Why Choose Cloth Diapers?

Cloth diapers have changed considerably over the years, and offer many benefits to parents of newborns:

Healthier. Disposables have lots of chemicals which have been associated with many physical problems. Diaper rash also increases with disposable diaper use due to allergies to chemicals, poor air flow and longer time spent in wet diapers which feel dry.

Benefits the environment. Cloth diapers are reusable. Quality cloth diapers will hold up for many washings and can be saved for the next child. Although energy is required for washing the diapers, it is a fraction of the energy used for disposables. Cloth diapers are also recyclable, making excellent cotton rags in their 'afterlife'.

Less expensive. Many studies have compared the costs of disposables diapers versus cloth washed at home, and cloth diapers provided by commercial diaper services. Results vary, but most agree that the cost of cloth diapers, home laundered, is considerably lower than buying disposables. Estimates range from $800 - $2000 in savings over the 3 years, and over 6000 diaper changes. Using a commercial diaper service, depending on which study you consult, is either comparable to, or a little less expensive, than using disposables. They are also reusable for more than one child and when you're done, a lot of cloth diapers (especially pocket diapers and some fitted diapers) have a great resale value.

Check out your potential savings with this nifty calculator.

Easy to use! Whether you're using a prefold or fitted with cover to a pocket with insert, or an All in One diaper, they're easy to use. Once baby has soiled the diaper, you simply put it in a dry diaper pail or a hanging bag. For an older baby or toddler eating solids, you can shake loose poo into the toilet, and put the rest into your pail or bag. Once it's time to do laundry, just dump the contents of the pail or empty the bag out into the wash, in the case of the bag, turn it inside out and throw it in as well. I suggest doing a cold prewash to get rid of the urine & small solid bits. If you like, you can even put some tea tree oil or lavender in the prewash. Then just do a normal hot or warm/cold wash cycle (and a 2nd rinse) with less than usual detergent. Once the wash is done, you can dry most or all diapers hanging or in the dryer, whichever you choose. It's that easy!

Note: Thanks to Diaper Pin for the nifty calculator listed above.