INFORMATION

Types of diapers that Baby Moonflower sells:

Prefold Diaper
Pocket Diaper
Diaper Cover / Diaper Wrap
Diaper Insert / Diaper Doubler

Prefold Diaper: The kind of diaper they used back in the day. Rectangular shaped flat cloth diaper with an absorbent pad already sewn in. Comes in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. Chinese prefold diapers need to be folded to fit in a waterproof diaper cover. There are many ways to fold a prefold and this could be the easiest and most cost efficient way to cloth diaper.

PROS

  • Least expensive diapering option
  • Fast drying
  • No need for as many different sizes
  • Versatile - can be used for other functions such as inserts / doublers, burp clothes, rags, etc.

CONS

  • Requires a diaper cover or diaper wrap
  • Requires some folding (may require a little practice)

Pocket Diaper: This is kind of like an All In One (AOI) but there is an opening inside to stuff an insert or a Chinese prefold that. This is a two part cloth diapering system.

PROS

  • Fast drying
    • Gives a very trim fit Most like an all-in-one diaper making it very convenient

CONS

  • Cloth diaper cover with pocket needs to be washed after every use
  • Can be expensive
  • Need to "stuff" each cloth diaper with a Chinese prefold or insert

Diaper Cover / Diaper Wrap : Used over Chinese prefold diapers and fitted diapers to waterproof. Diaper covers wrap around baby and secures with Velcro or snaps for easy use (no more pins!). Each diaper cover can be used several times without washing if allowed to air dry between uses. Diaper covers usually can be washed along with diapers (depends on brand and manufacturer suggestions).

Diaper Insert / Diaper Doubler : Both diaper inserts or diaper doublers add extra absorbency to any type of cloth diaper. The difference between a diaper insert and a diaper doubler is the size and thickness. These can be either micro terry or hemp.

Washing instructions: We recommend you only ever wash 2-3 dozen diapers at a time, and that you send your diapers through two wash cycles – a COLD/COLD wash or soak, and a HOT/COLD wash. Every now and then you may have to run an extra wash or an extra rinse

Home Laundering is a Snap...

First-time washing

Prior to use, all new cloth diapering products should be washed. Wraps, covers and pocket diapers need only a quick rinse. Any cotton or hemp products like the DSQ Chinese prefolds, doublers and inserts require 3-4 prewashes to maximize their absorbency. Chinese prefolds will shrink about 10% with first wash and they will also become softer and fluffier.

Be sure to wash and dry 3-4 times. Unbleached fabrice requires 1-2 additional wash/dry cycles since there are extra oils in the fabric that would have been removed during the bleaching process.

Tips

The pail system: The dry pail method seems to be the preferred method, whereby wet and soiled diapers are merely placed within a covered (or uncovered) pail with no pre-soaking. Odors can easily be controlled by sprinkling baking soda on the diapers or putting a deodorant disc at the bottom of the pail. A wet pail can only be used if the diapers are 100% cotton either prefold or contour. Pocket diapers or AIO should never be put in a wet pail.

  • Dump any solids into the toilet if possible - no dunking required (breastfed newborn cloth diapers can go directly into diaper pail)
  • Turn diaper covers inside out and re-fasten Velcro before washing
  • Which Laundry Detergent to use??

Use a laundry detergent that is free of perfumes and dyes to avoid irritation to baby's skin (Recommendation: Charlies’s Soap)

  1. Cold water rinse, no detergent just with 1/2 cup Baking Soda (always set water level to highest setting). The cold water prevents stains from setting in, while still working to lift the stool from the diaper and wash it away.
  2. Hot water wash cycle, add detergent (if you are using Charlie’s Soap use normal amount but any other use 1 the amount) and occasionally If you have hard water, add 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser, or put it in a Downy ball and throw it in (these methods release the vinegar during the final rinsing, where it is most effective). This is only if you are solely washing prefold diapers - if you use vinegar with diaper covers and/or AIO vinegar can damage the waterproofing.
  3. Cold water second rinse adding 3/4 drops of Lavender or Tea Tree essential oil (this is a natural antiseptic).
  4. Dry in dryer (add a dry towel to lessen drying time) or sun dry to get them extra white.

To the Dryer:

Dry in dryer on low heat. Add a dry towel to the dryer to speed the drying process. Occasionally you may wish to dry in dryer on high heat to help with sterilization. Drying in direct sunlight is also an excellent method; it helps to preserve the textiles of your diapers and is great at getting rid of stains. Hang drying will leave your diapers somewhat stiff. So to soften sun-dried dipes, you may choose to use the dryer for the last 15 minutes.

Finally:

Even if you follow all the rules above, you still might end up with occasional stinky diapers and less absorbent diapers due to pre-wash, detergent, and/or mineral residue. Simply replace your regular detergent with 1/4 cup Calgon water softener (found at your local grocers). This process is often referred to as diaper stripping. Use Calgon as often as needed, but not at every wash. Laundering Mistakes!

The following products and processes are not recommended for use in laundering cloth diapers:

Chlorine Bleach - Yes it is great for killing germs but it is bad for cloth diapers and covers. It will actually eat away at the fibers in your diapers, leaving holes and frayed edges, decreasing their durability and absorbency. It will also adversely affect the waterproofing in certain cloth diapers. Baking soda and oxygen bleach are great whiteners to use instead.

Fabric Softener - This product is equated with super soft and fresh smelling clothing, so it is only natural that you would want to use it on your cloth diapers but this would be a mistake. Fabric softener, either in liquid or sheet form – leaves a water-repelling residue on your diapers, making them less absorbent and useful in the very purpose that they serve. It also coats your diaper covers and can deteriorate their water-proof laminate.

Pure Soaps – Pure soaps are the more natural choice in the world of cleaners, but soaps will leave a residue on your diapers and covers – similar to the soap scum you find in your tub. Soap scum on diapers makes them repel moisture rather than absorb it and it is also harsh on the laminates used in your diaper covers, making them absorb rather than repel water. The best choice for washing your diapers is to use detergent on them.

DO NOT use Dreft or Fabric Softeners - they will coat cloth diapers and decrease absorbency

How does cloth diapering help the environment?

According to the Sustainability Institute 80% of the diaperings in this nation are done with disposables. That comes to 18 BILLION diapers a year, just in the US. The idea of a "disposable" diaper is a myth, the ramifications of which will stay with us for centuries to come.

Every child that uses disposables adds about 6500 diapers to our landfills.

Very few Disposable diapers on the market have little to no recycling potential and the long term effects of them on the environment remain unknown since they have only been around since the 70’s.

Have you ever read the instructions of the disposable diaper box? On the Packaging they recommend that you shake out any fecal matter into the toilet before disposing of it. Disposal of human waste in residential garbage is technically prohibited and instructions on disposable diaper packaging

How is cloth diapering healthier for your baby?

What should be of serious concern to all parents are the toxic chemicals present in disposable diapers. Dioxin, which in various forms has been shown to cause cancer, birth defects, liver damage, and skin diseases, genetic damage, is a by-product of the paper-bleaching process used in manufacturing disposable diapers, and trace quantities may exist in the diapers themselves.

Diapers Are Cheaper Than Disposable Diapers…

Most parents go through 6-8000 diapers per child, from birth to about age 3. That equates to between $2000 and $3000 per baby. Enough cloth diapers to last for 3 years will usually cost between $300-$800. At minimum that is about a $1200 savings!

Diaper Wipe Solution

Basic Wipes Recipe

  • 2 tablespoons baby shampoo or wash
  • 2 tablespoons oil (food grade cooking oil - not baby oil or mineral oil )
  • 2 cups distilled water
  • Mix in a jar and then pour over wipes. Store extra solution in the fridge.

Aloe Vera Wipes Recipe

  • 2 cups hot water
  • 1/4 cup Aloe Vera Gel
  • 2 drops Tea Tree Oil
  • Allow ingredients to cool
  • Mix in a jar and then pour over wipes. Store extra solution in the fridge.

Anti-Fungal Baby Wipes

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Aloe Vera Gel
  • 1 tablespoon Calendula Oil
  • 2 drops Lavender or Chamomile Oil
  • 2 drops Tea Tree Oil or Grape Seed Extract
  • Mix in a jar and then pour over wipes. Store extra solution in the fridge.

This one is great for discouraging yeast diaper rashes. The vinegar and essential oils discourage yeast growth.