The INFO on cloth... what does all it mean

So you have thought about going cloth and are just CONFUSED.  No wonder.  I was too at the beginning.  So many different systems out there, and kinds  What does AIO, or AI2 mean, what is a prefold system, what's a snappi, whats the pockets.  For those of us doing it awhile it's easy to forget that not everything knows it all at the beginning.  And then to think of all the different types of material used.  YES IT"S OVERWHELMING.

Well I hope to help ease that for you some.  I will start with the different diapers available.

A prefold.  Most people use them as burp rags.  If you have absolutely no choice then purchase the gerber ones at the store, but if you can, but a better quality one.  The gerber really are better as burp rags.  With a prefold there are many ways to fold and that will be another post.  But the prefold is just as the name says.  It's PREFOLDED so it's easy to put on the baby, you need to use a cover and then that's it.  It's the cheapest way to cloth diaper. 

AIO is an all in one  It is a bit more expensive to purchase one, as it's everything in one  It's just like a disposable.  No need for anything else with it.  It has the waterproof cover right in there and the soakers (absorbent) layer sewn in.  These are very convenient but they do take longer to dry

AI2.  Very similar to the AIO, but the all in 2 the absorbent layer can be either laid in or snapped in. These do not take as long to dry as the AIO since the soaker is able to be moved from the PUL layer

Pockets.  Exactly what it says the diaper is a pocket.  Either the back or front has an opening, and you STUFF the pocket with the absorbent layer.

Contest

http://www.facebook.com/bowsandmore.bowtique/posts/193703007313926

If everyone can like that post i would GREATLY appreciate it.  It's for a custom fitted cloth diaper, and we are in need of some larger sizes.  i can only make them so fast ,and i have enough orders.  And the amount that I need in new ones for my son, well i am trying to fit them in between my orders. 

fleece

I was asked about the fleece.  I just use regular fleece from any of the local fabric stores.  Don't have any special one that I use at all.  the only thing to be careful of is that if you dont change enough it can wick through to the outer layer of clothes  I haven't had that problem, but i do change the little guy every two hours. 

FLEECE Diapers

I have been making fleece diapers and LOVE them.  Since fleece i don't need to have any extra cover over them.  They are so easy and very breathable.  I dont' mind using PUL but the fleece i think is SOOOO much better. 

I have had NO issues with them, and think that's what i will be making for right now for Noah. 

my COST

I am going to start selling my diapers.  I am going to charge right now $15 a diaper for a fitted with aplix closure.  $2 more if you want snaps.  $18 for a one size with aplix and $2 more if you want snaps

I also make the fleece soaker and longies, which can double over as pajama pants, and i can make them in flannel as well.  They are $10 each for up to size 5t.  I can make larger than that, and the cost will increase due to the extra fabric involved in the larger sizes.  You will only be charged the cost of the extra fabric.

I am in the process of locating wool to make wool soakers and longies.

if you are interested please leave a comment below. 

My diaper stash

So my son is now just over 4 months old.  I have already received my investment back on my cloth diapers 2x already.  I got lucky and my entire stash was only around $150.  I currently have about 30 diapers.  I of course just ordered some more, since they are SOOO cute.  I just spent another $75 for about 12 diapers.  hoping those come in soon, so i can get a picture of those ones up here.  At this point if i decided to switch i know I have made money in my pocket but i wont' switch.

I challenge you ,if you are thinking about switching to cloth, to try it.  just ONE diaper a day can save you money.  But why not. 

Cost of Cloth VS Disposable

Curious to see how much money you can save by using cloth vs disposable diapers? I think you will be surprised!
Note: Prices do not include sales tax.
Cloth Diaper prices were taken from Baby Cotton Bottoms.
Disposable diaper prices were taken from a major chain store, and used the lowest cost.  So your diapers can cost more if going with Pampers.

Cost of Disposable Diapers

• Size 1 DisposableNewborn - 2 Weeks
  12-16 diaper changes per day = 168-224 diapers
  
  2 Weeks - 3 Months
  10-12 diaper changes per day = 700-840 diapers
  
  Total number of size 1 diapers needed is 868-1064.
  
  4-5 packages (264 diapers in a package)
  @ $38.99 each
  = $155.96 - $194.95
  
  
• Size 2 Disposable
  3 Months - 6 Months
  8-10 diaper changes per day = 672-840 diapers
  
  3-4 packages (228 diapers in a package)
  @ $38.99 each
  = $116.97 - $155.96
  
  
• Size 3 Disposable
  6 Months - 9 Months
  8-10 diaper changes per day = 672-840 diapers
  
  4-5 packages (204 diapers in a package)
  @ $38.99 each
  = $155.96 - $194.95
  
  
• Size 4 Disposable
  9 Months - 1 Year
  6-8 diaper changes per day = 504-672 diapers
  
  3-4 packages (180 diapers in a package)
  @ $38.99 each =
  $116.97 - $155.96
  
  
• Size 5 Disposable
  1 - 1 1/2 Years
  6-8 diaper changes per day = 1092-1456 diapers
  
  8-10 packages (150 diapers in a package)
  @ $38.99 each
  = $311.92 - $389.90
  
  
• Size 6 Disposable
  1 1/2 - 2 1/2 Years
  6-8 diaper changes per day = 2184-2912 diapers
  
  19-25 packages (120 diapers in a package)
  @ $38.99 each
  = $740.81 - $974.75

So, if your child potty trains around 2 1/2 years old, you can expect to use (and throw away!) 5992 - 7784 diapers per child. Grand Total of Using Disposable Diapers = $1598.59 - $2066.47!
And, this amount doesn't include the cost of disposable pull-ups, which will really add on to the amount you will spend. Also, some kids take longer to potty train, or will still need a diaper at night, which will also increase your costs.

Flat Diapers and Covers

• 24-36 flat diapers
  $12.50/dozen = $25 - $37.50
• 5-7 newborn covers (Thirsties)
  $11.25 each = $56.25 - $78.75
• 4-6 small covers (Thirsties)
  $11.25 each = $45 - $67.50
• 1-3 small night covers (Aristocrats)
  $33 each = $33 - $99
• 4-6 medium diaper covers (Thirsties)
  $11.25 each = $45 - $67.50
• 4-6 large diaper covers (Thirsties)
  $11.25 each = $45 - $67.50
• 2-3 medium/large night covers (Large Aristocrats)
  $36.50 each = $73 - $109.50
• 3-5 snappis
  $2.25 each = $6.75 - $11.25

Grand Total of Using Flats = $329 - $538.55
Savings of using cloth vs disposable diapers? $1269.59 (at least) Wow!!

Prefold Diapers and Covers

• 24-36 infant sized prefolds
  $23/dozen = $46 - $69
• 5-7 newborn covers (Thirsties)
  $11.25 each = $56.25 - $78.75
• 4-6 small covers (Thirsties)
  $11.25 each = $45 - $67.50
• 1-3 small night covers (Aristocrats)
  $33 each = $33 - $99
• 12-36 baby sized prefolds
  $31/dozen = $31 - $93
• 4-6 medium diaper covers (Thirsties)
  $11.25 each = $45 - $67.50
• 4-6 large diaper covers (Thirsties)
  $11.25 each = $45 - $67.50
• 2-3 medium/large night covers (Large Aristocrats)
  $36.50 each = $73 - $109.50
• 3-5 snappis
  $2.25 each = $6.75 - $11.25

Grand Total of Using Prefolds = $381 - $663
Savings of using cloth vs disposable diapers? $1217.59

Fitted Diapers and Covers

• 24-36 newborn sized prefolds
  $17/dozen = $34 - $51
• 24-36 small sized fitteds
  $13.50 each = $324 - $486
• 5-7 newborn covers (Thirsties)
  $11.25 each = $56.25 - $78.75
• 4-6 small covers (Thirsties)
  $11.25 each = $45 - $67.50
• 1-3 small night covers (Aristocrats)
  $33 each = $33 - $99
• 12-24 medium sized fitteds (Thirsties)
  $13.50 each = $162-$324
• 4-6 medium diaper covers (Thirsties)
  $11.25 each = $45 - $67.50(li)12-24 large sized fitteds (Thirsties)
  $13.50 each = $162 - $324
• 4-6 large diaper covers (Thirsties)
  $11.25 each = $45 - $67.50
• 2-3 medium/large night covers (Large Aristocrats)
  $36.50 each = $73 - $109.50

Grand Total of Using Fitteds = $979.25 - $1674.75
Savings of using cloth vs disposable diapers? $391.72 (and can be much more if you choose cheaper brands!)

Pocket Diapers

• 12-36 small pocket diapers (Fuzzi Bunz)
  $16.50 each = $198 - $594
• 12-24 medium pocket diapers (Fuzzi Bunz)
  $16.50 each = $198 - $396
• 12-24 large pocket diapers (Fuzzi Bunz)
  $16.50 each = $198 - $396
• 12-36 inserts
  $3.50 each = $42 - $126

Grand Total of Using Pockets = $636 - $1512
Savings of using cloth vs disposable diapers? $554.47 (and more if you wash more frequently!)

All in One Diapers

• 24-36 small AIOs (Thirsties)
  $17 each = $408 - $612
• 12-24 medium AIOs (Thirsties)
  $17 each = $204 - $408
• 12-24 large AIOs (Thirsties)
  $17 each = $204 - $408
• 6-8 inserts or doublers
  $3.50 each = $21 - $28

Grand Total of Using AIOs = $837 - $1456
Savings of using cloth vs disposable diapers? $610.47 (and more if use a one size AIO!)
As you can see, you can save quite a lot of money by choosing cloth vs disposable diapers! And, you will save even more if you use your cloth diapers for additional children or if you resell them when your child gets potty trained.




These of course are using just one brand for cloth.  you can defiantly search around and find used cloth diapers that still have a LOT of life left in them for cheaper.  you can't say that about disposables at all.  So you can potentially have LESS out of pocket.  You can also find WAHM diapers and other ones that are cheaper.  So there is even more savings to be had by using cloth

Environmental reasons to go cloth

Have you ever seen how quickly a trash bag fills up with dirty diapers? Before we were using cloth full time, we could easily fill 2-3 bags per week.

My daughter luckily potty trained at 2, so we were able to cut out almost a whole YEAR+ of disposable diapers that most parents use;

Now, imagine all the dirty diapers from every baby in the world in one big pile. Imagine just one years worth. (If you need some help imagining, that's roughly 1.3 billion trash bags of dirty diapers.) Scary, huh?

 And, you can't recycle a paper diaper. But, you can wash and reuse a cloth one.

You can make a stash from ANYTHING you have.  And you just need about 12 diapers total and you can cloth until they are potty trained.  (yes with 12 you will be doing more laundry, but Hey, it's worth it.)

There is no way you could say that about disposable diapers, but it is one of the awesome benefits of cloth diapers

Washing your cloth diapers

Most people seem to struggle with the washing of cloth diapers.  If you don't wash the detergent out, it will lead to build up and can cause leaking issues.  Also it can cause a reaction with the urine and create an amonia smell.  Plus using fabric softeners WILL cause your diapers to repeal and leak. 

Here is a basic routine that many people use to get you started:

• Wash your diapers every 2 days, 3 days TOPS.  more than that and they will stink.

• Before washing, make sure to fold velcro tabs in so they don't cause your diapers to get all tangled up in the wash.   Most diapers come with a laundry tab.  If yours don't I would recommend turning the diaper inside out and attaching the tabs to the diaper itself. 
  
• Set your washing machine on the highest water level to make sure you get enough water in there to rinse your diapers really well. Don't SKIMP out on the water at all. 
  
• Do a cold prewash, or soak your diapers anywhere from 20 minutes to overnight, whatever you have time for. This helps "loosen" everything up before you actually wash them. (Don't soak diapers made from PUL overnight, this can ruin your diapers faster than normal wear and tear.)   You can chose to add detergent to this cold wash or not.  your choice.  My washer doesn't have a prewash setting, so I do a complete wash on cold first.
  
• Add your detergent. Use only 1/4 - 1/2 of the recommended amount of detergent. Too much and you will get detergent buildup, which is one of the leading causes of diaper stink!
  
  Also, choosing the right detergent is really important! You want a detergent free of perfumes, dyes, and other additives like brighteners. There are some great detergents that work really well for cleaning cloth diapers.  If you dont want to spend the extra money for cloth diaper detergents, look for the store brand detergents.  These are typically free of everything, BUT the essentials to clean things

• Wash your diapers on hot with a warm rinse.  Do an additional warm rinse, to make sure all the detergent washes out. You will see people say to do a cold rinse, BUT i have found that a warm rinse is actually better at getting out the extra detergent.  how do you know if it's all out.  Check for bubbles during the rinse.  If there is soap bubbles rinse again.  you can add vinegar to the rinse that helps to break down the detergent
  
• Dry outside in the sunshine or in the dryer for 60-80 minutes. When drying in the sun the sun's rays act as an actibacterial, and helps to kill off anything in the diapers, such as yeast.  Also the sun will naturally bleach your diapers clean for you. DON'T use dryer sheets in the dryer at all.  If putting your PUL in the dyer this will helps break it down faster.  I invested in a drying rack and use that.  Yup it takes up more room in the house BUT my diapers last longer.
  
• When your diapers are done, smell them. If they stink or smell like detergent, you should rinse them again until they smell like, well.. nothing!

See, piece of cake!! Cleaning cloth diapers is not difficult, it just takes a few extra laundry loads each week and paying attention to what is working and what isn't.


Cloth diapers will be the EASIEST laundry you do ,ONCE you have your routine down.  If you have a front load washer you will have to experiement more.  I would suggest putting it on the quilt/comforter setting if you have one.  If not, I have heard that you can add water through the detergent door.  I have heard most people end up adding about 5 galloons of water.  DO NOT use the SANITIZE cycle.  That water is TOO HOT for the diapers and will cause the PUL to break down faster.