How we cloth diaper

Okay, first off. We're newbies to this whole cloth diaper routine so if we don't seem perfect, we're not! Second, EVERYONE has their own routine, detergent, preferred brand/type of diapes, so if you're thinking about taking the leap of faith into cloth diaperhood, please do what seems best, easiest, and cheapest for your baby and you! Third, I am not a scientist or anything crazy. I'm just a mom who sees what works best for my family and I RUN with it!

I started cloth diapering about a month ago and so far, I love it! Here are the benefits.. 

• It's about a $60 savings a month between diapers and wipe for us.
• You're saving the environment one cloth diaper at a time since most diapers are NOT biodegradable, they sit in a landfill for years and years and years. 
• Sensitive tushies don't have to sit in nasty chemicals ALL DAY for years on end. For example, Dioxins which the EPA calls a toxic carcinogenic substance. Umm I see this as a problem for my babies tush. THEN you have Sodium Polyacrylate, which are those fabulous gel crystals that sometimes show up on babies bum. Yes these keep the bum dry, BUT they can cause respiratory issues as well as irritation. I could go on for days about the nasty things they put in disposables, but I won't. Do your research and you'll see.
• Benefit number 4, THEY'RE cute as can be! I love accessories, I love all things matching.. and any mom of a boy knows, there aren't many of these out there. Cloth diapers are an accessory that is SO cute, that can match shirts with LEG WARMERS, and for girls of course they have even ones with ruffles! 

Ok now the ins and outs.. 

The internet is OVER loaded with info so here is a short explanation for all of the lingo and different types.. Every baby is different, every baby needs different diapers.

First; the old fashioned kind.. Pre folds. These are definitely the cheapest but most difficult as well. I actually love my pre folds for during the day. I layer mine with an insert if I know it'll be a bit before I can change him. But with pre folds you have TONS of pieces.. Indian prefolds, chinese pre folds, covers, snappies, ect. These have different sizes, we stuck with chiense prefolds in regular size (15-30 lbs). We also got a pack of 2 snappies, and two additional covers. Cotton babies has a GREAT pre fold starter kit, HERE. For $11.95 you get 3 prefolds and one Econobum cover. These use snappies to hold them together, covers to hold the wet in. Here is a photo..




Second: Pocket diapers with inserts. These are available from alvababy.com for around $5.00 a piece!! Which is an AMAZING deal and I haven't noticed a different in these and my $20 Charlie Bananas AT ALL! Here is a photo...



All in Ones: These I personally do not have, but they're the most expensive of the lot of cloth diapers. These are clearly, insert and cover.. In one. These sometimes need a "soaker" this is like using an extra insert. Here's a photo description..


Fitted: These are like pre folds, just do not take snappis or pins. I have not used this method so I can't tell you much personally. But I have noticed that these are a cheaper way to go, but I don't think it's for me. In this category is wool soakers. Never used, so I can't say much!

 What is in my stash? Well like I said we're new, but this is how we started.

I have 24 pocket diapers, 25 inserts, 10 chinese prefolds, 2 snappies, 2 wet bags, and 3 covers for my prefolds. We bought 16 Alva's with 16 inserts and my 2 wet bags, I grabbed 5 from a resale shop, I bought 2 royal fluff's from Zulily when they were on sale, 1 Charlie Banana brand from Target, then I bought my prefold stuff from Cotton Babies. Then I bought a dozen cloth wipes from a resale shop too, they were knew though. To hold my wipes we bought a medium trash can with a lid and small garbage bags for the inside. We invested about $250 into our initial purchase, but it was TOTALLY worth it. Here's my stash!

I know my other big question was, how do I wash these poo filled things?? Well first off, if its pee I just throw it in the can. If its poo I rinse mine to keep it from staining, then spray a mix of 1/4 peroxide and 3/4 water that I keep in my bathroom for stains, rinse, squeeze the excess liquid, and throw them in the can too! After a day or two its time for a wash.. I take the whole can to the laundry room, dump them in the wash with 1/2 TBS of my home made laundry detergent, wash on HOT with an extra rinse. I put the pre folds and inserts straight in to the dryer, my covers though I lay flat to dry or hang outside if its a warm day (they dry surprisingly quick this way). Ta-DAH you're done. No ironing, I fold mine but really you don't even need to do that. There are TONS of detergents that are cloth diaper safe that you can purchase.. HERE is a link to a chart.. This is NOT my chart, so I can not say if its good or not. but it looks right to me. :)

PS They have fancy sprayers for the toilet but its my own babies poo so I don't mind to touch it. so I just use the faucet!

Last but not least, what detergent do I use?

Well HERE is a link to my DIY page that has the full blown recipe, but heres to keep it short..

1 box Borax
1 box Arm and Hammer super wash soda
1 C baking soda
2 grated Feltz Naptha bars.

ONLY 1 TB per load. 1/2 for an HE washer. 

My spot cleaner, ONLY for inserts and pre folds. Rinse thoroughly after spraying on poo spots.

3/4 bottle spray bottle filled with HOT water
1/4 bottle spray bottle filled with peroxide.


Like I mentioned before my post, EVERYONE cloth diapers a little different. Please respect that this is OUR method. :)





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