Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Since I started cloth diapering I have heard many comments and had many questions about "why I would want to do such a thing." or "How can you stand cleaning diapers?!"  I have learned that many people have the same fears and misconceptions about cloth diapering that I had at the beginning.

Through a lot of trial and error I have resolved each of those concerns.  I have been there, new to this foreign world of cloth diapering.  I was the only one of my friends that was cloth diapering (this has since changed).  I spent hours online researching cloth and learning all that I could.  I am confident that through my experience that I can be of assistance to you.  I have tried countless brands and styles of diapers trying to find that perfect one and have come to realize that each person has a different opinion on what that perfect diaper is. On my website I stock what I love, what I use, and some of the other favorites WAHM made diapers available.  I have many other brands/styles that I hope to still stock, so check back often to see what's new!  So let's get started with the Q&A's....

Q: Is it hard to use cloth diapers? 
A: This is an easy NO.  Changing them is about the same.  Washing them is about the same as doing any normal load of laundry.  And they come out nice and clean.  When people ask me this my response is always the same...do YOU think that I would be doing it if it was so much harder than disposables?  I don't have a lot of time to be spending washing and buying diapers.  I have actually found that cloth diapers have saved me time and money. There are a number of other advantages like the spared stains from dreadful blow-outs that are accepted as normal and almost considered a rite of passage with disposables.  Honestly the only blow-outs we have had have been with disposables.  One of the reasons that I love cloth is that it has come along way since the days of plastic pant and pins. Today the fabrics are much more absorbant, leak resistant, and feature easy fastener like velcro, touch tape, snaps and snappies.

Q: Is it a pain to wash cloth diapers?
A: I will say that while I despise the regular laundry, I enjoy washing the cloth diapers and find great satisfaction in my 'pile' of clean diapers.  When it comes to washing diapers, its as simple as throwing a load in the wash when you go to bed and drying them the next morning.  I keep a "dry" diaper pail (which is really a plastic garbage can) with a waterproof liner in it by my washing machine to throw all the dirty diapers in.  When the pail is full I throw all the diapers, covers, wipes, and the pail liner in the washing machine and do a short, cold rinse-no detergent.  Next I do a hot or warm wash with about 1 TBS of detergent on my longest cycle with an extra rinse (go to bed) and viola wash is complete!!!  Now I can either throw them in the dryer on medium or low heat, with a towel to help them dry quicker. Or can I dry them outside, the sun is the best stain remover, and the cheapest way to get them dry and fresh smelling.  That is all there is to it!  Easy Peasy!

Q: What about the cost, isn't it expensive to use cloth?
A: I had the same concern at the beginning. I was so excited to have found these super cute diapers but the cost of one cloth diaper sort of blew me away? How could they could be cheaper when a discount bag of diapers only costs $9.99 at the store? But Considering a baby will go through about 6000 of these by the time they are potty trained, that $9.99 will really add up. When I did the numbers, I realized that I could save thousands of dollars by cloth diapering.  Now I wish that we would have started cloth with our first because by now we would have had an extra $6,000-$8,000 to put toward a college investment or several awesome family vacations! The great thing about cloth is that you can use them for more than one baby.  Once you make that initial investment you are set for the next babies!

Q: What about the environment?
A: "Sixty times more solid waste and twenty times more raw materials, like crude oil and wood pulp from trees are consumed are used in of disposable diapers than in cloth diapers.  In fact, 25 million trees are consumed and manufactured into baby diapers each year!  As the third largest contributor to our landfills, all the toss-away diapers of today will still remain in tact 500 years from now." -Thirsties

Q:  Do cloth diapered children really potty train faster?
A: Most definitely!  When they are able to feel the wetness right away they learn to associate the feeling with a full bladder sooner than with disposable that pull all the wetness away. Less time in diapers = a happy mom and child!

Q: What if I don't want to dunk diapers in the toilet?
A:  Dunking and swishing is not necessary with cloth diapering these days.  You can either purchase diaper liners (made out rice paper, which are FLUSHABLE - Yeah!), or purchase a diaper sprayer that attaches to your toilet to spray off any particles.  Of course with a breastfed newborn you don't need to do either. Just throw the diaper in the wash as is, no rinsing or liners!

Q: Do I have to keep disposables on hand for trips to the mall or around town?
A:  The answer is no and it took me a long time to come to this conclusion.  At first I was so nervous to leave home with my child in cloth.  I bought disposables just for outings. Now I don't give it a second thought.  I always keep my wetbag in my diaper bag to put any used diapers in.

Q: How often do I need to change the baby?
A:  It really depends on your baby and how heavy/frequent of a wetter they are.  A lot of cloth diaper stores tell you to plan on every 2 hours, but I have found that it varies depending on the child, I usually change every 3-4 hours or immediately after a poopy diaper .