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More comfortable
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No harmful chemicals or
gels
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Fewer diaper rashes
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Babies tend to potty train
sooner
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More economical
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No landfill waste
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Can later be utilized as a
burp cloth, dust rag, shoe
shine cloth and to polish
precious metals...
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Why
choose organic cotton?
*Cotton facts from the
Organic Trade Association
Fiber Council.
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Is
it really cheaper to use
cloth vs. disposables?
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Yes, it's true. Most
people can save $1700+ by
using cloth diapers, this
includes using organic
cotton diapers!
Oftentimes, the diapers
will make it through 2
children, cutting the cost
even more!
Is
it true that cloth diapered
children potty train faster?
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Yes. The child feels the
wetness and is able to
associate it with the full
bladder feeling prior to
feeling wet after he/she
urinates.
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It has been said that they
train, on average, 6
months faster. So, they
do learn quicker.
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Contour diaper-
a diaper that is shaped
somewhat like an
hourglass. It is wider in
the back than in the
front. The diaper needs
an outer waterproof
covering to hold wetness
in and prevent leaks.
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Snappi®-
a safe, hypo-allergenic
diaper fastener that has
revolutionized cloth
diapering by replacing the
diaper pin. It is made
from stretchable,
non-toxic and
biodegradable plastic
material which is T-shaped
with teeth-like grips on
the ends. The teeth hook
into the diaper fabric
ensuring a quick,
snug-fitting diaper. And
it comes in a variety of
colors.
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Wick(ing)-
this occurs when a cloth
diaper is at its
absorption limit. The
diaper "wicks" moisture
onto the cover, clothing,
etc.
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Blowout-
this describes a poopy
mess that has escaped the
diaper and soils the
cover/soaker as well.
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Wrap/Cover/Soaker-
these are made of cotton,
wool, or synthetic fabric
and are used to cover the
diaper to hold in wetness.
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Doubler-
this describes a type of
cloth pad that is sewn
together. Usually it's
made of terrycloth and
fleece that is put in the
diaper for extra
absorbency. It works
great for heavy wetters,
at nighttime, or whenever
extra absorbency is
needed.
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This depends on how often
you intend to do laundry.
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The average newborn goes
through 8-12 diapers every
day. The average baby 8-9
months and older uses
about 6-8 diapers each
day.
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In order to do laundry
every 2-3 days, it is
recommended to have about
3 dozen diapers and 5-7
covers in each size.
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Don't forget, wet diaper
covers can be dried out
and used more than once
before washing.
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Yes. Organic cotton
contains natural oils in
it that repels water
causing the urine to roll
off and leak.
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It is recommended that you
wash and dry your new
diapers 4-5 times prior to
first use.
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The organic cotton diapers
should reach their maximum
absorption level by 10-12
washes.
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Any "free and clear"
detergent should work
well. Our favorites
include
Shaklee®,
Mountain Green®,
and
Seventh Generation®.
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Please remember, do not
use Dreft®, Ivory Snow®,
pure soap or any fabric
softeners as these
products put a coating on
the diapers making them
water-repellant causing
the diapers to leak.
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The diapers will shrink
most after the first wash
and dry.
-
They will continue to
shrink a little for a few
more washes.
-
Shrinkage
was considered when the
diapers were designed.
How
do I wash cloth diapers?
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Dry Pail method:
When the diapers are
wet or soiled just put
them into the diaper pail
without water. (Soaking
the diapers in the diaper
pail isn't needed and is a
drowning hazard.)
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If they are especially
soiled, shake the solids
off into the toilet or
rinse the diaper in the
toilet before putting it
into the pail. If baby is
exclusively breastfed, it
isn't necessary to rinse
the diapers in the toilet,
just put them into the
pail until wash day.
(Breastfed poo is like
yogurt and washes out
without any problem.)
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Washing:
(Two washes should be
sufficient.)
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Put the diapers into the
washing machine. First,
machine wash cold. (Cold
water helps to get out
protein (poo) stains.)
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Then, machine wash warm.
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It is recommended to use
only 1/2 the amount of
detergent in each wash.
The diapers will get clean
and this will help prevent
any detergent build-up.
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You can add 1/2 cup white
distilled vinegar into the
last rinse cycle.
(Vinegar is a natural
fabric softener, mildew
inhibitor and helps reduce
detergent build-up.)
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You can add 1/2 cup baking
soda to either the first
or second wash to help
freshen the diapers, if
needed.
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An extra rinse cycle helps
to get any extra detergent
out of the diapers. But
this step is up to you and
if your baby is sensitive
to detergents.
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Drying: Put
the diapers in the dryer
and dry on medium heat.
(The dryer helps to soften
the diapers.)
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Or, hang the diapers on
the clothesline to dry in
the sun. (The sun is a
natural whitener and
sanitizer.)
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Laundromat washing is
simple. The only thing
that tends to be a "chore"
is carrying the heavy
pail.
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If you wash twice per
week, you can get a large,
waterproof pail liner for
the diaper pail.
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When ready to wash ,
simply pull the draw
string and go. Dump the
diapers in for a cold wash
and then a second warm
wash and you're done.
Just dry them and head
home.
Is
it unsanitary to have poopy
water in our washer?
What
if there is a strong urine
smell
coming from the diapers when
I wash?
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There should not be a
strong urine smell after
two washes. The following
are good ways to help if
there is a strong urine
smell:
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You could use 1/2 cup
baking soda in the wash,
followed by 1/2 cup white
distilled vinegar in the
final rinse.
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Or, just add 1/2 cup
vinegar to the final rinse
cycle.
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It is recommended to only
fill your washer 2/3-3/4
full so the diapers can
agitate properly. (We
have found that a super
capacity top-loading
washer will take a
maximum of 24
diapers.)
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How
to wash and dry your diaper
covers
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Eco-Fleece Covers:
Machine wash
warm. Tumble dry low or
lay flat to dry. Avoid
using chlorine bleach, or
any other whitening agents
or laundry additives.
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Nylon covers:
Machine wash in warm
water and hang to dry.
Avoid using chlorine
bleach, or any other
whitening agents or
laundry additives.
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Wool covers:
Untreated, organic
wool needs to be washed as
little as possible to help
retain its natural lanolin
properties. When it
becomes wet, just let it
air dry. Small soiled
areas can be rinsed under
the faucet with lukewarm
water and gently rubbed
away. When necessary,
gently wash in lukewarm
water by hand with a wool
lanolin-replenishing
soap. Remember, do not
use cold or hot water.
Cold water shocks the
fibers and hot water
causes shrinkage. Gently
squeeze the water out by
hand. Then place in a
towel and press out excess
water. Give it a quick,
brisk shake for the wool
to regain its form and
elasticity. You can place
it over a mild heat
source, like a running
dryer. NEVER tumble dry.
Also, placing the wool in
direct sunlight may cause
discoloration of the
natural, organic wool.
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Natural
stain fighting methods
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Place damp diaper on grass
in direct sunlight, or
place the diaper on the
grass with the morning
dew. This really does
work! We have found that
about 1-2 hours in direct
sunlight is all it takes.
At times, it may be
necessary to flip the
diaper over to the other
side to get those stains
out.
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Put lemon juice on stained
area. Then put in wash.
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Put some hydrogen peroxide
on the stain and let it
sit for a few minutes and
wash as usual.
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Try white vinegar in the
wash.
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Use cold water in the wash
or rinse the diaper with
cold water before placing
into diaper pail.
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Please
click here to
see pictures on how to
fold and fasten
diapers.
Diapering
away from home
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Away for a few
hours: A small,
waterproof tote bag is the
best. Just put the wet
diaper in the bag and
stick it in the diaper bag
until you get home. Then,
put the diaper in the
diaper pail until wash
day.
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Away for a few days:
If you know that
you'll be gone for a
number of days and you
don't have enough diapers
to last and no washing
machine available to wash
the diapers, then you
could get more natural
disposable diapers such as
Tushies gel-free or
Seventh Generation
chlorine-free. If you
have access to a washer
and dryer, it's easy. If
you cannot take the diaper
pail with you, then you
could purchase a large,
waterproof tote bag and
put the wet or soiled
diapers in it. As needed,
just wash and dry as
usual.
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Cloth diapers should
not leak. Leaky
diapers can be attributed
to a number of reasons.
The following are the most
common:
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Not changing the
diaper frequently enough.
This is very common
especially for those
parents who have switched
from disposable diapers to
cloth diapers. Cloth
diapers need to be changed
about every 2 hours or as
needed. Heavy wetters and
newborns may require more
frequent changes.
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Detergent build-up or
using the wrong detergent
and/or fabric softener.
Remember, do not use Dreft®,
Ivory Snow®, pure soap, or
fabric softeners. These
products put a light
coating on the diapers
causing them to repel
water. It's a good idea
give the diapers an extra
rinse cycle with hot water
without detergent to help
remove any excess
detergent build-up.
Using
cloth diapers while meconium
passes
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