Cloth Diapering 101

Anyone who knows me knows that I am an avid cloth diapering enthusiast and feel that those who are well versed in this area should help other moms who are just starting out become successful.  It is for that reason I felt it important to touch on some of the techniques I use that make cloth diapering work for me.

I have had some mothers tell me that cloth diapering is a less than pleasant experience for them.  Each person has their own reasons, but I think, with the proper tools and routines, the experience can become as pleasant as wiping a bottom can be.  True, cloth diapering is not for everyone, but it never hurts to give it a good try.

Here are some of my basic techniques that make cloth diapering more bearable, and even preferable to disposables:

• Flushable Liners.  I cannot stress this one enough.  The worst rap cloth diapering receives is scraping.  If you made me scrape poop of off anything, I wouldn't enjoy it much either.  Flushable liners make cleaning up the mess as easy as dumping it in the toilet.  No scraping.  No dunking.  No touching.  Just dumping and flushing.  I use Tiny Tush Flushable Liners.

• An Odor-Trapping Diaper Bag. Whether you wash your diapers every day, every other day, or a couple times a week, no one wants stinky diapers hanging around their laundry room.  Instead, toss them in an odor-trapping bag to keep your home smelling fresh.  As an added bonus, most bags can be tossed in the wash with your diapers to keep them clean and fresh too.  My personal favorite:  Plant Wise Diaper Pail Liner.

 
• A Centralized Diaper Station. Whether you change diapers on a changing table in the baby's room or on the living room floor (like me), cloth diapering becomes a cinch when you have an organized, stocked and conveniently located diaper station.  I keep pre-prepared stuffed diapers lined with flushable liners, moist cloth wipes, diapering spray, and any extras in a basket on the kitchen counter.  It is right next to my living room which makes it convenient.  Grabbing a cloth diaper is as effortless as grabbing a disposable.

• A Convenient Trash Pail. Sitting in my laundry room, I have a small trash pail ($1.97 at Walmart) which I line with grocery store bags.  I use it to toss flushable liners that have not been soiled or any non-reusable wipes.  It makes it easier to enter my laundry room, throw the trash away immediately and toss the diaper in the diaper bag so that nothing smelly or dirty is left hanging around.

• Perfect Drying Spot. While it is possible to tumble dry your diapers, it drastically shortens the life span and uses a lot more energy.  We opt to line dry all of our diapers, inserts, and diaper bags.  On nice days, find a convenient place outside (preferably directly in the sun) to line dry your diapers.  The sun helps bleach out any stains and the fresh air will clear out any built up odors.  On dreary days, have a consistent indoor location to hang the wet diapers.  We hang ours on a rack directly above the washing machine.  It's easy to just pull them out of the washer and hang them right above you.

The key to making any of these techniques successful is establishing a routine that works for you.  Make it as simple and convenient for yourself as possible, even if it means being a little unconventional.  If you are still really struggling with cleaning up tons of cloth diapers, shoot for using just two cloth diapers a day.  In a month, that adds up to about 60 disposable diapers you did not have to buy.  Like I love to say, every little bit helps.