You know it is possible to help reduce the amount of disposable diaper waste in landfills by using cloth diapers, but you are nervous about how to wash them. This is a common concern being raised by many young mothers who were raised with disposable diapers. You may be surprised to know that cleaning cloth diapers is not as difficult or even as gross as you might imagine.
Cleaning cloth diapers formerly involved soaking, bleaching, pre washing, and air drying when my girls were little. In the past, this process was quite time consuming and full of work. Plastic pants have been replaced by pliable, washable, diaper covers and can still be used with the traditional plain prefolded diapers. Today’s generation of cloth diapers are 100 better than the old style. There are many all in one cloth diaper systems to choose from. One such brand is Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers, which are diaper and cover in one piece, with an optional insert. Everything can be washed together, including the wet bag which is used to contain the wet diapers until laundry day.
Here are some simple steps to help you clean your soft, natural, cloth diapers.
If baby has solid waste, you can simply drop the stool into the toilet and flush it away. No swirling and wringing of the diaper is necessary. Store the wet and/or dirty diapers in a diaper pail or your wet bags until laundry time. There is no need for soaking anymore and you can leave them the way they are. Run the diapers first through a cool water rinse when you are ready to launder. The next step is to wash the diapers with detergent in a hot water wash. A lot of people feel that soap is better, as it leaves the diapers softer, but soap can also leave an oily residue, which means the diaper will not be as absorbent for your little darling’s bottom. You can experiment with the amount of laundry detergent you use for all your washing needs, not just the cloth diapers. Frequently, manufacturers suggest you use more detergent than is required. Irritating deposits can be left on the cotton if too much detergent is used. One way to see if you can use less detergent is to use about half the recommended amount to see if it is effective for you, and adjust the amount from that point. Follow the hot wash with a cold rinse. Most machines these days automatically use a cold rinse, but check your settings to make sure.
If you’re not sure how much detergent is too much, run the diapers through a second rinse. The rinse water should be clear. During the rinse cycle, if you notice suds, this indicates there was still some residue left in the diaper. Fabric softeners are not recommended for use with cloth diapers. Fabric softeners can reduce diaper efficacy because they leave a coating on the fabric which inhibits absorbancy. There is more chance of irriation and diaper rash and more need to change the baby if your diapers are lose absorbancy.
Cloth diapers can be air dried or dried in the dryer. Of course, everyone has a preference, and I do like the softness the dryer provides, but the sun provides natural disinfecting and bleaching. Check the washing instructions on your particular brand. Fuzzi Bunz diapers recommends using a low setting on the dryer, while some of the others say to use the hot.
It is possible for you to help preserve the environment by washing those soft natural diapers and keeping the disposables out of the landfills. And don’t forget you can and put the baby in your favorite Ellaroo baby carrier and go enjoy your world naturally as well!
Author Resource:
Maria Cummings is a mom that has devoted herself to helping kids and families in the community. As Manager of Bustling Baby, Maria enjoys sharing her experience of natural parenting with new parents and supports parents in finding the best natural baby products at ==> http://www.BustlingBaby.com
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