Why choose cloth diapers? What are the different types of cloth diapers? What do I do with my soiled diapers until wash day? How do I wash my cloth diapers? What type of detergent can I wash my diapers with? How do I prepare my new cloth diapers for use?

Why choose cloth diapers? Cloth diapers have come a long way since the days of pins and plastic pants. Todays options are breathable, stay dry inners and are just as easy to use as disposables. There are many advantages to cloth;  1) They are eco-friendly. Saving the landfills from endless disposable diapers.  2) They are chemical free.  Disposable diapers contain many chemical ingredients which the safety of these chemicals are questionable.  3) They are a cost effective. Considering most children go threw 6 to 8 thousand diaper changes from birth to toilet training; reusable cloth saves money.   4) They are fun! Fun? You may ask yourself? But todays diapers come in beautiful colors and prints. What are the different types of cloth diapers? Cloth diapering types can be broken down into four main groups. AIl In Ones (AIO's) These diapers have a leak proof outer and an absorbent inner built into the diaper. They are easy to use and have snaps or velcro to fasten. Pockets These diapers have a leak proof out and the stay dry inner. The stay dry inner wicks away moisture from the baby's skin. At the back of the diaper there is a opening to place the absorbancy. The absorbency come from the insert that is stuffed in the opening. They are easy to use and have velcro or snap closure. Fitteds and Contours  These diapers are absorbent shaped diapers that require a cover. They fasten with velcro or snaps. Flats and Prefolds These diapers consist of a flat retangular piece of material that is folded and placed on the baby. They are snappied or pinned as a closure. A protective outer layer is required in the form of a diaper cover. What do I do with my soiled diapers until wash day? Just simple place the soiled diaper in a diaper pail (garbage can with lid or 5 gal pail with lid). You may wish to use a diaper pail liner to keep the pail clean but it is not necessary. If you choose not to use a diaper pail liner just rinse out the diaper pail with soap on wash day. How do I wash my cloth diapers? Washing diapers does not have to be complex. Simply put the diapers in the wash making sure Velcro tabs are fastened and inserts are removed. Shake any solids in to the toilet and flush. Do a cold water pre-rinse then wash on hot, with half the amount of suggested detergent; followed by a (optional) second rise. Hang drying is the most environmentally friendly; but todays diapers can in the dryer also. Be sure to read the manufacturers tag and following there instructions, some diaper differ with washing instructions. What type of detergent can I wash my diapers with?  The best detergents don't contain fabric softener, enzymes, dyes, perfumes and brightners. Although some detergents that contain a little brightners can be okay to use. A note that laundry soap is not a detergent and is not suitable for cloth diapers. We like to use SOAPNUTS to wash our diapers with. It is natural, supports farmers and thier famlies and leaves no residue. Bummis has composed a list of detergents that are acceptable and unacceptable: Detergent List for Cloth Diapers   This list was put together based on feedback from Bummis' customers and suppliers. They are not detergent experts, and this list is by no means definitive- it is meant as a resource only. Since ingredient lists for detergents are not always readily available, they erred on the side of caution and have not recommended detergents with unknown ingredients. Many factors can lead to a detergent giving you a residue problem -differences in water quality, washing machines and the ratio of water to detergent. Some detergents with additives can cause problems for one family, but pose no issues for the next. Because of this, your safest bet is to stick with a detergent that is zero-residue. That said, keep in mind, that most detergents when used in moderation will not cause a residue problem. Whichever detergent you choose to use, make sure to use a reasonable quantity. If using a zero-residue detergent, stick to the lower end of the amount recommended on the package. If you are using anything other than a zero-residue detergent, use about 1/2 of what the manufacturer recommends in a top loading washing machine, and reduce to 1/4 for a front loader or HE machine. This will give you enough detergent to clean properly but not enough to create a residue. Make sure your diapers are being rinsed well in plenty of water. Check out our washing guide for more information. PRODUCT RECOMMENDED WHY NOT / USEFUL INFO Ace Powder NO Enzymes AJAX All-Purpose powder NO Brighteners All Free and Clear NO Anti-allergens/brighteners All Baby NO Brighteners All w/stain lifters NO Full of extra ingredients Allen's Naturally liquid/powder YES Arm & Hammer liquid laundry detergent essentials MAYBE There are natural oils. Should be fine if used in moderation. Arm & Hammer Fabric Care NO Full of extra ingredients. Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Perfume Free and Dye Free NO Brighteners Bi-O-Kleen All Temperature liquid/powder MAYBE Reports of repellency issues with pocket diapers - perhaps caused by natural extracts or degreasers. Bi-O-Kleen laundry liquid MAYBE Reports of repellency issues with pocket diapers - perhaps caused by natural extracts or degreasers. Bi-O-Kleen Premium Plus All Temperature Powder NO Enzymes Biovert Detergent NO Some reports of residue Biovert Stain Remover YES Low additive oxygen bleach Cheer/Cheer Free NO Enzymes and brighteners Charlie's Soap YES The liquid leaves zero residue and is cost effective. The powder has not been tested. Claudia's Choices YES Zero residue Country Save Liquid MAYBE Has not been tested for use with diapers Country Save Powder YES Certified non residue by manufacturer Dreft NO Enzymes and brighteners Earth Friendly Products Baby Hypoallergenic NO Soy Softener Ecos Free & Clear MAYBE Some reports of residue in hard water conditions Ecos w/ soy softener NO Fabric softener Ecover NO Some reports of residue Envirorite NO Complete ingredient list unavailable Era NO Enzymes Fab NO Complete ingredient list unavailable. Fresh Start NO Complete ingredient list unavailable. Gain w/bleach NO Enzymes Ivory Snow liquid/powder NO Enzymes Jewel Ultra Original NO Enzymes Hydrox YES Safe bleach alternative if used in moderation Kirklands Signature NO Brighteners Lemieux NO Oily softener could leave residue Method NO Enzymes, brighteners Mountain Green Ultra, Skin Sensitive, Baby MAYBE Recommended by many users but does contain natural oils Mountain Green Baby Free & Clear YES Mrs. Meyer's NO Enzymes Nature Clean Powder and Liquid YES Erin's Notes: this is what I used on Catherine's diapers. Oxyboost YES Oxygenated bleach with no other additives Oxi-clean NO Complete ingredient list unavailable Oxi-Prime powder MAYBE Has oxygenated bleach in formula Planet Delicate Laundry Wash, Hypo-allergenic MAYBE Recommended by many but no evidence as to zero residue Planet Ultra, Powdered Hypo-allergenic MAYBE Recommended by many but no evidence as to zero residue Purex, Purex Free & Clear, Purex Baby NO Brighteners Sears Ultra Concentrated, powder NO Enzymes Sensi-Clean (Sportwash) YES Confirmed zero residue by the manufacturer 7th Generation liquid, Baby NO Enzymes 7th Generation powder NO Enzymes 7th Generation Free & Clear NO Enzymes. 7th Generation Delicate Care YES Shaklee liquid NO Enzymes Soap Nuts NO Not enough information available Sun, Sun Free NO Brighteners, enzymes Target Baby, powder NO Enzymes Tide, Tide Free(Tide Nature), Tide Powder NO Brighteners, enzymes Trader Joe's Cleanliness Next to Godliness NO Brighteners, soy Wisk, Wisk Free Clear NO Brighteners Wonder Wash YES XTRA NO Brighteners The above instructions are courtesy of Bummis. You can visit them at www.bummis.com How do I prepare my new cloth diapers for use? In most cases a simple wash is all you need. If the diaper is hemp you may need to wash the new diaper (or insert) several times to get the natural oils out and make it absorbent. It is important when prepping hemp it be washed on hot water and by itself so the natural oils don't coat other items in the wash.