I’ve already told you about the cost savings of using cloth diapers. I’m not saving as much right now as we are gone every weekend and I use disposables then. But I still use them when home.
One thing people are always asking when they find out we use cloth diapers is “isn’t it a pain to take care of them?”
My answer is no. Because I use prefolds and a cover, there isn’t much by way of special care. All-in-ones, pocket diapers, etc. have more intensive care instructions. You can’t use certain detergent, can’t use normal diaper rash cream, etc. You don’t have this with prefolds. Easier to gave for and cheaper.
Here is how I wash my diapers.
1. I have a diaper sprayer connected to my toilet to rinse out any messy diapers. If they are just wet, they go straight into the diaper pail (which is just a pedal-operated lidded trash can with a removable liner).
2. Every 2-3 days I soak the diapers overnight in the washing machine with a little baking soda. I just put the diapers and baking soda in, turn the washer on, then go back in a few minutes and turn it off.
3. In the morning, I drain and spin. If I have any covers to wash, I throw them in when the washer is done draining. Then I put it on medium-heavy soil, hot water, and extra rinse. I add a bit more baking soda to the diapers and vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser. This part is important as it helps with any smell. I use ordinary free and clear laundry detergent, nothing fancy. Since we use free and clear detergent for all our wash, nothing special to buy.
4. When it is done, I just hang them out to dry. Any stains are usually bleached out by the sun. If not, I use the homemade stain remover I mentioned a few weeks ago. If I can’t hang them out I just stick them in the dryer. I do not add a dryer sheet as that can cause build up and can cause the diapers to not be absorbent.
That’s it! Really, not complicated at all. It takes a couple extra steps but my diapers have no smell to them and are very clean. I don’t add to much extra expense either as I use things I already have. It only cost me the extra electricity to get the hot water and to run my washer a couple extra times a week. Not enough to make a difference in my opinion.
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