From Diapers to Rags

I recently checked a book out from the library that was all about green or natural housekeeping. There were so many great tips that I wanted to begin sharing with you all. This first tip is probably only applicable to me right now, but I still would love feedback from those of you who have tried this method with your family. I summarized and paraphrased parts of the reading for the blogs sake. This is a lengthy post, so grab a warm drink and enjoy!

Cloth Diapers are made of cotton which is soft, durable, absorbent, allows the skin to breathe, and is easily washed.

Health Effects of Disposable Diapers
A study entitled "Acute Respiratory Effects of Diaper Emissions" was published about 10 years ago and the authors wrote, " The airborne emissions of some disposable diapers can produce acute respiratory toxicity--including asthma-like reactions--in normal lab mice and several other chemicals identified in the emissions cause respiratory toxicity."
The emissions included the following chemicals: toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, and isopropylbenzene. Their respective data sheets state that all of these substances are dangerous if inhaled, eaten, or absorbed through the skin, and that exposure can cause the following problems: serious skin irritation, severe respiratory tract irritation, birth defects, impaired fertility, liver and kidney damage, and central nervous system disorders.
The research concluded, "New cloth diapers appeared to be the least toxic choice for a consumer. However, they could acquire toxic properties from laundry detergents."

The Bottom Line
It requires a staggering amount of energy, water, and renewable and non-renewable resources to paper a baby's bottom from birth until toilet trained. The 18 billion diapers that are discarded each year make up about 4 percent of the nation's total household solid waste stream.
Growing enough cotton to produce a few dozen diapers necessary to sop up after baby for a few years is a light task compared to growing enough pulp to manufacture enough plastic to produce the more than 5,000 disposable diapers that will be used for an average of seven changes per day in those same 2 years....

(The author talks about the 25-50% of savings during the diaper years for parents who home launder diapers and then mentions the option and efficiency of diaper services.)

Getting Off to a Nappy Start
If you decide to forgo a diaper service, make sure you buy enough diapers to last a couple of days so baby won't have to go naked while you do the wash. We started with about six dozen and never ran out, even when we had two in diapers. Twenty years later, those diapers are still serving as useful cleaning rags.

"Managing the Messy End of the Diaper Cycle"
1. Half fill the diaper pail with warm water and add 1/2 cup borax. This will help reduce odors and staining. Or if baby has trouble with diaper rash, substitute borax for a couple cups of white vinegar. The vinegar will help kill the bacteria that can cause diaper rash. Make sure the pail has a tight fitting lid.
2. Rinse out the urine and scrape the solid waste into the toilet before putting the diapers in the pail. (Keep a plastic spatula in the bathroom for this purpose; store it as you would a toilet brush.) Soak the baby's waterproof pants in the diaper pail too.
3. When the pail is full, drain as much water as possible into the toilet, and lug the pail to the washer.
4. Wash the diapers on the heaviest, hottest cycle. If the washer has a separate spin cycle, use that before washing.
5. Soap can leave a residue that may irritate a baby's skin. Use gentle, unscented detergent, preferably unscented, and free from dyes, bleaches, and brighteners.
6. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the final rinse cycle.
7. Dry the diapers using the cotton setting of the dryer. Do not dry the waterproof pants!
8. If baby is having problems with diaper rash, sun-dry the diapers. Sunlight is a very strong disinfectant.

So there you all have it! I hope you have some stories and suggestions for me. This is a huge and stinky commitment!

(Hey Mom--you should be able to leave comments directly on the blog now. Let me know if you still have a problem.)