Start-up:
This is where the money comes out, but hey, you can't make an omlette without cracking some eggs, right? This is a personal preference. I am going to tell you what you will need to get through one day of cloth diapering in each style and having to do the wash each night. Multiply these number for each day you want to go without washing up to three days.
Prefolds and covers:
4 covers
12 prefolds
2 clips, bongos, or enough pins that you have an extra
Fitted and covers:
4 covers
12 fitteds
no clips, pins, or bongos needed.
Pockets:
12 inserts
12 covers
All-In-One:
12 diapers
Hybrids:
4 covers
12 inserts
Other must haves: diaper pail, pail liner, wet bags for holding soild diapers/insert/etc when out and about, diaper friendly detergent.
Simple right. right. Until you pass out from the upfront cost, but remember you will save tons more over the course of diapering. I spent about 200$
Things to think about:
If you have a heavy wetter you will probably want to purchase extra inserts for night or a different style. the best style for a heavy wetter over night is a good fitted diaper with a cover. This is like Fort Knox for leakproofing.
You can mix and match styles and brands to get going.
Cloth diapers have an extremely high resale value. a 25 dollar diaper after a year of use will still be worth 16-20 dollars.
Don't want to buy new for a test run? buy used, try ebay, craigslist, and diaper swaps.
Cleaning:
Honest, it isn't that bad or hard. It is a load of laundry not a marathon.
Pee diapers just go straight in the pail. All done with those for now. Poopy diapers...you must remove the majority of the solids and flush that down the toilet. It isn't too bad. Most of the time it just comes off with a shake. Then the diaper or insert goes in the wash. Covers do not have to be put in the diaper pail unless it has poo on it, but if they were used during the day the must be washed at the end of the day.
Washing them. There is a huge long process the other pages tell you. I'm giving you the truth. If you wash these puppies daily a presoak is not needed. Toss them in. Set the temp to Hot/cold and the wash to regular. Add your detergent (NO SOFTENER!!!) and press go. Take the inserts, prefolds, and fitted out put in dryer and dry without a dryer sheet. Covers and all-in-ones must line/air dry or you will ruin the fabric. You must use a cloth diaper safe detergent or you will ruin the absorbency! Here is a list of safe detergents. Softeners and dryer sheets are never safe. You can use dryer balls though. These are wool balls, tennis balls work great, that beat the soft into them.
I am posting a homemade detergent recipe that is awesome for regular clothes, diaper safe, smells awesome, and is 30$ for a years supply pending your laundry amounts.
Tips:
- You must prewash everything minimum of three times to prime them. The brand will tell you if you need more. This makes them absorb better. If you didn't prewash you will be sorry because you'll be in leak city.
- If you prewashed and are getting leaks check the fit. Are the legs tight enough and the waist? adjust if not. Point little boys penises down not up.
- If you are leaking overnight add another insert, try bamboo, or switch to fitteds for night time.
