Tips and Tricks
Diapering Tips and Tricks

  • Proper care for cloth diapers helps prolong their life, keep the smellies down and makes your job easier! In every case you should follow your manufacturers directions on washing and drying specifics, but here are a few tips I have discovered over the last few years of cloth diapering!

  • Hang to Dry - whenever the weather permits, hang your diapers to dry. Of course with some this may take a full day - but the results are worth it! The sun will naturally bleach out the stains and the fresh air will of course freshen them up.

  • Vinegar - since fabric softener is a huge NO NO with cloth diapers (and liners) you may find that line drying and regular use leaves the diapers (and liners) slightly "crunchy". I have found that every few washes a cup of white household vinegar helps soften the fibers and remove any detergent build up. An added benefit is that vinegar naturally kills yeast bacteria.

  • Pre-soaking - I don't have the time or frankly the stomach to pre-soak my diapers in a pail. Instead I take advantage of my washing machine! I let the machine fully fill with the diapers, some Borax and baby detergent and then just after it starts the agitation I turn the machine off. I let the diapers sit for about 20 minutes and then start it up again. I also make sure to use the extra rinse cycle to help get them really clean. This may seem like a waste of water but it takes no more then pre-soaking them in a pail.

  • Low Dry - it's important to dry your diapers on a low heat. Higher heat can break down the fibers or with All-In-Ones can break down the waterproofing layer. Again line dryer out doors is always best.
Tips for Mommies

Being a mom is synonymous with being busy! Many of us not only work full time in the home but also work outside the home - which means time is at a premium for us. I read a statistic in one of the Canadian papers that 80% of mom's who work outside of the home have missed witnessing first hand at least one major milestone in their child's life. Finding an extra few moments where ever we can is a bonus! Here are a few tips I have compiled that I have found useful, hopefully you will too!
  • 1 - Invest in a Crock-pot. Yes one of those old fashioned slow cookers your Gran might have used. The beauty of this is two fold: it doesn't heat up the house while it cooks AND you can just throw everything in frozen before you leave the house in the morning, when you get home at supper time VIOLA! dinner is ready! Be sure to get a crock-pot with a removable 'pot' part - it washes up a lot faster. A quick search on the internet will reward you with loads of recipes if you feel you need them!

  • 2 - Throw a load of laundry in anytime you leave the house. With a toddler and cloth diapers I find the piles of laundry never end. But instead of wasting a whole day to laundry, I simply throw in a load anytime I plan to leave the house. I then fold the laundry in the bathroom while my monkey is taking a bath. That way I can still supervise him and get something done as well! Also investing in a sectioned laundry basket helps cut down on the time to sort laundry - simply drop it in the correct compartment when you bring it to the laundry room and its ready to go!

  • 3 - Borax. The best alternative to bleach! Get's out most stains, freshens and isn't harsh on a babies skin! As mentioned above I use it on my diapers and in every load of wash. Create a paste with it on harder stains without worrying about it breaking down fibers or discoloring fabrics.

  • 4 - Toy Boxes. Keep a toy box on every level of the house to help keep clutter to a minimum. The added bonus of this is that your little one will eventually learn themselves to put the toys back too! We even keep a mini laundry basket in the bathroom for the monkey to place his bath toys in when bath time is all done!