WHY USE CLOTH DIAPERS?
Today’s cloth diapers are nothing like they were in the past, and using them does not mean returning to the dark ages! Modern cloth diapers have all sorts of user-friendly attributes – velcro-type closures, snaps, flushable liners, etc. No pins, no yucky plastic pants – just soft cloth diapers and comfortable, breathable hi-tech waterproof fabrics. See cloth diaper information for descriptions of the different types of cloth diapers available.
As for washing them - no more soaking diapers in the toilet! Dump your flushable liners in the toilet, your diapers in a pail, and when you are ready to wash – dump them into the washing machine. Wash normally – in hot water and dry in the dryer. No need to wash more often than every 2-3 days. Easy to use AND easy to wash! And diaper services make it even easier! Just dump your diapers in a pail and your diaper service will replace them once a week with beautiful, freshly laundered and clean smelling diapers. For home washing, see washing cloth diapers for more detailed instructions and tips.
As for cost! In Canada it is estimated that you will spend between $2500 and $3000 for one baby in single use diapers. A system of cloth diapers will cost you anywhere between $350 and $1000. The savings can be huge! Use and wash your diapers properly and they will probably last you through more than one baby! Imagine the savings. A diaper service from beginning to end will usually cost the same or less than using single use diapers.
Waste Reduction! It is estimated that each baby in single use diapers will generate between one and two tons of garbage. Using cloth diapers is probably the easiest way to reduce waste in the household waste stream right away! Municipalities across Canada have targeted waste reduction as the burning issue of the day – and we can help them achieve their targets by using cloth diapers! Every baby diapered in cloth will help to reduce the volume of garbage going to landfills, cut expensive disposal costs and even more expensive composting and recycling costs.
Remember the 3 “R’s”: REDUCE, RE-USE and then RECYCLE. We ask our elected officials to encourage the use of cloth diapers by providing subsidies to families who buy them or who use diaper services. This method of waste reduction has already been introduced with great success in the United Kingdom and various municipalities in Quebec.
And yes, babies really do love to be in cloth diapers! We know when cloth diapers are wet – it is simply easier to check and see because there are no chemicals wicking moisture away into a super absorbent gel. Nothing invisible! So that means you can actually change your baby when he/she is wet! That means less heat build-up, and comfortable, healthy, happy baby skin.