Destination: Diapering Accessories

To survive—and, dare I say it, enjoy—cloth diapering, you are going to need more than just the diapers. You probably don’t want to toss Baby’s soiled diapers into the normal laundry, and proper care of your diapers is as important as finding the system(s) that work(s) for you—because you want it to keep working for you and Baby until potty-training.

Some things to consider getting once you have picked out your diapers:

Practical Cloth-Diapering Accessories:

large wet bags (x2)

small wet bags (x2)

diaper pail

rice paper liners OR diaper sprayer

reusable wipes

small spray bottle

diaper-safe detergent

diaper-safe rash cream

fleece liners

You might be able to survive cloth diapering without the above gear, but they can make things much easier.

WET BAGS

Just about every cloth-diaper company carries their own wet bags, both large and small. A large one is essential in the nursery, or wherever you normally change Baby’s diaper in the house. You can have it hanging on the wall, in the closet, or tucked inside a diaper pail. The large wet bag should be able to contain two days worth of diapers, so about 24 newborn diapers or a dozen infant diapers. You want two so that while one is in the wash, the other is used to collect the next batch of soiled diapers.

Imse Vimse large wet bag.
The drawstring makes it easy to fit inside a diaper pail.

FuzziBunz large wet bag.
There is a drawstring on the top, to easily put
 in soiled diapers, and a zipper on the bottom, so that it
 can be unzipped, diapers drop into the
washing machine, and hands stay clean.

GroVia "hanging" wet bag/ diaper pail. Mixed reviews as to containing smell, but can be put on a clothes hanger and kept in closet.

Small wet bags are nifty if Baby is wearing cloth diapers out and about. They can hold 3-4 soiled diapers, and be contained within a diaper bag. They are also handy for generally dirtied clothes and burp rags. I really like our draw-string ones from GroVia (available via Amazon-- GroVia doesn't seem to have them on their website anymore), but most people prefer zippers for their small wet bags.

GroVia draw-string wet bag.

Bummis small wet bag

Kissaluvs small wet bag

Both the large wet bags and the small ones can be put in the laundry with your diapers. One carries the wet bag to the washing machine, tips the diapers into the loader, and then puts the wet bag(s) in with the diapers. This helps prevent having to touch the dirty diapers. To elongate the lifetime of the wet bags, they should be air-dried after washing; however, if the plastic sealant on the inside of the wet bag begins cracking, try running it through the dryer a few times to “reseal” the plastic. If you are looking to buy gently used wet bags, make sure the plastic is pristine inside or you will have a soggy wet bag-- a voice of experience here!

DIAPER PAIL

These are a bit more optional than a wet bag, but can be helpful. You can buy “diaper pails” online, but they are often expensive. Many people prefer to buy a trash bin with a foot lever to raise the lid, and these are very good at containing icky smells. Also, a bucket with a lid from a hardware store can do the job. I personally own a diaper pail, and like it because it has a handle, and I would rather carry the pail down two flights of stairs to the washing machine than a limp wet bag. It’s really up to your preference.

Mio Bambino diaper pail.
I would complain that it's too small-- only
 holds a dozen diapers-- but I like
to be able to carry my diaper pail downstairs
to the basement.

Normal Bin
Does the trick!

RICE PAPER LINERS

Baby’s milk poo until 4-6 months of age should rinse easily from your diapers, so no need to scrap it out before tossing the diapers into the wet bag. However, once Baby is introduced to solids, you want to consider methods of removing solid waste from the diapers before they go into the wash. Solid poo can clog your washing machine, and it’s not great finding bits and pieces of Baby’s digested dinner in his/ her “clean” diapers.

Rice paper liners are a great way to deal with this. They come in rolls, like paper towels, but are soft and durable. One tears a liner from the roll, puts it in the diaper where it will be in contact with Baby’s tushie, and you have created a colander for Baby’s poo; pee goes through the liner into the diaper while solid waste is collected.

Imse Vimse "flushable" liners
My personal favorite, but I would not flush them
(I've had them clog the toilet a few times,
and my house was built in the 1950s). However,
you can reuse them 2-3 times.

Bummis Bio-Soft Liner
These are cheaper than the Imse Vimse, but disintegrate more easily. Perhaps better in the septic tank, but no guarantee that you'll be able to reuse them. 

Most rice paper liners advertise themselves as “flushable”, and if you live in a newer house with new pipes, this is most likely true. However, if your house is 50+ years old, consult your plumber before flushing your liners; they can clog your pipes, and you don’t want to curse your diapers. If you don’t feel comfortable with flushing your liners, throw them away in the trash; poo is biodegradable, after all, as are the liners.

If Baby has only peed on the rice liner, you can put it in the wash with the diapers and use it again. They fall apart over time, but most brands of rice paper liners can be used 2-3 times.

BumGenius diaper sprayer

DIAPER SPRAYER

Rice paper liners can become costly, and you might not like the idea of Baby’s poo in the trash. A diaper sprayer, which can be attached to your toilet, is an alternative. Hold the diaper in the toilet bowel, and spray the poo off. If you encounter a lot of spray, invest in a plastic tub or bucket to hold the diaper while you spray it, then dump the contents in the toilet.

Other poo-removing methods include using a spatula over the toilet, or holding the soiled diaper in the toilet water while flushing. However, from my personal experience, and talking with other cloth-diapering parents, rice paper liners and diaper sprayers usually do the job better and have less of the "eww" factor.

REUSABLE WIPES

I say, “If you’re going to do reusable diapers, it takes nothing to do reusable wipes.” Although I use disposable wipes when I’m out and about, reusable ones have a lot of advantages. You can wash them with your diapers, so there’s no added work. You buy them once and don’t need to restock. Also, their texture is better at grabbing poo and wiping it away; often, disposable wipes smear it, and you need more than one to do the job.

Like wet bags, just about every cloth diaper company sells reusable wipes. However, you can make your own by cutting an old towel into 6x6 squares and hemming the sides, or using face cloths.

 

BabyKicks organic wipes
Pretty much every cloth diaper company also makes reusable wipes.

Homemade
If you are the least bit handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own.

You can keep your wipes stacked next to your diapers, or store them in a tall Tupperware container. You can also keep them in a wipe warmer. If you want, you can add water to your Tupperware stash of wipes so that they are already moist for the diaper change (approx. ¾ cup per dozen wipes), but having a small spray bottle of water or bottom-cleaning liquid is less hassle to prepare.

SMALL SPRAY BOTTLE

If you've used up a small spray bottle of any body product, clean it thoroughly (including the tubing) and save it to use with your cloth wipes.

There are lots of recipes online for bottom cleaning solution, but clear water is best. Adding essential oils might smell nice, but using them too much can damage your diapers (if you wash the wipes with the diapers). A drop or two of tea tree oil (no more!) is enough to sterilize the water.

You can buy specially made sprays, but they are often expensive. Pretty much every cloth diaper company sells their own diaper spray, but they're not necessary.

DIAPER-SAFE DETERGENT

If you are using natural fiber diapers, such as cotton, then you don’t have to worry as much about what detergent you buy. Obviously, it is best to steer clear from detergents with perfumes and dyes in case Baby is allergic, but diapers made of natural fibers are not as prone to collect enzymes and brighteners that can cause leaking in polyester diapers.

If you are using microfleece or microsuede diapers, you are much more limited in your detergent selection. You want to avoid detergents with enzymes, brighteners, fabric softeners, perfumes and dye. This website is good for ranking the effectiveness of your detergent: http://pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoices.htm

At The Nesting House, we sell the following cloth-diaper friendly detergents:

Charlie’s Soap

Rock n’ Green (Fuzzibunz)

BumGenius

Nellie’s

Also, unscented Sun & Earth is a good brand, as well as major brands with the “Free and Clear” label. These brands you can often find in the grocery store.

Dreft, although advertized as safe for Baby, is NOT safe for any cloth diapers.

DIAPER SAFE RASH CREAM

Do NOT use Desitin, A&D or petroleum jelly on Baby’s bottom if you are using cloth diapers-- natural fibers or polyester. Because petroleum jelly is often recommended for circumcision, you might consider disposables while your baby boy heals (think of the diaper as a big Band-aid), or be prepared to strip your diapers after Baby Boy's bits have healed.

Diaper creams are developed to create a barrier against wetness, but can easily transfer to the diaper itself. This can make the diaper repel moisture, and therefore leak. It is easier to wash diaper cream out of natural fiber diapers, but polyester diapers will need “stripping”. Follow this link to assess whether or not your rash cream is compatible with your diapers: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/diaperrashcreams.htm

Olive oil and grapeseed oil based creams are usually fine. Creams with beeswax are often fine as well. Some popular brands, that are both effective for rash and do not hurt cloth diapers, include:

Beanie Balm (I make it—contact me if you’re interested in purchasing)

Angel Baby Bottom Balm

California Baby

Gro Via Magic Stick

Grandma El’s

CJ’s Butter

Beanie Balm
I make my own diaper rash balm because
the diaper-safe brands on the market are often expensive.

Sometimes straight up olive oil or coconut oil does the trick for diaper rash, but these can stain your diapers (they will not make them leak, though). The best way to clear diaper rash is to “air” Baby’s bottom as often as possible, and to regularly change his/ her diaper more frequently.

FLEECE LINERS

Although these are not as effective as rice paper liners in disposing of poo (scraping poo off a fleece liner isn't any better than having to scrap it off the diaper itself), they are helpful if Baby easily rashes and you cannot afford polyester “stay-dry” pocket or AiO diapers. You can buy them, but cutting up an old fleece pullover can do the trick. These can also be helpful as a barrier between rash cream and the diaper, but you will have to wash and potentially strip the fleece liners (wash them SEPARATELY from your diapers if you use rash cream).

Most diaper companies make fleece liners...

...or, you can make your own.

Destination: Wool Diaper Covers

Wool diaper covers, although they can be put in the categories of hybrids or 2-part system, are really a category to themselves. Because wool has the reputation of being hot, itchy and tricky to clean, even parents who are cloth-diapering enthusiasts are often intimidated by them. However, the more one learns about wool diapering, the more awesome a system it appears to be. I personally do not have a lot of experience with wool, but have already bought a wool cover for my next baby, and use a wool cover for my 2-year-old in case she pees in bed.

Now to bust some myths...

Myth #1: Wool is Hot

Wool makes an excellent fiber in winter garments, from hats to socks. Wool diaper covers, made from quality-processed wool, is very breathable, and actually helps prevent diaper rash. They actually don't overheat your baby, but are cooler than plastic covers.

Myth #2: Wool is Itchy

I have owned some itchy woolen garments that soon retired to the thrift stores because I didn't like wearing them. However, wool-- although it always comes from a sheep-- can be processed in many ways, and often the chemicals and knit attribute more to the itchiness than the wool itself. The wool covers I use are soft to the touch, and not harsh on baby's skin.

Myth #3: Wool is Tricky to Clean

How many of you have done this: Seen a garment in the store that you really like, looked at the label, discovered it has wool in it, and decided, "It's going to shrink unless I hand wash it. I think I'll pass." Even lusciously soft, well-made wool diapers are going to shrink if you throw them into the normal laundry, but cleaning them in the sink is not difficult.

Actually, you rarely have to clean your wool covers. If you have enough in circulation, say a dozen, you only have to wash your covers once per month.

What?! Ewww.

Behold Nature's Magic: Lanolin. Sheep are able to keep themselves clean by the lanolin in their wool. This natural oil has many qualities, and you will even find it in the ingredients of several healing balms, including nipple cream. Lanolin is waterproof and anti-bacterial. It turns pee into salt-- this stuff has biblical powers! Poop doesn't quite turn into salt, so you will need to put the cover into the laundry if poo leaks out of the diaper underneath (most wool-diapering parents use prefolds).

After a diaper change, a wool cover should hang to dry; once it is dry, it should no longer smell like pee. If it does still smell like pee, then it's time for a washing. Actually, you're not quite washing, but relanolizing; the pee smell means that the diaper needs to be lanolized again to continue its work. Each wool diaper maker will have differing washing directions, but generally the covers should be washed in cold water in the sink with a small amount of lanolin or wool wash.

Some wool washes on the market:

Imse Vimse Wool Shampoo

Imse Vimse Wool Cure (with lanolin)

Gro Via "Kiwi Pie" Organic Wool Wash Bar

Rebourne Lanolin, available on Etsy

Without wringing the covers, they should be rolled inside a dry towel, then hung or set on a dry towel to dry. Viola!

Washing in the sink might seem demanding to the modern day parent, but the fact that you would only have to do this once per month makes it sound easy peasy!

Store your wool diapers in cedar boxes to prevent moths from laying their larvae in them. You can also store them in plastic tubs, but this can cause the diapers to smell mildewy due to trapped moisture.

Here are some other facts...

Wool covers are stinkin' cute. OK, that is an opinion, not a fact, but check these out:

BioBottoms:
These are covers that fit over the diaper like most other covers, with velcro tabs.

Aristocrats Wool Cover:
It looks a bit like a tube sock, but on a baby it is just plain adorable. The tubing on the legs is great to prevent leaking.

Rebourne Wool Cover:
These are available on Etsy, as are a plethora of other beautiful homemade wool covers. Lots of these covers are made from recycled sweaters, thus the variety of patterns.

Sadness is what might happen when you look at the price tag of some of these covers. They cost between $25-$50 each! If you only want to do diaper laundry once per month, you're looking at an investment of $300-$600, which would be about the same as a full stash of AiOs or Pocket Diapers. Remember that you'll only need about a dozen covers if you want to do wash once per month, so down-sizing to 3-4 covers and doing wash once per week isn't so tragic-- nor costly. Another thing to keep in mind is that most wool covers are not adjustable in size, so you will have to buy 2-3 different sizes if you use wool through potty-training.

Speaking of potty-training, wool covers are great for it! Because most wool covers simply pull on like underwear, they are easy for the potty-training toddler to pull up and down. They are also good to put over other diapers, including disposables, if you have leak issues at night.

Wool wins points from the eco-parent. Polyester diaper covers, pocket systems and AiOs take up less space in the landfill than disposables when they finally retire, but take as long as disposables to biodegrade-- that is, a millennium. While wool can last you a lifetime and several babies, it will take significantly less time to biodegrade once it is thrown away. That's something else to keep in mind.

Destination: All-in-One Cloth Diapers

The name makes it sound like the All-in-One is the answer to everyone’s prayers—can there be a diaper that is EVERYTHING together? Well, the AiO is the answer to some parents’ prayers, depending on their needs. These diapers are handy for caregivers who don’t want to hassle with any folding or stuffing, and essentially have a cloth diaper that is as close as possible to a disposable. These are often the answer to hesitant spouses, baby sitters and day cares, but that does not mean that every cloth diapering parent loves them.

AiO diapers have the inserts sewn onto them. When Baby has a diaper change, the whole thing—cover, lining and inserts—go into the laundry. No shaking out of inserts in required. There is no reusing of the cover, which is why some prefold and hybrid fans are not so crazy about them.  But they after a good choice for working parents with wary caregivers, despite costing between $15-$25 each.

Here are descriptions of three AiOs on the market. These are not the only brands available, but these are the ones that I know the most about (and have used myself):

BumGenius Elemental Diaper:These are absorbent, organic cotton diapers. They are so absorbent that they can take a looooong time to dry after being washed. I put mine in the dryer or by the radiator, although it is recommended that you air dry them. Make sure to prewash them 5-6 times before using them; this helps to "fluff-up" the fabric-- otherwise, you might think they are leaky. Use with a fleece liner if the wet makes Baby rashy.

BumGenius Freetime Diaper:These are uber popular right now. Made of "stay-dry" microsuede, two inserts (each with a pocket) are sewn to the lining and can be folded over one another. As the name suggests, these save you time: no stuffing (unless you want to add an insert into the pocketed inserts), and they air dry relatively fast (MUCH faster than the organic cotton AiOs).

Thirsties All-in-One Diaper:These very cute diapers come in two sizes, but are cheaper per diaper than the BumGenius. A super soft fleece insert is sewn along the sides to the liner, making a sort of pocket so that optional inserts may be added, and quicker drying allowed. Thirsties suggests to prewash these 1-3 times before using, but they will still seem leaky; better to prewash them 4-6 times, and you will LOVE them.

Like with microfleece and microsuede pocket diapers, be careful with your detergent and diaper cream selection; enzymes can build-up in the fabric to cause repelling, and you don’t want a stash of AiOs to go leaky after just a few weeks’ use. If this does happen, simply “strip” your diapers and start again. If these diapers are going to be used by someone other than the parents, it is very VERY likely that someone will unknowingly use the wrong kind of diaper cream with them, so stay calm and kindly remind caregivers to only use the diaper-safe cream you have given them.

Cotton AiOs, like the BG Elemental, are less likely to have this problem, as enzymes have a harder time building-up in natural fibers.

If you are planning on returning full-time to work, keep the AiO in mind. They are a bit pricier, so a 2-day stash will cost from $380-$600. However, this is incredibly cheap compared to the cost of disposables, and if you keep good care of your AiOs, you can use them for multiple children. They also do well with resale.