Why Cloth Diaper?

Cloth diapering will save you money. (Yes with the cost of electricity and water included). The price is so significant that you will wonder what you’ve been waiting for (or why you didn’t cloth diaper with your first child).

• The average family spends approximately 2,700 a year diapering one child with disposables. (Two children would be a cost of about $5,400 to diaper.)
• The average family spends about $1,500 a year cloth diapering a child.
• You can reuse your cloth diapers for the next child!
• Unlike disposables, there is a high resale market for gently used cloth diapers. Some diapers may resell for more than the original purchase price!
• Because of the wicking action in cloth diapers (as well as no harsh chemicals or perfumes) diaper rashes are hard to come by while using cloth diapers, when used properly.
• Disposable diapers contain chemicals such as dioxin, which is linked to many different forms of cancer.
• 18 billion disposable diapers a year fill our landfills, taking as much as 500 years to decompose.

Overall, cloth diapers are better for your baby, your pocket books, and the environment. You can’t go wrong with all the benefits.

Varities of Cloth Diapers

All in 2s – All in Twos work and look like disposables and contain a waterproof layer made with a breathable fabric called PUL. Inside is hidden with thin, absorbing layers.Snapped into place (the 2nd part of an “All in Two”) is an absorbing soaker. Having your diaper in two parts will help speed drying time, cutting electric costs.

Pockets - Pockets are like an All in Two, but do not contain a snap in liner, but instead a pocket where you can stuff with an absorbing material such as an insert or doubler.

Fitteds - are a cute absorbing diaper that requires an outer cover. They fit trim against your baby’s body. Many parents do not utilize a cover while around the house.

Prefolds – The flats of “Yesterday”. These require different folding techniques to fold onto your baby, and applied with snaps or a snappy. Prefolds, like fitteds, require a cover.

Soaker – (not to be confused with the snap in soakers inside of Fitteds and All-in-Twos). Soakers are covers for your diapers made from wool or fleece. Wool is a popular choice as it has natural cleaning agents and only needs to be hand washed every so often.

Caring for my Cloth Couture

Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Taking care of cloth diapers is easy and no more difficult than disposable diapers. After each use, place cloth diaper in a diaper pail. If needed, you may rinse extra waste off into your toilet with a diaper sprayer. (Or, if a liner is used, simply dropped into the toilet). If this extra step is too much, then skip it.

Washing:
Pre-rinse on cool. This will help rid your diapers of extra waste and help work away potential stains. Wash on warm. Make sure you do NOT use fabric softener. Fabric softener will leave a residue on your diapers that will repel liquids, taking away the absorbing action. Wash with a cloth diaper safe, all natural detergent. Cloth Couture recommends “Crunchy Clean” on diapers as they are all natural and come in a large variety of different scents. If you are having “stink” issues, adding a few extra drops of Blue Dawn or Bio-Kleen’s “Bac-Out” will help. Also, add a few drops of Tea Tree Oil. It smells great and is a natural antiseptic and disinfectant.

Re-Rinse. Always re-rinse. This will help wash away extra remaining residue while cleaning. Cloth Couture recommends ¼ cup white vinegar in the rinse, with a few drops of lavender oil.

Drying:
Dry on low is much better for your cloth diapers. It will help with the longevity of the diaper and cause your diapers to look newer, longer. If you find that you have a stain, hang them out in the sun for a few hours instead of going into the dryer. You will be amazed at the stain removing power of the sun! To help speed up the drying process, use all natural wool balls. They will also act as a fabric softener!

How many diapers should I have in a stash?
It depends on each family. On average, I would say it's best to have 8-10 diapers per day, and at least one night time diaper. If you are in fitteds, then you may need at least 3 covers per day. If you prefer to do the wash every other day, then have on hand 16-20 fitteds, 6 covers and 2 night time diapers. Just an estimate, but it is different for every family and every child.