Cloth Diaper Basics

Cloth Diaper
Basics
New to cloth diapering?
Get all your questions answered here!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Why We Cloth Diaper
Dollars & Sense
Different Types of Cloth Diapers
What You’ll Need
How to Wash Your Cloth Diapers
Cloth Diaper Washing FAQs
When to Change Cloth Diapers
Cloth Diapering On-the-Go
Troubleshooting
LEAKS, STAINS, STINKY DIAPERS
Cloth Diaper DONT’S
Our Top 10 FAQs
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Why We Cloth Diaper
I admit, the thought of using cloth diapers never even
crossed my mind until I asked a friend from college
what brand of diapers she was using. She sheepishly
said she wasn’t using disposable diapers. A light bulb
went off and my mind started racing. Of course cloth
diapers!! It’s cheaper, and better for the environment.
Fast forward a few years to when I got pregnant with
my first child. I didn’t even consider any other alternative other than cloth diapers. I was convinced that
they had to have evolved to be easier to use than they
were some 20+ years ago when I was a baby. As I
started scouring the web for cloth diapers, I realized
they also looked so cute and soft and squishy comfy
as well. The fact that they looked good sealed the
deal for me.
Many cloth diaper enthusiasts insist that modern
cloth diapers are just as easy to use as disposables.
But after cloth-diapering four kids, I disagree. Cloth
diapers do take a little extra effort. A little extra work.
But it isn’t bad effort, it isn’t terrible work. The process becomes routine, and even enjoyable. Seriously.
“Experts” will argue over whether or not disposable
diapers do scary things like infertility. They’ll argue
that the water and electricity you use to wash cloth
diapers evens out the environmental impact. They’ll
disagree on what is fact and what is myth. But all that
contention and confusion aside, I choose cloth because
I like it.
Cloth diapering takes a little more effort. A little more
dedication. A little more thought. Depending on the
diapering system you choose, it can also take a little
more time to change your baby’s diaper. But I enjoy
those moments.
Washing diapers becomes routine, but in a different
way than microwaving a frozen dinner can. It slows you
down a tiny bit. And you’re never out. You never have
to run to the store to pick up a pack of diapers. I personally feel like cloth diapers are better for the earth,
better for my baby’s skin, more comfortable for baby to
wear, beautiful to look at, fun to purchase, and affordable to use.
That’s why we choose cloth.
Margarita McClure
Founder
Blueberry Diapers
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Dollars & Sense
Using Cloth Diapers can save you from 44-68% over the cost
of disposable diapers. You can end up saving even more if
you save your cloth diapers for use on a second or third child.
To calculate the difference, let’s first look at just how many
diapers you use in a period of 2½ years. Keep in mind some
children take longer to potty train, stretching the diaper years
into 3 or even 4.
» An average of 70 diapers a week; baby is changed
every 2-3 hours and toddler is changed every 3-4
hours.
» A diapering period of 2½ years or 130 weeks.
» 70 diapers × 130 weeks = 9,100 diapers changes
THE COST OF BUYING DISPOSABLE DIAPERS
»
»
»
Disposable diapers cost an average of $0.24
per change
70 changes per week
130 weeks for diapering period
Disposable Diaper
Changes per week
$0.24
× 70
THE COST OF BUYING CLOTH DIAPERS
Note: This can really vary. You can outfit your baby
in the latest and greatest premium designer diapers
spending over $1,000.00, or, on the other end of the
spectrum, the tried and true basics like flat folds and
prefolds will cost much less. You might even opt to buy
gently used Prefolds and Pull-on style covers to set
yourself up for under $50.00. To make our point, we’ll
calculate below using premuim cloth diapers.
THE COST OF WASHING CLOTH DIAPERS
Detergent and Additive Expense
» Allen’s Naturally Ultra Laundry Detergent costs an average of $0.42 per load
Electricity Expense
» National average per wash cycle is $0.19 × 3 complete wash cycles = $0.57
» National average per dry cycle is $0.40
» Wash expense + drying expense =
$0.97 per load
= $16.80
Weeks in 2½ years × 130
Water Expense
» On average, water cost is $0.20 for 140 gallons
= $0.20 per load
Total Cost of Cloth Diapers = $2,184.00
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Loads per Diapering Period
» Wash every 3 days = 2 loads per week
» 2 loads per week × 130 weeks in diapering
period = 260 Loads
Detergent/Additive Expense
Electricity Expense
+
Water Expense
+
×
$0.42
$0.97
$0.20
260 loads
= $413.40
Premium Cloth Diapers + $1,000.00
Total Cost of Cloth Diapers = $1,413.40
The Bottom Line
Wow. Even when you factor in Premium Cloth Diapers,
you still save over $700 using cloth diapers over disposables on a single child for a period of two years.
Just imagine how much money you can save over
disposables by using those same cloth diapers on other
children.
One Size Simplex AIO in Traffic
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Different Types of Cloth Diapers
There are many options for cloth diapering. To find the right
cloth diaper (or combination of cloth diapers) for you and
your baby, it’s best to try some from each group.
All-In-One Diaper (also known as an AIO)
This is the diaper that’s just about as easy to
use as a disposable diaper in that it’s a onepiece design that includes all the components
such as a waterproof exterior, elastic around
the waist and the legs, the absorbent layer, and a fastening
system.
This is the simplest, easiest and most convenient system
of cloth diapering. They are great for if you’re going to have
babysitters, grandparents or dads changing the diapers, and
especially if you will be having your baby in daycares.
They can come in multiple sizes, so you’ll need to change
sizes as your baby grows.
The best thing about all in one diapers is that they’re very
easy & convenient. The drawback is that because everything
is sewn together, it may take a little longer to dry.
Pocket Diapers
This is a 2-part system that involves stuffing the absorbent layer,
otherwise called an insert, inside a
pocket opening of the diaper that
is composed of a lining fabric and a waterproof outer
layer with elasticated waist and legs and its own fasteners.
Now you may ask why would you want to do that?
Well, the biggest reason is for thorough cleaning and
faster drying. Pocket diapers dry super fast. And if you
don’t mind taking the extra few seconds to stuff them,
they’re just as convenient as all in one diapers.
Another good thing about pocket diapers is that you
can adjust the absorbency. Because you are free to use
whatever inserts you want, you can use a light insert
for during the day, and double up on inserts for night
time or during naps.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Fitted Diapers
These are diapers that are shaped just
like AIO’s or pockets that can have
attached or semi-attached absorbent
layers but does not have a waterproof
layer. Unlike the AIO’s and pockets, you will have to
buy a separate cover to use with your fitted diaper.
But regardless of how old-fashioned they are, prefolds
and flats are an absolute staple that everyone should
have regardless of what system you use just because
they are so inexpensive, and versatile. Not only are they
used as diapers, but you can use them as burp cloths,
changing pads, and even as rags around the house
once you’re done using them as diapers.
The biggest benefit to fitted diapers is that they are
very absorbent and contain messes really well. Fitted
diapers and covers are one of the most reliable systems, especially for babies who are heavy wetters and
for overnight diapering.
Once you figure out how to fold these things, it is not a
big deal at all. Even dads can do it. And you don’t even
have to use pins with them, because there are things
right now called a Snappi that you can use to fasten
the diaper.
Prefolds and Flats
A Prefold diaper is a rectangular piece
of cloth divided into 3 sections where
the middle layer is the absorbent layer.
Cloth Diaper Covers
Diaper covers are exactly what the
name describes; they are simply an
outer diaper covering an inner diaper
such as a fitted diaper or prefold. Diaper covers provide a waterproof layer
over the inner diaper, making leaks less likely to occur.
Diaper covers do not need to be washed between wearings if allowed to air-out between uses. They can generally be washed with the rest of your baby’s diapers.
They’re available in a large variety of fabrics and styles,
and are generally fastened with Velcro or snaps.
A flat is a square single layer of cotton.
These 2 are the most economical way to cloth diaper.
These are the old-fashioned type of diapers that most
people have in mind when you mention cloth diapers.
They’re flat, don’t have any elasticated areas, and no
closure system. You will also need a separate diaper
cover when using them.
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
What You’ll Need
Ready to go cloth, but aren’t sure where to begin? You’re
in the right spot.
Here’s the basic list of everything you’ll need to hit the
ground running with your new system.
Click here to download your printable punch list!
Diapers
While every baby is on a different changing schedule,
you’ll want to have enough on hand for between 1-3 days
(this way, you’re not constantly doing laundry.)
For example most newborns need to be changed every
1-3 hours. That translates to roughly 12+ diapers per day.
Here are a few estimates about how many diapers you’ll
need for your baby, depending on their age:
(You may choose to adjust the amount of diapers to your
baby’s needs and your laundry agenda. However, these
are good foundational numbers for getting started.)
Newborn–4 mos: 24–36 diapers
4–10 mos (Infants): 16–24 diapers
10 mos–Potty Training (Toddler): 12–16 diapers
Diaper Covers
If you’re using prefolds/flats, or fitted diapers, you will
need 1 diaper cover for every 3 diapers. You can rotate
2-3 covers throughout the day by airing one out while
the other is in use, this works well as long
as the diaper doesn’t leak any poop onto the cover.
Once that occurs, into the diaper pail it goes!
Wipes
Deciding not to use disposable wipes? Having between
12-24 cloth wipes on hand will help you keep up with
your changing schedule. You can pre-moisten them
with cloth wipe solution or wipes bits, or just water,
and wipe away.
Diaper Pail
To keep dirty diapers from making your room smell,
place a waterproof pail liner into a small kitchen trash
can with a lid. This will keep the smell under control,
and the dirty diaper bag out of sight. You can also use
a hanging wet bag with zippers (these are great for
keeping the small contained).
Travel-Sized Wet Bag
When you’re away from home, having a wet bag on
hand will make cloth diapering on the road so much
easier. They fold up easily, and can be closed with
drawstrings or zippers. Another great perk? They can
be machine washed right along with your diapers.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Extra Inserts or Doublers
Depending what cloth diapering system you’re using, you
may not need inserts. However, if your baby tends to go
through diapers quickly, extra inserts can be a huge help
– especially for overnight use.
Cloth Diaper Laundry Detergent
Make sure the detergent you use to wash your diapers is
perfume-free, and doesn’t contain enzymes, fabric softeners, whiteners, brighteners, or bleach.
If your washing water is hard, it can cause mineral buildup and potentially stinky diapers! But there’s a simple solution for that: just add a little Calgon to your next batch
of laundry. You can find it at most grocery stores!
Diaper Sprayer
Although this isn’t necessarily a must-have in your cloth
diaper arsenal, it’s perfect for parents who’d rather keep
their hands free of poop. The sprayer attaches to your
toilet. All you have to do is spray the solid stuff off your
baby’s diaper, flush it away, and you’re golden!
Clothesline
From time to time, cloth diapers can get stained. When
that happens, line drying your diapers in the sun acts as
a wonderful natural bleach on diapers fresh out of the
washing machine. It also helps your diapers last longer,
and reduces dryer heat damage that can weaken fibers
and elastic.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
Snappi’s or Pins
Using a flat or prefold diaper? Pins, or their less-pointy
alternative Snappi’s will keep the diaper securely in
place underneath its cover.
Cloth Diaper Cream
Yes, diaper rashes happen less often when your baby
wears cloth. However, it doesn’t eliminate the risk completely. But before you go out to the store to pick up
a cream, do a little background research to make sure
it’s cloth-diaper-friendly. Some creams can make the
cloth fibers clump, repel water, and cause leaks.
Swim Diapers
Love the water? Check out our Freestyle re-usable
swim diapers, and your baby will be able to splash
right along with you. Swim diapers aren’t as heavy
as cloth diapers, so they make paddling easier for
your child, while still keeping solids in the diaper
(where they belong!)
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
How to Wash Your Cloth Diapers
The actual washing process for your diapers is pretty
simple. With the addition of a couple of extra rinse
cycles, it is basically like washing anything else!
First Wash
When you first get your new cloth diapers, wash them in
warm or hot water (up to 140F) at least once before your
baby wears them, with a full dry between each wash.
This will remove any chemicals or other substances left
over from manufacturing, as well as soften them and help
them shrink to the right size for your baby. The softer the
diaper, the more absorbent they are!
Fabrics like organic and unbleached cotton, as well as
hemp products can require a few washes before they
reach maximum absorbency. If you use them before
they’ve reached that point, leaks can occur. It usually takes
about 2-3 hot water washes to remove the natural oils that
might repel water.
My advice? Use hot water for the wash, and warm water
to rinse if you can. While it’s a good idea to dry the diaper
between every wash, you can go with a “wash twice, dry
once” approach to save yourself a little time.
NOTE: DO NOT use fabric softener, ever. That will coat
the fabric fibers and prevent them from absorbing
wetness.
Everyday Washing
Laundering diapers is just as easy as laundering your
regular clothes, but there are a few extra steps you’ll
need to take:
STEP 1 » Make sure all of your diapers are open
so that the soiled areas will be cleaned. Remove
inserts and prefolds from their outer shell to
make sure they are thoroughly cleaned as well.
STEP 2 » Load your dirty diapers, making sure
to not overload your machine (two dozen diapers
per load works well, the load can vary depending on your washing machine.)
STEP 3 » Set your washer to a short warm-water
rinse cycle (or prewash, if your washer has such
a setting) with some detergent. This will pull out
any stains.
STEP 4 » Once the prewash is complete, you’re
all set to wash your diapers. Set your washer to
a hot wash (up to 140F/60C) with a cold or
warm rinse.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
For this wash, use the prescribed amount of laundry detergent recommended on the manufacturer’s instructions. Start your washing
machine, and you are all set.
Steer clear of bleach, borax, and fabric softeners/
dryer sheets. These can all damage the diapers,
and cause them to leak, stiffen and leave chemical
residue!
Of course, it’s up to you whether or not you’d
like to use these products. Just remember, they
do cause unnecessary wear.
STEP 5 » When the wash is finished, examine
your diapers. Make sure that they’re clean and
smell good. If they aren’t clean and still smell
bad, rewash them, using a hot wash and cold or
warm rinse. If they’re nice and clean, throw them
in the dryer on warm setting.
STEP 6 » Now you’ve got a pile of fresh and
clean diapers, all you have to do is stuff them
(if you’ve got pocket diapers) and put them away!
NOTES: DO NOT stretch the diaper while it is still
warm. Allowing the diaper to cool after taking it out of
the dryer will extend the life of its elastic. Also, avoid
using fabric softeners, dryer sheets, or diaper rash
creams. They leave a waxy residue on the fabric, making them less absorbent, and more likely to cause leaks
and rashes
Laundromat washing
Washing your baby’s diapers at the Laundromat is really no different than laundering them at home – you
just need to transport them.
While we recommend laundering your diapers every 2-3
days, you many not want to make multiple trips to the
laundromat each week. If this is the case, you can simply purchase more diapers, use diapers with inserts, or
a combination of both.
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Since your diapers are going to pile up a bit more,
you’ll need to take extra care when changing your baby
and storing your dirty diapers between washes.
Most laundromats have a variety of high efficiency,
high capacity machines that will cut down on your
diaper washing. This is a huge perk to washing your
diapers at a Laundromat! Many laundromat machines
offer three, four and even five times the capacity of
home machines.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Aside from being able to do more laundry at one time,
your washing process is going to be exactly the same.
»
»
»
»
»
Dyes
Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)
Vinegar
Chlorine Bleach
Fabric Softeners/Sheets (also present in most
baby detergents)
STEP 1 » Run your dirty diapers through a warmwater rinse cycle. (If you’re paying by the load, you
may not be able to run a rinse cycle only. If this is
the case, simply run a normal wash on warm/warm,
and then move to the next step.)
STEP 2 » Wash your dirty diapers in a normal
wash cycle set to hot wash, cold rinse.
Even if you don’t find anything, there may still be
something that will irritate your baby, so keep a close
eye out for anything unusual each time you try out a
new detergent for your diapers.
STEP 3 » Check to see if the wash cycle took care
of dirtiness and any odors. If not, run the wash
again. If you’re all clear, pop your clean diapers in
the dryer, or take them home to line dry.
Your type of detergent and routine used can greatly
affect the life of cloth diapers and covers. In fact, the
chemicals found in standard detergents can actually
‘un-glue’ the lamination from your waterproof products.
Detergent
Detergents are another place where experimentation and
personal preference will play a key role in your usage.
You’ll need to check the ingredients to make sure there
are no harmful or irritating additives!
What to avoid:
» Pure Soaps
» Softeners
» Protease Enzymes
» Artificial Brighteners
» Fragrances
Please note the use of harsh detergents and/or additives can void the warranty on your diapers.
Still not sure what to use? You can find a detergent
rating chart at Pinstripes and Polka Dots, to help you
find a cloth diaper safe detergent. These sites will also
explain why to avoid certain ingredients.
Stains
While they might not look gorgeous, stains are usually
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
harmless, and don’t necessarily mean the diaper is still
dirty.
Most stains will clean out after a few washes, so don’t
go reaching for the bleach just yet. If staining occurs, it’s
critical that any products used on the diapers and covers to remove stains are mild, so they won’t irritate your
baby’s skin, or cause early deterioration to the diaper.
In most cases, laying the stained diapers out in the sun
is the safest and most effective way of removing stains.
Sunlight will “bleach” your diapers, and sanitize them
at the same time. Drying your diapers this way doesn’t
cause the wear and tear a dryer will. Even laying your diapers inside by a sunny window will get the stains out.
Be extra careful when using common stain-removing
products like bleach, or even oxygen-based bleach. The
only time it may be safe to use is when the diaper doesn’t
contain an elastic or waterproof layer (like prefolds or
flats). Bleach or oxygen-based bleach can damage the
diaper’s elastic, and eat away at the waterproofing layer.
If you have to use these products, just know that they
can also cause holes to develop in natural fabrics such as
cotton, hemp, or bamboo. Also, be sure to to add an extra
rinse or two to your wash just to make sure there are no
chemical traces left behind.
You can also just ignore the stains! Your diapers are
clean; they just look a little yucky. They still get the
job done and the stains are doing no harm to your little
one. But, if you don’t like the look of your diapers, getting them looking like new is a piece of cake!CLOTH
DIAPER BASICS
Blueberry One Size Pocket Diaper in Monsters
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Cloth Diaper Washing FAQs
How much detergent should I use?
Make sure you are using enough, otherwise your diapers
won’t get clean. We recommend using the prescribed
amount of detergent recommended on the soap’s packaging. Too much detergent can leave buildup, and too little
will leave your diaper dirty and stinky.
Do I have to wash covers separately?
PUL covers can be washed and dried with your diapers.
Line drying will extend the life of the cover longer, but occasional dryer run is fine too.
Do I have to “dunk”?
Nope! There’s no need to dunk your diaper in the toilet
before washing.
If your baby is exclusively breastfed you don’t need to
rinse the diaper at all - the poop will wash right out. If
your older baby is eating solid foods, then you will need
to dump most of the solid waste into the toilet before
washing.
Some parents keep a scraper under the bathroom sink
and scrape the solid waste into the toilet, while others
buy a diaper sprayer that attaches to the toilet.
After the bulk of the waste is off the diaper, follow the
same wash routine.
Should I use a wet or dry diaper pail?
We recommend a dry pail, because a wet pail can
breed bacteria that can be hazardous to your home.
A regular kitchen-style garbage can with a closing lid
works best for cloth diapers.
Blueberry also sells reusable diaper pail liners to keep
your pail clean!
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
When to Change Cloth Diapers
Just like there are different ways to check disposable
diapers for wetness (by testing for “squishiness”, giving
the diaper a pinch, or looking at the color stripe), when it
comes to checking cloth diapers, there are a few tricks of
the trade.
front and top of the diaper. It’s likely you’ll be able to
clearly see if the material is wet or not. If you aren’t
sure, take a closer look at the legs of your diaper, and
give that area a speedy feel for wetness.
NOTE: as a general rule of thumb, newborns and infants
should be changed every 2 hours, and babies and toddlers should be changed every 2 to 4 hours.
The non-waterproof test
Not using a cover? Great! Non-waterproof diapers are
the easiest to check. A simple touch on the outside
should do the trick, and you’ll also be able to see
darker patches if wetness is seeping through (though
this depends on the color of the diaper).
CLOTH DIAPER CHECKING TECHNIQUES
The pinch
The difference between using this trick on cloth diapers
vs. disposables is that cloth diapers don’t “squish”. Instead, you’ll be feeling for hardness, warmth, and weight.
Wetness will make the fabric more dense, so a simple
squeeze will indicate whether or not there’s something
dampening the fibers.
The inserts in your cloth diapers will feel heavy, warm,
and spongier when wet.
The peek
This simple technique is especially great for checking
waterproof covers. It just involves taking a glance into the
Using non-waterproof diapers is also a great test for
parents who want to get more familiar with their baby’s
wetting schedule. This will clue you in to the best timeline for changing your baby!
The poop check
Because cloth diapers don’t have a strong odor, it can
be harder to tell when your baby has gone number two.
This is a blessing and a curse – because although it’s
nice to have the smell contained, it can mean dealing with poop when you’re unprepared at the changing
table!
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
If you’re not sure whether your baby’s dropped something
extra off for you, check in the leg holes or in the back of
the diaper before opening it up.
After you get in the groove of using cloth diapers, you’ll
find your own favorite technique for checking – one that
may not even be listed here yet! So give it time, test out
a few methods, and find what works for you and your
baby.
Blueberry Trainers in Jungle Jam
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Cloth Diapering On-the-Go
Cloth diapers aren’t just great to use all day and night
long… you can absolutely take them on the road too! And
yes, it can be simple, discrete, and stress-free.
Whether you’re headed out for a day, weekend, even a
week-long trip, you can bring your cloth diapers along for
the ride with just a few basic supplies and prep steps.
Take your cloth diapers on… a day trip
STEP 1 » Dump out your diaper bag, and get rid of all
those crumpled receipts, gum wrappers, and empty tubes
of lipstick. Give it a few good shakes in case there are
crumbs or dirt hiding in the corners
STEP 2 » Pack your bag up with just the necessities:
» Cloth wipes & a small bottle of water to wet them
with (these double as wipe cloths for sticky fingers
and faces!)
» 3 - 4 cloth diapers, and 2 - 3 covers (if you’re not
using All in Ones)
» A hand towel or changing mat
» A waterproof wet bag to tote dirty diapers home in
» Your extras: wallet, keys, sunglasses, lip balm,
cell phone.
STEP 3 » When you’re changing your baby, just drop
the dirty diapers into the wet bag, and toss the diapers
and bag into the washing machine when you get home.
Simple!
Take your cloth diapers on… a weekend trip
STEP 1 » Though the quantities will be different, weekend trip items won’t vary too far from day trip items. Of
course, you’ll have a bit of extra luggage for your clothing,
toiletries, pajamas, etc.
STEP 2 » When you’re packing up your baby bag, just
multiply the diapers and covers according to how many
days you’ll be gone.
For example: leaving Saturday morning through Sunday
night? Toss in 6-8 diapers, and 4-6 covers (if you’re not
using all-in-ones).
Also, don’t forget to bring along a bigger wet bag (a clean
diaper pail liner will work just as well) to cart all your dirty
diapers home in.
STEP 3 » Staying with a friend/relative, or at a hotel? Ask
if their laundry services are available. If they are, you can
take care of all your dirty diapers before coming home.
Just make sure to bring a little extra cloth-diaper-friendly
detergent.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
NOTE: keep a changing pad and extra diapers handy in
the car for changes along the way!
Take your cloth diapers on… a week-long trip
STEP 1 » Find out if your destination has laundry facilities. If so, you only need to pack enough diapers for
a day or two.
No washing machines where you’re going? No problem.
You’ll just need to bring enough for the whole week,
plus a clean pail liner to bring the dirties back home in.
STEP 2 » If you’re going to be without laundry for the
full seven days, take 21-28 diapers with you, along
with, along with 10-12 covers, and about 12 cloth
wipes. You might need to bring along an extra bag for
all your supplies!
ON-THE-GO- TIPS
Whether you’re venturing out for an afternoon or a full
week, a few things to keep in mind:
1) If you don’t know already, be sure to count how many
diapers you go through in a week. This will help you get
a clear idea of how many you’ll need to pack for each
getaway.
2) Prefolds or flats with a week’s worth of covers are
easier to pack than a bag full of AIOS. They take up less
room, dry faster in case you need to wash or rinse them,
and air out nicely for smell-free home journey.
3) Even if you don’t plan on leaving long enough to need
to wash your diapers, take a little container full of detergent just in case. If you’re camping, you can always heat
water over the fire for an emergency wash. If you’re touring, keep your eyes open for laundromats you can stop at.
Blueberry Trainers in Petal
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Troubleshooting: Leaks
Dealing with leaks can be a messy, frustrating process.
But with just a little time, effort, and patience, your baby
can easily stay clean and dry around the clock!
Something important to keep in mind: while our diapers
are made from highly absorbent materials, your routine
will depend largely on your child’s wetting habits and
body. Diapers are not meant to be left on for endless
hours, period. So if you’re facing leak issues, test to see
if shortening your time between changes helps first.
The greatest potential for seepage usually happens when
your child is still very young, on his or her back most of
the time, and you’re just getting the hang of cloth diapering. When your child learns to sit up and crawl, and you
get some more practice in, leak issues become much
fewer and farther between!
There are 3 main overall causes of diaper leaks
1) Improper fit
2) Absorbency issues
3) Diaper insert trouble
Here’s a rundown of the potential reasons behind these
causes, and how to fix them:
Improper fit/positioning
Potential causes:
» Your baby is too small, so the diaper doesn’t
tuck tightly around his/her waist and legs
» Your baby is too big, and the extra weight is
causing liquid to push out of the diaper (known
as compression leaks)
» The leg holes are too large for your baby
» If your baby is a boy, you aren’t pointing his
penis down before tucking the fresh diaper
around him
» Your baby is often horizontal (common in new borns and infants), causing the wetness to leak
up his/her back
Possible solutions:
» Try a different sized diaper. X-small or newborn
size if it’s too big, or a size up if it’s too small
» Wait for your baby to grow into their diaper
» Tighten up the wrap of your diaper in the chang ing process
» Try a fitted or prefold diaper instead
» Make sure your boy baby’s penis is properly
positioned downward in his diaper
» Add in extra padding before laying your child
down for bed
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Another reason for unwanted wetness could be your
baby’s onesie might be creeping up into the diaper,
and getting wet in the process!
And finally, make sure your baby’s diaper is the right
size. A well-fitting diaper is snug on all sides, with no
gaps between fabric and skin. Leaks will slide out of
any hole they can find, so make absolutely sure your
little girl/boy is cozy and secure before scooping them
off the changing table.
The diaper isn’t absorbing properly
Potential causes:
» Detergent build up or residue is causing the fabric to repel water (yes, even “cloth diaper
safe” detergents can cause this.)
» You have hard/soft water leaving mineral depos its in your diapers
» You’re using diaper cream without a liner in the
diaper
» You didn’t put a waterproof cover over your fitted
or prefold diaper (yes, this does happen from time
to time.)
» You’re leaving your baby in their diaper too long,
and the fabric is saturated
Possible solutions:
» Purchase a detergent specifically intended FOR
cloth diapers. “Strip” your diapers with several
just-hot-water cycles – when you don’t see any
more bubbles, you know you’re done
» If you need to use a diaper cream, look for
those that are safe for cloth diapers and we
suggest using a liner when doing so. Make sure
to wash the liner separate from the other dia pers so that residue is not deposited onto other
items
» Have hard water? Toss in some Calgon in a hot
water cycle, along with your diapers
» Add in extra inserts or doublers to amp up the
diaper’s absorbency
» Change your baby more often (every 2-3 hours
should work)
How do you know if you need to “strip” your diapers?
Try the eyedropper test: With an eyedropper, let a few
drops of water fall onto the outside or inside of your
diaper. Does it absorb straight into the fabric, or just
roll around without ever soaking in? If it’s the latter, it’s
time to strip your diapers. As long as the water soaks
in, you’re a-ok. So don’t panic if the drop rolls around
for a moment before being absorbed!
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Your diaper inserts/pocket diapers aren’t
working properly
Potential causes:
» The inserts are being used for too long
» You aren’t placing the inserts in properly
» Your inserts are the wrong size
» Your child is causing compression leaks (meaning,
your baby’s weight on the bad is causing liquid to
squeeze out. Microfiber can do this!)
Possible solutions:
» Run your inserts through the wash a few additional
times, until they’re soft and the fibers can absorb
more if they’re made with cotton or hemp
» Stuff your diaper differently – with a bit extra up
the front if you have a boy
» Add in extra inserts to up your diaper’s absorption
» Make sure the insert is sitting flat in its pocket
» If you’re having a compression leak problem, try
putting your child in a larger diaper or use inserts
made of hemp, bamboo or cotton
Troubleshooting: Stains
Something left a stubborn mark on the inside of your
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
Blueberry Freestyle Swim Diaper in Kiwi
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
baby’s diaper? Here’s the thing: while unsightly stains
on the inside of cloth diapers can bother some moms,
they’re usually harmless, and also don’t necessarily
indicate the diaper is still dirty.
Yes, stains can be ignored. Stained diapers are clean
and will get the job done without causing harm to your
little one; they just look a little yucky.
But some moms just don’t like the look of stained diapers. And why should they, when getting them to look
like new is a piece of cake?
How to de-stain your baby’s diapers (the safe way)
Most stains will come out on their own after a few
washes. After that, laying them out in the sun is the
safest and most effective route to getting your diapers
sparkling clean again.
Sunlight will “bleach” your diapers and sanitize them
at the same time – not to mention minimizing the wear
and tear using the dryer can cause. Don’t have a backyard? Just laying your them inside by a sunny window
will work!
If the stain isn’t 100% gone by the end of the first
sunning session, leave it out for one or two until the
stain is gone.
Sun still not working? Next time you’re faced with a
streak you can’t just sun away, squirt lemon juice on
it before laying the diaper out again. But remember:
because of the citric acid in the lemon, you’ll have to
wash the diaper again before putting it on your child.
Try to avoid using common stain-removing products
like bleach, or even oxygen-based bleach. They’re only
potentially safe for diaper items that don’t contain an
elastic or a waterproof layer (prefolds, flats, inserts,
etc.) Why? Because bleach eats away at those layers,
and/or creates holes in the fabric.
If you do decide to use a stronger chemical product,
make sure to add an extra rinse or two to your wash,
so there are no traces left behind that can potentially
irritate your baby’s skin.
Stain prevention & treatment tips
» When there’s poop involved, pre-rinse your
diapers in WARM water before tossing it in a hot
cycle. Hot water can ‘bake’ in the stain, whereas
rinsing it in warm water first will help it loosen
from the fibers.
» Invest in a diaper sprayer. Trust me: once your
baby is eating solids, you will be so, so happy
about this investment. Use the sprayer to get as
much of the mess out as possible before you
wash, so the stains won’t set.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
»
»
Despite what you may have heard, newborn poo
does stain. A diaper that caught a newborn
poop can sometimes stain a light shade of
yellow. Fortunately, this should come out on its
own after a few washes.
Make chlorine bleach your LAST resort. It’s
effective, but can also put holes in the fabric,
damage the elastic, and irritate your child’s skin.
Troubleshooting: Stinky Diapers
Offensive odors coming from your baby’s bumwear? What
are the top causes of stinky cloth diapers?
There are a couple of reasons why this happens:
Hard water
Depending where you live, there may be an excess of
calcium and magnesium mineral deposits in your water,
making it “hard”. This means detergent doesn’t work as
well, and minerals are actually being deposited back into
the diapers, which can cause a less-than-fabulous smell.
Detergent alone can’t get rid of the minerals, so give it a
boost by adding a separate water softener to your rinse
cycle. I recommend Calgon Water Softener. It’s safe for
use with our diapers.
To solve your hard water problem: ‘strip’ the diapers.
This just means running a full hot wash cycle with no
detergent, just Calgon. Repeat until the water is free of
suds, then dry as usual.
Calgon tip: Only use about ½ the recommended
amount if you’re washing your diapers in a top loader,
and ¼ the recommended amount for a front loader.
Bacteria build-up/Detergent residue
If you know hard water isn’t your issue, then the culprit
is probably detergent residue and/or bacteria in the
diapers/inserts.
TO SOLVE YOUR DETERGENT PROBLEM: Run your
clean diapers through a few rounds of just-hot-water
cycles, without any additional additives. Do this about
4-6 times.
TO SOLVE YOUR BACTERIAL BUILDUP PROBLEM:
The speedy solution is just to bleach the inserts (NOT
the diapers themselves). Add 2 tablespoons of bleach
to a hot wash cycle, and do an extra rinse at the end
to wash out the bleach-y smell. Do this around once a
month to keep your inserts fresh and odor-free!
Letting your inserts dry in the sun is also a great way
to combat diaper smell. The sun is a natural disinfectant, stain remover, and whitener!
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Urine Residue/Ammonia-like Smell
As more and more people replace their washing machines
with high efficiency front-loader models, we have seen
more of this type of residue. A few symptoms:
1) The smell of urine on diapers fresh out of the wash
2) Your baby has diaper rash (ammonia in the
diaper can burn tender baby skin!)
3) They smell clean out of the laundry, but like
ammonia after the first pee
TO SOLVE YOUR URINE RESIDUE PROBLEM: Try doing several detergent-free hot water washes, then throw
the diapers/inserts and wraps in the dryer. If rinses don’t
work – you must increase the level of water used to wash
and rinse your diapers.
To increase your washing water level: adjust your machine
manually to the highest setting. If you can’t do that, call
the manufacturer to get the how-to you need. Manufacturer can’t help you? Try the wet towel trick: decrease the
number of diapers you wash per load, and add wet towels
to your load in order to trick your machine into adding
more water.
TO SOLVE YOUR AMMONIA-SMELL PROBLEM: The
chief culprits for that icky ammonia smell are scented detergent and detergent residue (you can find solution ideas
for this above). Make sure you use an extra rinse cycle
when washing your diapers, and double check that your
detergent is perfume-free.
As you take diapers out of the washer, hold one to your
face and take a big sniff. If it still doesn’t smell clean,
you need to use more detergent, a different detergent,
or hotter water. If you decide to switch detergents, run
your diapers through a few rounds of detergent-free hot
water cycles first. This will ‘strip’ them, and make sure
they’re clean and ready for use again.
Diapers smell fine out of the washer, but awful the
moment they’re wet from use
The simple answer is that your detergent may not be
rinsing out completely. If you have very hard water,
try adding Calgon into your rinse cycle. If you change
detergents, you may need to try stripping your diapers.
Run a full hot wash cycle without detergent, repeating
until the water is free of suds, then drying as usual.
Struggling with smelly microfiber inserts? It may be
cheaper (and less work) in the long run to replace your
inserts. Microfibers can start to lose their absorbency
after a year of use. For a small investment, you’ll get
an absorbency turbo boost, in addition to fresh-smelling diapers.
Remember though: while loss of absorbency can happen, it depends on your water and washing routine. Try
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
bleaching your inserts first before you decide to replace them. Run a load with just the inserts and a small
amount of bleach, and give the inserts an extra rinse to
get rid of that chlorine smell.
But where does the smell come from?
When a wet cloth diaper smells very bad, it’s most likely
due to an overproduction of ammonia. Ammonia in the
body is converted to urea, and excreted. Once the urine
is released, the urea begins converting back to ammonia,
causing the smell.
However, lingering urea in the diaper/insert, along with
certain types of bacteria can speed up and increase the
production of ammonia. So if you smell an unusually
strong odor after your baby pees, there’s probably some
biological residue hanging around.
Residue usually builds up when you don’t use enough detergent or hot water to wash and rinse your diapers clean.
If there is too little of either, the urine is diluted, instead
of being rinsed away. It’s recycled in the wash and dries
onto the fabric, causing a stinky odor.
Blueberry One Size Simplex AIO in Snails
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Cloth Diaper DONT’S
No piece of clothing goes through the laundry as often as
cloth diapers. So, just like the favorite clothes you wash
and over and over, they’ll eventually start to show wear
and after countless runs through the machine. But with
some simple rules, you can ensure yours last a good, long
while.
Here’s a list of common errors to avoid, so your can keep
your diapers beautiful & usable.
Overall Care
DON’T expect diapers to last 2+ years if you’ve only got
10 - 15 in rotation. While cloth diapers are fantastic because you can use them over and over, if you don’t have
enough, the constant laundering shortens their lifespan.
The more frequent the washing, the more fibers break
down.
After you pre-wash your natural fibers and your diapers
separately, then everything can be washed together on a
warm rinse, hot wash cycle.
DON’T use fabric softeners or dryer sheets as they leave a
film on the diaper, and can cause them to stop absorbing
what they come into contact with.
DON’T use detergents with the following ingredients:
» Pure Soaps
»Softeners
» Protease Enzymes
» Artificial Brighteners
»Fragrances
»Dyes
» Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)
» Chlorine Bleach.
Have at least 18 on deck at any time, so you can get the
most out of every diaper.
DON’T soak your diapers in detergent. Detergents aren’t
designed to soak delicate fabrics, and can eat away at the
fibers, waterproofing your diapers.
Prepping & Washing
DON’T prep-wash hemp or natural cotton products with
other things. Hemp has natural oils in it that will cause
your other diapers to repel instead of absorb. Natural
fibers also wear differently, and don’t tolerate extreme
washing
DON’T use vinegar or chlorine bleach. Vinegar and chlorine bleach are caustic and will affect the PUL (waterproofing) and elastics used in the diapers. It can also cling
to microfiber, and cause stink issues.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
DON’T boil your diapers if they have snaps, PUL, or elastic as the water’s temperature, or the diaper sitting on the
bottom of the pot, can cause these parts to melt, and get
damaged.
DON’T use the sanitize cycle for diapers with elastic,
hook & loop, and lamination (PUL). The water temperature is too high and causes excess wear and tear – it
might even render diapers unusable.
DON’T overload your washer. The diapers and inserts
need room to move wash, and get clean. So save your
bed sheets and towels for the next round!
DON’T stuff warm diapers fresh out of the dryer. The
elastics in the diaper need time to cool off fully before
being stretched out. Stretching while warm cases early
wear and tear, and the elastic will go slack.
Between Washes
DON’T let diapers go more than 2-3 days between launderings. This is an invitation for ammonia, bacteria, stink
issues, and even mold to invade your diapers. Give them a
wash every few days to avoid build up!
DON’T throw un-rinsed, poopy diapers in the pail. If you
don’t rinse off your diapers, you can’t expect the washing
machine to get them totally clean – especially if they’ve
been waiting for a wash for a day or more. Be sure to give
them a quick spray, dunk, or swish of water to keep them
clear.
Blueberry One Size Simplex AIO in Paisley
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Our Top 10 FAQs
1. Aren’t cloth diapers gross? What do I do with poop?
First off, whether you’re using disposables or cloth diapers, you’ll have to deal with poop. There’s no getting
around that. The difference that might set off your gagreflex involves in how you get rid of solid waste. However,
that’s as easy as just dumping it into the toilet. This can
be done by simply shaking the diaper, scraping it off with
a piece of toilet paper, or using a diaper sprayer. Easy!
And you’ll never have to haul a bag stuffed with full dirty
diapers to the garbage – talk about gross!
2. But I barely have a second to spare as it is! How can
I find time to wash cloth diapers? The whole process
of washing diapers can take less than 10 minutes. Your
washer/dryer will be doing most of the work! You can toss
them into the dryer right before bed, and wake up to a
pile of fresh diapers in the morning.
As for the folding and stuffing process, that won’t take
longer than five or 10 minutes.
Still not sure? Check to see if there’s a cloth diaper laundry service in your area!
3. Aren’t cloth diapers a lot harder to use than dispos-
ables? As with any new skill, cloth diapers do come with a
bit of a learning curve. But it’s certainly not rocket science! Cloth diapers come in a variety of designs, many of
which are almost as easy to use as disposables.
4. Don’t cloth diapers smell? Stink will only build up in
cloth diapers if they’re not laundered properly, or if you’re
not using the right type of detergent (this can cause ammonia buildup).
There are a few steps you can take to dodge stinky diapers. A general rule of thumb is to flush solid waste down
the toilet, keep your dirty diapers in a pail or wet bag, and
wash them every 2-3 days.
If you can’t wash your diapers frequently enough, you can
do a few natural things to combat the smell. Many online
cloth diaper retailers sell Citrus Disks and Diaper Buddies
that you drop into the pail. I personally like the cheap and
easy solution of pouring a few drops of lavender or teatree oil on a cloth wipe and dropping it into the pail.
You can buy a smaller pail for the bathroom to hold diapers that need a bit of rinsing. But don’t worry: soiled
cloth diaper odor is practically a fresh spring breeze compared to the toxic fumes that can knock you over when
emptying the Diaper Genie.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
5. Will they leak more than disposables? While the super
absorbent polymer (SAP) gel disposables use definitely
lives up to its name, it’s also toxic, and can be poisonous
when exposed to skin or digested.
Alternately, cloth diapers use absorbent natural materials
to soak up the wetness. While you might have to change
them more often than disposables because of this, it depends on how often your baby pees. For more about leak
troubleshooting check previous pages.
6. I have multiple kids in diapers. Is this for me? Absolutely – as a matter of fact, cloth diapers are ideal for
moms with bigger families.
You will save so much money, and you’ll never have to do
a last-minute run to the store lugging kids and/or toddlers
with you! The best part is, you can wash them all together – so it barely increases your laundry load.
7. Yeah, there’s no way I’d convince my husband/partner!
When I first put the idea of cloth diapers to my husband,
he had his doubts (“What? Are you saying I’ll have to
touch poop?!”). But once I explained the health, financial, and environmental perks, he slowly started to see
what I was saying.
If he’s still not convinced, have him take a look around
our website. He’ll get a better idea of modern cloth dia-
pers are all about. Most men get sold on cloth diapers
from the financial saving alone.
8. Is my baby too old for me to start this now? Don’t worry: if you’re deciding to go the cloth diaper route a little
later in the game, this can actually work in your favor. You
can pass over newborn diaper sizes, and buy the one size
or larger sizes right off the bat! The best part, you can
keep using the diapers for any future new additions to the
family.
9. Have you cloth diapered a newborn? Is it easier? More
difficult? Yes, and just like big kids differ in their diapering needs, so do newborns.
Some newborns don’t wet that much and new mothers
sail through the first two months with not even so much
as a damp spot on the mattress. Others, (like me) on the
other hand, have babies with bladders the size of small
countries. Preparing for a super soaker is your best option
when accumulating diapers for a baby waiting to make an
appearance. It’s better to have more absorbency than you
need than not enough!
Expect to change a diaper after nearly every feeding, and
do a laundry load about once a day.
Newborns eat frequently - every two to four hours around
the clock, that’s about 12 diapers in a 24 hour period!
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CLOTH DIAPER BASICS
Unless you have a helper or a partner to throw a load in
for you during those early days, I’d plan on having at least
three to four dozen newborn sized diapers.
While some skip the newborn size altogether, rationalizing
that they simply don’t wear the size for very long, you’ll
soon wish you had some tiny diapers because there is
nothing worse than a frequent little peer leaking out of a
too-big diaper.
10. Will the waterproof layers make my baby too hot?
Although most of our diapers include waterproof layers,
they aren’t made of sweaty plastic of vinyl. Instead, we
use a material called Polyurethane Laminate (PUL) that
lets air in, while keeping water out. This material is used
in Pocket Diapers, All in Ones, and cloth diaper covers.
Blueberry One Size Pocket Diaper in Aqua
Blueberry Diaper Bag in Geo
You’re on
your way!
Changing diapers can be something
you look forward to. That’s why we’re here.
blueberrydiapers.com