Cloth 101: How to store your dirty diapers

Once you decide you are ready to start cloth diapering, another major decision is how you will store those diapers once they are dirty. There are two main types of dirty cloth diaper storage a wetbag or a pail.

Diaper pails designed for cloth diapering are a little different than those designed for disposable diapers. Most disposable diaper pails are designed to keep air (and smells) out. When thinking about storing dirty cloth diapers, one of the key things is to make sure you have air flow. This air flow helps to prevent mold from growing on your damp dirty diapers. Many pails designed for cloth diapers have a filter to prevent any smells from filling the room. The second thing to consider when choosing your diaper pail is size. We recommend washing every other day, so your diaper pail will need to hold those diapers for you until laundry time. If you have more than one little one in cloth diapers, you may need a larger diaper pail. You may also choose to line your diaper pail with a washable fabric liner, to make clean up a little easier.

Wetbags are another option for storing dirty diapers. These bags are also made to allow air flow; they are available in a variety of fabric types, colors and prints and usually have either a drawstring or zipper closure. Wetbags come in a variety of sizes also. Large wetbags can be kept at home instead of a diaper pail; smaller wetbags are designed to fit in your diaper bag to hold just a few dirty cloth diapers for a short outing.

How you choose to store your diapers is a personal decision for your family.

Things to consider when choosing your storage:

• Where you will change your little one's diapers
• How much space you have in your home
• How many children are currently wearing cloth diapers in your home
• How far you have to carry the dirty diapers from the changing area to the laundry room

The key to dirty diaper storage is to make sure your dirty diapers are not completely sealed up; so air can flow around your diapers to help prevent mold. How do you store your dirty diapers until it's time to wash them? Do you prefer a diaper pail or wetbag? What is your favorite brand of pail or wetbag?

Cloth Diapering 101: What do I need to start cloth diapering?

Everyone has to start cloth diapering somewhere. With all the information available online at your fingertips, it can be very overwhelming. The great thing about cloth diapering is that it only takes a little bit to get started. A question we are frequently asked is

"What do I need to begin cloth diapering?"

If you want to start cloth diapering an infant we recommend:

• 24 cloth diapers in the style of your choice. If you are choosing a two-piece system such as Flip or Econobum, we recommend 24 inserts and 6 covers. This number is based on changing an infant 8-10 times a day and washing your diapers every other day. We recommend washing every other day to prevent mold and other issues.
• A diaper pail or wet bag to store dirty diapers until laundry day. For a diaper pail, we recommend a vented pail. The air flow also helps to prevent mold. Wet bags come in a variety of sizes, fabrics and styles to suit the needs of any family. If you are not using a diaper pail, you will want a wet bag large enough to hold 2 days worth of dirty laundry. You may also consider a wet bag that is a smaller size to hold a few dirty diapers for your daycare provider or those times you are out and about with your little one.
• A cloth diaper safe laundry detergent- Safe detergents are those without enzymes, brighteners, dyes, scents or fabric softeners. More information on why to avoid these ingredients can be found in our detergent blog post. Make things even easier on yourself by checking out the natural laundry section on CottonBabies.com where we sell only cloth diaper safe detergents and offer free economy shipping.

If you are beginning to cloth diaper an older child, you may not need a full 24 cloth diapers. Many people even begin their cloth diapering journey with just a few cloth diapers for each day. Our Change 3 Things campaign encourages any parent to change just 3 cloth diapers a day. We chose 3 cloth diapers because we feel it's a manageable goal for any parent, whether all of baby's caregivers will change cloth diapers or not.

For a gradual start like this, we recommend checking out our Change 3 Things packs. Don't forget to add a wet bag and detergent to your Cotton Babies order as well. These 3 things are all you really need to begin your cloth diapering journey.

As you grow confident in cloth diapers, you may find you want to branch out to try new styles of cloth diapers, use cloth baby wipes, or try new accessories. As always, we are glad to answer any questions you may have if you give us a call at 1-888-332-2243 or live chat with us at www.cottonbabies.com

Travel Tuesday Giveaway

It's June! Which means many families are beginning to think of summer vacations. Whether it's a trip to grandma's house, a cruise or a two week beach vacation, chances are you'll be adapting your cloth diapering routine.

One of our favorite ways to adapt a cloth diaper routine is the Flip Travel Pack. Each pack has two Flip diaper covers and a pack of disposable inserts. Even if you pack your regular cloth inserts, it's always nice to have a few disposables on hand for the car trip or just in case your fun lasts a diaper change longer than you expected.

To enter today's blog giveaway for your chance to win a Flip Travel Pack, leave a comment on this blog post telling us how you alter your diapering routine when away from home. Share your tips with others and maybe learn a new tip from another Cotton Babies customer.

Still packing for your getaway? Be sure to check out our Vacation Essentials section for natural sunscreen, insect repellent, swim wear and more!

Eligible entries must be posted today, Tuesday, June 7, 2011. U.S. Residents only. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win. Winners will be drawn at random on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 and notified via e-mail. (Please make sure Cotton Babies staff can see your e-mail in your comment or through your Blogger profile page, please.)

Cloth Diapering 101: What is Odor Remover?

What is bumGenius Odor Remover?
bumGenius Odor Remover is an all natural formula designed to remove odor in diapers, diaper pails, clothing and more. It quickly eliminates the source of odor causing bacteria in cloth diapers. It is non-toxic, biodegradable and completely free of chemicals, oils, detergents, perfumes and solvents.

How do I use it?
bumGenius odor remover comes in a convenient spray bottle, perfect for putting near your diaper pail or laundry facilities.
It quickly eliminates the source of odor-causing bacteria in cloth diapers. First, remove waste from your cloth diaper. Next, from a distance of 6-8”, spray directly onto soiled diaper, lightly covering the soiled area. (Please do not spray on baby.)
For best results we recommend spraying every diaper, cover and insert. Do not soak diapers. Always store diapers in a dry pail.

Why should I use it?

As your little one grows, you will likely find you need to adjust your laundry routine to curb the smells you encounter as their diet changes. Adding bumGenius Odor Remover is a quick, easy addition to your laundry routine that yields immediate results.

Kristen, a Cotton Babies customer, said it best,

"We previously used cloth diapers and after spending all the money with the diapers, pail, liners, wet bag...etc... I just couldn't bring myself to buy this spray, because really, it was just one more expense. The smell of amonia would seep through the pail and into her room inevitably every time. This time...we bought it. It's a God-send. It's wonderful. No smell. It's perfect. I love it and am recommending it to everyone that I know that cloth diapers."

While it is designed to eliminate the odors in diapers and diaper pails, it also works great on pet urine, trash cans and more! I personally keep a bottle near my washing machine for any kind of stinky laundry. I even use it in my school aged sons' tennis shoes.

bumGenius Odor Remover comes in a 8 ounce spray bottle for only $5.99

Free Cloth Diaper Week: Baby Gifts

Congratulations, Kelly Sherretz, you won a free Econobum trial pack and wet bag! She posted her answer on our Facebook wall:

"Clothes line, reusable bags, and clean with vinegar"

Oh baby, we have more free cloth diapers to give out! What is your favorite gift to give at a baby shower?

The random winner from all Facebook, Twitter and blog responses will receive a bumGenius 4.0 cloth diaper and one each of our five bumGenius Baby Legs: Dorothy, William, Henry, Olivia, and Rory.

Free Cloth Diaper Week: Green Products

Samantha Stine Foltz was our random winner of 2 free bumGenius AIO cloth diapers! Congratulations! Her dream job is:

"My dream job would be to become an event coordinator especially for people with a small budget. I love coming up with creative ways to decorate for less!"

For the chance to win an Econobum Trial Pack and wet bag, answer the following: Other than cloth diapers, what additional green, sustainable, eco-friendly products do you use in your home?

As always, we’ll choose a random winner from all Facebook, Twitter and blog responses in an hour.

But I Wanted a Smaller Diaper Bag!

Taking the whole cloth diapering show on the road can feel like a challenge.

First of all because it does become a show. Cloth diapering is still a novel idea to most people. Even Grandmothers who never used a single disposable will be astonished that you use cloth diapers. They seem to think that it is ludicrous to use the old fashioned stuff when the ease of disposables is to be had for just a few dollars. Every time I change a diaper when we are out and about, someone pokes their head over my shoulder to ask, "Is that a CLOTH diaper?"

Secondly it is a puzzle to figure out what to pack to bring along. Maybe I overthink things, but when you have a few different types of diapers in your stash there is the potential to find yourself with a baby needing a change and a diaper that doesn't work well with the particular cover you have packed or vice versa. It's enough to make a mommy want to stay in the house some days!

Allow me to point out that using pockets or AIOs completely solves this problem. No matter what your baby is wearing, you can have a pocket diaper in the diaper bag and be fully ready for a change. But I digress.

While I was pregnant with Lily, I saw a lovely small diaper bag. I had gotten used to just being able to carry a purse around for a while and a small diaper bag seemed like it was a nice compromise. (I kept a diaper and wipes in the car for my toddler son.) But once I tried to pack that tiny diaper bag with all of the stuff needed for a newborn - a spitty one at that - I was toting around a diaper bag with stuff flowing out of it onto the ground. It wasn't specifically a problem of cloth diapering, but that did contribute. That really wasn't any more convenient than dragging around my large diaper bag.

I pouted. I wanted this to be easier. (Stop laughing!) I packed my cloth diapers away and swore to use just disposables. But I didn't really like that solution much either. I needed to get a plan for what I needed to have on hand and stick with it.

There are as many ways to pack a diaper bag as there are moms and dads, but there are some things that just never change: diapers and wipes. That is where to start. Then with cloth diapers you need a wet bag, it is just as important as the diapers themselves. Most of the time you also carry a change of clothes for baby as well. There you have it, that tiny diaper bag is already overflowing! Then you might also add a light blanket, a toy or two, hand sanitizer, pacifier, diaper cream... the list can be endless!

I don't like to carry two bags around; purse and diaper bag, so I always like to have one pocket in the diaper bag that is mine-all-mine. It holds my wallet, cell phone, calendar, and lip gloss; things I can't live without! This Christmas I discovered that the reason my cheapo diaper bags weren't cutting it was that they were cheap, if they had pockets on the inside, there weren't enough of them. I want to reaching to my diaper bag without looking and be able to find what I need. I also discovered the joys of stroller clips! Those attach your bag to the handle of your stroller instead of just having to put the strap of the bag over it and then try to hold it in place.

There is no one solution I can suggest to fix the classic diaper bag dilemma, at different baby ages, you have different needs for what you bring along. Different places you go will also require different things. A trip to the zoo will required different things in your bag than a trip to church for example.

The only advice I can offer is to invest in a really well made, well thought out diaper bag, then start with only the basics and imagine a few emergencies you might encounter. Out of the house emergencies include, but are not limited too:

Realizing that you have chapped lips
Changing baby only to have him pee all over his clothes
Being stuck in a waiting room much longer than you anticipated
Having to run an extra errand
And so many more things!

So what do YOU pack?

For fun, here is a little Diaper Bag Bingo - see how you do!

Diaper Bag Bingo: Check your diaper bag; see how many spaces you get!
C	L	O	T	H
Wet Bag	Cloth wipes	Lip gloss or chapstick for mom	Extra breast pads	Pad of paper or calendar of some sort
Pen, Pencil, or crayon	Wet Bag WITH a wet diaper in it	Extra set of clothes	Other pocket diaper (not bumGenius!)	Bottle or sippy
bumGenius!	Cell phone	Dry Diaper (Free Space)	Baby blanket or burp cloth	Crackers or cereal
Your wallet and/or sunglasses	Diaper cover	Disposable diaper	More than one type or size of diaper	Disposable wipes
Pacifier	Jar of baby food, home prepared baby food	Baby toys	Something that is a complete surprise, that you didn’t put in your bag	Diaper cream and/or butt spray for your cloth wipes

0-4: Short trips only!
5-9: Well Packed
10-14: Ready for anything
15+: How do you carry all that around?

(For the record, I got 18, not counting the Free Space, and I got BINGO down the "O" column!)