Donna's Cloth Diaper Methods!

Donna's Cloth Diapering Methods

This is a great book about cloth diapering. Please click on the link to order.

I thought I would make a web page dedicated to helping anyone who wants to use cloth diapers. I am no expert! I just believe there is not enough information provided to new or even experienced mothers as to the benefits of cloth diapering and how EASY yes, I said EASY it is! I would have never considered it either had I not seen my neighbor, Anne, do it. I used disposable diapers for my first two children! How I wished I had known then what I know now! I just never considered cloth. I didn't know anyone using cloth. I thought it was a thing of the past! I didn't know anyone still did it. The main reason I wanted to use cloth this time around was to save some money. I didn't know that I would actually Love cloth diapering. I think that the cloth diapers are more comfortable for baby too.
Anyway, here are my choices of diapers, pins and covers and the method I use to store and clean the diapers.

My choice of Cloth Diaper:

Gerber Diaper Service Diapers 4x8x4
China Cotton Diaper Service Diapers 4x8x4

They are about $25.00 for a dozen. I ordered these from Wee Bee's.

My choice of pins:

The "Dritz" brand.

They are stainless steel and have a safety cap that slides shut. They are my favorite because they slide right into the diaper! The others I've bought from discount type stores like Wal Mart and K Mart just don't compair. They "stick" and "snag" the diaper. I think they just aren't as sharp. I believe you can find them in sewing stores and they can also be purchased at Wee Bee's. They are $1.59 for four pins.

My choice for covers:

Dappi Nylon Pant (found at Sears). I like these for the spandex around the openings. These seem more comfortable because they don't leave marks on my baby.
Alexis Snap On Covers. I like these for the convenience of the snaps. When you are away from home and baby has shoes on, you don't have to pull off shoes to get the cover on and off. They are more expensive therefore I only have a few of these. I also ordered them from Wee Bee's.

Method of Cleaning Diaper and Covers:

I put soiled diapers in a diaper pail.
I do not soak them.
When the pail is full, I put the diapers into the washing machine and wash on warm. I use Tide, but have used cheaper brands like Arm and Hammer.
I also use 2/3 cup of baking soda. I buy the baking soda in a large size from a discount warehouse (Costco).
I remove the diapers with stains on them. I hang these out on a line in direct sunlight to bleach out the stains. (Yes, good ol' free sunlight does the trick!)
I either run the others without stains through another wash (with only the detergent, not more baking soda)or I can wait for the ones on the line to bleach out and rewash them all at the same time. In other words, I wash the diaper twice, the first time with detergent and baking soda and the second time with just detergent.
After the second wash, I run the rinse cycle again with 1/3 cup of vinegar. This removes any soap residue from the diaper so not to cause a rash. (I turn the dial around clockwise to the * on my machine and start it again with the vinegar.)
I then take out the covers and hang them to dry.
I can now dry my CLEAN, FRESH diapers.

How many to have you ask?

I have 36 "Diaper Service Diapers".
I have 4 "Dappi" nylon pants and 2 "Alexis" snap on brand.
I have 8 pairs of pins (but always seem to be missing some!).

For those of you thinking, "What about when I am away from home?. I asked the same question. I thought I would use disposables when away from home. But then when I did, I was always putting the dirty diaper in a plastic grocery bag because I wasn't near a trash can. (I was usually in my van changing him... I HATE to use public restrooms, eeeewwwwwwwww.) So, I figured, if I am putting a disposable in a plastic grocery bag, why can't I just put the cloth one in a plastic grocery bag? Get it?!?! So, I use cloth when away from home too!

*SPECIAL FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE READ THIS FAR!*
If you have read this far, you are really interested in saving money or cloth diapers, so here's another secret!

I use baby wash cloths for wipes instead of disposable wipes! This saves you even more $$money$$ and what do you do with a disposable wipe at the changing table? You would have to have a trash can! (you can't just put it in with the diaper and wash it...)
I bought some baby wash cloths at yard sales.
I have an empty "Pampers" wipe box (that brand's box is the largest box).
I put warm water in with a mild soap and then put the wash cloths inside! When I am cleaning up baby, I just put the cloth inside the diaper and throw it into the pail.
I wash the cloths with the diapers.

Here is a discussion board that is GREAT! If you have ANY questions, you should get your answer here.
ParentsPlace.com Diaper Board
*Note You will have to register at parentsplace.com (for free of course) to post, but you can read without registering.

Here are some reputable sites for ordering diapers:
WeeBees
Earthwise
The Baby Lane
Mother's Nature

If you are interested in Kooshies diapers, you can e mail Christi Waldheim

Come visit us, these pages are about me and my family.

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Donna Hansen

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