How many cloth diapers do I need?

24 to 36 for laundering every 2 to 3 days
Also 6 to 8 diaper covers unless you are only using all-in-ones

Do cloth diapers save money?

Yes. Here are some rough estimates that show the savings can be substantial.

Disposable costs for 2 years at an average of 8 changes per day would be around $2600.

If you launder every 2 days you will need a minimum of 25 diapers. Outlay up to $450, depending on choice of diapers.
Estimates of the cost of a load of laundry, including water, electricity and detergent are dependant on whether you have a front or top loader and whether you use gas or electricity for water heating. A front loader uses a lot less water and therefore a lot less water heating. With gas water heating, a more expensive top loader might cost $0.70 per load while a front loader might be only $0.40 per load on a hot wash and cold rinse. The cheapest way to dry is on the line with the additional bleaching advantage of the sunshine. However if a dryer is used for all washes the additional drying costs may be $0.25-$0.30 per load.

Even with a high cost of $1.00 per load the 2-year cost of laundering cloth diapers would be only $365. The total cost will therefore likely be $550 to $650.  This represents a saving of around $2000 per year. 

This saving allows you the opportunity to purchase disposable diapers for times when the convenience is needed (perhaps during vacation) and still be saving substantial sums of money! 

Disposable advocates might argue that you need wear and tear on the washer/dryer but you could even pay for a new washer and dryer from the savings.
If you would like to calculate costs based on your own washer, dryer etc. please e-mail us and we will send you an attachment that will enable you to determine what your own savings would be.

How do I wash Cloth Diapers?

Caring for cloth diapers is simple.
Until they are ready to wash, keep them in a dry pail or container. Soaking is not necessary. Solid waste should be dumped in the toilet before the diapers go in the dry pail. Odor can be avoided by sprinkling some baking soda in the bottom of the pail. To launder cloth diapers, put them on a cold rinse cycle or cold wash, then a hot wash and cold rinse. Use half your normal amount of detergent as you want to void build up of residual detergent in the diapers. Addition of 2 or 3 drops of Tea tree oil will remove any problems with odor. The most economical way to dry cloth diapers is outside on the line. The sun is great for removing tough stains, and your diapers will wear out less quickly, especially all-in-ones and diaper covers.
Bleach will also reduce the life of the diapers. 

We used to do the occasional additional hot wash to brighten up our cloth diapers. Although our diapers got pretty thin by the time our fourth child was being potty trained, we did use the same ones for all four of our children, at a huge $$ saving.

What type of cloth diapers should I buy?

This depends on your budget and personal choice. Our organic prefold cloth diapers are economical and hard wearing. All-in-one cloth diapers do not require diaper covers because the outer shell is waterproof. Some all-in-ones have a pocket for extra padding. Some are one size and adjust as your baby grows, others are available in a range of sizes. All-in-ones are as convenient as disposables but without the environmental impact. Regardless of your choice, all our cloth diapers are sturdy and if well cared for can serve several babies. You will certainly save money by cloth diapering.

Many cloth diapers are made using microfiber and microfleece. What is the difference?

Microfleece goes right next to the baby's skin. It is thin and is non-absorbent. Microfleece wicks moisture away from the skin and into the diaper, but remains dry, so the baby's skin stays dry.
Microfiber is highly absorbent and is used as the "bulk" of the cloth diaper, keeping moisture away from your baby's clothes between changes.

What is PUL that is used with All-in-One cloth diapers and diaper covers? What about wool diaper covers?

PUL is short for polyurethane laminate. This is usually a polyester or cotton fabric with a polyurethane backing.  It is often the material used for waterproofing diaper covers and all-in-one cloth diapers.
What about wool? Wool has natural water repellent properties that make it a superior material for diaper covers. Further, wool is a breathable fabric that allows a baby's skin to maintain an even temperature and help prevent diaper rash. Finally, beneath the outer waterproof layer of wool is a porous core that can store water droplets up to 30% by weight of the fabric. There is no man made material that can demonstrate water repellency, breathability and high absorbency simultaneously, and that is why wool diaper covers are so effective.