Cloth Diaper Basic Information

Punkerdoops Diapers “Cloth Diapering 101”

Information on how to use, care for, troubleshoot, and the difference between the variety of cloth diapers that are available.

This page contains information written by me, Amber Richards, Owner of Punkerdoops Diapers, and should not be reproduced without my knowledge or consent. All of the information is opinion and is not medical advice or on the behalf of any maufacturer.

*Note: Links are embedded onto many product names - click to be taken to product pages that contain pictures and further descriptions and instructions!

Basic Diapering Systems: ·

Prefold w/Cover: “Staple” of cloth diapering – a flat diaper folded and secured with a Snappi or pins, then covered with a waterproof cover (aka wrap). Great for all ages of babies. Contains newborn messes and rarely leaks. Covers only need to be washed when soiled. Covers can be made of a special breathable yet waterproof fabric called polyurethane-laminated cloth (PUL) or out of wool. Click HERE for a pictorial guide on how to fold/use a prefold.
Fitted w/Cover: Sized, contoured and fitted to baby’s shape with elasticized waist and leg openings. Fastens with plastic snaps or Aplix Velcro. Fitted diapers still need to be covered with a waterproof cover, however they skip the folding and securing of a prefold and act as another barrier to hold in messier blowouts.
Contour w/Cover: Contour diapers are cut to fit your baby and are less bulky than a prefold diaper and an economical alternative to fitted diapers. Contour diapers do require a waterproof cover. Contour diapers can be used with or without a Snappi or pins inside the cover.
Pocket Diaper: Two-layered (PUL outer and fleece-lined inner layer) diaper with a space/pocket to place an absorbent insert into. Insert can be made of microfiber, cotton, or hemp. Specific inserts are available, or you can tri-fold a prefold and it makes a great insert. Fleece lining of pocket diapers keeps baby feeling more “dry”.

"Flip" Insert & Cover System: The Flip system is a one-size (grows with baby and fits most babies from 8-35 lbs) cover that can be used over and over by changing just the insert. Inserts come in stay-dry microfiber, organic cotton, or disposable options.

All-In-2: One-Size reusable cover with snap-in inserts.

FAQ:

How many diapers will I need?

It depends on the age of your child, the “diapering system” that you would like to use, your budget, and washing routine. Many moms have a variety of diapers with prefolds secured with a Snappi and covers being the “staple” with some pockets and AIO’s for going out and about, sitters, and different absorbency capabilities for naps and nighttime. Newborns need the most frequent changing, so having 24-36 prefolds or fitteds easily allows for those frequent changes plus washing. Prefolds and covers are the most economical plus they contain those newborn poop explosions! 6 to 8 covers should be fine for washing every other day. If you wash every day, you can buy less. Infants (3-4 months) need fewer changes and 18-20 diapering systems should suffice. Toddlers need fewer changes, but absorbency becomes the main issue.

A tip to wash covers less: I have a "2 cover system" where I use one cover while the other cover air dries. Folding prefolds with the traditional method and letting the cover air between uses keeps the cover from needing laundering for days (unless it gets poop on it, of course!)

What is a good starter order?

Determine baby's size (up to around 6 months of age babies are probably in infant sized prefolds and size small covers/pockets/fitteds/AIO's,etc. Babies 6 months to 2 or 2 1/2 years are generally in the premium sized prefolds and medium covers/pockets/fitteds/AIO's, etc. Check out the size charts for each item). After determining baby's size, this is a great order to make you all set to cloth diaper!

-2 dozen prefolds (or 12-18 prefolds and 6-10 fitteds)

-4 to 6 covers (smaller babies who poop more and ahve looser bm's need more covers)

-2 or 3 pocket or AIO's

-2 Snappis

-Pack of Fab Doublers

-Pack of Hemp Inserts

-2 Pail Liners

-1 Wet bag

-Flushable liners or a Sigma Sprayer

-2 packs of cloth wipes

-Punkin Butt Organic Wipes Solution Concentrate

This list would provide you with absolutely everything you need to diaper your baby! You'll only need a few more diapers or covers in an additional size when baby grows. Or, consider using One-Size diapers like bumGenius 3.0 One-Size, or Tiny Tush Elite One-Size, and only purchase diapers once! If you want an even simpler diapering system, skip prefolds and invest in fitted diapers or only pockets and AIO's. The possiblities are endless and are all based on your preferences. The beauty is that you can start with some basics and then add to your stash of "fluff" with time!

Want to just try out cloth diapering with the minimal basics? Try our "Prefold Starter Packages!"

What about the poop?

Babies that are exclusively breastfed have poop is completely water-soluble! So, the poopy diapers just get put into the pail as-is – no rinsing or scraping necessary. The poop will dry somewhat while sitting in the pail, but washes out completely with no stains. Beautiful, huh?!

When your baby starts eating some solids and you notice a change in the stool’s texture, you’ll need to remove any solids from the diaper that you can. Flushable liners work great, as do diaper sprayers (we carry excellent sprayers by Sigma that are worth the investment) and a good old rubber scraper by the toilet! When the child is mostly on solids, the poop is easily “ploppable.”

Is cloth diapering "on the go" hard? We have a very busy lifestyle.

People will tell me that they are too busy to use cloth diapers yet there is a very minimal amount of time invested in using cloth diapers. The only extra time you'll need to find is enough to do about two extra loads of laundry per week. Cloth diapering on the go is easy thanks to washable (and adorable might I add) Wet Bags that are completely waterproof and keep all smells in. Pocket Diapers and AIO's can even be changed on toddlers while they stand up! The biggest difference in cloth diapering while you're out and about is that you take your diapers home with you. Large wet bags are great for weekends away and daycare and wet/dry bags can act as your only "diaper bag" holding both clean diapers and snacks and dirty duds.

Won't I be doing laundry all the time? I already can't keep up with laundry!

Many people are worried about trying to keep up with extra laundry. But, cloth diaper laundry is different than clothes laundry. Cloth diapers do not have to be sorted, stain/spot treated, folded, or even put away for that matter! Ninety percent of the time I use my clean diapers right out of the laundry basket sitting next to the changing table! :-) The only laundry time is carrying them to the machine, setting the machine, switching to the dryer, and carrying them back to the room you use them in. Sorting takes 1-2 minutes and pocket diapers can easily be stuffed and ready to go in 3 minutes flat. Or, if you're like me, you just stuff them as you need them!

Why shouldn't I soak my diapers in a wet pail? What do I do with dirty diapers?

All of the manufacturers recommend a "dry pail" method as soaking your diapers for extended periods of time is more or less soaking them in poop and pee water which just encourages the stink to get deep into the fibers of the diapers.I put dirty diapers, doublers, wipes, and pocket diaper inserts in a Planet Wise Pail Liner that I put into a slimline plastic kitchen garbage can with a foot pedal that I got from Target. I keep this "diaper pail" right next to the changing table. No special diaper pail is necessary - any kitchen garbage can will do (usually 15 qt size is standard). Don't put too tight of a lid on the can though - it is better if the diapers can breathe a bit. Come wash day, I pull out the pail liner full of diapers and shake everything out of the pail liner into the washer and throw the pail liner right in with the load. I then put a clean pail liner into the can and am ready for more dirty diapers! There is really no smell associated with the diaper pail. On wash day there is a bit of an ammonia smell when you open the pail. If you have a lot of ammonia smell (it is usually worse in the summer months or more humid climates) then consider washing daily or every day and a half.

What about nighttime cloth diapering?

Newborns need to be changed through the night, as they tend to poop all night long. When babies stop pooping at night, you just need to experiment with what your baby’s absorbency needs are. A combination of a prefold with a hemp insert or pocket diaper with two inserts seems to be a great solution for even the heaviest wetter. My cloth diapers have never leaked at night (something I cannot say about the disposables I used in the past!) Many mamas like pocket diapers or AIO’s at night because they have the built-in fleece liner that makes the baby feel drier. If using a prefold, you can also create a stay-dry barrier by placing a microfleece shield/liner against baby’s skin (same liners are used when using diaper rash creams). We also carry bumGenius Stay Dry Liners if you don't want to make your own. Wool covers are also good for a failsafe nighttime diapering solution.

How do I wash cloth diapers?

Right in your own washing machine! Every manufacturer has their own washing guidelines. Please refer to the instructions for the manufacturer of your products. Diapers should smell clean after being washed and dried - not like poop or pee, but not like detergent either.

All diapers and diapering supplies (including doublers, wipes, wet bags, and pail liners) get washed together.

There are many sites and blogs that recommend different techniques – some recommending two wash cycles plus an extra rinse. Also detergents are another source of arguments. I stressed so much about washing when I first started with cloth!

After much reading and consideration, this is my wash routine:

1) Wash every other day on HOT, medium load, longest cycle. I use Country Save detergent - a detergent that prides themselves on being an eco-friendly detergent that is great for diapers! Use 1 Tbl Country Save in top-loaders or 1 tsp in front loaders or HE machines. I have used other detergents and my diapers seem like they have never been cleaner and there is absolutely no stink after Evelyn pees in her diaper (stink as soon as baby pees indicates detergent residue - see below if you have stinky diapers). If you are local, I now carry it in my Eau Claire shoppe! If you are not local, look for it at natural foods stores and the like. It is worth hunting it down. Extremely well-rinsing, eco-friendly, no dyes, no perfumes, no enzymes.

2) Occasionally (esp if a really poopy diaper that I want extra clean or after a bout of illness) add 1/8–1/4 cup OxyClean Baby or an eco-friendly oxygen cleaner.

3) Extra rinse with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of vinegar. Vinegar is supposed to get rid of any extra detergent left in the fabric. Vinegar does not need to be used every time, but an extra rinse is essential. Vinegar is often helpful if you have hard water. Thirsties recommends a squirt of lime juice instead of vinegar.

4) Dry prefolds, AIO's, doublers and inserts on a regular warm or hot cycle with a few dry towels to decrease drying time. Air dry covers and the outsides of pocket diapers. An occasional medium cycle of drying actually reseals your covers and is good to do. Wet bags and pail liners can be dried on the line or in the machine.

This system works for me in my top-loader machine and I feel like my diapers are super clean doing it. Washing is really a personal preference and comes down to what is working for you, your machine, your water, your baby’s skin, etc. Try a few washing routines out and see what works best for you!

I have also summed up the following things from hours of reading NO bleach EVER, NO Dawn dishwashing soap (sometimes recommended to “strip” diapers, something that is not necessary in most cases), Tide Free or Purex Free and Clear (if you really want a free and clear detergent, others are quite waxy), cheap off-brand store powders have very little additives and work well for some, and Country Save or Planet if you want an environmentally safe detergent.

Lastly, avoid traditonal diaper creams – they can build up on diapers. If you need to use a cream, place a microfleece/non-pill fleece liner next to baby and wash liners separately. The microflece liners will not absorb anything - they act as a stay-dry liner and cream barrier. Microfleece liners can be made for pennies. Just cut in strips the size of doublers. No sewing required - the edges will not fray. We also carry bumGenius Stay Dry Liners if you don't want to make your own. If you want to use something to soothe the diaper area try Booty Balm by LuSa Organics. We are so proud to carry this product so that parents have something cloth diaper friendly to deal with rashes/irritations in the diaper area. Booty Balm absorbs into the skin versus being a barrier cream like traditional diaper creams.

Notes about HE washing machines: I know that many mamas with HE machines tend to do a cold or warm pre-rinse or wash without detergent to get things flushed out of the diapers. HE machines never allow the diapers to agitate in a lot of water, so doing this extra step helps ensure clean diapers. NO sanitary cycles - the hot wash is hot enough.

Tia's HE washing routine (I have a regular top-loader, so I appreciate the help from my dear friend here with her perfected routine.Thanks,Tia! :-):

Wash routine for Whirlpool Cabrio HE top loader:

1. Delicate cycle with warm/cold and 1/2 scoop of Country Save.

(On this cycle I will also randomly add a little more than a tablespoon of sometimes Borax and sometimes Biokleen Oxygen Bleach Plus.)

2. Sheets/Towel cycle, hot/cold, soil level high, spin speed high with an extra rinse.

(This cycle uses a normal level of water.)

I add the Country Save directly to the diapers in the washer and only use the detergent dispenser for the Borax and Biokleen Oxygen Bleach.

Important HE tip: I spray a mixture of half water, half Biokleen Bac-Out (available at Festival Foods and many other natural or whole foods type stores) to all diapers that may possibly stain before I put them in the diaper pail. This also acts to disinfect.

Don’t let washing worries deter you from using cloth! Your nose knows if something is clean!

Should I bother with cloth wipes?

When I first started cloth diapering I was going to stick with disposable wipes. I quickly realized how easy it would be to switch to cloth wipes since I was already washing diapers, why not wash wipes, too? Soft flannel wipes are very gentle on baby’s skin and are flexible enough to reach all of baby’s delicate diaper area creases. Thirsties Fab Wipes are so soft, you'll want to buy extras so you can wash your face with them! I have a spray bottle of water and Punkin-Butt organic wipe concentrate at the changing table and at each change I stick the washcloth under the bum and then spray a few squirts of solution on her. I use the washcloth to wipe it off and voila, a clean bottom! You could also keep a thermos of water to wet the whole washcloth or use the Punkin-Butt solution in a wipe warmer full of wipes – once again, whatever works for you!

How do I prepare brand new diapers?

All of your cloth diapers, covers and inserts should be washed before use.
-Wash and dry prefolds and hemp doublers 4 times in HOT before using to break them in - this is essential to strip them of their natural cotton or hemp oils. Use only about 1/4-1/2 the amount of detergent (look at manufacturer recommendations. We recommend Tide or Country Save) that you would for a similar size load. Adding a bit of an oxygen cleaner can hep in the preparation process. If they are not washed enough they will not only be less absorbent (prefolds and hemp doublers reach their maximum absorbency after 4-8 washings), but they can also cause what is called "new to cloth redness" on baby's bottom. Extra rinse after 4th wash.
-Wash and extra rinse and dry pocket diapers, AIO's, doublers, and inserts once or twice.
-Wash and extra rinse and dryer dry covers once. Thristies recommends occasional dryer drying of covers to "reseal" them. I line dry my covers most of the tme but do throw them in the dryer every 5-10 washes.

Just remember, no bleach, no fabric softeners, and less is more when it comes to detergent. You want them clean, but not holding onto extra detergent. When they are clean they should smell like nothing - neither urine or detergent.

HELP! My diapers stink!

If diapers are stinky right out of the washer/dryer: You are not using enough detergent. Re-wash them and try using more detergent from now on.

If diapers are stinky as soon as baby pees in them: You are most likely dealing with detergent residue. Consider switching to Country Save Detergent - I have eliminated all stink from my diapers just by making the switch. I did not realize that they kind of stunk until I switched to Country Save and now I can no longer ever smell a wet diaper anymore like I used to due to the stink coming back. To eliminate the built-up detergent try washing your diapers in a hot cycle with nothing and that might be enough to get out any residue of detergent. Also consider using some oxygen cleaner to help get into the fibers of the diapers and get out that deep stink. Switching and washing with a good detergent like Country Save alone can sometimes do the trick. Some people do need to do a more deep cleaning with the help of Borax, Calgon water softener, or a cap full of bleach (be VERY cautious with bleach and DO NOT add it straight to your load - use your machine's bleach dispenser). Some people also swear by adding a few drops of tea tree oil to the wash cycle if you are having stink issues. Always try the hot wash with no detergent first and then trouble shoot with my other suggestions. I am always an email away if you have questions - I am here to help! Punkerdoops@gmail.com

Tips to prevent stink from happening: Practice a dry pail method and use a good diaper detergent like Country Save and don't use too much detergent (less is more - 1 tsp Country Save for HE machines, 1 TBL for top loaders). Never leave your diapers to soak more than 10 minutes. Consider adding a 1/4 vinegar to the second rinse or a few squirts of lime juice (lime juice is recommended by Thirsties over vinegar). Store dirty covers and outsides of pocket diapers separately from dirty prefolds and inserts. I throw the outsides of used pocket diapers on the floor behind the diaper pail. We don't have pets that could get to them and Evelyn doesn't even know they're there. If you want them higher, consider a large Planet Wise wet bag that can be snapped with the loop handle onto the changing table or a door knob. Or, at least try to keep covers and the outsides of pockets in one section of the pail and the wet inserts and prefolds in the other section. PUL (waterpoof material) seems to hold onto stink if sandwiched between layers of pee diapers.

HELP! My diapers are stained!
Stained diapers are not necessarily "dirty." A diaper can indeed be clean, yet stained. If the diapers don't stink, then the stains are fine. If they do stink, see above. If the stains bother you try hang the diapers to dry in the sun. The sun is a natural bleach and should help take care of the staining. Also, Biokleen Bac-Out is a great product that can be sprayed onto poopy diapers before you put them in the pail and it contains natural enzymes that take care of the stain and also disinfect. Bac-Out can be found at Festival Foods Stores and many other natural or whole foods-type stores. I might start to carry it in the shoppe if I can get my hands on it!

HELP! My diapers are leaking!
Check the insert of the diaper or the prefold. Is it very wet or mostly wet? If so, this indicates an absorbency issue - the majority of leaks are absorbency issues. Some babies have larger bladders than others and the insert that comes with some pocket diapers is not enough. As baby grows their absorbency needs will also increase. Consider using two inserts or adding a Fab Doubler or Hemp Insert along with a microfiber insert into pocket diapers. Infant Prefolds can also be trifolded like a business letter and placed into the pocket diapers for more absorbency - this is actually my favorite thing to stuff my FuzziBunz diapers with for Evelyn. Most babies need extra layers at nap time and bedtime - what works for daytime won't be enough. If your prefolds are soaked consider adding a Fab Doubler or Hemp Insert on the outside of the prefold between the prefold and cover. Experiment and find out what works for you.

If the diaper seems to be leaking at the legs or waist it is probably a fit issue. Diapers that are too big will often leak. Consider sizing down for a while. Carefully check the fit of the diaper at the legs - make sure there is a good seal. A pocket diaper thast has multiple inserts stuffed in it can sometimes cause the diaper to come away from the baby's bottom and create a gap in the leg causing leaking.

Do not assume that if you diapers are leaking that they are "wicking" and need to be "stripped." Some forums will tell you to "strip" your diapers with Dawn dish soap. This is something that I personally (along with many of my other diaper selling colleagues) is not necessary and is an awful lot of work and cannot be good for your washing machine to be adding a soap that is not intended for clothes. Stripping diapers is needed when there is an excessive amount of detergent residue on the diaper which is causing it to leak. Always use a diaper friendly detergent and use detergent sparingly. Email me at Amber@PunkerdoopsDiapers.com if you truly think your diapers need to be stripped. I will walk you through the process.

HELP! My baby has a diaper rash and you said not to use diaper cream!DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional and my advice is solely based off of experience. Always seek the help of a medical professional with any persistent diaper rash questions.
The majority of diaper rashes in cloth diapered babies are a form of heat rash that looks red irritated skin and like tiny little bumps when you get very close. It often is present on areas of baby's skin that touch the diaper. Heat rash can happen to babies in disposable diapers too as the diaper area is susceptible since it is often warm and moist. Heat rash is more prevalent in the summer months and can be prevented by using pocket diapers that have built-in stay-dry lining in the form of microfleece or suedecloth. Microfleece/non-pill fleece liners can be cut (no sewing neccessary) for pennies and used with cotton prefolds to mimick this stay-dry liner. I always use one in my nighttime diaper if I use a prefold and these also come in handy if you want to use a traditional diaper cream (wash liners separately from diapers as to not expose diapers to the cream in washing). We also carry bumGenius Stay Dry Liners if you don't want to make your own.

We carry a diaper balm, Booty Balm by LuSa Organics, that is safe for cloth diapers!!!! Booty Balm is made of pure essential organic oils that are absorbed into the skin. It clears up redness and rash sometimes in just one diaper change and can be used on other parts of the body to soothe skin. A must have!!!

Tips to avoid diaper rashes: Change baby's diaper frequently - every two hours or less - especially in hot, humid weather. Always immediately change poopy diapers. Make sure baby's bottom is completely dry before putting on a clean diaper. Let baby's bottom air out for a few minutes whenever possible. Use a diaper-friendly detergent like Country Save and make sure to not use too much detergent - detergent residue can irritate baby's sensitive skin. Always do an extra rinse after washing.

If you are just starting to use prefolds, your baby may experience some "new to cloth" redness. Try washing your diapers again on hot and see if that helps. Some babies will react if any of the natural cotton oils are still present in new prefolds.

If your baby has a persistent rash or one that has puss, discharge, or open wounds, take baby to the doctor to be checked out.

Traditional diaper creams like A&D and Desitin act as barriers to protect the skin and repel wetness. If these barrier creams get on your diapers, they will build up and repel wetness. That is why it is best to avoid diaper creams or at least use microfleece liners and wash them separately from your diapers.

HELP! My diaper has a defect!

As with all products, occassionally cloth diapers have manufacturer defects. All of the diaper manufacturers have product warranties and handle returns and defects directly. Here is the link to the warranty information for the major diaper brands:

FuzziBunz:

http://www.fuzzibunz.com/care_and_use.php#warranty

Thirsties:

http://www.thirstiesbaby.com/_private/mas.htm

bumGenius, Flip, Econbum (Cotton Babies):

http://www.cottonbabies.com/returns.php

Happy Heinys:

http://www.happyheinys.com/warranty.php?t=2

SoftBums:

http://www.softbums.com/contact.php

Overall: Cloth diapering is fun, rewarding, economical, eco-friendly, and baby friendly. Babies will enjoy less chemical exposure and fewer diaper rashes. Mommies will enjoy the possibility of early potty training and will get oodles of joy out of the sight of their adorable baby in delectable diapers. Families will enjoy extra money in the bank! The earth will enjoy less depletion of natural resources and fewer diapers in landfills. Give it a try – you just might get hooked!!!

If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me at Amber@PunkerdoopsDiapers.com. I am happy to help!