12 Cloth Diapers Questions Every Parent Needs To Ask

Cloth diapers (also known as reusable nappies, washable nappies and cloth nappies) are much easier to use than you think. Here are some common questions asked by parents about using cloth diapers.

What do I do when its time to change?

If the diaper is just wet, all you need to do is take it off, throw the liner away (if disposable) and place the diaper and reusable liner in your diaper bucket instead of in the bin.

If the diaper is dirty, the poo can be flushed away down the loo (much more hygienic than putting it in the bin) and the diaper put in the bucket.

Liquid poo can be washed off by holding the diaper under the flush of the loo before being dealt with in your normal way.

Are they difficult to put on?

No, not at all.Shaped diapers or all-in-ones are the simplest to use and need no folding - simply place them on just as you would a disposable.Flat or terry diapers do have to be folded but the amazing Nappi Nippa means that you don’t have to use a pin.

Will my home smell?

Only if you leave loads of dirty diapers hanging around for days.  Just think of how your bin smells with a couple day’s worth of dirty disposables in it, with real diapers, the poo is flushed down the loo straight away, so you won’t suffer from this problem.If you like, you can place a few drops of essential oil on a cloth that you keep on the top of the bucket.

Will I have to do lots of washing?

All families have washing to do, so including a few diapers isn’t really more work.When you are ready to do a normal wash, just take the diapers out of the bucket and put them in the washing machine, it couldn't be easier.

Putting diapers into a modern machine with its fast spin is a far cry from having to put them through the twin tub and mangle that you mother may have used.

Diapers can be washed at 60c and some even use 40c with the odd hotter wash to keep away stains.

The best way to dry diapers is on the line with the rest of your clothes (or on a radiator during the winter) but I do fluff them by placing them in the tumble dryer for 10 mins with the bath towels after taking them off the clothes line.

Will I get dirty placing them in the washing machine?

No.  The poo will have been disposed of, so you are only dealing with a little wee.If you wet pail (see below) you can use a mesh bag to keep the diapers in, so you just need put that in the machine.  Dry pailing is even easier to do.

What is the meaning of ‘pailing’?

Which means, storing used diapers in a bucket.Wet pailing involves putting the diapers into a water and diaper soak solution or similar or just plain water.

Dry pailing is very easy - simply drop the used diaper into your bucket and replace the lid.

Won’t all the washing powders harm the environment?

Yes and no. Yes to the extent that all detergents cause some damage (this can be limited by using non-bio or eco-friendly products) but no to the extent that this is still far better than using disposable diapers.

Will I have to change diapers more often?

Not especially.  Guidelines state that you should change your baby’s diaper every 4 hours during the day (more often for new borns), so this remains the same.

Won’t my baby get diaper rash?

Diaper rash happens when bacteria in the poo reacts to the ammonia in wee.The best way to prevent diaper rash is to change frequently (every 4 hours or so) and let fresh air access the diaper area.

The lock away moisture core in disposable diapers makes parents change less often and their very design stops air from circulating.Most designs of real diapers are breathable, which allows air to circulate, resulting in a healthier bottom.

What if I go out?

Lots of parents use real diapers even when they go out and just take a slightly bigger bag with them. Others have a stock of eco-disposables to use for day trips or when they go away.

What about during the night?

Once again, some parents use eco-disposables overnight or place a booster pad inside the cloth diaper.

Will they leak?

Not if they fit properly.A well fitting reusable diaper with wrap if appropriate is no more leaky than a disposable.  We recommend that you try a few sample kits to make sure you buy the right diaper for your baby.