RECENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

On this page, we will post recently asked questions and their answers.  I am hoping this will be a fun page giving you answers to questions you haven't yet thought to ask.  I remember learning much from the questions of others at our local LLL meetings.  Of course we will remove any specifically identifying portions in a question asked to protect the identity of the inquirer.

6/6/11

We need a new washing machine. Do you have any advice?

We get asked this question a lot and we haven't found one machine that is superior at washing cloth diapers. But we do have some pointers. Avoid the GE Profile and the Whirlpool Duet. Otherwise, recognize that a top loader does clean diapers well and a standard top load washer, washes in a shorter period of time than a High Efficiency (HE) machines. Some top loaders may only use 5 gallons of water more than some HE machines. We do love a machine with a high RPM spin. The faster RPM spin can gets diapers and clothing drier before line drying or meeting the dryer. Last but not least, be sure to pick a washing machine that you will use for full size loads.  Washing less than half a load, does not clean diapers or clothing well. Sometimes these newer machines are so big, that diapers end up free floating in the machine and still coming out stinky. If you find a machine you can program, the ideal HE cycle would be a cold short wash, add detergent, warm or hot wash, extra rinse. In a nutshell, choose a washer within the right size for your family that boasts a high rpm spin cycle, and has the capabilities of extra rinse, choosing warm or cold rinse, and it doesn't have to be an HE to be the most efficient for your family.

1/10/2011

This summer we are traveling to Baltimore for 5 days. I have enough diapers to get through 3 days without washing. We will be staying at a hotel and are going on vacation for fun (we don't know anyone there). So what would you do for this trip? Take both cloth/disposables, all disposables, all cloth? Would you wash, when and where...etc. Any advice would be helpful as we are trying to figure out a hotel and laundry may be an issue!

We went away for fun last spring to San Diego with all of the kiddos and me prego with #4. We took cloth. My rational is, "we can find disposables anywhere if we decided we need to and cloth is what I know and love." Sometimes, the known is a lot less work and worry. In my experience going for a trip longer than 3 days, it is often easier if you pack clothing for 3 days and plan to wash anyways. Imagine toting 3-4 full loads of laundry with you, since we end up with a load of laundry a day here. In San Diego, we stayed at a hotel that had guest laundry. Call ahead and see if the place you are interested in staying has a guest laundry or not. Personally, I find guest laundry and continental breakfast to be a must when traveling with children. 

 

Consider what can happen in a regular day at home with your children's clothing and your own as a result of children. Finding a laundry mat when out of town is an absolute nightmare. I have been in that situation as well and wasted half a day finding and then doing laundry. With guest laundry at a hotel, I find it is easiest to do in the time frame that we are "arranging our family" in the hotel each day. For us on the East Coast it is at night and on the West Coast in the morning due to the time change we experience and all. When we stayed in Baltimore years ago we did the laundry at night while winding down and getting ready for bead. 

 

When we were in San Diego, I would care for all this in the morning. I would grab a load of clothes and head to the laundry, go back to the room, finish dressing and brush my hair, set out clothes for the kids, pack for the day planned, and tidy the room some. 30 min. 

 

Take a load of diapers and wash them in the machine that the clothes just came out of. Let the clothes sit wet in a laundry bag. (Use our extra pail liner for this) Take time alone by myself eating continental breakfast. This time alone would recharge me for the crazy's of the day. 

30min.

 

Then both loads, the clothes and the diapers, were ready for one dryer. I often enough will pull out the diaper shells and covers and only dry inserts and fitteds.  The shells dry quickly spread out around the hotel room. Make sure that the dryer heat is on medium since commercial dryers can get quite hot. Dry time 45-60 minutes (shorten to 15 minutes is you only use microfiber inserts or flats).  I go back to the room and get the family up dressed and off to breakfast. Both loads ready to pick up dry by the time breakfast is over. Bring back to the room and put away now or later depending on how soon we need to be gone somewhere. 

60 min.

 

1. Using one pail liner as a laundry bag for clothes and one for diapers is very helpful.  It provides a set place for dirty clothes. and a means to get clothes and diapers to the laundry room.

2. Try to wash a load of your own laundry in a washing machine before washing your diapers in the machine so that any problematic residues are less likely to affect your diapers.

3. If you need quarters, the hotel's front desk can help you.

4. Plan to take pre-measured amounts of powdered detergent in a ziplock baggy. 1 Tablespoon measures are appropriate.  Nellie's Laundry nuggets a prepackaged and you can just take a handful of them in a ziplock baggy.  We found these to be so easy.

5. Be sure to adjust the hotel dryer heat to low or medium. Often we have found dryers that still had time left on them.  This is a good indication that the dryer dries more quickly and hotter than your home machines.

6. Even if you decide to take disposables on the trip.  Be sure to take diaper covers or diaper shells to use over your diapers. Particularly during plane or car travel.  You don't want poopy blowouts or leaks from using an unfamiliar product that doesn't fit your child as well as your cloth diapers do.

7. If you feel you would only want disposables during part of your trip, consider using a disposable insert from Flip or GroVia with your current cloth diaper shells or covers.  We would recommend Grovia for loose stools and Flip for formed stools.

8. Use flushable diaper liners in your diapers if your child has formed poo.  This allows you to remove the poo from the diaper.  Leave minimal residue. And shorten up your needed wash routine by eliminating the cold rinse or short cold wash cycle.  Worst case scenario, you may find yourself rinsing out a couple of diapers by hand before washing. I have only ever done this once on a trip and of course washed my hands thoroughly afterwards.  As mothers we rise to the necessary when we have to.

9. Use a zippered wet bag when out and about during vacation to collect your diapers.  We liked being a self contained system.  We were always prepared for a diaper change and never had to wonder what to do with the soiled diaper.

In summary, we have traveled with cloth to Pensacola, Florida; Baltimore/DC; Las Vagas; San Diego; Cincinatti; St Louis and Chicago with a 6 month old, 11 month old,  3 month old, 20 month old, etc.  We have not had to resort to disposables yet.  

7/15/2010

What are the pros and cons of snaps versus hook and loop?  Is it purely aesthetic, or is there slightly more versatility in fit with a hook and loop closure? 

Some of the difference is aesthetics, but it is hard to pinpoint all the differences. Of course, in trying to determine if somebody would be more pleased with one or another, I can feel my own bias seeping in. I am predominately a snap lover. I have actually sent diapers that were hook and loop (velcro-like closure) to www.convertmydiapers.com to have them converted to snap closures. And even currently, I am wanting to use the New Thirsties Duo Diaper for an overnight choice for my toddler and am hesitating because of the hook and loop.

However, I really prefer the hook and loop style closures on some infant/newborn diapers. My babies seem to be born with big bellies and skinny bottoms and front snaps can be hard to secure on the little squirmy bundles of joy. Using hook and loop makes fastening the diaper in front easier. Otherwise, for infants I like more of a hip snap or a single snap, but not 4 or 6 snaps across the front of the diaper.

Hook and Loop Closure

Pros: familiar, easier for people with arthritis or similar joint issues. Fast to put on and doesn't require "thinking."

Cons: requires extra laundry care-closure tabs need to be secured properly to laundry tabs; don't wash in too hot of water or dry on too high of heat. Can wear with time-stitching can come undone, hook and loop can "lose" its adhering power, this time frame varies with how well the diapers are taken care of, how rough your washing machine is, and how often you are washing the same diapers. 

Snap Closure

Pros: Diaper stays looking nice wash after wash, does not require any special washing care-when the diaper is unsecured from baby it immediately goes to the pail, no worrying about laundry tabs being secured properly. Allow for independent adjustments for the legs and waist-you can snap legs loose for chubby legs but still pull a waist in snug for the skinny waist. If a snap is to fail or break, it is most likely to happen while the diaper is under warranty.

Cons: Requires fine motor skills. Care providers may not know which snap setting to use and put the diaper on too loosely. Can not usually be repaired at home if failure occurs you often have to send back to manufacturer for repair.

Their is a personality difference between these choices as well and I will best describe it from my own perspective. When I put on a snap closure style diaper, I know exactly (not the first time I put it on but subsequent times) where to snap each and every snap to fit my baby correctly. I always use the same setting until the baby jumps in size. For me the snaps provide precision. If putting on a hook and loop closure diaper, I tend to adhere the left then the right, adjust the left, look and make sure it is good, adjust the right and finally I am satisfied. I fiddle too much with the hook and loop. As a former math/science teacher, my thought is that I like the precision, 2+2=4 not 4.1 or 3.9. If I was more "artsy" then I think I would prefer the ability of the hook and loop to fit differently each and every time.

6/13/2010

Do you take pre-orders on new products?

I actually don't take pre-orders on products that are to be released soon. As much as I respect other businesses that do, I choose not to.  I like to have my accounts as current as possible.  We choose not to go into debt.  We pay off all business cards several times a month.  And, we choose not to take preorders. Preoders are too dependent on a future unknown that I have no control over and can not give my promise to fulfill. 

6/11/2010

I am due with our second child.  Since I didn't cloth diaper with our first one at the beginning, I was wondering what diaper you would recommend for a newborn?  I used the Bum Genius pocket diapers and like the concept of the pocket diaper for quicker drying times and cleanability reasons, but the velcro started to fray and scratched our little one on her tummy and thighs.  I'm thinking of going with a snap version this go around.  I like the one size diapers, but our first baby was 6 lbs 11.4 oz and they would be bulky on her.  So, I don't mind buying a few newborn or small sizes.

I did look at your chart which was helpful, but was wondering what you personally used on your little ones.

I am due late summer with my own baby and I too am once again going through the question of what diapers to use with this new baby.  Of course some of the diapers from my previous babies will be put to use but I am personally reviewing and critiquing diapers for my own personal use.

 

Let me also preface this response with the statement, that I strongly feel cloth diapering has to match a family's lifestyle and personality to have best success and at the shop we strive to help families meet their own specific needs.

 

I tend to like newborn sized diapers more than one-size diapers.  However, the advent of mini one-size or one-size for newborn diapers even challenges my own notions of one-size=bulk on a newborn.

 

I also am a huge fan of snaps; and yet during the newborn stage using a hook and loop, velcro-like closure does seem easier to me in some cases.

 

A true one-size diaper that fits small from 6lbs is the Rumparooz.  It fits from 6-35lbs.  It will be bulky on a newborn but it will function properly and does have the snap closure option.  Another option would be the Blueberry MiniDeluxe which should be available again this summer.

 

Newborn specific one-size diapers give a great fitting newborn diaper with the ability to adjust and use it for months rather than just weeks.  When my last child was born we used the Blueberry mini's for the first 6 months.  Knowing that I can get 6 months out of diaper is awesome.  These first six months are the time when poop containment is at a high priority and meeting this need becomes easier if the same diaper will function during the runny poo stage.

 

My baby's have all been 8 to 8.5 lbs with chicken legs.  I also like a variety of diapers rather than a collection of just one type. In the newborn stage, I do tend to be heavy in fitted diapers.  So here is what is on my short list for this upcoming late-summer baby: 

 

New items:

Thirsties Duo Diaper: This diaper is on my have to have list.  I have plans to use this diaper for overnight.  The insert is perfect for newborn overnight use.  The gussets are wonderful. The closures are hook and loop, velcro-like, but that will be just what I need in the middle of the night.  We used its predecessor Thirsties XS AIO diaper like this in the past for overnight but we had to add more absorbency.  This diaper with its insert part microfiber part hemp is perfect for overnight.  We could also use it for going out...but it is a clear winner in my book for overnight.

 

'Lil Joey's: This diaper is on my want list.  Hopefully, it will be in-stock since it can be hard to get.  My older child has the Rumparooz firetruck print and if the newbaby is a boy too, we will have to get matching diaper pictures.  These diapers are so stinking cute and they are snapped similar to Kissaluvs 0's which we loved with the last baby.  This diaper would be more practical if we had smaller babies.  With this baby likely over 8 lbs, it is more of a cutesy choice.

 

Rumparooz: This one-size should fit at birth but I am wondering if it will be bulky.  Fit and function are important though and I have no doubt it will contain well.  They also have some fun colors and I like the Kangaroo print for a newborn.  And new prints are due to come out late summer too!!!

 

Thirsties Duo Wrap: We have used the Thirsties covers in the past and love them.  Love the gussets.  The Duo's can be used longer than the sized Thirsties covers, and they  have new prints. So, we will definitely add on the Blackbird Wrap in Size one at the very least.

 

WeeHugger: This cover is due to come out any day.  It is a snap closure gusseted cover designed to fit newborns and then grow for a little bit.  So I will be checking this one out to see if it appeals to me.

 

Items I have from before:

Prefolds:  With my last baby, we had lent out all our newborn prefolds and they hadn't made their way home yet.  So we didn't have any at first.  After a couple of weeks my husband pointed out that he kind of missed them; so we washed some up for use.  We used these with our first 2 girls and I think my husband is just really fast at putting them on because they are familiar.  Definitely, pair with a gusseted cover though if you have the choice.

 

Kissaluvs 0's:  These were some of my favorite diapers to use with the last baby.  Snap closures and only one on each side.  So easy to use.  A belly button snap down.  Cute colors.  Total poo containment.  Perfect!  A gusseted cover was also ideal to cover up the diapers ruffled legs.

 

Thirsties Covers: We used the sized Thirsties cover.  With the new Duo size that may be a better economical option, and the duo now comes in super cute prints.  Loved the gussets on this cover it was a great match-up to prefolds.  

 

Bummis Super Brite Cover:  This cover is one of the littlest covers we have seen and has a nice belly button dip down.  We added the xs in blue to our rotation for July 4th because it looked like fireworks to me.  Got some great pictures and it was a great cover to use.  It also has gussets and fits really trim.  When we grew out of the xs size we added the small size to our collection too.  

 

Little Beetles ONE: We don't sell these diapers at our shop although I have considered it for years.  We loved these diapers although if I had it to do again I would prefer getting them without closures.  They were luxurious and very easy to use.

 

Thirsties Fab Fitted Diapers XS: This was one of the few fitted diapers that had stay-dry next to baby.  Very easy to use and great colors.  The only thing that got me a bit frustrated was the velcro from the diaper would sometimes get caught on the velcro of the cover below when trying to change baby's diaper.

 

Fitted Diapers:  I had other various fitteds I made for my baby just for fun. Trying to find cute printed fitted newborn-only sized diapers online is near impossible.  So from a cute denim diaper with a pocket on the butt to whales and trains, I made about 20 fitted diapers that we didn't use long because they were so tiny. But other's have since used them with great success.

 

Blueberry MiniDeluxe: These came out about a month after my last baby was born and we used a few from then until about 6 months.  My niece was born about a year after and used these too. My sister loved them.  She lives off-grid and line dries everything. These diapers cleaned well, line-dried well, and still stayed soft for putting on baby's bum.

 

Newborn AIO Diapers from Blueberry: These were the diapers before the Blueberry Mini and they are not made any longer.  They were easy-peasy AIO diapers that had a pocket in back that we could 1) test to make sure they were dry on the inside and 2) add a bit of absorbency if needed.  These didn't fit as long as the MiniDeluxe but they were really easy to use.  Dry time was quite long though.  I did love how narrow these were in the crotch to fit without bulk on a newborn, oh and they did have wonderful colors and the cutest polka dot prints.

 

6/10/2010 This question was long so was answered within the question itself.

I have a Bosch HE Front Load washer (the smaller European size). I usually use Tide Free HE for all my laundry. I also will use some Downy fabric softener on my hubby's clothes since he thinks they're not clean if they don't smell like something!

You really don't want to wash diapers in a machine that uses fabric softener. Definitely, at least wash a load without softener before washing diapers in the machine. Ideally, find an alternative for using either liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets.  Click here, for more information on Fabric Softeners.  Click here, for some alternatives.

The only CD store that I have nearby carries Charlie's and Rockin Green, however they only had Charlie's in stock. 

It is worth finding a great detergent. When I couldn't find my detergent locally, I used to order online at drugstore.com. They offer free shipping over $35 and I could always find other things I needed really needed from there anyway. We use Planet powder; I love how easy it is to measure. With your machine being both an HE and a smaller European Size, you may need to plan on using as little as 3/4 - 1 tsp of detergent on a full size load. 

My hubby brought it home for me and I got on their website to see how to use it and I noticed that it says to clean out your washer using a load of detergent and old rags. I also have hard water (not super hard) and it said to call to find out about how to use with hard water. They said it may not have an effect but also suggested switching all my laundry to Charlie's otherwise I'd have to clean out my machine with the old rag load every time I got ready to wash the diapers. This makes sense to get all the fabric softener, etc that I use with my other laundry, out of the machine before a diaper load. 

I also feel that Charlie's if it is going to work is too much rigmarole. Jump through this hoop, stand on your left foot; and spit sideways and maybe our detergent will work for you otherwise you may need to use phosphates which have been removed from detergents for years now to protect the ecosystem in our waterways.

So, I'm just wondering if I would need to do this step with any detergent that I might buy for my CD if I don't switch all my laundry over? 

Getting the Fabric Softener out of your machine is a good idea a very good idea. I know your husband likes scents but you have a new baby coming that will be highly sensitive to scents and likely to the chemicals that you are putting back on the clothes.  Consider you husband will be holding baby, baby will be snuggling on your bed at some point; you might grab a towel to wrap baby up in.  Do you want fabric softener on yourself, your husband or in your world right now anyways?

Also, I was wondering if I should avoid Charlie's since I saw your note that it causes rashes on some kiddos. My kids tend to have sensitive skin, so it worries me a little. 

Why not? why not find a detergent that you don't have to wonder so much about and invest so much energy into? If you want to experiment down the road go for it, but when you are starting out, I suggest finding a great detergent and having success from the start vs. issues.

Also--last question, I promise!--I noticed Rockin Green wasn't on your evaluated list, so I was wondering what your thoughts were on their detergent.

I think the scent free Rockin Green is fine. I am not a fan of using scents on any of baby's clothing including diapers as discussed a bit above. Mothering magazine had a good article on avoiding scents in a recent back issue. Scents are not in your baby's best interest particularly during that newborn/infant stage.

6/10/2010

I am trying to place an order and it's not letting me for some reason. Hope to hear back from you soon!

If you are having trouble placing an order, feel free to call 309.826.9401; it is no problem at all.  We love to help.

 

 

6/10/2010

I was browsing your store online, and I noticed a few items I am interested in purchasing had a yellow dollar sign beside the price. When purchased in large quantities there is a little discount. I was wondering if that also applies if I were to purchase those items in your showroom as well. I live in Champaign, and would like to make my purchase in person. I just would like to know if those savings only apply to online purchases only, and how long they will last. 

Yes, online pricing is effective in the showroom along with all quantity discounts and online specials.  We use the same cart for the shop to help us maintain proper inventory numbers.  As a general rule quantity discounts are set without an expiration date. And of course, we always love to have people in the area visit the showroom.

6/4/2010

I currently make my own laundry detergent for our family.  We are making the switch to cloth diapering and I'm wondering if this detergent would work with the cloth system.

Currently I use:
1 Bar Dove Soap or Fels Naptha ( I can substitute this for any bar soap that may work)
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup Washing Soda (which can be substituted for Baking Soda if need be)
Plus water

As a general rule this type of solution is not suitable for washing any cloth diapers.  The only scenario that would be semi suitable for a homemade laundry solution to work effectively is if the water you were washing the diapers in was already naturally soft and free of minerals.

Making your own laundry solution for washing clothes is not a new concept; rather dates back to before the advent of detergents.  Detergents are cleaning products that contain surfactants.  In this case, no surfactants are used in the solution and therefore it is not truly a detergent.  (on the flip side Lever 2000 "soap" isn't a soap rather a bar detergent because it contains surfactants).

The problem with the homemade washing mixture is the same trouble from history.  The soap reacts poorly in hard water conditions and creates a scum or film that can be left on the clothing.  The Borax and the Washing Soda are useful as water softeners to reduce the forming of soap scum however, they can form their own precipitates in hard water that can be left on the clothing or washing machine and cause difficulties.  The borax can also be abrasive to fabrics in certain situations and is often considered harsher than necessary for washing.

So unless you are washing completely natural fiber diapers in completely and naturally soft water, using a homemade washing mixture will probably cause you more diapering headaches than its worth.

6/2/2010

I have a question regarding cloth diapers soiled with meconium.  I heard meconium is sticky and tar-like.  Is this hard to wash off cloth diapers?  Does is stain badly (doesn't really bother me)?  How would we go about washing the meconium off of the cloth diapers?  

Meconium is sticky and tar-like, but I have never had any problems washing out of my diapers or having it stain. Do wash diapers blessed with meconium in hot water; cold water doesn't work effectively. We cloth diaper from birth so I have first hand experience here.  Meconium won't stain but that breastfed baby poo that comes after sure does.  

I would also like to mention that if you change a meconium diaper right away it will easily come off baby's skin.  If you wait...it can be like trying to wash off a temporary tattoo.  At hospitals they will often slather the baby's bottom with petroleum or vaseline which is not at all suitable for cloth diapers.  They do this to make cleaning the baby easier since the staff will not immediately know when the baby needs changed.  In a homebirth setting or a hospital rooming-in setting, you will know when a diaper becomes soiled and change right away; so plan to forego the petroleum/vaseline product.

6/1/2010

I was checking on a gift registry and was wondering what does it mean when there are red circles around certain items on the  registry?

What a fun question.  Actually the circles mean nothing.  We use circles in product images throughout the site because they fit the look of PinStripes and PolkaDots.  Some products on the registry would have circles and some would not depending on where the registry is pulling the image from.