Where: So where does all the diaper storing/changing/washing action take place? And what exactly is involved in washing cloth diapers? Let's start with storage:
Here is my newborn stash (minus prefolds and covers):
Aren't they cute?
And here are my Bum Genius 4.0s as of yesterday morning:
Not quite as little, but still awfully cute:
Here is the swing-out drawer with our cloth wipes (actually, they are Babies 'R' Us Brand washcloths that I got for free with a coupon!):
After diaper removal, the diaper, insert, and cloth wipe go in the large metal step trash can lined with our Kissaluvs liner. The trash can is just from Target and was around $30. Any trash (like tissues, random threads, and the occasional disposable wipe) goes in the small metal step trash can, which my in-laws purchased for us.
As you can see, it's crucial for the trash cans to contain the smells since they're right next to my glider. And here's an admittedly crappy picture with the whole set-up (I would take another one, but Ethan is asleep so I don't think I'll wake him up just to get a picture!):
Now let's talk laundry!
I wash the diapers every other day. On the morning of a wash day, I grab the liner full of diapers, carry it downstairs to the laundry room, and just dump the whole thing (including the bag) in the washer. First, they get a cold rinse. Then, they get a hot and heavy wash with 2 Tbsp. of detergent (halfway to the "0" in the Planet cap). Finally, they get an additional cold rinse. This usually takes place over the course of Ethan's morning nap, and then after he wakes up and I feed him, I transfer the wipes, liners, and pail liner into the dryer for 90 minutes on medium heat. The outer shells of the diapers are hung up with clothespins on the wire shelving above the washer and dryer.
(I used to put diapers outside on a clothesline to dry and to get rid of any stains. However, then it got really cold, and the diapers would freeze. Then it got warmer, but it also became pollen-y, and the diapers turned yellow. Now I could probably put them outside again, but they dry fine in the laundry room, and I don't really care about stains anymore!) At some point after the dry cycle finishes, I snap the liners to the correct position and stack them on top of the dryer. The following morning, I bring all the diaper laundry back upstairs to stuff and put away, either before Ethan wakes up or, if it's an early-rising day, after his first nursing of the morning. All in all, it doesn't take much time, and the rewards are well worth any extra exertion!
But what about the poop? Well, until they start solids, breastfed and formula-fed poop is water-soluble so it rinses away in the wash. After you start solids, however, it does have to be flushed. There's an awful in-between stage known as the "peanut butter poop" period when the stools are too loose to just dump in the toilet but not able to be thrown in the wash. Some people buy diaper sprayers, but it just wasn't worth the money for us. If we happened to remember to put a liner in, the poop is just thrown in the toilet with the liner, but if not, you just stick the diaper (and your hand) in the toilet and swirl it around until it's clean. Definitely the worst part of cloth diapering, but it's a short period of time in the grand scheme of things! Once your baby is eating more solids, the poop will become ploppable so you just dump it into the toilet and throw the diaper in the pail. Remember, by law, users of disposable diapers are supposed to be doing the same thing! Most of them just don't do it.
So there you have it! A basic intro to the world of cloth diapering. Perhaps in the future I'll do a post or two on cloth diaper resources and troubleshooting, but at the very least, maybe this series has shed some light on why we felt it was important to cloth diaper and exactly what is required of cloth diapering families. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment!
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