As caregivers and parents, we have the important responsibility of taking care of our little ones. This means we have to handle a wide variety of tasks, including the seemingly endless piles of diapers and, of course, the dreaded poop-filled ones. Dealing with the dirty business of cloth diapering can feel overwhelming at times, leaving us wondering what to do next.
But don't worry, we've got you covered! Let's tackle the poop problem head-on and explore some tips and tricks to make cloth diapering a breeze.
Firstly, it’s important to note that breastfed baby poop is water-soluble and can be thrown directly into the washing machine without any special preparation. However, once your baby starts eating solid foods, their poop will change in consistency and will need to be dealt with differently.
The first step is to remove any solid poop from the diaper. You can use a diaper sprayer (a popular option), which attaches to your toilet, to spray off the poop into the toilet. If you don’t have a diaper sprayer, you can use a diaper liner to catch the poop and dispose of it in the toilet. You can also use a scraper to remove any excess poop from the diaper or try the "dunk-and-swish" method of dunking the diapers in the toilet and swishing the poop off.
Next, you’ll need to store the dirty diapers until it’s time to wash them. You can use a wet bag, which is a waterproof bag that can be hung on a hook or doorknob, to store your dirty diapers. Another option is to use a diaper pail, which is a lidded container designed to hold dirty diapers until it’s time to wash them. Make sure to keep the wet bag or diaper pail in a well-ventilated area to prevent the buildup of bacteria.
When it comes to how often to wash your cloth diapers, the choice is yours! Some prefer to wash every day, while others find that going 2-3 days between washes works best for them. Once wash day rolls around, it's important to follow a wash routine that's tailored to your specific water hardness to ensure your diapers come out sparkling clean and free of buildup from detergent or minerals from the water.
While it's true that cloth diapering requires a few extra steps, especially when it comes to dealing with the dreaded poop, the benefits are well worth the effort! Not only are you doing your part to reduce waste and protect the environment, but you're also saving money in the long run. And the best part? You're part of a thriving community of cloth diapering parents who are ready and willing to support you every step of the way.