Category: Cloth Diapers

The biggest question I had was when do I need to strip my diapers and how.  Diapers don’t need to be stripped until they start to smell even after washing or become less absorbent.  They should not be stripped unless necessary as regular stripping can break down the waterproofing/water resistance of the diapers as well as damage the elastics if done too frequently.  Another reason to strip would be if you are switching laundry detergents for your diaper or you are noticing your little one is beginning to get a rash from the diapers.  Generally it is a good idea to strip any new diapers before using them which will help them be more absorbent.

The reason they can start to become less absorbent is that some materials can build up a waxy coating from use.  This is what needs to be stripped away.

The rash can be due to either an ammonia build up or the detergent isn’t rinsing clean from your diapers.

There are many different ways out there to strip diapers, but some should not be attempted as they will void your diaper warranty and could damage your diapers.

Methods to avoid:
In the dishwasher – Nature Bumz has put together a good post as to why you shouldn’t do this

If they are a pocket diaper or all in one or similar style that does not need an additional cover, then do not boil them as it will melt your PUL.

Do not use bleach unless it is an absolute last resort as this will break down your diapers.

Stripping Methods:
1-2 drops of original Dawn up to 1 tsp max (do not use any more than this as you will have way too many suds in your machine) in the washing machine with your diapers on a wash cycle.  If you use this method you need to keep running rinse cycles until there are no suds or bubbles showing in your machine.

You can also use dish detergent to wash them by hand and you will need to scrub each insert with a small scrub brush or toothbrush to scrub the fleece. Then rinse, rinse, rinse until the water runs clear.

Use a stripping agent – RLR, Laundry Tarts, Rockin Green and follow directions on package.  These you use directly in your machine.

My favourite if you have ammonia issues is Rockin Green Funk Rock.

Hanging your diapers on the line in the sun also helps to strip them some.

If you are still having issues after any of these methods then you may need to strip your washing machine using either one of the washing machine cleaning tabs or you can do it using baking soda and vinegar or baking soda and lemon juice.  Diaper Hyena has the instruction for doing this without a cleaning tab.

Which method is your favourite?

This is the big question everyone has.  I know I read a lot of blogs when we decided to consider cloth diapers for our little one.  I started reading months and months before Paige was born, and even still I am looking for more information.

My biggest question at the start was what do I need.  I received many different answers on this and it was valuable information.

What we had to start:
19 cloth diapers – this seemed to be enough for us if diapers were done every other day, we did have some disposables for backup as well just in case
20 cloth wipes – this gave us more than enough so that we could also use them for hand and face washing
cloth diaper friendly bum cream
flushable liners – didn’t need these and only used them once (can’t flush them since we are on septic and we thought they made diapers changes kind of gross).  
disposable inserts – these were handy when my daughter got a rash that only zinc would clear up and to make it easier during the first few days of cloth diapering
1 wet bag – definitely needed at least 2, but 3 is preferable so you can one for dirty diapers at home, 1 when the first one is being washed and 1 for the diaper bag
diaper sprayer – couldn’t live without this


While we had chosen to go with pocket diapers and a couple AIO, we chose to try out a variety of diapers.  Our first diapers were of various makes and models.  We tried one size fits all and sized systems, diapers with adjustable leg elastics and those that weren’t, aplix and snaps, cotton, fleece, bamboo, microfiber.  I would definitely recommend doing this as the diaper you think you might like might not be the best fit for your little one.  Even as our daughter has grown our favourites change and we still have 6 different brands of cloth pocket diapers in our stash that we rotate.

As for number of diapers, I think that will be a personal preference, since I don’t mind washing them every other day.  I have found now that our stash is about 18 diapers and my daughter doesn’t need changing as often that I only have to wash diapers every 3rd day or so now.  Also don’t start off with too large of a stash since you will see new ones you like the pattern or colour of, or a different style you may want to try after you start cloth diapering.  To keep cloth diapering cost effective you don’t want to have too large a stash or else it can become rather costly.

We chose to go with cloth wipes and just use water for diaper changes.  We didn’t want to expose our little ones bum to anything that might cause a reaction.  Cloth wipes are super easy, since you are already doing laundry for the diapers so just tuck the wipes in the wet bag as well for laundry day and they can all be washed together.

Flushable inserts could come in handy when out and about with a dirty diaper.  I tend to take extra cloth wipes with us so if there is a dirty diaper I just lay that in the diaper before I fold it up to go into the diaper bag and then I can spray it down when we get home.

We don’t have a diaper pail, we just use the wet bag.  We chose to get wet bags that zipper closed.  Wet bags are also handy for wet clothing rather than using a plastic bag and handy for at the pool.

As for bum cream, there are many cloth diaper friendly creams out there.  Just make sure to avoid anything with zinc or beeswax as these can plug up your diapers.

A diaper sprayer is not a necessary item as you can dunk the diapers in the toilet and have a scrub brush in the bathroom if you wanted instead.  I feel a diaper sprayer makes cloth diapering just as easy as disposables since it takes 2 seconds to spray the diaper and you have to wash your hands after a change anyways so you are already headed to the bathroom.  It might give you a few laughs at first (bathroom sprayed down!) but in the long run it makes life much easier.

It can be a bit overwhelming once you make the decision to cloth diaper.  There are so many different types and brands out there to decide from.  The best thing to do first is go to an actual store that sells cloth diapers and talk to them and see what the different types look and feel like and how they work.  From there you can decide on the type of cloth diaper you would like to go with.  Some like to have a variety of styles, I prefer to stick to pretty much one style that was about ease and convenience so that I could get my husband on board.

Types of Diapers

AIO (All-in-ones)
These are cloth diapers that are just that, they have everything you need all in one.  They are the closest thing you can get to a disposable.  There is nothing to stuff or pull apart, no pins and no covers.  You just put the diaper on and take it off once wet and throw in your diaper pail or wet sack until wash day.  The exterior layer of these diapers is either waterproof or water resistant.
Pros
Easy on and off system (generally hook & loop aka velcro)
No need for covers or pins
Generally a trim fit
Cons
They take a long time to dry
Not as easy to adjust absorbency
Most expensive option

AI2 (All-in-two)
Very similar to AIO’s except the absorbent insert either snaps in or lays in the centre of the outer shell.  These can be an economical option since the outer layer can be used multiple times throughout the day while only the insert is changed out.  The cover is either waterproof or water resistant.
Pros
Easy on and off system
No need for pins
Generally a trim fit
Able to adjust absorbency to suit needs
Don’t require the same number of covers as inserts
Cons
More expensive than flats

Pocket Diapers
They are just as the name says, they have a pocket that you stuff your absorbent inserts into.  Once they are stuffed some brands do not require un-stuffing for washing, so another great choice when trying to get your husband on board with cloth diapering.  These come in both hook and loop and snap options.  The exterior layer is either waterproof or water resistant.  Each time the diaper is changed, all of it is changed – cover and insert.
Pros
Easy on and off system
No need for pins or additional covers
Generally a trim fit
Can get these in a One Size fits all
Able to adjust absorbency to suit needs
Some can be used like an AI2
Cons
One of the more expensive options
The inserts generally need to be unstuffed for washing which can be gross for some parents

Hybrids
These are one of the most popular options.  These are generally a waterproof or water resistant cover which can be used with disposable inserts or cloth inserts. Insert is laid on top of the outer cover like an AI2.
Pros
Easy on and off system
No need for pins or additional covers
Generally a trim fit
Able to adjust absorbency to suit needs
Daycare friendly
No un-stuffing required
Cons
Waste is still generated – albeit a much lesser amount
Difficult to adjust absorbency with disposable inserts

Fitted Diaper
These are similar to AIO’s, but do not have a waterproof layer so they usually require a cover of some sort.  These are popular for people looking for organic materials and more absorbent diapers.
Pros
Easy on and off system
No need for pins
The cover can be reused throughout the day if it is clean
Cons
Not as daddy friendly since it requires a diaper and cover

Prefolds/Flats
These are the traditional diapers most people think of when they think cloth diapering.  They are the most economical choice and require some type of fastener and cover.
Pros
Can be made at home easily out of any large piece of material (ie receiving blanket if needed)
Economical
Can be hand washed much easier than the others
Easily adjust to fit any size baby or child
Do not need a cover for each flat as it can be reused throughout the day if clean
Cons
Require a cover and pins or fasteners
Much bulkier than some of the other options


Which style of diaper do you prefer and why?  I would love to hear more pros and cons to these options and why you chose the one you did.  Do you have a favourite brand?  We chose to go with pocket diapers due to the ease of putting them on and taking them off and they tend to dry relatively quickly on the line.  We get a great fit with these too.

With this being Real Diaper Week I thought this is the best time to start writing about cloth diapering as I had mentioned I would do before.

There are many reasons people choose cloth diapering – environmental, cost, chemical exposure, sensitive baby, etc.  Real Diaper Association has a great number of facts on their site which I recommend reading.  Here are just a few facts to pique your interest.

A baby will go through approximately 5,000-6,000 diapers in the first 2 years.  This amounts to a large amount of waste sitting in landfills as it is estimated it will take anywhere from 250-500 years to decompose.  And it is not just the waste sitting in landfills but the waste generated in their production and the use of natural resources.  A disposable diaper uses 2 times the amount of water to produce than it takes to wash a cloth diaper.

Cloth diapering in the long run will cost a great deal less, although it may seem more expensive at the onset.  We have spent approximately $400 for all of our cloth diapers which will be reused many times for our daughter and should we choose to have another child we will already have the diapers.  Standard disposables are roughly $.40/diaper and compostable/”eco friendly” disposables are $.70-$.80/diaper.  Over a diapering lifetime per child it will cost you roughly $2,000-$2,400 for standard diapers and $3,500-$4,800 for “eco-friendly” disposables.  Cloth diapering can cost less than what we have spent and it can cost considerably more depending on types of diapers and brands chosen.  It would be great in Canada if our food banks were able to provide cloth diapers to their families in need rather than disposables since a pack of cloth diapers would go much further.  There have been some recent articles circulating the internet about low income families drying out disposable diapers to reuse them as they can’t afford to buy more.

Cloth diapers are made with natural fibres, while disposable diapers are made with synthetic materials and plastics as well as fragrances and chemicals to make them look and smell nice.  Some of the chemicals in disposables have been known to cause allergic reactions in some little ones.

It is said that cloth diapered babies will potty train sooner, I am not sure about this one as some of the cloth can feel pretty dry to the baby while the insert is soaked.

Everyone chooses what works best for them.  We chose to cloth diaper for environmental reasons as well as the cost factor.  I also think they look pretty darn cute on our little one, especially under her skirts and dresses come summer.  The only problem now is I think I may have an addiction to fluff!  And yes my husband is very pro cloth now as well (and yes he does change diapers!).

In her cloth diaper and tutu