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Diapering FAQ
1. What do you need to get started cloth diapering?
2. How do you wash cloth diapers?
3. Whats the recipe for homemade wipe
solution?
4. How do you make homemade deodisks?
5. Hey, I just want to cloth diaper. What is
the simplest, most popular way of doing it?
1. What do you need to get
started cloth diapering?
It depends. First
you need to decide what kind of diapers youd like to
use. The basic options are prefolds (either pinned with pull-on
pants , or in wraps), fitted diapers (these also need covers), or
all-in-ones (diapers that you use like disposables, but wash).
Prefolds are cheapest, all-in-ones or fitted are easier, especially
if you have a wiggly toddler, but the choice is yours. Next consider
how often you want to do laundry, and how many diapers your child uses
in a day. A newborn generally uses 10-12 diapers per day, so if you
want to wash every 2-3 days, three dozen is probably a good number to
start with. If youre using prefolds or fitteds, youll also
need to buy covers8-12 is probably a good number to start with
for a newborn (until babies start eating solids, its inevitable that
poop is going to leak on to the covers fairly often, so younger babies
need more covers than older ones.)
2. How do you wash cloth diapers?
There are several techniquesyou'll
probably develop your own, as you experiment, but here's a method to get
you started.
First, after each change,
dump any loose poop in the toilet (if your baby is not yet eating solids,
you can skip this step). Next you can soak the diapers, either
in a wet diaper pail, or in the washer before you wash your diapers.
Next, wash your diapers in cold (hot water will set stains) with detergent,
baking or washing soda, and if you like, Biokleen BacOut.
After the cold wash, wash again in either warm or hot using detergent and
soda. After the last wash, rinse your diapers again, adding 1 cup
of vinegar, and 10 drops of Tea Tree oil. The purpose of the extra rinse
is to make sure all the detergent is rinsed out and wont irritate your babys
sensitive skin; the vinegar neutralizes the pH of the diapers, again to protect
your baby's skin. Dont use fabric softener on your diapers; it makes
them less absorbent. Some people like to bleach their diapers occasionally
(not more often than once a month) to kill germs and remove stains,
but bleach can damage the fabric, so be careful.
Here's a method for front loading washers:
A cold rinse with nothing added first, then a cold wash with reg
detergent and baking soda, then a hot wash with an extra rinse with
a little detergent and ten drops tea tree oil. I don't use vinegar, because
I'm allergic to it. Also, I have a front loader, so my method will be
different. With a front loader, I don't mind doing the two full washes,
because it uses such a small amount of water each time, but also I don't
have the option of soaking overnight, which works for some people.
Drying diapers in the sun is a good idea because it naturally
fades stains, and saves energy, but using the dryer works too.
Drying covers in the dryer is a sure way to wear them out prematurely--
Don't do it!
There are a lot of opinions about detergent-- many of us
use the same detergent we use for the rest of the family. Some
prefer a "free" type to reduce the baby's exposure to chemicals.
3. What do you use for homemade wipe
solution?
Here are a few recipes:
From easyst:
To every cup of distilled water add:
1 tsp natural baby wash
a few drops of tea tree oil
a few drops lavender essential oil
1 tsp of aloe vera gel or apricot oil (Burt's Bees) or
mineral oil
there are variations you can use with this. I just recently
started using apricot oil instead of aloe vera. The purpose is for
soothing the skin. I just use whatever I have around though. I make this
in large batches (about 8 cups at a time or so) and store it in a large
plastic water jug and keep handy near the changing table. Whenever I
add more damp cloth wipes to my wipe warmer, I pour a little solution over
them.
From abbak
I don't like to leave a tub of water on the changing table,
so I got a squeeze bottle. Fill it up with warm water and a squirt
of baby shampoo. You can also add tea tree oil or lavender. I keep
the squeeze bottle on the table with the dry wipes, then just squirt
the liquid on the wipe or on the bottom (whichever is needed LOL). I also
got a little squeeze bottle to keep in the diaper bag with a couple of
dry wipes. It's nice, because that way the water doesn't get musty and
I don't have to change it, etc. Just refill the bottle and I'm good to go.
From kaz01
(you can make a smaller batch dependent on the size container.
I use a gallon jug with a childproof cap and just pour it into my
wipes container with the wipes. This recipe makes 1/2 gallon)
1 cup aloe vera gel (I always use the clear, uncolored variety)
8 cups hot water
8 drops tea tree oil
shake well
From meganecoriale
12 oz water, 1 tablespoon baby oil, one tablespoon
baby soap or shampoo... I have not yet adapted a 'formal'
solution for use with our baby wash cloths, I just 'eyeball'
it. This solution was originally made for use with a half roll of paper
towels so that you could throw the used wipes away.
4. How do you make homemade
deodisks?
To make homemade deodisks, use baking soda and water
(enough for a thick paste) with a few drops of tea tree oil and a
scented oil like peppermint, orange, lavender, etc. I use orange
since it's the cheapest and I like the smell. Put the mixture
in paper cups or other small paper/plastic containers and let them
dry. These can be put in with the diapers and go in the wash. If I run
out of these I just dump some baking soda straight into the pail after
I get several diapers in it.
5. Hey, I just want to cloth diaper.
What is the simplest, most popular way of doing it?
Buy 2-3 dozen premium prefolds in an appropriate size. Buy 4-6
velcro wrap covers. Obtain a diaper pail. It is important to buy your diapers
and covers at a good on-line store, as the quality will be far superior to
what you can find in department stores. See our list of recommended
sites. Beyond ensuring that you are purchasing from a reputable and
quality diaper retailer, the specific choice of products and brands is
just a matter of personal preference, and you shouldn't stress over it.
You will learn as you go what you like and don't like. This entire simple
system will probably cost you less than $200.
Fold your diaper into a wrap (there are good instructions
here
), set your baby on it, and close the velcro.
As you become familiar with cloth diapering, you can add other pieces
that fit your particular needs.
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