Diaper information

Diapers:

I ONLY use the highest quality fabrics and the bamboo’s weigh nearly a full pound per liner yard each. Each Organic diaper weighs a full 8oz (one half pound) each. While this may sound like a bulky diaper, for a one size it is not! While highly absorbent, the trimness of the bikini cuts do not look bulky on a baby old enough to use the toddler rise setting, usually around 6 months. On the infant setting, the diaper can look a little bulky, especially on a newborn, but not more so than most cloth diaper systems. On the toddler rise, my little ones can wear regular clothes made for disposable diapered babies with ease.Folding instructions for the best fit on the infant rise are in the Drool Bucket Baby blog.

Diaper Care:

Detergents:

Wash diapers with a diaper friendly detergent. Some detergents will leave build up in the diapers causing rash, some also have enzymes that will eat at the baby’s bottom. Don’t be fooled by Free and Clear’s! All Free and Clear is one of the worst culprits of having enzymes and brighteners that will bother your baby’s skin. My personal favorite detergent is Charlie’s Soap. Some stores carry it, but mostly it is purchased online. They have free shipping on orders of $28 or more. One tablespoon really does clean a large load of laundry! Even military uniforms, hubby’s uniforms never looked better.

Other well received detergents are Allen’s Naturally, Country Save, Tide Regular, Arm and Hammer Mountain scent and Arm and hammer free and Clear. There are a few others, Google it or if you’re brave experiment.

General Wash instructions:

Pre-wash with cold water, no need to rinse just run one cold cycle.

Use 1 table spoon of Charlie’s soap, or fill to the small wash line on your detergent cup. Add to warm water. Rinse in warm, rinse a second time in warm or cold.
Diapers can be cleaned in cold only cycles, lots of people wash in cold water, I prefer warm.

Dry on Medium or line dry for the longest life out of the diaper. You can dry on hot, I do, I’m impatient, but beware that drying on hot can cause PUL and lastin wear. If you want your diapers to last thru multiple children, dry on medium or line dry.

DO NOT USE ANY SORT OF FABRIC SOFTENER OR DRYER SHEETS!!!!!! This leaves a film that will make your diapers water resistant, you want them to absorb not repel. The only exception is ECOVER fabric softener. It rinses clean leaving no residue and great for keeping the bamboo softer much, much longer. I’ve also heard people who had luck with 7th Generation as well, but those are the only two I’d trust. You can use dryer balls to shorten dryer time and help soften as well. Use PVC bought at the store or try WAHM or self made wool dryer balls, the scents you can get from these are amazing!

Stripping:

If your baby does get a rash, detergent build-up is the most likely culprit. Usually from using too much detergent, or if you have pockets or PUL AIO’s they may need occasional stripping. There are a couple of ways to do this.

First Method: Put diapers in a HOT wash (try not to wash in hot every wash as it will lead to premature deterioration in your diapers). Once the diapers start to agitate add a tiny amount of dawn dish detergent. Keep adding by small amounts until you see bubbles. Rinse on hot until water is clear while agitating.

Second Method: if diapers are soiled, wash as normal, and then run through a hot wash. If you see lots of bubbles, that’s build-up coming out. Keep putting through hot wash/rinses until water agitates clear. Do not use any detergents or dawn, just plain water.

If you experience stink issues (usually happens when a child wets for the first time in a clean diaper and it smells bad). This is caused by mineral build up from hard water. To treat this problem let diapers (soiled or clean) soak in warm water with 1 cup of white distilled vinegar. Vinegar is great at breaking up minerals. Let soak 1-2 hours, no more than 2 hours though as the vinegar can start eating at the lastin. Spin and put through a normal warm wash with 2 rinses.

Overwhelmed? It can be overwhelming for the first timer. I relate it to Breast feeding. The first 8 weeks are very trying, with failures and frustrations. It takes extra time and extra care and seems daunting with all of the information, wash routines and different styles. It worth the effort! Just like breastfeeding, once you get past the 8 week miracle mark, everything seems much easier and like you were born to do this! Bottle vs. breast has it pros and cons, the same with disposable vs. cloth. I have found both breastfeeding and cloth diapering to be much more convenient, wallet friendly, environmentally friendly, and fulfilling than their counterparts. It’s not for everyone but the rewards are worth it.