YAY! Just got first couple cloth diapers to try!!! Any tips?

Jessica - posted on 09/12/2010

I was soo excited to get my cloth diapers that I was showing everyone them. People seem to think of only traditional cloth diapers and not the modern ones so I got some enthusiams over these new ones as well. I use Arm and Hammer Dye free purfume free laundry soap and it works great.

Jennifer - posted on 09/10/2010

I started out with 2 diapers, too. It led me into the wonderful world of cloth! They were g diapers by the way and I just found them buried in a diaper bag the other day. I prefer snaps to aplix cause my son likes to open aplix. I also like prefolds and covers on him, too. They dry faster and take up less space.

Cloth diapering is really trial and error!!!! What works for one mama may not work for another one! I rinse dirty diapers. I soak my dipes in baking soda the day before wash day if I think they are smelly (especially in the summer). I wash every 3rd day. I try to sun my diapers if weather cooperates. I use tide free.

Katie - posted on 08/31/2010

I've been using baking soda to wash my diapers. I had a detergent but when I moved it got lost : (

I don't think there is anything wrong with only buying 2 diapers. I bought about 6 and then started making my own. I really like making my own because I can take things I like about each diaper and work it in so I have exactly what I want.
This is the tutorial that I followed to make my first diaper. It turned out way too small to be usable on either of my boys. Haha.
http://mayna.livejournal.com/198548.html...

I also had hardly any sewing experience when I started sewing diapers. It's really easy when you get the hang of it. Also, check out http://diaperdivas.proboards.com/ .

I learned alot of things I could do differently do really improve my diapers. They ladies there are SO helpful.
Good luck.

Lisa - posted on 08/30/2010

A lot of the stinky diapers is dependent upon your environment. Some people swear by a wetpail to store dirty diapers and some people swear by a dry pail. I've always used a dry pail and either regular laundry soap (we've always used free and clear brands) or homemade laundry soap and vinegar in the rinse cycle and I hang dry all my diapers to dry and never have had an issue with stinky diapers.

Elizabeth - posted on 08/29/2010

Congrats on the cloth! I was really excited too and people thought I was nuts. I still am excited about them - I love our diapers!

Anyway, I use Country Save detergent and LOVE IT.

I rinse on cold once, then wash cold, with cold rinse. I take out the covers to hang dry and then do a hot wash with a cold rinse on the inserts. Then I tumble dry those on medium about an hour or so. I dry them in the sun once in a while to get the stains out.

I use a combination of Gro Baby and GroVia diapers and they are wonderful.

As for the snaps you'll know when you have a good fit when you can fit one finger with a little resistance. You don't want it too tight so if it's had to slip in a finger it's too tight. If you can get two fingers easily also it's too loose. I do agree that snaps can be tricky, but they last SO MUCH LONGER than aplix.

Happy clothdiapering!!!!

Jonna - posted on 08/23/2010

I have cloth diapered for over 4 years and 3 kids (soon to be 4 kids). I use Tide original laundry detergent. I hot water soak them for 1 hour then spin and drain. I run a hot water wash cycle with detergent (about 1/2 the recommended amount) and then add about 1/2 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Then I do one extra rinse and tumble dry on hot. (Most of my diapers take longer than one cycle to dry so I do a timed dry for 1 hour). Good Luck!