Why Cloth?
It is estimated that 27.4 billion diapers end up in landfills each year - that's enough to circle the globe 90 times! The scary fact is that dioxins (by-products of bleach) and TBT are in most disposables, which can pollute
ground water and end up in our air. Dioxins are carcinogenic chemicals, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. Tributyl-tin (TBT) is a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans
and animals. Not only are these chemicals toxic, they are harsh on your baby's delicate skin. It is estimated a 2-year-old will have gone through 6,000 diapers! That is roughly $1,600 spent on just diapers in two years.
Hybrids are a great option for kiddos on the go, in daycare, and while traveling. Hybrids give you the option to use cloth or disposable liners with a one size waterproof shell. Most of the disposable liner options are
biodegradable. There are several absorbency options for each diaper. The Baby Grocery Store carries GroVia, Flips, and Charlie
Banana hybrids.
Covers can be used with prefolds, fitteds, and inserts. Diaper covers can be wool, waterproof shells, one size snaps, and sized pull-ups. Covers are great, from newborn all the way to potty training. The Baby Grocery Store carries GroVia, Thirsties, Best Bottom Diapers, Smart Bottoms, and EcoPosh.
Prefolds are the old-fashioned way of cloth diapering, but they've come a long way. Instead of safety pins, they can now be held together with Snappi's. Prefolds are sized to better fit your infant and toddler. You can always reuse the smaller size as a burp cloth or wash rag. There are many different ways to wear a prefold and they need to be worn with a waterproof cover. They are super absorbent and work well for night time protection. The Baby Grocery Store carries GroVia, Smart Bottoms, and OsoCozy prefolds.
Fitteds are great for heavy wetters who need more absorbency. They are the best for overnight with a waterproof cover and can even be worn around the house without a cover. The Baby Grocery Store carries bamboo, organic cotton, modal, and fleece fitteds by GroVia, EcoPosh, and Kissaluvs.
Most parents prefer pocket diapers since you control the absorbency. Pockets have a waterproof outer layer, microfiber inserts, and usually a microfleece interior lining. The inserts fit into the pocket and you can add as many as you like. The Baby Grocery Store carries both one-size and sized pockets that last from 7-40 pounds. You can finds brands like GoGreen, FuzziBunz, Bum Genius, AppleCheeks, Kawaii Baby, Rumparooz, and Charlie Banana.
All-In-Ones come complete with a waterproof shell and attached absorbency liner. AIO's can be sized or one-size that grows with your child from newborn to 40 pounds. Newborn AIO's are also a popular diaper, especially for preemies or small infants. Newborn sizes go from 4-12 pounds. The Baby Grocery Store carries GroVia, Lil Joey, Smart Bottoms, Bottom Bumpers, Swaddlebees, and Bum Genius.
Prep
Follow the instructions that came with your diaper for how many times to wash for the most absorbency. Most brands need to be washed AND dried 4-8 times before being worn, especially natural fibers. You will need to use a
cloth friendly detergent that is free of enzymes, plant oils, brighteners, fabric softeners, scents, bleach, and dyes.
Wash
Do not soak your natural fiber diapers. Caustic detergent can eat away at cotton, hemp, and bamboo.
Only fill your washer half way with diapers and wipes. Make sure you run a warm or regular hot wash and one extra rinse with the largest load setting. Your diapers should have a 40-45 minute wash cycle with the right
detergent. Make sure you use the correct amount of detergent!
Do not use fabric softeners or dryer sheets!
If your baby is exclusively breastfed, you can throw the messy diaper directly into the wash.
If your baby is formula fed or eats solids, you will need to use diaper liners, a diaper sprayer, or shake it out.
Diaper liners are soft, breathable, biodegradable liners that lay on top of the insert or diaper. You can remove and flush most liners once they are soiled.
Diaper Sprayers attach to your toilet to rinse and clean off the messiest diapers. The sprayer attaches to the toilet's water supply and you gently spray the poop into the toilet.
You can also let your soiled diaper sit out for several hours and let solidify and shake into the toilet.
You shouldn't have to strip your diapers. Try a different detergent or increase amount used.
Stinky diapers will usually mean you have mineral buildup that aren't getting cleaned. Try Funk Rock or GroVia's Tiny Bubbles until your diapers are back to normal. Then switch detergent.
In case of emergency, if the wrong diaper cream or a fabric softener was used, wash your diaper in Dawn soap. Yes, it has to be Dawn to get the oils out. Rub the diaper together and let soak in the water with the dish soap
until the water is luke warm. Then do as many rinses as is necessary in your washer to get the diapers to rinse clean. This will eventually break down a diaper, so only use if truly necessary!
If you have stains, place in the sun for 2-3 hours.
Not all diaper balms and creams are created equal. There are many that aren't cloth diaper friendly that will make your diapers repel instead of absorb urine. Because of this, most cloth diaper companies void their warranty
if a diaper cream is used. Be sure to check their websites for exceptions. If a diaper balm is needed, you can use a liner for extra precaution. You should always avoid diaper balms with zinc oxide and any fish oils when
using cloth. Here are some of our favorite cloth diaper safe brands you can find at The Baby Grocery Store!
Alaffia Blissful Baby Shea Butter Baby Balm: Blissful Baby Balm soothes, calms and moisturizes your baby's
skin with certified fair trade shea butter and virgin coconut oil. Shea Butter has been proven scientifically to heal small cuts, burns and chapped skin, and is ideal for babies. Ingredients: Handcrafted Shea (Butyrospermum
parkii) Butter, Virgin Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Oil, Virgin Sweet Almond (Prunus dulcis) Oil Infused With Calendula Petals, Beeswax, Calendula Petals™
Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm: Earth Mama's #1 best selling salve is clinically tested, safe for
cloth diapers, and safely battles existing diaper rash and protects against flare ups. The only balm made with organic olive oil infused with a proprietary blend of naturally antibacterial and antifungal organic herbs, shea
butter and pure essential oils, soothes thrush, itchy bug bites, scrapes, chicken pox, minor rashes, and burns.Ingredients: Olea europaea (organic olive) oil, Butyrospermum parkii (organic shea) butter, Euphorbia cerifera
(candelilla) wax, Simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba) oil, Melaleuca alternifolia (organic tea tree), Lavandula angustifolia (organic lavender) flower oil, Calendula officinalis (organic calendula)flower extract, Hypericum
perforatum (organic St. John's wort) flower extract, Stellaria media (organic chickweed) extract, Plantago major (organic plantain) extract, Commiphora myrrha (myrrh).
Zoe Organics Diaper Balm: Zoe Organics uses only pure, organic ingredients because they believe in the
necessity of eliminating toxins from our bodies and the environment. Their diaper balm creates a natural barrier to protect baby's sensitive skin from moisture and bacteria. It is infused with soothing and restorative
organic herbs; calendula, lavender and chamomile. Ingredients: helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil * [infused with lavendula angustifolia (lavender) flowers*, anthemis nobilis (chamomile) flowers* and calendula officinalis
(calendula) flowers* and plantago major (plaintain) leaf*], theobroma cacao (cocoa) butter*, beeswax*, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) essential oil*.
*certified organic ingredient
Butt Naked Baby Pink Clay Diaper Balm: Butt Naked Baby features 98% natural pampering ingredients of sunflower
seed oil, soya bean oil, jojoba seed oil, calendula oil, bentonite healing clay, pink kaolin clay & chamomile. With origins that date back more than a hundred years, this is the perfect blend of ingredients that will seal
out wetness, and protect baby's chafed skin caused by diaper rash. Being a waterless cream free of petroleum, it is also the best remedy for severely dry skin.
Sugar Bear Skincare Tiny Heinys Diaper Rash Ointment: Calendula oil, Coconut oil, Shea butter, and Vitamin E
work together to sooth and treat even the reddest of tiny bottoms. The beeswax provides a light natural barrier from moisture, helping to keep your little ones bottom dry. Natural essential oils help heal skin and provide a
light natural scent. No petroleum or artificial fragrance, only all natural baby safe ingredients are used to provide your little one with soothing relief! Available in 4 oz and 2 oz diaper bag size! Ingredients: Shea
Butter, Calendula Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Vitamin E, Essential Oil Blend.
SKINFARE Organic Skincare Stick: Topical Nourishment sinks deep into your skin to
defend, balance and repair. Great for irritations, boo boos, scrapes, bruises, chafed skin, and more. Ingredients: Coconut Oil*, Palm Fruit Oil*, Beeswax*, Castor Oil*, Essential Oil Blend (Palmarosa*, Rosemary*,
Helichrysum*)
*signifies organic ingredient
Grandma El's Diaper Rash Cream: This pleasant fragrance-free ointment soothes baby's most sensitive skin while keeping it protected. An application of Grandma El's will heal, protect, and relieve chafed,
chapped, or cracked skin and lips, helping your precious little one to be more comfortable while sleeping, playing & exploring. Ingredients: Natural Vitamin E, Balsam of Peru natural derivatives, Salicylic Acid, Yellow
Petrolatum, Anhydrous Lanolin.
CJ's BUTTer: Called "A Miracle in a Tube" by some, CJ's BUTTer has been used on adults and children to help relieve diaper rash, eczema, skin rashes, dry/chapped skin, rug burns (sore "crawler" knees),
mechanic's hands and cuticles, hang nails, lacerations and abrasions from rock climbing. Promotes healing and provides a non-stick barrier. Ingredients: Shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, lanolin, beeswax, cocoa butter
(deodorized, not raw), Vitamin E and essential oils.
Sweet Knee Organic Bun Glaze: Bun Glaze is the non-medicated truly effective alternative to diaper ointment.
They have excluded petroleum/zinc/titanium based ingredients that act as "barriers" and keep skin from breathing and healing quickly. Bun Glaze absorbs easily into the skin and contains natural vitamins A, D and E and the
unique "skin" herbs and flowers of calendula, German chamomile, marshmallow and plantain. As an added benefit, there are no tubs/jars/tubes and so there is no messy, germy double dipping. Ingredients: althea officinalis
(marshmallow) leaf*, plantago major (plantain leaf)*, cal. officinalis (calendula)*, matricaria recutita (German chamomile) flowers* infused in olea europaea (olive) oil*, helianthus annus (sunflower) oil*, theobroma cacao
(cocoa) butter*.