Frequently Asked Questions About Cloth Diapering

FAQs about Cloth Diapering

How do you use cloth diapers when travelling?
We use a wet/dry bag to store diapers and wipes, keeping the soiled diapers in the zippered waterproof section. When we go on longer trips we bring an extra wet bag, and approximately two days worth of diapers, making sure we are staying somewhere that we are able to do a load of laundry during our stay.

How many cloth diapers do you need?
It depends entirely on how often you do laundry, how often your child soils themselves, and also the style of diaper you choose (i.e. All-in-twos require fewer covers than inserts, as you can reuse the cover multiple times). For the first several weeks of newborn life we had to wash diapers 3-4 times a week because the newborn diapers were less absorbent and we had to change her more frequently (she could easily go through 12 diapers a day). Now, at 3 months, we currently have a rotation of around 30 diapers for Marigold (and 4 for Ramona, who only wears diapers at night), and wash twice a week.

How do you treat stains?
That bright yellow newborn poo can leave some intense stains, especially on natural fibres – we've found that sun bleaching has been able to remove all stains so far.

How to sun bleach: After rinsing or washing diapers, simply lay any stained ones flat in direct sunlight while still wet (I spray them with a water bottle to keep them extra damp). You can also add lemon juice to help with more stubborn stains. I was sceptical the first time I tried, but mother nature truly is magic – the diapers were white again within an hour.

Are cloth diapers really more environmentally friendly than disposable diapers?
There have been some studies that question whether cloth diapering is really more environmentally friendly based on the energy used to wash and dry them, as well as the materials that are used to make cloth diapers. I'm no scientist or research analyst, but I think this depends entirely on how you cloth diaper.

Tips:
- Buy secondhand diapers, if possible
- When buying new, choose natural, earth-friendly fibres that are biodegradable, such as hemp, organic cotton, wool, bamboo
- Wash full loads of diapers (usually around 20 diapers), rather than small loads
- Use eco friendly detergents (such as Kind or Laundry Miracle)
- Wash your diapers according to guidelines to prolong their lifespan
- Hang dry covers and inserts to dry as often as possible (prolongs lifespan and saves on energy)

How do you remove ammonia buildup from your diapers?
If your cloth diapers start to smell even after washing thoroughly or have a musty odour as soon as they are wet, there are usually three reasons.

1. Detergent buildup either from using the wrong kind of detergent or too much detergent.
2. The diapers may not be washed thoroughly.
3. Mineral build up from hard water.

The first two are relatively easy to fix by simply changing your washing routine and adjusting detergent amounts/brands. The third, mineral build up from hard water in your home, may mean you have to strip your diapers in addition to changing detergent brands and washing routine.

Stripping can be hard on your diapers and should be avoided if possible with a proper washing routine - but sometimes it is necessary. There are hundreds of resources out there on how to strip your diapers with whatever substances you feel comfortable using, ranging from white vinegar to CLR.

A few great resources:
Cloth Diaper Washing 101
How to Strip Cloth Diapers
Help! My Cloth Diapers Smell Like Ammonia