Newbie to cloth: questions

[dancingingrace]

Okay, I'm sorry for how stupid these questions are going to sound to most of you, but I am new and totally clueless about anything cloth! I would really love to get into cloth diapering and wipes, and possibly even mama cloth, though that one's not as important to me right now. I've kind of been putting off learning about it because I just find it so overwhelming, and my next LO isn't due until fall (but I know that's coming fast, so I need to get on the ball!). Here are my q's:

1) I am a total germ-a-phobe....so, when it comes to cloth wipes (and I wonder this about dipes, too...but I know there are more specific "rules" about washing dipes)...do you bleach to get the poopy and pee germs out? I am just envisioning clumps of poo stuck to the wipe...or even just streaks (sorry for being gross), and it kind of grosses me out to think of just washing without bleaching. But, if your wipes aren't solid white, bleaching would ruin them, right? How does this work? And, same goes for dipes. I've heard some people talk about bleaching, but I am thinking that you can't bleach dipes that aren't also all white. The stores in our area stopped carrying non-chlorine bleach a good while back, so that's out.

2) I guess this is obvious, but....when you consider the special detergent that you have to use on cloth dipes (at least, that's what I've been told), and the extra washing and several rinses that I've read about, are you still really coming out ahead financially?

I know I have a ton more to ask, but since I haven't gotten any dipes yet (cause I'm so scared of picking the wrong ones!), I'm kind of putting that off. Again, sorry to sound so dumb, but I really, really appreciate any and all help that you mamas can offer!

[gehagge]

These are not stupid questions! I don't use cloth wipes, so I can't help much there, but you do not need to use special detergent on your diapers unless you are worried about warranties. Use whatever you use on your clothes unless you have a problem with it once you start using them. As for bleach, it will fade colors that are natural fibers. If you buy diapers that have PUL colors, those will not be affected. Fitteds, cloth wipes, prefolds or flats that have been dyed will fade. As long as you use the bleach dispenser or dilute your bleach it shouldn't do more than that. I don't bleach every time, but every third or fourth wash and since it's gotten warmer I do a diluted bleach soak on night diapers. But I also get as much poop off as I can before they go in the wash.

ETA: our water bill has not gone up much at all since I started cloth. However, it is going to take almost a year of using cloth before we will break even on what I spent on my stash. I am hoping I can use most of it on #2 because that's where most of the savings will be since I started cloth at 10 months with #1

[Melinda29]

Not stupid!

1) You wash all wipes and diapers together. Wipe most of the poop off baby with the cleanest part of the diaper, then use the wipes to get the "details" . Then rinse off the poop diaper (not the wipes) in the toilet (unless baby is EBF, no rinsing needed). Thay takes care of "clumps."

Ignore all those special rules about washing diapers and special detergent nonsense. Cold rinse, hot heavy wash with detergent, extra rinse. Use whatever detergent you want, and plenty of it (these are dirty diapers, not silk scarves, for heaven's sakes!). You can add 1/4 cup bleach after the washer has filled up with water if you want--that is enough to kill bacteria without harming any fabrics, even bright colors (I am assuming you have a toploader washing machine?). Water 125 degrees will also kill bacteria. I used a meat thermometer to check--the water going into my machine is 130 degrees. It cools off a bit as machine fills (it takes a while) so I do add bleach maybe once a month or so just to be sure.

Yes, a few people end up with stink or repelling (especially if you use microfiber, hemp, or anything with lots of layers all sewn together like fitteds or AIOs), but most of us don't have any issues EVER. The successful CDers don't post about it because there is nothing to say, KWIM?

2) It depends. I tried AIOs with my first baby--no way I saved money. At $15/piece, plus a zillions washes to get them clean, plus two long cycles in the dryer, then finally falling apart after 2 years (not surprising), I will never do AIOs again. Pockets with MF inserts gave us stink, no matter what, and they also fell apart after 2 years (second baby). By my third baby I FINALLY figured it out--I bought and made 30 10x12" preflats and 30 12x15" preflats and 10 OS covers. Total cost: $250. I trifold the small ones the short way on my newborn, then bifolded the long way when she outgrew them, then at around 8-10 months got out the bigger ones and trifold the short way until she outgrew them, then the long way. I realized that covers just WILL wear out, so I buy about $100 worth of new covers for each baby, but use the same preflats, wipes, wetbags, etc. I SO WISH I had started out with this simple system.

Yes, if you wash every day or every other day, use special pricey detergent, have diapers that cost a fortune and require a long time in the dryer, you will NOT come out ahead. I highly recommend washing only twice a week if you can get away with it. If that is causing a lot of stink, then your diapers are not getting clean to begin with and something needs to change (I recommend flats or preflats). Washing uses a lot of water, electricity, and time. Do it as infrequently as you can.

[TinaDeanette]

I bleach dipes every wash every time. I also wash with dawn and do 2 extra rinses. It's simple!

[Melinda29]

I wanted to add that I know some people do have real struggles with CDs. I don't mean to minimize that. They have to use crappy washers or have super hard water and can't get a softener. Sticking with cotton flats, prefolds, and preflats can minimize those issues, but for a handful of people out there, nothing works. Hopefully you are among the majority

[Melinda29]

I also wanted to add that a good friend of mine recently potty-trained her youngest and added up what she had spent on sposies, wipes, diaper genie refills, and pull-ups for 4 kids. 28,000 diapers and $15,000!!!!! I so wish she had done cloth.

[Bethany89]

I add a capful of bleach to most washes! Not too much though just a bit. Don't even worry about special detergents. I see more issues when using them compared to people who dont. I like Tide and Gain both for diapers.

[nonipie]

You can use bleach on diapers, it's a non-issue. I use it on everything, wipes, colors, prints etc. and have for years with no issues. That said if you have a good wash routine and no rash issues there is no need to disinfect as a regular sanitize should be sufficient. Do you bleach your underwear every wash? Most people do not unless there is a reason to do so.

If you plan to BF there is no need to do anything with the poop until your LO starts solids. Not a single thing comes out with poop on it. If something is stained (clean just stained) then hang it in the sun and the stain will disappear.

2) There is simply no need for special detergents or wash routines. A load of laundry is equivalent to about 5 toilet flushes. I do a cold or warm rinse then a hot wash with Tide powder. No fancy stuff, no billion extra rinses either. We are set to CD our 3rd child and I have no doubt that we have saved tons of money. We did the cost conversion before we switched full-time with our 1st child. Our water and energy usage has not been affected at all. It really and truly can be very easy. The other thing is once you have used that sposie it goes in the trash. You can never get that money back. With cloth you can sell the diapers. When we are done I think we will make about half of what we have spent over the last 5 years. You can't sell trash.

[luvthefluff]

im thinking the ladies pretty much summed it up. i just use reg ol tide to wash diapers.

[dannic]

Can I just second that the only time I have ever had trouble with washing CD was when I used one of the "CD safe" detergents? I use tide original and have never had issues!

ETA: I primarily use pockets...