- More comfortable
- No harmful chemicals or gels
- Fewer diaper rashes
- Babies tend to potty train
sooner
- More economical
- No landfill waste
- Can later be utilized as a burp
cloth, dust rag, shoe shine cloth and to polish precious metals...
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Why
choose organic cotton?
*Cotton facts from
the Organic Trade Association Fiber
Council.
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Is it really cheaper to use
cloth vs. disposables?
-
Yes, it's true.
Most people can save $1700+ by using cloth diapers, this includes
using organic cotton diapers! Oftentimes, the diapers will make
it through 2 children, cutting the cost even more!
Is it true that cloth
diapered children potty train faster?
-
Yes. The child
feels the wetness and is able to associate it with the full
bladder feeling prior to feeling wet after he/she urinates.
-
It has been said
that they train, on average, 6 months faster. So, they do learn
quicker.
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- Contour diaper- a
diaper that is shaped somewhat like an hourglass. It is wider in
the back than in the front. The diaper needs an outer waterproof
covering to hold wetness in and prevent leaks.
-
Snappi®-
a safe, hypo-allergenic diaper fastener that has revolutionized
cloth diapering by replacing the diaper pin. It is made from
stretchable, non-toxic and biodegradable plastic material which is
T-shaped with teeth-like grips on the ends. The teeth hook into
the diaper fabric ensuring a quick, snug-fitting diaper. And it
comes in a variety of colors.
- Wick(ing)- this
occurs when a cloth diaper is at its absorption limit. The diaper
"wicks" moisture onto the cover, clothing, etc.
- Blowout- this
describes a poopy mess that has escaped the diaper and soils the
cover/soaker as well.
- Wrap/Cover/Soaker-
these are made of cotton, wool, or synthetic fabric and are used
to cover the diaper to hold in wetness.
- Doubler- this
describes a type of cloth pad that is sewn together. Usually it's
made of terrycloth and fleece that is put in the diaper for extra
absorbency. It works great for heavy wetters, at nighttime, or
whenever extra absorbency is needed.
- This depends on how often you
intend to do laundry.
- The average newborn goes through
8-12 diapers every day. The average baby 8-9 months and older
uses about 6-8 diapers each day.
- In order to do laundry every 2-3
days, it is recommended to have about 3 dozen diapers and 5-7
covers in each size.
- Don't forget, wet diaper covers
can be dried out and used more than once before washing.
- Yes. Organic cotton contains
natural oils in it that repels water causing the urine to roll off
and leak.
- It is recommended that you wash
and dry your new diapers 4-5 times prior to first use.
- The organic cotton diapers
should reach their maximum absorption level by 10-12 washes.
- Any "free and clear" detergent
should work well. Our favorites include
Shaklee®,
Mountain Green®,
and
Seventh Generation®.
- Please remember, do not use
Dreft®, Ivory Snow®, pure soap or any fabric softeners as these
products put a coating on the diapers making them water-repellant
causing the diapers to leak.
- The diapers will shrink most
after the first wash and dry.
- They will continue to shrink a
little for a few more washes.
- Shrinkage was considered
when the diapers were designed.
How do I wash cloth
diapers?
-
Dry Pail
method: When the diapers are wet or soiled just put them
into the diaper pail without water. (Soaking the diapers in the
diaper pail isn't needed and is a drowning hazard.)
-
If they are
especially soiled, shake the solids off into the toilet or rinse
the diaper in the toilet before putting it into the pail. If baby
is exclusively breastfed, it isn't necessary to rinse the diapers
in the toilet, just put them into the pail until wash day.
(Breastfed poo is like yogurt and washes out without any problem.)
-
Washing:
(Two washes should be sufficient.)
-
Put the diapers into
the washing machine. First, machine wash cold. (Cold water helps
to get out protein (poo) stains.)
-
Then, machine wash
warm.
-
It is recommended to
use only 1/2 the amount of detergent in each wash. The diapers
will get clean and this will help prevent any detergent build-up.
-
You can add 1/2 cup
white distilled vinegar into the last rinse cycle. (Vinegar is a
natural fabric softener, mildew inhibitor and helps reduce
detergent build-up.)
-
You can add 1/2 cup
baking soda to either the first or second wash to help freshen the
diapers, if needed.
-
An extra rinse cycle
helps to get any extra detergent out of the diapers. But this
step is up to you and if your baby is sensitive to detergents.
-
Drying:
Put the diapers in the dryer and dry on medium heat. (The
dryer helps to soften the diapers.)
-
Or, hang the diapers
on the clothesline to dry in the sun. (The sun is a natural
whitener and sanitizer.)
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- Laundromat washing is simple.
The only thing that tends to be a "chore" is carrying the heavy
pail.
- If you wash twice per week, you
can get a large, waterproof pail liner for the diaper pail.
- When ready to wash , simply pull
the draw string and go. Dump the diapers in for a cold wash and
then a second warm wash and you're done. Just dry them and head
home.
Is it
unsanitary to have poopy water in our washer?
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What if there is a strong
urine smell
coming from the diapers when I wash?
-
There should not be
a strong urine smell after two washes. The following are good
ways to help if there is a strong urine smell:
-
You could use 1/2
cup baking soda in the wash, followed by 1/2 cup white distilled
vinegar in the final rinse.
-
Or, just add 1/2 cup
vinegar to the final rinse cycle.
-
It is recommended to
only fill your washer 2/3-3/4 full so the diapers can agitate
properly. (We have found that a super capacity top-loading washer
will take a maximum of 24 diapers.)
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How to wash and dry your
diaper covers
-
Eco-Fleece
Covers: Machine wash warm. Tumble dry low or lay
flat to dry. Avoid using chlorine bleach, or any other
whitening agents or laundry additives.
-
Nylon covers:
Machine wash in warm water and hang to dry. Avoid using
chlorine bleach, or any other whitening agents or laundry
additives.
-
Wool covers:
Untreated, organic wool needs to be washed as little as
possible to help retain its natural lanolin properties. When it
becomes wet, just let it air dry. Small soiled areas can be
rinsed under the faucet with lukewarm water and gently rubbed
away. When necessary, gently wash in lukewarm water by hand with
a wool lanolin-replenishing soap. Remember, do not use cold or
hot water. Cold water shocks the fibers and hot water causes
shrinkage. Gently squeeze the water out by hand. Then place in a
towel and press out excess water. Give it a quick, brisk shake
for the wool to regain its form and elasticity. You can place it
over a mild heat source, like a running dryer. NEVER tumble dry.
Also, placing the wool in direct sunlight may cause discoloration
of the natural, organic wool.
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Natural stain fighting
methods
-
Place damp diaper on
grass in direct sunlight, or place the diaper on the grass with
the morning dew. This really does work! We have found that about
1-2 hours in direct sunlight is all it takes. At times, it may be
necessary to flip the diaper over to the other side to get those
stains out.
-
Put lemon juice on
stained area. Then put in wash.
-
Put some hydrogen
peroxide on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes and wash as
usual.
-
Try white vinegar in
the wash.
-
Use cold water in
the wash or rinse the diaper with cold water before placing into
diaper pail.
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- Please
click here to see pictures on how
to fold and fasten
 diapers.
Diapering away from home
-
Away for a few
hours: A small, waterproof tote bag is the best. Just
put the wet diaper in the bag and stick it in the diaper bag until
you get home. Then, put the diaper in the diaper pail until wash
day.
-
Away for a few
days: If you know that you'll be gone for a number of
days and you don't have enough diapers to last and no washing
machine available to wash the diapers, then you could get more
natural disposable diapers such as Tushies gel-free or
Seventh Generation chlorine-free. If you have access to a
washer and dryer, it's easy. If you cannot take the diaper pail
with you, then you could purchase a large, waterproof tote bag and
put the wet or soiled diapers in it. As needed, just wash and dry
as usual.
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- Cloth diapers should not
leak. Leaky diapers can be attributed to a number of
reasons. The following are the most common:
- Not changing the diaper
frequently enough. This is very common especially for
those parents who have switched from disposable diapers to cloth
diapers. Cloth diapers need to be changed about every 2 hours or
as needed. Heavy wetters and newborns may require more frequent
changes.
- Detergent build-up
or using the wrong detergent and/or fabric softener.
Remember, do not use Dreft®, Ivory
Snow®, pure soap, or fabric softeners. These products put a light
coating on the diapers causing them to repel water. It's a good
idea give the diapers an extra rinse cycle with hot water without
detergent to help remove any excess detergent build-up.
Using cloth
diapers while meconium passes
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