All About Cloth Diapers- lots of reviews and giveaways
Dirty Diaper Laundry- Video reviews and giveaways of those diapers, this is great because you can see how cloth diapers actually work!
The Cloth Diaper Report- reviews of diapers and other maternity and baby products, giveaways
The Cloth Diaper Whisperer- lots of giveaways and general info on using cloth
Diaper Pin- your cloth diaper questions are answered
Diaper Jungle- resources on 'how to' and FAQs
Showing posts with label cloth diapers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cloth diapers. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Washing Cloth Diapers
Washing diapers is not complicated, but it does have to be done right! And sometimes it takes a little bit to figure out what works for each person because of factors like hard or soft water, type of machine, how often one washes, etc. I can tell you what I do, but it is different from person to person. There are several websites that have tips for washing diapers.I wash every 2 or 3 days begin with a cold rinse and a tablespoon of laundry booster like OxyClean or Tide Stain Release. Then I do a hot wash with 1/2 the detergent recommended. I use All Small and Mighty Free Clear or Purex Free and Clear. If there is any lingering scent I will do an additional rinse.
I hang dry all PUL diapers, like covers and pocket diapers. I dry inserts, fitted diapers, and wipes on hot. When the weather is nice I will hand dry everything outside and sun out stains.(Yes, the sun does take out stains!!!) Then I stuff pockets and sort wipes, covers, and fitted or extra diapers. I put everything away in one of Carmody's dresser drawers until she needs a clean diaper.
I have enough diapers to last about 5 days, but I have some I like better than others so I wash more frequently. Also, the diapers can be harder to clean if they sit too long.
I store the diapers in an open pail in Carmody's room. When it is open the smell isn't bad. I have not had any problems with Eli or Carmody getting in to it, but that could change because Carmody is a moving girl!
I store the diapers in an open pail in Carmody's room. When it is open the smell isn't bad. I have not had any problems with Eli or Carmody getting in to it, but that could change because Carmody is a moving girl!The diaper that Carmody is wearing here is a Flip one-size cover from BumGenius with a Flip microfiber insert!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Cloth Diaper Stash
To see my first cloth diaper post with some basic descriptions go here.
These are the diapers I have and how I like them...
15 infant prefolds- very absorbent, I used these with the thirsties covers when Carmody was very small. I usually just trifolded them and stuck them in a cover. Later I used them as inserts for my pocket diapers and for various mess clean ups.
2 econobum prefolds- these are large and would even fit Eli (my big 2 y/o) if needed.
4 xsmall thirsties covers- Thirsties are my favorite covers. They velcro and have leg gussets. These babies do not leak! They have a dip in the front for the umbilical cord. I used these when Carmody was a newborn.
1 small thirsties cover- I did not use this as much. I used pocket diapers as Carmody fit into them. Thirsties are made of PUL.
2 medium kushies covers- these were hand-me-downs and I don't love them. They are vinyl and do not breathe as well, but they work! I use them over my fitted diapers.
7 small cot'n wrap covers- also hand-me-downs, these have stretched out elastic and some leaking.
15 small fuzzibunz w/ 2 fb inserts- FuzziBunz are pocket diapers. They have a PUL outer and microfleece on the inside. It pulls moisture away from the babies skin to help them feel dry. I do like these, but I don't think I get as good a fit as with the bumgenuis. These fasten with snaps so they don't wear out.
5 BumGenius 3.0 one size w/ onesize and newborn inserts- My night time diaper! I stuff these with a onesize microfiber insert and a hemp insert and never have any leaks. This diaper fits from about 8 pounds until 35 pounds. These do not fit Eli who is 35 pounds, but they are close! They can be snapped down to fit babies from shortly after birth until potty training. BumGenius velcro close. The velcro tabs are starting to wear out, but can be replaced if you are a sewer. (I'm not, but I'm learning!)
4 medium thirsties fitteds- super soft! These are pretty absorbent and fit under all the covers I have. These have velcro.
6 medium happy heinys sherpa fitteds- VERY absorbant and soft, I can use these for a couple hours without a cover, to 'air out' Carmody. They use 4 snaps to fasten. These do not fit under every cover. I have to use certain ones. I love them though!
3 medium swaddlebees fitteds- There are sidesnapping, which is not my favorite, but they do their job! They can be used with any cover.
2 small WAHM fitteds- beautiful designs, but not as functional as I had hoped. They are very trim fitting and fit under any cover.
2 econobum covers- one size PUL cover, can be sized for 7-35 lbs. Uses snaps to close. These are more cheaply made, but have been working for now. They contain messes! I cannot use these covers with the Happy Heiny's diapers.
2 flip covers and inserts- These are also onesize PUL covers that fasten with snaps. They feel more durable and will cover any of my fitted diapers. I have discovered that I prefer velcro covers.
20ish random inserts- hemp, microfiber cotton, various sizes
These are the diapers I have and how I like them...
15 infant prefolds- very absorbent, I used these with the thirsties covers when Carmody was very small. I usually just trifolded them and stuck them in a cover. Later I used them as inserts for my pocket diapers and for various mess clean ups.
2 econobum prefolds- these are large and would even fit Eli (my big 2 y/o) if needed.
4 xsmall thirsties covers- Thirsties are my favorite covers. They velcro and have leg gussets. These babies do not leak! They have a dip in the front for the umbilical cord. I used these when Carmody was a newborn.
1 small thirsties cover- I did not use this as much. I used pocket diapers as Carmody fit into them. Thirsties are made of PUL.
2 medium kushies covers- these were hand-me-downs and I don't love them. They are vinyl and do not breathe as well, but they work! I use them over my fitted diapers.
7 small cot'n wrap covers- also hand-me-downs, these have stretched out elastic and some leaking.
15 small fuzzibunz w/ 2 fb inserts- FuzziBunz are pocket diapers. They have a PUL outer and microfleece on the inside. It pulls moisture away from the babies skin to help them feel dry. I do like these, but I don't think I get as good a fit as with the bumgenuis. These fasten with snaps so they don't wear out.
5 BumGenius 3.0 one size w/ onesize and newborn inserts- My night time diaper! I stuff these with a onesize microfiber insert and a hemp insert and never have any leaks. This diaper fits from about 8 pounds until 35 pounds. These do not fit Eli who is 35 pounds, but they are close! They can be snapped down to fit babies from shortly after birth until potty training. BumGenius velcro close. The velcro tabs are starting to wear out, but can be replaced if you are a sewer. (I'm not, but I'm learning!)
4 medium thirsties fitteds- super soft! These are pretty absorbent and fit under all the covers I have. These have velcro.
6 medium happy heinys sherpa fitteds- VERY absorbant and soft, I can use these for a couple hours without a cover, to 'air out' Carmody. They use 4 snaps to fasten. These do not fit under every cover. I have to use certain ones. I love them though!
3 medium swaddlebees fitteds- There are sidesnapping, which is not my favorite, but they do their job! They can be used with any cover.
2 small WAHM fitteds- beautiful designs, but not as functional as I had hoped. They are very trim fitting and fit under any cover.
2 econobum covers- one size PUL cover, can be sized for 7-35 lbs. Uses snaps to close. These are more cheaply made, but have been working for now. They contain messes! I cannot use these covers with the Happy Heiny's diapers.
2 flip covers and inserts- These are also onesize PUL covers that fasten with snaps. They feel more durable and will cover any of my fitted diapers. I have discovered that I prefer velcro covers.
20ish random inserts- hemp, microfiber cotton, various sizes
Cloth Diapers: Part 1
I have been using cloth diapers for Carmody since she was just a few days old and I LOVE them! I want to share with you the kinds of diapers I use (yes, there are many kinds), what I like and don't like about them, how I wash them, using cloth away from home, and any other questions you may have.
I researched for HOURS and HOURS when I was pregnant. I read reviews and 'how to' guides. I scoured Craigslist to find good deals on used cloth diapers because the upfront cost of diapers is a little high.
Cloth diapers are no longer flats and prefolds, pins and plastic pants, although you can still use those. Diapers are modern! I'll tell you about the options out there.
All in Ones (AIO): These go on just like a disposable. They have a waterproof outer layer and an absorbent layer (cotton, bamboo, hemp, microfiber) sewn in. You fasten them with snaps or velcro.
Pockets: The waterproof outer layer snaps or velcros on and you stuff absorbency into the pocket. These can be customized to be more absorbent. They also dry faster than AIOs because they have 2 parts.
Fitteds: There is no waterproof layer with these and they need a cover. They are made of an absorbent, soft material like cotton, bamboo, hemp, etc. Fitteds fasten with snaps or velcro or can be just placed in the cover. They are shaped like a diaper.
Covers: These are made of a waterproof material like PUL (polyurithane laminate), wool, fleece, vinyl, etc. They are shaped like a diaper and go over fitteds or prefolds. Covers can have snaps, velcro, or pull on.
These are the main options, but there are variations within the catagories.
I researched for HOURS and HOURS when I was pregnant. I read reviews and 'how to' guides. I scoured Craigslist to find good deals on used cloth diapers because the upfront cost of diapers is a little high.
Cloth diapers are no longer flats and prefolds, pins and plastic pants, although you can still use those. Diapers are modern! I'll tell you about the options out there.
All in Ones (AIO): These go on just like a disposable. They have a waterproof outer layer and an absorbent layer (cotton, bamboo, hemp, microfiber) sewn in. You fasten them with snaps or velcro.
Pockets: The waterproof outer layer snaps or velcros on and you stuff absorbency into the pocket. These can be customized to be more absorbent. They also dry faster than AIOs because they have 2 parts.
Fitteds: There is no waterproof layer with these and they need a cover. They are made of an absorbent, soft material like cotton, bamboo, hemp, etc. Fitteds fasten with snaps or velcro or can be just placed in the cover. They are shaped like a diaper.
Covers: These are made of a waterproof material like PUL (polyurithane laminate), wool, fleece, vinyl, etc. They are shaped like a diaper and go over fitteds or prefolds. Covers can have snaps, velcro, or pull on.
These are the main options, but there are variations within the catagories.
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