| We saved a small fortune by doing these two things | | | | skin you might try switching to a milder detergent. If the |
| with our first child, and it's not as hard as you might | | | | diapers are badly soiled, add a little bleach to the water |
| think! | | | | and soak them for an hour or so before washing. |
| * * * | | | | Don't soak them in the bleach water too long, as this |
| When I gave birth to our first child almost 14 years ago, | | | | can break down the fibers in the cloth and cause them |
| my husband and I were just about flat broke. Not only | | | | to tear. |
| did we use cloth diapers, but I also made my own | | | | Diaper Wipes |
| diaper wipes and continued to make them for several | | | | This was always my favorite part. Every time I made |
| years. We saved a small fortune by doing just these | | | | a batch of home made diaper wipes I was just a little |
| two things, and it's not as hard as you might think! | | | | more proud of myself for being so frugal. They do not |
| Diapers | | | | take long to make, and at a cost of 50 cents a box, |
| The best cloth diapers to use are the plain white ones | | | | you'll be able to take a small vacation with all the |
| that are pre-folded; they have thick padding in the | | | | money you'll save! |
| middle, are inexpensive, and work great. You'll need | | | | Here's the recipe: |
| about 4-dozen, though you could get by on less. The | | | | 1 roll of paper towels |
| plastic pant covers are also nice to use, but try not to | | | | 2 T. baby oil |
| use them all the time. They keep the moisture in a little | | | | 2 T. baby bath or shampoo |
| too well, and can lead to diaper rash. It's important to | | | | 2 cups boiled water, then cooled |
| change the cloth diapers often; they are not as | | | | Old diaper wipe container |
| absorbent as the disposable ones. | | | | (or any airtight container will do) |
| Liners | | | | Each roll of paper towels will make two boxes of |
| Diaper liners are available in the store as well, but I | | | | wipes. You also have two options for the style of |
| found these to be a waste of money. I purchased one | | | | diaper wipes to make. You can either cut the roll of |
| package and never even used half of them. If you're | | | | paper towels in half; leaving them in a roll, or you can |
| using the pre-folded cloth diapers, they will be thick | | | | tear apart the towels and fold them to fit into the box. |
| enough to keep everything in. But if you are using the | | | | The later was my preferred choice. |
| thinner, unfolded variety, you might want to invest in the | | | | After you place your towels into the empty box, mix |
| liners and give them a try. When anticipating a possible | | | | the remaining ingredients in a large measuring cup. |
| leak, during a long car ride or day trip, I would just fold | | | | Slowly pour the liquid over the towels, making sure to |
| a single thin diaper and place it inside of the pre-folded | | | | cover them evenly. |
| one. It usually did the trick. | | | | If you have chosen the folded method, place half of |
| Laundering | | | | the towels in the box and pour in half of the liquid. Then |
| Use a large plastic container with an airtight lid to store | | | | add remaining towels and remaining liquid on top of |
| the soiled diapers until you are ready to wash them. | | | | them. |
| Washing them every other day should be plenty | | | | If you have chosen the rolled method, be sure to |
| enough; depending on how many diapers your baby | | | | remove the cardboard from the middle before adding |
| goes through. Just be sure to rinse the dirtier ones in | | | | the liquid. After the towels have set for a short while, |
| the toilet before placing them in the container. Do this | | | | they will absorb the liquid more evenly and will keep |
| by holding one end of the diaper above the water line, | | | | fresh for several weeks. |
| swishing the cloth around until the soil is released into | | | | Be proud of yourself for saving money, but more than |
| the water. You may have to flush the toilet once and | | | | anything else enjoy that precious little baby, they grow |
| repeat this step, just be sure not to let go of the | | | | up so fast! Sing songs or nursery rhymes while |
| diaper! | | | | changing those diapers, make the most of every |
| When you are ready to wash your container of | | | | moment you have together. Babies are a precious gift |
| diapers, wash them in hot water with your choice of | | | | from God, and every new day is another blessing. |
| detergent. Tide is great, but if your baby has sensitive | | | | |