The Truth About Cloth Diapering
The Truth About Cloth Diapering
Ok, going to level with you here. If you absolutely hate doing laundry: cloth diapering is not for you! That said, cloth diapering is not nearly as difficult as you think it is. No really, it’s so much easier than you are imagining.
Start up cost reality
Yeah, so the up front cost of cloth diapering can be a bit intimidating. With a price tag of $175-$300 it sounds like a lot, but if you count how many diapers your would be buying to cover baby’s booty from 7-36lbs (the size most cloth diapers cover) the cost is close to $1000 per year. In other terms, buying the start up supplies for cloth diapering costs about the same as three large cases of diapers from Costco or a similar bulk buying store.
Considering most kids aren’t 36 lbs until around two or three years of age: you would not need to buy new cloth diapers as they grow but you would need to buy more disposable ones. If they are still needing diapers at that age, this means they aren’t potty-trained by then and you would be spending between 2-3000 dollars on diapers alone until they are.
Yes, there are monthly costs incurred for cloth diapering; but, they are similar to costs for disposable diapers (think wipes, diaper cream, laundry detergent etc) but you don’t have to calculate the cost of actual diapers because you already have them.
So what should I buy to get started?
(Affiliate links included for ease of finding products and for those of us who are more visual like me)
1. Obviously, number one thing you will need is diapers. Part one of the diapers are the waterproof outside cover that keeps baby dry and comfortable. Part two is an absorbent insert placed into a pocket at the back of the cover to absorb urine. These range vastly in price depending on brand and design. You can easily spend an arm and a leg here but it’s not necessary to. Just because a diaper costs more doesn’t mean it would work better. I have tried and loved Alvababy and Babygoal and never had a quality issue with either despite them being some of the cheaper diapers on the market.
When you buy a set of outer covers, they often come with wet/dry bags and always come with microfiber inserts. On average a set of six costs $30-$40 depending on the design used on the fabric for the outer cover. I recommend getting two or three sets to give you time to wash some but still have enough to put on baby while the others are washing and drying (drying takes at least 10-12 hours but more on that later).
2. Paired with the diapers are the absorbent inserts. They always come with microfiber inserts but I have found these to be insufficient for absorbing urine on a baby bigger than newborn size. It is in your best interest to purchase inserts separately that do a better job of absorbing larger quantities of urine. There are a ton of options here but I personally can attest to the below linked bamboo and charcoal inserts. They cost about $30 for 12 so you can go with only one set but I recommend two if you can just so you don’t run out while waiting on laundry.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PR137PW/ref=nosim?tag=hinmanhealing-20
If you have a kiddo like mine that seems to pee through even the most absorbent overnight diapers at night, you can either double up the inserts or add in a booster pad. I used these hemp ones with great success but with a price tag of $38 for five of them, I would only get one set or if you’re trying to keep costs down you can skip them altogether.
3. Next on the list is something that seems optional but; I assure you it is not, unless you like scrubbing poo out of the fibers inside you diaper covers. I personally don’t know anyone who likes to do that or even is really willing to do that. Bamboo liners were the deal maker for me. They may look just like dryer sheets but they are lifesavers in thin, almost see through rectangles. All you do is tear one off the roll and place it between baby’s bottom and the white cloth inside of the diaper. What does it do that is so life changing? It prevents solid waste from getting smashed into the fibers of the diaper, that’s it. When it’s time to change you just fold the liner up like a baby wipe, throw it away then wipe baby’s bottom, replace the diaper and liner and go about your business. Easy peasy. If you know your baby’s poo schedule you can even just put the liner in the diaper you put on them around the time they will need it and not use as many of them. For a price tag of $10 for 100 sheets they last a while anyway and are well worth it for the ease of cleanup they provide.
Speaking of cleanup below are the items you need to clean and maintain your cloth diapers.
1. Wet/dry bags. These give you a place to store unused and used diapers. They come in a variety of styles and sizes so carefully think about which kind(s) would work best for your family and buy enough to make them do what you need them to.
Medium size: I consider these mandatory purchase for successful cloth diapering. These often come in a single unit with sets of diapers but can also be purchased in sets of two for around $10. They come in a set of two for good reason. These bags don’t hold many diapers but they are handy when you leave the house. Pack a handful of ready to use diapers in one bag and tuck those into your diaper bag. Pack the other one empty so you can put soiled diapers into it until you get back home.
Now, the smaller and larger bags are really a matter of preference and how often you plan on doing diaper laundry. Smaller bags are good for just running out to the store in case you have to change while out. Medium ones are good for storing dirty diapers if you’re going to be washing every day. Large bags or pods are useful if you plan to wash every other day or longer between. They hold a lot more and usually have some way to hang on a door so they can be stored out of the way. Size and capacity vary a lot for larger bags so shop around and see what looks like the right fit for you if this is the route you plan on going.
I highly recommend taking the inserts out of the covers before storing them for washing. I also suggest putting the liners in a lingerie bag so they don’t get caught up on the agitator (if you have one in your machine) or lost while washing.
The Below Link Shows a Set of All Three Sizes So You Can See The Difference.
2. Laundry detergent. You must use a laundry detergent that is gentle on the fabrics in order to encourage the longevity of your diapers. Any product that is plant based/ free and clear without strong fragrance will work but one similar to the link below are the best for keeping things clean but still waterproof. This stuff is serious when it says a little goes a long way: one or two pumps per load is sufficient so it lasts a long time for such a small bottle. I definitely just tossed the diapers in with all the other baby laundry to make the most of the detergent as well.
3. Drying rack. You will need a rack to hang your covers and inserts in while they dry. You cannot put them in the dryer. They do best in sunlight because it bleaches stains and smells out of the fabric for you as well as drying faster than inside. You can put them inside if you have to but should still place them by a window to get sunlight. You can use any rack you like but the one below works well for price and space if you’re looking for ideas. Now, cloth diapers take between 10-12 hours on average to dry so you’re going to want to put this somewhere away from kids and animals that would be inclined to try to pull it down or climb it both so the diapers can dry undisturbed and so that no one gets hurt by accident. Mine were always put in the tub of my master bedroom since it was out of the way and near a window but your setup will look different depending on your house and family needs.
That’s it. Seriously, I know it seems like a lot but once you get your setup and rhythm it’s really no harder than any other process you have to do for a baby (think washing bottles, pump pieces etc). Again, if you don’t have the time or desire to add more steps into your process or your laundry hassles this is probably not for you and that is absolutely a valid choice no matter your reasons. I just hope to change the way people think cloth diapers work and maybe help someone who is on the fence to decide one way or the other based on facts rather than how they imagine it going.
FAQs
Q: I’ve seen a sprayer attached to toilets, what is that and do I need it?
A: Yes, those are for pre washing cloth diapers and rinsing solid waste into the toilet. No, you don’t have to get one. Certainly you can if you want to go that route, but it’s a matter of personal choice between that or the liners I described earlier.
Q: Can I wash my diapers with other clothes?
A: Absolutely, as long as you use cloth diaper friendly detergent!
Q: Can you diaper more than one child at a time with the same diapers?
A: Yes you can. They have snap closures that can be adjusted easily while being put on each kid so as long as they fit the size guidelines it’s no problem to share.
Q: What do you do when you’re done using them? (The last baby is potty-trained)
A: As long as they are still in decent condition they resell really well, there are charitable organizations that you can donate them to for moms who cannot afford diapers, or you can pack them away and save them for grand babies or give them to a friend.
Q: What happens if there is a stain on the white fleece side of the diaper?
A: Let them sit in the sun for a day or so and they will usually bleach out again. But even if they don’t stains don’t interfere with the diapers ability to work properly they just don’t look as nice.
Do You have a question of your own? Send me a message, email or pm on Facebook and label it Cloth Diaper Question and I will be happy to answer you or address and further concerns regarding cloth diapering!
Remember every baby and every family is different: what works for me may not work for you and vice versa the goal is to have happy healthy babies and families and however that looks for you is awesome!
Stay strong. Stay healthy. Keep fighting for yourself, you’re worth it.
From: Ame Hinman at Hinman Healing
This is great info!! Thank you so much!!! I was hoping to do cloth diapers for my next kiddo :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy it helped you! This is the information I wish I had when I decided to do cloth diapers with my youngest.
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