Cloth Diapering 101 Part 2

If you missed Part 1 of this series you can read it by clicking here.

After you have your diapers (at least 10 for a full day with a new born), you may think you are ready. But wait! You still need a few more items to get started.

Just as important as your diapers your diaper pail ranks up there too. Try to get a good diaper pail that seals. You can order them on-line or simply find one at Target or Walmart. We bought ours a Babies R Us but we've seen the same thing at Target. If you can't find a "diaper pail" a trash can with a good seal will work just as well.

I keep saying a "good seal" because this is important also. Ammonia is a by-product of urine....which there will be a lot of in your diapers. After a while the ammonia smell can get really strong. Even if you wash your diapers daily. You don't want your precious baby breathing in all that ammonia....let alone yourself. So a good seal is necessary.

After you have your diaper pail you will have to decide whether you want a 'wet' or 'dry' pail. Some put water or other liquid in the diaper pail to soak the diapers. We use the dry pail method. Meaning you just put the diapers in the pail, no water or liquid. This creates less of a smell, and is much easier to carry to the washer. Plus you don't have to worry about your pail getting knocked over or a little one 'playing' in or with the water.

Cloth wipes are also a good idea. I've seen people using the "throw away" kind with there cloth diapers. It just doesn't make since. I've done this when I 'ran out' and it was very difficult. Since you had to put the diaper in the diaper pail then head to the trash to throw away the wipe(s). It just creates extra work. You can easily make your own with some flannel fabric, or use baby washcloths, or simply buy them when you purchase your diapers. Some use a solution, I have found that plain water works for us. I store our wipes in a wipe tub saved from the throw away kind of wipes. You can store them in a bowl or other container. If you keep water in the container just make sure it is out of reach of your little ones. A small child can drown in only one inch of water.

You will also need a 'wet bag' for when you are out and about. This bag is water proof and closes tightly so you can put those dirty diapers back in your diaper bag without having to worry about them. This can also be purchased when you buy your diapers.

After you have these last few items you are ready to go.

You might want to consider what kind of detergent you are using though. Some folks use a "special" detergent just for cloth diapers. I find it expensive and unnecessary. We just use a 'free and clear' detergent. Purex is supposed to be the best, but it gives my daughter a rash so we use All. When you wash your diapers you only need a small amount of detergent about 2 tablespoons. If you have a front loading washer, even less, about 1 tablespoon. Always use an extra rinse cycle to make sure all of the detergent is out of your diapers.

Always check with the manufacture of your diapers to see just how they should be washed and dried.