Why choose cloth diapers for your baby? They are easy to use, economic, and with proper care, not smelly at all!
I have used cloth diapers at some point with each of my four children. My first, we cloth diapered nearly exclusively until she was one. My second and third kids we chose to do cloth at home and disposables on the go.
The fourth kid is only a few months old and rocking the fluffy bum. In these economic times, I do not think we’ll be headed back to disposable diapers any time soon. Let me tell you why cloth diapers are not only Grandmas way of diapering her baby. They are instead a practical and economic choice for families today.
Stick around for my favorite diapers and wash routine!
Cloth or not to cloth???
If you clicked on this post you may be at least considering cloth. Let’s assume I’m not trying to convince you to switch. Rather, I am problem-solving with you to make the whole experience more enjoyable.
There is a lot to consider with cloth diapers and a little bit to learn about the process. Once you understand the rhythm it is just as simple as running an extra load of laundry every few days.
Save Money using Cloth Diapers
We’re all looking to save a couple bucks these days. A major expense for families with small children will be diapers and diaper supplies. For example at Costco today a box of Size 3 Kirkland diapers is $44.99.
Throw in a box of wipes and you’re looking at a grand total of $64.98 of your monthly income going toward something you are planning to throw away. If you have two kids in diapers, it adds up fast.
In the six years we have been using cloth, our total investment in diapers is approximately $300. This includes cloth diaper “gear.” We are still using cloth diapers that we bought for our first child.
Four kids later, everything is holding up great! I think it comes down to purchasing quality materials the first time.
Different Materials and Styles of Cloth Diapers
In my opinion, there is a right way to do cloth diapers. Simple is better. Creating a system of washing and folding that is easy will ensure your success with cloth diapers. Over the years I have tried and tested nearly every combination of cloth diapers.
Allow me to simplify the whole process, the main idea is that a diaper needs two parts. Some type of absorbent inside stuffing and a water resistant cover to hold everything together.
The tricky part is that there are, give or take, 3,000 combinations of those two elements. My personal favorite combo- is a single organic cotton flat folded and stuffed into a pocket diaper. A close second would be the flat and snap cover.
What is the best cloth diaper system?
- Diaper flat and covers
- Pocket diapers with an organic cotton insert
A flat is a square piece of cotton fabric. When used as a diaper, you’ll have to fold it into a smaller rectangular shape. This is necessary to fit it into the diaper cover or pocket diaper.
A huge benefit to using flats is that they wash up and dry so quickly! Other styles of diapers can be bulky. They have multiple layers of fabric that take a few cycles to dry thoroughly.
Some materials can gather a build up detergent and ammonia, making them difficult to wash easily. That is not a problem I have encountered using flat diapers. So how the heck do I wash the diapers?
Diapers I love- check out some of my favorite products!
My favorite Flat
Wet Bags
Covers and Pocket diapers
Cloth diapers- will I be doing laundry forever?
I can confidently answer this as- yes, you will. We will all do laundry forever and ever amen. Adding an extra load 2-3 times a week should not deter you from switching to cloth diapers! IT IS SO EASY!
Prewash
Every 3-4 days I will do diaper laundry. Here’s how it goes- I take the whole wet bag and turn it out into the washing machine.
As I’ve been changing diapers, I will separate the inserts from the covers. I rinse out anything major into the toilet. I store the inserts and covers in a wet bag until wash day. Breastfed baby poo is water soluble. There is no need to rinse these diapers before washing. Once your babe starts solids rinsing is as simple as a swish in the toilet!
Wash and repeat
The first wash should be a normal cycle with a small amount of detergent. I use a few tablespoons of Kirkland Free and Clear, Tide detergent is a popular choice too. After the first wash leave all the diapers in the machine and run it again.
This time, run your machine on hot. Use a Heavy Duty setting with the recommended amount of detergent for a heavily soiled load.
Finish with a rinse with no detergent. My machine has a setting for an extra rinse. Your diapers should come out of the wash smelling fresh and not at all like urine.
If they’re funky after the wash you may want to run a Heavy Duty cycle again will less detergent.
Dry!
There you have it! The decision to hang dry or tumble dry is up to you. Your diaper covers will last longer if you hang them to dry. I love hanging them in the sun to dry. The sun works magic on any stains too!
How to Wash Cloth Diapers
- After use rinse and toss into wet bag/diaper pail.
- First wash-normal, warm water, 2-3 TBS detergent.
- Second wash- hot, heavy duty, recommended detergent for heavily soiled load.
- Rinse- no detergent, warm or hot.
- Hang covers to dry, tumble dry inserts.
It is so simple!
Cloth diapers are so easy. After the initial investment they will pay for themselves in a few short months. Save yourself some money and switch your babies to cloth diapers!
Tell me in the comments if you have been considering cloth diapers. Ask any questions you can think of! More diaper content is coming up!
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