|
|
 |
|
Cloth Diapers 101
For disposable users out there who wince when contemplating your family's personal contribution to the local landfill but even more so at the thought of the alternative, cloth diapers are an option you may want to consider again. They're not what they once were.
Say goodbye to your notions of the pins, the big square pieces of cotton, leaky kids, and the daunting task of cleaning up. Easily laundered all-in-one diapers are the order of the day. With snaps or Velcro closures, waterproof banding around the waist and legs, and natural, breathable fibers that require no soaking, cloth diapers can be a more palatable choice than you may imagine.
For the fashion conscious, there are all the cool patterns to consider. For those concerned with keeping little bottoms pristine, you won't have to worry about blowouts and suspicious chemicals used in making disposables so absorbent. Add to this the potential savings and you may want to give cloth-diapering a try.
The Bottom Line
If you go cloth and launder them yourselves, the cost over three years will be between $800 and $1100, half as much as disposables. And diapering a second child will only cost you the laundering (about $400 for three years).
Home Laundering 101
Don't worry that your house will become a toxic waste dump. There's no longer any need to soak, rinse, or flush a diaper. Simply shake solids into the toilet and drop the diaper into a plastic-lined pail after a change. When the pail is full, tip into your washer. Wash once with a detergent like Tide or Cheer Free, reset washer, add more detergent, and wash again. Don't use bleach. Rinse twice to be sure all residue detergent is completely rinsed away and dry on hot. Not as bad as you thought! And it won't leave your washer stinky. It will be exactly as clean as the diaper and drains to the same place your toilet does.
Stocking the Changing Table
Experts estimate that you'll need about 2-3 dozen diapers if you get to the wash every third day, about 75-80 if you use a weekly diaper service. Many diaper services include diaper rentals in their price but you sacrifice choice.
Eco-Friendly Diaper Services
If your motivation to use cloth isn't based on finances, and the prospect of home laundering is an intimidating one, you may want to opt for a local diaper service. As a rule, services now use biodegradable detergents in their cleaning process rather than the harmful phosphates of old. Like disposables, the costs of using a diaper service plus diaper covers will fall in the range of $2000-$2500 over a three year period.
To locate an eco-friendly diaper service near you, try these Websites:
What do you think of this story? Tell Us.
|
Related Links
|
Related Videos
|
Comments
Please confirm your comment by answering the question below and clicking "Submit Comment."
May I recommend http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marshmallow-Fluff/249285728437559 bought the cuties best priced cloth diapers here!Everyone I know is using these- they are made with love and care by a regular Mom who uses them everyday. Check it out ;}
8/26/2011 04:55:26 PM Report Abusego to www.cottonbabies.com you can get really good deals. i use bumgenius and totally love them!they are so easy and i talked to my dd dr when she broke out in a persistent rash, and he said that the cd had nothing to do with the rash. i just followed the directions on the website, and bleach the diapers once a month. also if you hand them in the sun, it keeps them nice and white plus the sun sterilizes them too
4/27/2011 11:49:22 PM Report Abusevisit http://www.etsy.com/shop/TurtlesRUs for awesome deals on cloth baby wipes!
3/22/2011 09:27:41 AM Report Abusevisit http://www.etsy.com/shop/TurtlesRUs for awesome deals on cloth baby wipes!
3/22/2011 09:27:06 AM Report AbuseI'm going to be a first time mom and have decided cloth diapering is the best choice for me. The colors and patterns too cute, & the lack of chemicals lets me breathe a sigh of relief. As a baby, I had to have cloth diapers due to sensitive skin. My mom and I have done a lot of research on the new wave of cloth diapering, and we're both impressed at the direction in which it's headed. Luckily, we live near a shop that sells cloth diapers. I highly recommend it http://www.rgnaturalbabies.com/
2/23/2011 01:03:18 AM Report AbusePlease visit my website to learn about this amazing product! http://www.justsimplybaby.com/SarahC.html Use coupon code: JSB83 to receive 5% off your entire order. Over 50 prints in diapers! Now shipping anywhere in the world!
1/10/2011 08:41:43 PM Report AbuseI love the pocket cloth diapers!! I have found some on sites such as sweetdollbaby.com and gogreenpocketdiapers.com, very good prices and awesome quality!! My daughter is 5 months old and has never had a diaper rash!! :) :) If I need to use a disposable for traveling, I buy the Earth's Best or the Seventh Generation disposables, they are chlorine and bleach free!
1/2/2011 02:42:52 PM Report AbusePeople think that these cloth diapers are a great thing, however bacteria stays in the cloth a lot easier than it does with disposable diapers. It can infect areas faster as well. greenfieldstone.com
12/20/2010 01:55:52 PM Report AbuseI can't believe they listed those detergents are cloth diaper friendly!!! Even "free & clear" detergents have chemical whiteners and brighteners that leave residue on your diapers. that will cause repelling and build up---NO GOOD!!! Use something like Rockin' Green or Charlie's Soap, they were designed for use with cloth diapers!!!
5/26/2010 06:43:39 PM Report AbuseI love, love, love my cloth diapers!! We use Grobaby & gDiapers. They're so easy, we just change the insert & re-use the cover several times. I've spent $200 on our diapers & we'll be able to diaper our little one until she potty trains! The Grobabies are one size fits all! naturalbabyco.com, diaperjunction.com, & gdiaper.com are my favorites1
4/7/2010 03:01:20 PM Report AbuseI love using cloth diapers!! They are much easier to use than many people may think. I bought mine from greenmountaindiaper.com too. I spent no more $200 for the prefolds (excellent quality) and cute covers. Kellyscloset.com also has good prices for diapers and diaper packages like econobums. I know I am saving a lot of money and reducing enormous amounts of waste. I also feel good that I am wrapping my baby in organic cotton and not a chemical filled disposable.
4/1/2010 12:13:34 PM Report AbuseI make and sell cloth diapers, fitteds made out of bamboo.rayon velours and fleeces... super cute prints... and most of the time I sell enough to cover the costs... it wasn't hard to learn and is actually fun :) Cityfluff@yahoo.com :P
12/2/2009 01:13:18 AM Report Abusei have cloth diapered bothe of my kids and will cloth diaper #3. i think the setimate in this article is based on buying brand-new All-in-ones and a standard washer. With an HE washer and line drying and homemade, or hand-me-down diapers I think i spent about $200 total for each of my kids. A big plus is that CD'd kids generally potty train earlier! Mine were both done with diapers day and night by 2.5 years-old!
12/1/2009 12:22:01 PM Report AbuseI got my cloth diaper shash for less than 30 dollars. we used gift cards from our babyshower and I used craigslist to find AMAZING deals. I once got 2 covers, and 6 unbleached prefolds for only 8 dollars. the deals are out there, you just have to look!
11/8/2009 10:57:30 AM Report AbuseI ordered from greenmountaindiapers.com as well, as did some friends of ours. I am impressed by that site and the products they sell. Between the money we're saving and the landfill space we're not taking, I'm all about the cloth diapers!
10/29/2009 08:39:42 AM Report AbuseCloth diapering is a lot easier than people let on. The only I think it can be done for even less than $800 during the first three years. I think it could cost about $500 if you shop around for the best deals. Prefold diapers are a great deal @ greenmountaindiapers.com and I found diaper covers for less than $5 at kidsurplus.com! I use a purfume free natural type detergent w a scoop of baking soda in the wash, a bit of vinegar in a downy ball in rinse 1 of 2, and line dry to bleach stains!
10/25/2009 02:53:33 PM Report Abuse