The Dirt on Cloth Diapering

For the uninitiated, the words “cloth diapers” can conjure up images of droopy white rags only somewhat contained by uncomfortable-looking plastic covers.

Take a look around at what’s out there today, though, and it’s not long before you see that these are not your mother’s cloth diapers.

What you’ll find instead are darn near engineering marvels, with handy pocket inserts, four-layer channeling systems, and advanced materials like comfortable moisture wickers inside and soft waterproof fabric on the outside.

Ask any mom who has used them (and loved them), and she’ll probably say her little one had far fewer blowouts and less diaper rash. She might also mention that she saved a ton of money over disposables and she felt good about keeping a few diapers out of the landfills.

She’ll also likely say that she did, indeed, have to deal with more laundry, that the cloth diapering system was more of an initial investment, and, yes, clean-up took a little more time.

Which brings us to the number one question that comes to mind when moms first consider cloth diapering, and it has to do with Number Two.

To get right to the point (we all think it, after all): What do you do with the poo? Well, you’ve got some options, aside from using a diaper service. Here’s an overview.

Step One: Remove the solids

Tap it
When the solids are, well, somewhat solid, it’s as easy as tapping the soiled diaper over the toilet. Any remaining particles will come off in the wash (we’ll talk about that in a bit).

Line it
Flushable, biodegradable liners can be placed in the diaper, and then messes can be lifted out and flushed.

Spray it
Many moms and dads swear by special spraying systems that attach to your toilet’s plumbing. Just spray messes right into the toilet. With just the right amount of water pressure, they remove the mess so the diaper is all ready for laundering.

Step Two: Store it until laundry time

Soak it (a.k.a. Wet Pail)
After the mess is tapped, lifted or sprayed out of the diaper, it can be soaked in a wet pail until wash time. Some parents swear by the wet pail as a way to keep odors in check; it also acts as a stain-removing pre-soak. Gentle additives like baking soda or vinegar can be added to the water, if desired; bleach is generally considered too harsh.

Dry Pail
A dry pail is simply a bucket where you keep the diaper until it’s time to wash. It can be lined for easy clean-up, and some moms add baking soda to help keep odors down.

Waterproof Bag
Various bags are available for storing soiled diapers until laundry time. Wet bags can hang from a doorknob or other dedicated area; just throw the diapers in. Zippered bags can be placed right in the hamper aside other laundry, while still keeping soiled diapers separate.

Step Three: Wash it!

This part’s pretty straightforward: Every other day or so, wash cloth diapers separately in washing machine, using hot water and a gentle, fragrance-free washing agent. Any remaining solids dissolve and/or are washed away—really!

Okay, maybe it’s not quite so straightforward. Like many moms, you may have some lingering doubts about whether or not the solids and remaining bacteria are really all washed away.

Ideally, a thorough, impartial scientific study would prove it. In lieu of that, here are a few scenarios that might help, perspective-wise. Your little one’s soiled clothing generally gets thrown in the wash. Your husband’s underwear, your socks … it all has bacteria. The many cycles of your washing machine take care of most of it; anything lingering, invisible bacteria ultimately may help support a healthy immune system. Or how about the dishwasher? Food is full of yucky stuff. The dishwasher whisks most of it away. Another option? Some moms run an empty cycle with some sanitizing bleach after laundering diapers for a little extra peace of mind.

And so, there’s a little dirt on today’s cloth diapers. Eager to learn more? Here’s a blog post from Amy of The Budget Mommy, who talks about her journey into cloth diapering in The Unintentional Cloth Diapering Mommy The Unintentional Cloth Diapering Mommy. In November, we chatted with Gaelle Wizenberg, founder of Charlie Banana, Emily of Baby Dickey and Alex of Breezy Mama all about cloth diapers. Read the transcript full of tips and tricks here. And if you’re ready to do the cloth diapering thing yourself, zulily has a cloth diaper event going right now! This event features CuteyBaby, with their adorable, colorful diapers, accessories and starter kits.