Here is information about cloth diapering: use and tips, changing diapers, and my washing and drying routine.  I know it’s long, but I hope you find it useful.  🙂

Diaper Use/Tips:

1. If applicable, stuff diaper inserts into diaper covers and smooth insert flat.  (Fold top flap down in BumGenius diapers.)
2. Put on baby the way you would put a disposable diaper on.
3. Check to be sure the elastic around the thigh isn’t too loose or she may leak through.  Too tight, you’ll get red marks.  🙁
4. Make sure the velcro or snaps around the waist are tight enough to keep the diaper snug, but not too tight to bother baby’s tummy.
5. On diapers with velcro, it is helpful to have clothing cover the diaper in some way so baby doesn’t take them off.  🙂  Also, the velcro on some of the diapers I lent do not work as well, so using a cover over them, like the bloomers from under a dress, works nicely if she is not wearing shorts/pants…

Changing Diapers

1. Unfasten velcro (also called hook and loop closure) tab or snaps on soiled diaper.
2. On the diapers that have hook & loop closures (velcro), secure the laundry tabs.  (This is very important or the velcro tab will stick to everything in the washing machine.  Some do anyway, but if you fold the velcro tab in and onto the tab saver there is less chance it will stick to another daiper.)
3. Wipe bottom using wet washcloth used only for diapering.  (I use baby washcloths and just wet them with water.)  (Of course, you can use wet wipes and just throw them away too.  I just find it pretty easy to just use wash cloths at home, since it doesn’t require any extra laundry or waste.)
4. Rinse diaper, if necessary.
5. Take soiled diaper apart (if applicable).  Separate soiled inserts from covers, unsnap inserts only.
6. Place all parts of diaper and wash cloths into diaper bin.

Poopy Diapers

1. Dump poop into the toilet.
2. Rinse the diaper and washcloths in toilet to remove all of the feces.
   1. I find it helpful to scrub the diaper together in the toilet water to get all particles off.  Some people use diaper sprayers that they attach somehow to the toilet, but I haven’t used that.
   2. The sooner the poopy diapers are rinsed in the toilet, the easier it is to rinse out.
3. Take diaper apart as you would a wet diaper and place all parts into your diaper bin.

Washing & Drying Routine
(There are many methods out there, but with our water, this is what has worked the best for me so far.  By the way, if you use a HE machine, I think that’s what they’re called, you will need to do this differently.)

1. Place all contents of your bag or bin of soiled diapers into the washing machine along with the bag you may use.  (I use a wet bag pail liner.)
   1. Reminder: The diapers should be taken apart so they wash thoroughly.  Smartipants don’t need to be taken apart as the machine agitation will separate the pieces, but I find it helpful just to separate them all.)
   2. Tip: If you use disposable diapers at times as well, just be sure anyone who changes your sweet one’s diaper knows NOT to place a disposable diaper into your cloth diaper bin.  Cleaning up after washing a disposable diaper is a nightmare not to mention a reminder as to why you might not want your baby to be wearing those on their sensitive little bottoms.
2. Wash cold/rinse cold, Super size load, with Country Save detergent.  While the water is filling, dissolve ½ scoop of the powder detergent in a plastic cup with hot water.  (I have a plastic cup and stirrer designated to dissolve the detergent.)  When detergent is dissolved (or mostly dissolved), pour it into the washer where the water is coming into the machine so that it mixes in with the water and doesn’t collect on the diapers.
3. Wash hot (100F/40C)/rinse hot (if possible), Super size load, with Country Save detergent.  While the water is filling, dissolve ½ scoop of the powder detergent in a plastic cup with hot water.  (I have a plastic cup and stirrer designated to dissolve the detergent.)  When detergent is dissolved (or mostly dissolved), pour it into the washer where the water is coming into the machine so that it mixes in with the water and doesn’t collect on the diapers.
4. Wash hot/rinse cold with NO detergent.
5. Once a month, add ¼ cup of bleach to the hot wash cycle.
   1. Not all people choose to bleach their diapers, however, the brand I use most recommends it.  Some choose to only bleach the inserts since it can cause the covers to wear out sooner.  I, however, just bleach everything once a month.
6. Hang dry covers/diaper shells on a clothes line or a drying rack.  If possible, dry inserts on a clothes line or drying rack.  If not possible, tumble dry the inserts only and allow the covers to dry indoors on a drying rack.
   1. Placing a clean, dry towel into your dryer will help speed up the drying time of your diapers.  HOWEVER, if you use detergent, fabric softener, or dryer sheets on your towels that aren’t safe for cloth diapers it may cause some issuses with the cloth diapers.  I use Country Save currently for all of our laundry.  (I just use a full scoop of detergent with my clothes instead of ½ scoop.  Less detergent is used on the diapers, so a build up of detergent doesn’t take place in your diapers.)
7. It is best to wash diapers every other day or 3 days/week.
   1. You can modify the wash size based on number of diapers if you prefer.  Using more water, than just enough, is better, however.
   2. This should help to keep diapers from stinking, even when washed.
   3. I wash my diapers Monday mornings, Wednesday afternoons, and Friday evenings.

Questions:

• If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
• Also, I have Diaper Shops (on Facebook) or www.diapershops.com to be helpful.  www.kellyscloset.com is great too and they are a part of diapershops.com.