| You know it is possible to help reduce the amount | | | | amount of laundry detergent you use for all your |
| of disposable diaper waste in landfills by using cloth | | | | washing needs, not just the cloth diapers. |
| diapers, but you are nervous about how to wash | | | | Frequently, manufacturers suggest you use more |
| them. This is a common concern being raised by | | | | detergent than is required. Irritating deposits can |
| many young mothers who were raised with | | | | be left on the cotton if too much detergent is |
| disposable diapers. You may be surprised to know | | | | used. One way to see if you can use less |
| that cleaning cloth diapers is not as difficult or | | | | detergent is to use about half the recommended |
| even as gross as you might imagine. | | | | amount to see if it is effective for you, and |
| Cleaning cloth diapers formerly involved soaking, | | | | adjust the amount from that point. Follow the hot |
| bleaching, pre-washing, and air-drying when my | | | | wash with a cold rinse. Most machines these days |
| girls were little. In the past, this process was quite | | | | automatically use a cold rinse, but check your |
| time consuming and full of work. Plastic pants | | | | settings to make sure. |
| have been replaced by pliable, washable, diaper | | | | If you're not sure how much detergent is too |
| covers and can still be used with the traditional | | | | much, run the diapers through a second rinse. The |
| plain prefolded diapers. Today's generation of cloth | | | | rinse water should be clear. During the rinse cycle, |
| diapers are 100% better than the old style. There | | | | if you notice suds, this indicates there was still |
| are many all-in-one cloth diaper systems to | | | | some residue left in the diaper. Fabric softeners |
| choose from. One such brand is Fuzzi Bunz cloth | | | | are not recommended for use with cloth diapers. |
| diapers, which are diaper and cover in one piece, | | | | Fabric softeners can reduce diaper efficacy |
| with an optional insert. Everything can be washed | | | | because they leave a coating on the fabric which |
| together, including the "wet bag" which is used to | | | | inhibits absorbancy. There is more chance of |
| contain the wet diapers until laundry day. | | | | irriation and diaper rash and more need to change |
| Here are some simple steps to help you clean | | | | the baby if your diapers are lose absorbancy. |
| your soft, natural, cloth diapers. | | | | Cloth diapers can be air dried or dried in the dryer. |
| If baby has solid waste, you can simply drop the | | | | Of course, everyone has a preference, and I do |
| stool into the toilet and flush it away. No swirling | | | | like the softness the dryer provides, but the sun |
| and wringing of the diaper is necessary. Store the | | | | provides natural disinfecting and bleaching. Check |
| wet and/or dirty diapers in a diaper pail or your | | | | the washing instructions on your particular brand. |
| wet bags until laundry time. There is no need for | | | | Fuzzi Bunz diapers recommends using a low |
| soaking anymore and you can leave them the | | | | setting on the dryer, while some of the others |
| way they are. Run the diapers first through a cool | | | | say to use the hot. |
| water rinse when you are ready to launder. The | | | | It is possible for you to help preserve the |
| next step is to wash the diapers with detergent in | | | | environment by washing those soft natural |
| a hot water wash. A lot of people feel that soap | | | | diapers and keeping the disposables out of the |
| is better, as it leaves the diapers softer, but soap | | | | landfills. And don't forget you can and put the |
| can also leave an oily residue, which means the | | | | baby in your favorite Ellaroo baby carrier and go |
| diaper will not be as absorbent for your little | | | | enjoy your world naturally as well! |
| darling's bottom. You can experiment with the | | | | |