How NOT to Wash Cloth Diapers

Ask 20 people how to wash cloth diapers, you will most likely receive 20 different answers. Have you ever seen Wash Routine questions on cloth diaper forums? EVERYONE has a different answer. One cloth diaper manufacturer will recommend a certain detergent and another one will tell you not to use that detergent. The thing is, it doesn't have to be that hard.

Since our family started using cloth diapers, I have used almost everything on our diapers. Sometimes it was for research, other times it was out of desperation. I've soaked, bleached, sunned, used borax, vinegar, baking soda, washing soda, oxiclean, mainstream detergents, cloth diaper detergents, and everything in between.

What I've found is pretty simple - find a good detergent and stick with it. Use lots of water. Don't use additives unless you ABSOLUTELY have to, like if you're dealing with yeast.

GroVia AIO affected by soaking & additives

Before you start adding anything to your wash, talk to your local cloth diaper store or, if you use a cloth diaper detergent, email the maker. Kim from Rockin Green and Lulu from Lulu's in the Fluff have both been extremely helpful at troubleshooting laundry problems.

Do your diapers still smell dirty after you wash them? Try adding more detergent. Also, make sure you're washer isn't stuffed full. You need room and enough water to really agitate the crud out. I wash diapers every 3 days and I have to split it into two loads.

PUL cracking after using a mainstream detergent & bleach

Ammonia smell? Try rinsing your diapers before you put them in the dry pail. Yes, it's an extra step but it helps and, really, it only takes an extra minute.

Repelling issues - have you used diaper cream lately? If it wasn't CD safe, scrub a little bit of dawn soap on the diaper lining with a toothbrush, rinse really well and wash as usual. Are you using too much detergent or too little water? If you have hard water, it might help to add a little bit of Calgon in your wash.

If you think you have to use bleach, only use it on microfiber inserts. It's terrible on PUL and will eat away your diapers' natural fibers.

If you have a good wash routine down, you shouldn't have to strip your diapers. And, don't soak your diapers too much that can be hard on them too.

If you can, try to line dry your diapers as much as possible. Especially if they are velcro/aplix diapers. If the diapers are stiff after line drying them, just put them in the dryer for a few minutes to soften them up. Plus, line drying will get some sun to your diapers and I've found, that's the best way to get those stubborn stains out.

Thinning Organic Bamboo Velour

There are so many factors that can affect your diapers - water type, minerals, water temperature, diet, etc. So, what works for your friend may not work for you.

Here is our wash routine with really hard well water:
-One full cold wash cycle with no detergent to rinse the diapers well
-One Hot wash cycle with detergent
-Extra warm rinse

We normally switch between Lulu's Extra Hard Water Formula and Rockin Green Hard Rock.

GroVia AIO that has only been washed with Lulu's & Rockin Green and line dried.
This diaper has been used & washed as many times as the AIO in the first pic.

Now, there are some diapers that seem to stand up to more abuse than others. Pretty much anything with microfiber, microfleece will hold up better than natural fibers like hemp, cotton and bamboo.

BumGenius, Charlie Banana, GroVia Snap Shells, Knickernappies, and Tiny Tush are a few of the diaper brands we have that have held up over all the abuse. Some of them may not look like new, but they have no issues with PUL leaking and the inserts still work great.

Do you use additives in your laundry? Have you found a wash routine that works for you?

Black Friday Sales

This year's Black Friday Sales are bigger & better than ever! Keep reading to see the sales at some of our favorite cloth diaper stores & WAHMs!

123 Cloth Me

Black Friday Sale starts on Friday at 6am and goes until Monday at midnight!

20% off any in stock item with code TURKEY20.

Ana's Fluff

Cyber monday sale with a small collection of Christmas diapers (covers and pockets), baby legs, yubbies, nursing pads, and cloth wipes!

Everything in Ana's Fluff will be on sale on Cyber Monday at http://hyenacart.com/stores/CupCakesandDumpTrucks/ and sneak previews on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AnasFluff

Bum Covered Diapers

Sale Nov. 25-28:

ALL items will be discounted! (excluding bumGenius, Flip, and some

Econobum)

Just a hint of what's to come:

Applecheeks 20% off

Knickernappies 15% off

Planetwise 10% off

Free package of Flip disposable inserts with any Flip purchase

tutus 50% off

Plus, get a free diaper or wetbag with every purchase! (retail value

of the prize will depend on amount spent--three prize levels are: under

$50, under $100, and over $100) Enter code BLACKBAG or BLACKFLUFF at

checkout to let us know your preference.

Bum Luxury

DelishNaturals

· 15% off-Usecode: YUM!

EcoSprout

· Buy 248oz. bags of Eco Sprout, Get 1 24 oz. bag free w/ code 24FREE

· OR free 24oz. bag of detergent w/ any order over $100 w/ code ECO100

Fuzzibunz-

· 20% offall products-use code: FuzziCheer

Grovia-

· Buy 2 Get1 Free on all AIOs and Shells (this deal cannot be combined with other deals)

KangaCare-no coderequired

· RumparoozPockets-solids-$20, prints $22

· LilJoeys-$25 2/pack

· RumparoozOS/newborn covers-$2 off

*Receive double reward points all day on BlackFriday.

*Receive a gift card worth 10% of your purchaseBlack Friday-Cyber Monday to use on your next purchase.

*Check our Facebook www.facebook.com/bumluxury and Twitter www.twitter.com/bumluxurypages for additional deals throughout the weekend! You might be able to findsomething on our blog as well…www.bumluxury.blogspot.

BumsNbeyond

20% off fuzzibunz elite OS with code: FUZZI20

Oh Katy are buy 5 get 1 free use code: OhKaty

BumGenius are 15% off (also includes new freetime AIO diaper!) use code: BUM15

Grovia are buy 2 get 1 FREE! No code, will automatically be added.

Save 10% off everythin else, and FREE shipping over 49 with code: SAVE10

You may use ALL codes, just place seperate orders for each promotion, I will combine the shipping!

ButterBears OS Tie Dye Diapers

Diapers on sale for $18 plus shipping!

The Changing Table

Apple Cheeks 20% off

Fuzzi Bunz (excluding the Elite) $15.95 each or B3G1F

GroVia B2G1F

bumGenius Econobum B1G1F

bumGenius 4.0 and Elementals B5G1F

Swaddlebees 15% off

Blueberry 15% off

Rumparooz B4G1F, B8G2F, B12G3F

EcoPosh 10% off

Best Bottoms 15% off

Select Planetwise Wetbags 15% off

Happy Heiny 20% off

Free gift with every $50 spent on Friday

Cottontail Baby

We will be doing a sale of Buy 2 and save 20% on Thirsties, bumGenius, Happy Heiny Trainers and Fuzzi Bunz. We will also do 20% off Dundies trainers and Happy Heiny Mamacloth.

Finally, there will be a free pack of wipes included for any order over $100.

Free shipping on all orders over $75.

Country Drawers

Friday Doorbusters until 10am:

Boba 2G & Sleepy Wrap 40% off

Simplisse Breastpump 40% off

My Little Legs 50% off

Saturday Doorbusters until 10am:

Sophie the Giraffe 30% off

Brooke Van Gory Diaper Bags 40% off

Teething Bling & Babe Magnet Ties 40% off

Friday through Monday:

Boba 2G & Sleepy Wrap 30% off

Simplisse Breastpump 20% off

My Little Legs 30% off

Sophie the Giraffe 10% off

Brooke Van Gory Diaper Bags 30% off

Teething Bling & Babe Magnet Ties 10% off

Changing Diapers Book $8.98

Charlie Banana Products 15% off

CJ's BUTTer 10% off

EcoPosh 10% off

GroVia Buy 2 Get 1 FREE

Oh Katy Buy 5 Get 1 FREE

Rockin Green Detergent: Holiday Scent & Unscented $11 & $12

Undercover Mama 20% off

All Safety Products 20% off

Swaddlebees & Blueberry Products 10% off

Rumparooz 20% off

Sweet Pea Diapers 10% off

Tweedle Bug Diapers Buy 5 Get 1 FREE

Tiny Tush Diapers Buy 5 Get 1 FREE

Cutie Poops and Bottoms

See our sales HERE

Dippee Dypees

25% off ALL INSTOCK ITEMS.

Code: BLACKFRIDAYBABY

Duration: NOW!-END DAY CYBER MONDAY

Go Green Baby Co

Free Shipping all weekend

Spend $50, get $10 off or spend $100 and get $30 off everything in the store so esentially get 20% or 30% off!

GroVia: Buy 2 get 1 FREE on all All-in-One Diapers, Newborn AIOs, and Hybrid Shells (may not be combined with spend $50 or $100 /get $10 or $30 off offer)

All bumGenius products: Buy 2 get 1 Free (may not be combined with spend $50 or $100/get $10 or $30 off offer)

Thirsties: Great prices of select products

First 5 orders will receive a free one size diaper

Next 15 orders will receive a pair of Weebit or Weegee Simple Shoes (please specify size and gender)

Additional sale announcements and freebies announced over the weekend on Facebook.

Harvest Moon Baby Company

30 percent off your entire purchase Friday through Monday.

Hopper's Baby Haven

See our Black Friday Sales HERE

I Will Wash Them & Just For You

Bummis Products - 20% off Black Friday ONLY

Full size CJ's All Natural Products - 20% off Friday through Monday

Baltic Amber Teething Necklaces - 20% off Friday through Monday

Free Eco Sprout 24oz Detergent (in-stock scents) with purchases over $30.00 - Friday ONLY

Just For You (via I Will Wash Them) - 40% off Friday, 30% off Saturday & Sunday and 20% off Monday

Monkey Foot Designs

Starting at 12:01 Friday AM through Monday night (12:00 / midnight) EST.

20% off in stock (not custom) items in the etsy shop

(http://www.etsy.com/shop/monkeyfootdesigns) or website

(www.monkeyfootdesigns.com) using this coupon code:

GOBBLEMFD20

The discount doesn't include shipping.

Rumpeez

Starting Friday at 6am Rumpeez will be offering 20% discount on all orders with coupon code BLACKFRIDAY.

All orders over $100 (excluding shipping) will receive a FREE one size or mini one size diaper cover. No coupon code necessary. In notes to seller at checkout please specify:

- Either one size or mini one size

- Boy, girl, or gender neutral

Lastly EVERY order placed will receive a 3 pack of flannel cloth wipes! Please specify in notes to seller if you would like boy, girl or gender neutral!

The Rumpeez sale starts Friday November 25th @ 6am and will run through Sunday November 27th @ 6pm!!!!

Sweet Cheeks Laundry

Get all your Sweet Cheeks Laundry goodies and make your own sale for Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Everything is on sale!

Buy 2 bags of Sweet Cheeks Cloth Diaper Wash for just $10 and receive a FREE half size bag in one of our yummy new holiday scents and save with combined shipping!

Buy 1 bag of Sweet Cheeks Cloth Diaper Wash or Sweet Suds Everyday Laundry Wash for just $5!

Order a Sweet Cheeks Cloth Diaper Package and receive a FREE half size bag of holiday scented laundry wash!

Also, you can use code HOLIDAY2011 at checkout for an additional 5% off!!

All orders will receive additional goodies too!

Offers are good 11/25-11/28.

Sweet Violets Diapers

Our ENTIRE site will be on sale at least 10% off, and we carry more than just diapers!

Sales already in progress:

All Klean Kanteens - get a FREE long-handled tampico/bamboo bottle brush with every purchase (no code necessary, while supplies last)

Reusable produce bags and an exclusive EcoBags Farmers Market shopper set all marked down

Changing Diapers: The Hip Mom's Guide to Modern Cloth Diapering book is 50% off

Economy microfiber inserts - just $1.59

Economy one-size diaper covers - $7.99

Soap Nuts - 20% off

GroVia hybrid shells as low as $11.95

Piggy Paint natural nail polish and accessories - 20% off or more

Thirsties diapers and accessories - 20% off

Sales to come Friday at 12:01 a.m.:

GroVia Buy 2 Get 1 Free AIO and hybrid shells

CJ's BUTTer products 10% off

EcoPosh Trainers 10% off

FuzziBunz diapers and accessories - 15% off

IttiBitti - 15% off

KangaCare/Rumparooz diapers and accessories - 15% off

OsoCozy prefolds - 20% off

Rockin' Green - 15% off

We've got something for everyone. :-)

Tree Hugger Cloth

Here's a sale for the women who love fluff! (Visit Facebook for more info) https://www.facebook.com/TreeHuggerCloth

Friday is going to be a lot of fun! Let's start with *FREE SHIPPING* all

day on every single order! Use code "BFshipping" Not only that but all US

orders will be mailed from the US on the Monday which means *faster shipping* then ever!

The first paid for order of the day will be *refunded 20%* (no matter how

large the order, that is our biggest discount ever!), I will be judging

this by order number and it will be Eastern Standard Time starting at

midnight. This order will also recieve free shipping and a free gift if

over $50. Custom orders are still welcome!

I will also be listing at least at least *20 *second* pads* that will be

available individually at great discounts and even some for FREE! Some

will show up as listings in my store and some will be available only on

Facebook and yet others will be hidden!

All orders over $50 will receive *a free gift *valued at $6 or more along

with their free shipping.

All orders placed on Black Friday will be entered into *a draw to win a $20

Tree Hugger gift certificate*.

I will be hiding a cute little picture in some of my listings on Friday and

each person who correctly emails me the links where they saw them will be

entered to win* a surprise prize pack*.

I will be listing specific minkee prints on the Facebook page and will

offer up *the pad size of your choice at a discounted cost*. These will be

first quality custom made pads so if you love minkee but don't have a print

preference then you can get your stash for less and it will ship for free.

There will be 8 different minkee prints as well as some flannel prints

offered up at different times throughout the day so keep checking in with

Facebook to see what is currently available. Since these pads will all be

custom made then they will not be ready to ship on the Monday but I hope to

get them all sewn and mailed within 2 weeks.

The Wonderland Congo also has some fun going on including *a gift

certificate give-a-way* that can be used in any of the stores including

Tree Hugger! They will be posting the details later this week.

Modia Diapers

All sales good 11/25-11/28

BUY 3 GET 1 FREE on all inserts, doublers, and wipes! For multi-packs extra singles will beadded. No coupon necessary!

10% off all CJ’s products (no coupon necessary)

Coupon codes for “create your own sale”

BFfreeship for free shipping on any order ($4.95value)

BF10off for 10% off your entire order (includesthings already on sale!)

B5G1ooga for BUY 5 OS pocket in-stock diapers,Get a FREE OS pocket in any of the Ooga Booga prints we have available(including the new holiday red/green Oogas ($21.95 value)

Freebies will also be going into packages! For every 3 orders we receive, one personwill receive a CJ’s BUTTer sample, and for every 10 orders we get, one personwill receive a small CJ’s BUTTer stick in their order! (random.org will determine which order numbers will receive freebies once the sale concludes Monday evening)

Potty Training with Lora from Bippy Diapers

Potty Training...

A milestone we look forward to and dread with the greatest of intensity.  I remember when I had my daughter Olivia I wondered how in the world will I accomplish all these milestones in the future?  Every mom wants to give advice or has the tried and true method.   I mean do you ever really know how to start?  I thought when she was 2 or so that we could start.  “Yes!” I thought to myself today is the day we move on from the diapers (mind you we cloth diapered so it wasn’t a huge financial burden).

I took Olivia to the local store and told her she would get to pick out her big girl panties.  She stared at all the cartoon characters, Mickey, Dora, Princesses, too many for my 2 year old to even comprehend.  She finally selected an assortment of Disney princesses.  As we took our new found prize to the front cashier, Olivia was pointing out and telling me every princess that was on that package (she had and still has a slight obsession with Disney Princesses).  We payed for our purchase and politely told the employee “Olivia is going to be a big girl today and we got big girl panties so we can go on the potty.”  Olivia just nodded and continued to stare in awe at the 7 rolled tiny panties in the packaging.  

While in the car we over communicated the going on the potty scenario, how she would tell me, what we would do, how it makes mommy happy if she goes on the potty.  All the while, she still stared in awe at those panties.  We get home with all the tools necessary to start this journey.  Panties, check.  Little potty, check.  Talk with daughter, double check.  Okay.  We can do this I think to myself.  I then walk Olivia through every step of taking her diaper off, and putting the big girl panties in.   One leg in the first hole, she can hardly contain herself.  Second leg in, we pull them up.  It’s as if the world no longer exists and only princesses on panties exist.  The only thing that matters in this world at this moment is Cinderella is on the front of her panties.  She proudly walks around with only panties and socks on pointing out to everything (living or doll like) that she has Cinderella on her panties and she is going to be a big girl.  “Mommy, I a big girl” she says over and over. 

I am thinking to myself, “This is going to be a breeze!  Sweet!”   30 minutes go by. 

Tick tock tick tock. 

“Olivia, do you need to use the potty”

“Nooooo,  I have Cinderella.”  

15 more minutes.

“Olivia, do you need to use the potty”

“Nooooo,  I have Cinderella.”

15 more minutes.

“Olivia, do you need to use the potty”  

Silence…..               

“Olivia, what are you doing?” 

Silence……..  

“Olivia???”  

Nothing.  I go to check on her, a puddle stands below her legs, on the carpet, oozing down into the cracks of the floor.  She had the first accident.  Okay, I knew this was going to happen.  Its okay, I tell myself.  We clean the floor, change Olivia.  Round two will be better. …… 

Round 2 was not better, we had #2 mixed with round 2.  Round 3-43 were the same as rounds 1 and 2.  Round 44, slight success.  Round 45-60, just as bad as round 2.  

A year later and we are still working on potty training.  My moral of my story is do not judge your child against what others say or tell you to do.  Trust your instincts and don’t ever give up on your child.  It will be difficult, but remember they won’t go to college in diapers.  When you decide to start potty training keep this first rule in mind. 

Lora founded Bippy Diapers in 2010. With two children under two, a full time job and earning her master's, she decided that enough was enough and it was time to work for herself. Thus, Bippy Diapers was born. After toying with cloth diapering with her oldest daughter Olivia she decided to cloth diaper her second child, a son named Lucas, full time. She began to enjoy the cloth experience and wanted to share her knowledge and tips with others.