Washing Cloth Diapers as simple as 1, 2, 3

In India, most of us use cloth nappies and we maintain it so well. It is same with cloth diaper too. Cloth diaper needs to be absorbent, so we need to take little extra care, that’s it!

Before using diaper, Wash it!  :) You must wash ALL diapers & covers prior to first use 1-5 times: 

This must be done so your diaper can be at their full absorbency. Washing will remove the natural oils and waxes that will hinder your diaper absorbency.  Ideally it must be washed 5 times for efficient absorbency.  Just for getting that  10 -15 ml of extra absorbency why should we waste 100 L of water. As we use and wash absorbency will increase.

* Use your health facet to spray the poop in the toilet. Use a lidded bin to store all the soiled diaper until next wash
* “Sunning” would actually work on stains. Simply place stained diaper in the sun for drying them and you twill be amazed at how the stains will virtually disappear within hours.

Hand wash routine:  
Step 1- No detergent cold rinse  once or twice
Step 2-Use a tiny bit of cloth diaper safe laundry detergent in warm water (30 C ) and soak it  for 15 – 20 mins and wash it.
Caution : Don’t use Brush that’s used for washing clothes, Don’t beat the clothes to the floor or the washing stone (in case you have it in your house ;) )  Don’t use washing soap bars on the diaper.
Step 3-Extra rinse to ensure no soap residue

Machine wash routine:
Step 1- No detergent cold rinse 
Step 2-Use a ¼  amount of   cloth diaper safe laundry detergent in warm water in delicate/gentle mode. (1/4 for front-loading machines and ½ for top loading machine)
In case washing machine doesn’t have hot water option, add one-bucket hot water while washing
Step 3-Extra rinse cycles to ensure no soap residue

*In case if you use Dryers tumble-dry Low. 

*ONLY use cloth diaper safe detergents. Detergent can affect many aspects of your diaper: absorbency, odour, and how long your diaper will last.

Amway SA8 delicate, Surf Excel Gentle, Soap nut , Pigeon baby detergent are the best bet. Surf / Ariel / Tide has enzymes in it. Use 1/5 of the recommended detergent in case of Surf , Ariel ,tide etc  ( Not ideal to use, in case you still want to use

*Wash cloth diaper regularly. I suggest daily or  every 2-3 days. This will keep stains from setting in and will discourage mold growth.

*No fabric softeners, no optical whiteners or brighteners, & no enzymes. These will reduce the absorbency of the diaper

*Never use chlorine bleach on cloth diaper.

Sources:
http://www.surfexcel.in/how-to-do-laundry/the-right-detergent-formula/
http://www.scribd.com/doc/11523933/Enzymes-in-Detergents

In India, a few premium detergent brands presently available in the market like Ariel,Surf Ultra, Rin, Biolites, Revel Plus , Zymo contain enzymes in their formulations.
http://www.amway.in/Shopping/Products.aspx?pid=116513ID&ctg=SA8

All you need to know on Inserts and How to use it ?

Inserts are the absorbent material. Diapers alone are not absorbent. You need these soakers (inserts) for absorbency. These are applicable to the diaper range available with us in our online shop. Currently, We have Pocket diapers and two types of insert.

                      

Micro fiber Insert (MF) :

Micro Fiber Insert are known for quicker absorbency. They wick the moisture quickly.  This is very good in terms of absorbency. On the other hand , if it placed next to baby’s skin, it would wick away moisture from babys skin and cause dryness in the skin. NEVER use microfiber insert next to baby’s skin. Always use MF insert stuffed INSIDE the pocket.

Bamboo Insert: 

Bamboo is a natural fabric. Their absorption is good. It can be placed safely next to baby’s skin.  Bamboo diapers can be used both inside and outside the pocket.

Bamboo inserts can hold more wetness.

Lets take the scenario with one pocket diaper, MF insert and bamboo insert. 

When fresh diaper is chosen the change, bamboo insert can be laid on top of the pocket . After 2 -3 hours, I put Bamboo insert for wash. This time, I stuff MF insert inside the pocket and use. So now we can use the same shell 2 times up to 4  - 6 hours (provided baby hasn’t pooped ;) ) 

Alternatively, you can stuff 2 MF inserts , 2 bamboo or any 2 inserts in the pocket . They become your good night time diapers! 

Double Gussets is good option for  night diapering. It has a wide pocket opening both in the front and back, stuffing 2 inserts inside the pocket is super easy. They come with  colorful buttons so its  easy to remember the setting  that fit the best. Especially, it’s easy to tell  your hubby, MIL  or the maid on which colour setting you get the correct

fit, when they are changing the diaper. 

After some trail runs, You'll pick up the method which suits your  baby better!

https://www.facebook.com/clothdiapershop.in

How much you save on Cloth Diaper?

Do you know that a full diapering baby consumes about Rs.43800 in disposable diaper for 2 years time? With the cloth diaper solution, you will be able to save as much as Rs,31800

Instead of spending these money into the disposable diaper, should you save the money for your baby and use it for other purpose like nutrition, education, talent development etc?

CozyBaby prepared a projected calculation on the disposable diaper expenses for you. In the calculation, we assume that you are using a middle range disposable diaper, which is about Rs.10 per piece. (The calculated figure subjected to different ways of usage for each individual)

For a full time disposable diapering baby, he/she will probably utilised

6 diapers a day:

Day time usage,  6:00AM - 8:00PM = 14 Hours.

Changing of diaper for every 3 hours: 14 Hours/ 3 = 4.6 , round up to 5 diapers.

Night time usage, 8:00PM - 6:00AM = 10 Hours

Assume your baby only use 1 diaper in night time.

Total: 5 Diapers + 1 Diaper = 6 Diapers per day.

You spend:   6 Diapers x 10 rs = Rs 60 per day

In 2 years time you spend: 2 years x 365 days x Rs.60 =Rs 43800

If you go for cloth diaper solution, and assuming you purchase 10 cloth diaper in 1st year, and each one is about Rs.800, you will spend Rs.8000.00 on you baby diapering.

In the second year, you purchase 5 more new cloth diapers for Rs4000.00.

Totally in 2 years time, you spend Rs. 8000 + Rs. 4000.00   = Rs.12000

Comparing to Disposable Diaper, your will save  43800- 12000= Rs 31800

If you take good care of the cloth diapers, you will have 20 cloth diapers for your next baby, and this will get the money saving in double. 

Water  cost :

In case you are hand washing, water consumption is very less may be 2 buckets , if you are washing daily. 

Electricity cost :

If you are using washing machine, it would be wise to was 2 -3 days once and it would consume  3 units of power per load. (Depending on the washing machine). Assuming, 10 loads ,10*3 = 30 unit power. 

Bill would be 30*5 Rs = 150Rs  per month. 

In any case, I find cloth diapers to be cheaper than disposable.  

Me, My son and our journey with cloth diapers

I started  using  tiny care brand nappies  and old dhoti clothes. for my son after he was born. They just cover but they don’t have any absorbency. I wanted something which  can absorb more than one time.

Now a days, readily available disposable was my first option. I used it for night time. Somehow,  I wasn’t convinced about  disposables ,  having read about the ill effects of disposables.    

                   

                     

Then , I started searching for sewing tips on cloth nappies (Indian style) which can hold on more . Fortunately, found that modern cloth diaper which could be used from birth to potty training and they as convenient as disposables called one size pocket Diapers, All in ones, All in Twos etc..

I had few concerns 

• Is it safe on baby?   Will it cause Rashes ?
• Washing the diaper
• All sites were talking that you save lot of money  in cloth diapers , every one was  speaking in dollars

After researching on my concerns, here is what I found  

Safety :

Safe on baby’s skin that’s what many websites claim.Many mom have used cloth diapers on their babies and they love it.  I read through each review and articles and I was completely convinced that it was safe on my baby’s skin.  
What about Rashes ?   

Real Diaper Association states :

 There is no significant difference between cloth and disposables when it comes to diaper rash.

There are many reasons for rash, such as food allergies, yeast infections, skin sensitivity, chafing, and chemical irritation. Diaper rash can result from the introduction of new foods in older babies. Some foods raise the frequency of bowel movements, which also can irritate. Changes in a breastfeeding mother's diet may alter the baby's stool, causing rash.

Phew ! One of my major concerns about cloth diaper is  completely resolved.

Washing :

 As I was washing my cloth nappies , I didn’t have any problem in washing these diapers too. Of course, there are some points to note as well , No rash cream , No Bleach , No fabric softeners. I am planning to write on the steps in my next blog.

Economy:

I did my Maths in Indian rupees to check, if my Cloth diapers were economical.

I found that on average, babies are changed 6,000 times (non Indian source). Assuming Indian babies  used disposable diapers  3,000 times (Nap, Night time).  Lets assume babies are potty trained by the age of 2 .

If I purchased 10 cloth diaper, they would cost approximately   Rs. 8000 (on average)  The average disposable costs Rs.10. (price could vary by 1 or 2 Rs), but lets just stick to the number.  I could see wide range of people using Nappy pad (Johnson’s ,  Teddy ) each piece cost about  Rs.7  on average.

Next option would be Cloth Nappies. On average , normal  Tiny care nappies (non plastic wrapped and Velcro)  cost around 50 Rs . We would need around 20 of them in each size S,M,L . Lets assume we buy 5 times till  1 year . We spend on an average Rs. 3000 - Rs.5000 .

I considered Diaper Used Vs. Money Spent as well Diapers used as well number baby cloths need to be washed.This parameter is to check on the leaks.

I assumed number of cloths that needs to be washed is 4 cloths 

 ( bed sheet, bed spread, 2 dress) of the baby if we used disposable.  Nappy also causes leaks. When baby moves there is a gap and leaks . I have considered  average 3 cloths needs to be per diaper change.Coming to nappy cloths it cannot hold more and it leaks all 4 cloths needs a wash. For Cloth diaper, Since we use insert and the pocket 2 piece per diaper change and 4 cloths(Bedsheet etc..)

Here goes the graph,

               

 I have also done a simple calculation, here 

I have convinced myself to use cloth diapers as they have proven me economically as well in keeping baby dry.It gives the same comfort as disposable.I have been using this for 4 months now (he is 5 months old now) . I  just love it.

Initially comments from my family members were 'it looks bulky' . I was convinced because it safe and economical too. After using cloth diapers, my son started  sleeping for longer stretches in his nap time as I used my cloth diapers only during the day . Slowly , I started  using them during night time as well. Now, I am  been cloth diapering in the night as well. Simple, Stuff the pocket with two inserts and it just works awesome J

I will try to write on my cloth diaper stash in the coming blogs. Stay connected!

Disclaimer: All the above numbers have derived from my own usage. I haven't personally used nappy pads. I have lot of friends who used nappy pads and I have used their inputs. 

You can read REAL DIAPER ASSOCIATION - DIAPER FACTS here. The PDF version of this document may be freely distributed through electronic or print forms provided that it is the latest version available at the time, unedited and distributed in its entirety, including this notice.