Cloth diapers (also known as reusable nappies, washable nappies and cloth nappies) are much easier to use than you think. Here are answers to some frequent questions about using cloth diapers.
What do I do at changing time?
If the diaper is just wet, all you need to do is take it off, throw the liner away (if disposable) and place the diaper and reusable liner in your diaper bucket instead of in the bin.
If the diaper is dirty, the poo can be thrown away down the loo (far more hygienic than putting it in the dustbin) and the diaper placed in the bucket.
Liquid poo can be washed off by holding the diaper under the flush of the toilet before being dealt with in your normal way.
Are they difficult to put on?
No, not at all.Shaped diapers or all-in-ones are the simplest to use and need no folding - simply place them on just as you would a disposable.Flat or terry diapers do have to be folded but the amazing Nappi Nippa means that you don't have to use a pin.
Will my home smell?
Only if you leave la lot of dirty diapers hanging about for days.Just think about how your bin smells with a couple day's worth of dirty disposable diapers in it, with real diapers, solids are flushed down the lavatory immediately, so you won't have from this problem.If you wish, you can put one or two drops of essential oil on a cloth that you keep on the top of the bucket.
Will I have to more washing?
All families have washing to do, so including a few diapers isn't really more work. When you are ready to do a normal wash, simply take the diapers out of the bucket and put them in the washing machine, it is as simple as that.
Putting diapers into a modern washing machine with its fast spin is a far cry from putting them through the twin tub and mangle that your mother may have had.
Diapers can be washed at 60c and some people even use 40c with the odd hotter wash to keep the stains at bay.
The best way to dry diapers is on the line with the rest of your washing (or on a radiator during the winter) but I do fluff them up by placing them in the dryer for 10 mins with the bath towels after removing them from the line.
Will I get dirty putting them in the washing machine?
No.The poo will have been gotten rid of, so you are only dealing with a little wee. If you wet pail (see below) you can use a mesh bag to store the diapers in, so you just need to pick that up and put it in the machine. Dry pailing is even easier to do.
What is 'pailing'?
Basically, storing used diapers in a bucket.Wet pailing means putting the diapers into a solution of water and diaper soak or similar or just water on its own.
Dry pailing is very simple - just drop the used diaper into the bucket and replace the lid.
Won't all the washing powders harm the environment?
Yes and no. Yes to the extent that all detergents cause some damage (this can be limited by using non-bio or eco-friendly products) but no to the extent that this is still much better than using disposable diapers.
Will I have to use more diapers?
Not really. Guidelines state that you should change your baby's diaper every 4 hours during the day (more often for new borns), so this remains the same.
Will my baby get diaper rash?
Diaper rash is caused by bacteria in the poo reacting to the ammonia in wee. The best way to stop diaper rash is to change frequently (every 4 hours or so) and allow fresh air to get to the diaper area.
The lock away core inside disposable diapers encourages parents to change less often and their very design stops air circulation.Most real diapers are breathable, allowing air to circulate, resulting in a healthier butt.
What if I go out for the day?
Many parents use real diapers even when they go out and just take a slightly bigger bag with them. Others have a stock of eco-disposables to use for day trips or when they go away.
What about overnight?
Once again, some parents use eco-disposables overnight or place a booster pad inside the cloth diaper.
Do they leak?
Not if they fit well.A well fitting cloth diaper with a wrap if appropriate is no more likely to leak than a disposable.We recommend that you try out a few sample kits to ensure you buy the best diaper for your baby.
What do I do at changing time?
If the diaper is just wet, all you need to do is take it off, throw the liner away (if disposable) and place the diaper and reusable liner in your diaper bucket instead of in the bin.
If the diaper is dirty, the poo can be thrown away down the loo (far more hygienic than putting it in the dustbin) and the diaper placed in the bucket.
Liquid poo can be washed off by holding the diaper under the flush of the toilet before being dealt with in your normal way.
Are they difficult to put on?
No, not at all.Shaped diapers or all-in-ones are the simplest to use and need no folding - simply place them on just as you would a disposable.Flat or terry diapers do have to be folded but the amazing Nappi Nippa means that you don't have to use a pin.
Will my home smell?
Only if you leave la lot of dirty diapers hanging about for days.Just think about how your bin smells with a couple day's worth of dirty disposable diapers in it, with real diapers, solids are flushed down the lavatory immediately, so you won't have from this problem.If you wish, you can put one or two drops of essential oil on a cloth that you keep on the top of the bucket.
Will I have to more washing?
All families have washing to do, so including a few diapers isn't really more work. When you are ready to do a normal wash, simply take the diapers out of the bucket and put them in the washing machine, it is as simple as that.
Putting diapers into a modern washing machine with its fast spin is a far cry from putting them through the twin tub and mangle that your mother may have had.
Diapers can be washed at 60c and some people even use 40c with the odd hotter wash to keep the stains at bay.
The best way to dry diapers is on the line with the rest of your washing (or on a radiator during the winter) but I do fluff them up by placing them in the dryer for 10 mins with the bath towels after removing them from the line.
Will I get dirty putting them in the washing machine?
No.The poo will have been gotten rid of, so you are only dealing with a little wee. If you wet pail (see below) you can use a mesh bag to store the diapers in, so you just need to pick that up and put it in the machine. Dry pailing is even easier to do.
What is 'pailing'?
Basically, storing used diapers in a bucket.Wet pailing means putting the diapers into a solution of water and diaper soak or similar or just water on its own.
Dry pailing is very simple - just drop the used diaper into the bucket and replace the lid.
Won't all the washing powders harm the environment?
Yes and no. Yes to the extent that all detergents cause some damage (this can be limited by using non-bio or eco-friendly products) but no to the extent that this is still much better than using disposable diapers.
Will I have to use more diapers?
Not really. Guidelines state that you should change your baby's diaper every 4 hours during the day (more often for new borns), so this remains the same.
Will my baby get diaper rash?
Diaper rash is caused by bacteria in the poo reacting to the ammonia in wee. The best way to stop diaper rash is to change frequently (every 4 hours or so) and allow fresh air to get to the diaper area.
The lock away core inside disposable diapers encourages parents to change less often and their very design stops air circulation.Most real diapers are breathable, allowing air to circulate, resulting in a healthier butt.
What if I go out for the day?
Many parents use real diapers even when they go out and just take a slightly bigger bag with them. Others have a stock of eco-disposables to use for day trips or when they go away.
What about overnight?
Once again, some parents use eco-disposables overnight or place a booster pad inside the cloth diaper.
Do they leak?
Not if they fit well.A well fitting cloth diaper with a wrap if appropriate is no more likely to leak than a disposable.We recommend that you try out a few sample kits to ensure you buy the best diaper for your baby.
About the Author:
The writer offers more advice about cloth nappies including information about using cloth nappies at her website the Natural Nursery.
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