to be changing him more often, so you might want a few extras around during that time.
With 28 diapers, I do laundry every other day, and still have a few left over to use while the diapers are in the wash. Sometimes, I cut it close. But usually, this method works pretty well.
If you are like me, when you see the new diapers, they are hard to resist!
Seriously, I have about 28 diapers, and would recommend having between 24 and 32. When your baby is a newborn, you are going to be changing him more often, so you might want a few extras around during that time.
With 28 diapers, I do laundry every other day, and still have a few left over to use while the diapers are in the wash. Sometimes, I cut it close. But usually, this method works pretty well.
If you are like me, when you see the new diapers, they are hard to resist!
Wash, wash, wash
I like to wash my diapers every other day. I think doing this keeps them fresh, and it kind of grosses me out to have them hanging around dirty for very long.
I am curious how often you wash your diapers. So.... how often?
I am curious how often you wash your diapers. So.... how often?
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