Cloth Diaper Troubleshooting Tips: Bummis Wrap Up App

Got issues with your diapers - there's an app for that!  Aside from contacting us with any questions you might have regarding your products, there's also a handy resource that can help you troubleshoot common problems that can arise with cloth diapers and their care.

Our friends at Bummis have developed the Wrap Up App and it allows you to select a number of potential issues from odours, leaking, stains, stiffness of fabric, and rashes.  It then asks you a series of simple questions in order to provide you with a solution for the particular issue you're dealing with.

Tips on how to remove odours and residues and how to deal with leaking diapers are just a few of the solutions you'll find in this app.  No more guessing about what to do or seeking poor advice from untrusted sources - this app with give you the right information.

We think it's an awesome little tool and it even has a mobile version so that you can use your Smartphone in the event you aren't at your computer.  Isn't technology great? 

So if you have an issue arise with your cloth diapers, check out the Bummis Wrap Up App.  We think you'll find it very helpful.  If you have questions that you can't find an answer for in the app, don't worry, you can always contact us - we love to help!

Drying in Winter - Wool Dryer Balls

As the days get shorter and the temperatures colder, you may have started to use your clothes dryer once again and forgo the clothesline outside (although when we were young our Mom still hung clothes outside even in the dead of winter).

If you use an indoor drying rack that will still allow you to save energy and line dry your clothes or cloth diapers.  But what if you want to use the dryer?

Dryer sheets and dryer bars contain a large amount of chemicals that can coat your clothing.  These options are not cloth diaper friendly so what can you do?  The answer:  use wool dryer balls.

What are the benefits of using wool dryer balls?  Aside from the fact that they are a natural, organic product, they can actually help reduce the time your dryer runs.  The Baby Bear Crafts Dryer Balls we stock are made with the highest quality 100% wool/organic wool possible. They are a great replacement to the plastic dryer balls. 

To optimize your drying time, use 4 to 6.  Using these will also decrease, but not eliminate your static cling and will fluff up your clothes without using a dryer sheet.  These are made in the USA from 100% wool/organic wool.  The are approximately 10 inches in circumference and come with a one year guarantee.  We've been using ours for well over a year now and they still look good as new.  They may stick to aplix and velcro diapers so be sure to use and close your laundry tabs on your diaper products.  Our tests show with 4 to 6 dryer balls there will a 20-40% decrease in dry time taking into account the fact that everyone's dryer is different and you may have more or less of a decrease in drying time.

 

These couldn't be easier to use. Simply place the dryer balls into your dryer and let them do all the work.  Using a dryer ball will increase air flow by creating pockets inside your clothes so the dryer can work more effectively.  Wool dryer balls also will help absorb some of the moisture thereby, decreasing your drying time.

 

What a great way to make your dryer more efficient!  To get started using your Baby Bear Crafts Wool Dryer Balls, find them here at Baby Luv Boutique!

Preparing Cloth Diapers for Use

You've made the choice to use cloth diapers and you have your stash purchased. Now what? What do you have to do to get them ready for baby to wear?

Whenever you purchase cloth diapers you will want to wash them before baby wears them just to ensure they are clean for the first use. Some types of cloth diapers and the corresponding fabric used in them will require different levels of preparation. We'll cover them all so you know where to start no matter what type and style you have.

Synthetic fabrics like polyester, microterry and microfleece often comprise the components of pocket diapers and/or All In One diapers. These materials should be washed and dried once prior to first use to clean the diapers. A wash cycle on hot with the recommended amount of cloth diaper friendly detergent with a cold rinse cycle and an extra rinse will be sufficient preparation. Dry them in the dryer or on the line, especially in the summer, and they are ready to go. Even in the colder months you can line dry diapers (and other laundry) inside on a drying rack. Line drying is a great way to save energy and reduce your costs all while helping to lessen your carbon footprint.

Natural fabrics like cotton and hemp will require some additional steps in the preparation process. Natural fabrics contain oils and wax in the case of unbleached cotton. These oils and wax are released from the fabric during the initial wash and dry cycles. These fabrics will also shrink and fluff up so washing cotton and hemp products in hot water, rinsing and drying in the dryer multiple times will remove the natural oils and prep the fabric. Each time these fabrics are washed and dried it helps to prime the fabric or make it more absorbent. Hemp will require 8-12 wash and dry cycles to allow it to reach it's maximum absorbency. It can be used after the first wash and dry cycle however after each washing it will gain more absorbency each time.

If you are using hemp or cotton inserts/prefolds inside of pocket diapers you will want to wash these fabrics separately from your pocket diapers and microfleece products for the first 4-6 wash and dry cycles in order to prevent the natural oils and wax from coating the interior fabric of your pocket diapers potentially causing them to repel liquid and leak. Once these initial wash and dry cycles are complete, then all your diaper products can be washed together without concern of the natural oils/wax coating your diapers.

When line drying hemp it can get a bit hard and stiff but you can always put the hemp in the dryer on the fluff or wrinkle release setting to soften them up. You can also take them off the line while just slightly damp and place them in the dryer for a few minutes to soften them as well. The addition of PVC free or wool dryer balls in your dryer will help to soften clothes and reduce drying time as well.

Once you've got those diapers washed and dried you are ready to begin using them. I can see baby's smiling face already - so comfortable in their new cloth diapers!

Be sure to contact us if you ever have questions regarding preparation and care - we luv to help!

Baby Luv Boutique

Cloth Diaper Care Part 2: Detergent

This is our second instalment on cloth diaper care. One of the hottest topics regarding cloth diapers is what detergent to use when washing them. There are a number of options available from mainstream detergents to ones specifically geared to use on cloth diapers. Our clients always want to know "What detergent should I use on my diapers?" Read on to find out the answers!

We did a great deal of research on this topic and want to acknowledge a wonderful resource in Shirley Murdock at Bummis. She has a background in chemistry so any questions we have on detergents, their ingredients and suitability for use on cloth diapers can be successfully answered.

Some of the science behind detergent, key ingredients to look for, recommended varieties for use on cloth diapers and local sources of recommended brands will be shared.

As we noted in our first instalment on cloth diaper care, location and water hardness will be a factor in how well detergents will work. What works for some may not work for others but this is intended to be a guide that will give you a great place to start on developing a successful care routine.

Water hardness will be a very large factor in doing any type of laundry including diaper laundry. Variations in pH will be evident from province to province, city to city and even from household to household. There may be a detergent that works well for your neighbour but not at all for you simply because they may have a slightly different routine or some other factors that contribute to laundry success. If they have a water softener and your house does not, that will impact on how detergent performs.

The Science Behind Detergent

Let's start with some of the science behind detergent and highlight some key ingredients that can be very good and in turn, very bad.

Ingredients in detergents may include the following:

Sodium Carbonate– is known as a builder and is an ingredient that you will want to have in your detergent. Sodium Carbonate is a surfactant as these help to dislodge dirt from fabric and hold it in suspension so that it is not redeposited on the fabric during washing. Builders are water softeners. These chemical compounds are agents that remove calcium ions by complexation or precipitation. Typical builders are sodium carbonate, complexation agents, soap, and zeolites. They function by sequestering or precipitating the problematic ions.

Sodium Bicarbonate – is problematic if detergents use too much and it can be harsh on finer fabrics like bamboo. Tots Bots does not recommend detergents that contain Sodium Bicarbonate for use on their products. If it is not completely washed and rinsed from the fabric, residual sodium bicarbonate will attack fabric in the dryer.

Sodium Percarbonate – is an acceptable oxygenated bleach component as long as it does not have any other components combined with it for that purpose. If used sparingly or in moderation it will work well for most fabrics. You will want to ensure it is completely rinsed from fabrics. It may be safe to use but if not completely washed out of fabric before drying, it will break down all fabrics, not just those that are sensitive or delicate.

Enzymes - The enzymes used in laundry detergents act on materials that make up a variety of stains and soils so that these materials can be washed away more easily. These enzymes are named after the materials they can act upon, for example, proteases break down protein based stains, lipolases break down lipid (fat) based stains and amylases break down starches and other carbohydrate based stains (amyl is Greek for starch). Since one enzyme molecule can act on many substrate (i.e., soil) molecules, a small amount of enzyme added to a laundry detergent can provide a big cleaning impact according to manufacturers. However, enzymes can cause rashes, blisters and sores for some babies if they have sensitive skin or if it is not completely washed out of the fabric and becomes reactivated by urine or bowel movements causing a skin reaction.

Fragrance – either natural or synthetic, these additions to detergent are not essential cleaning ingredients and for those with allergies or sensitive skin, they can cause reactions in some.

Optical Brighteners – these chemicals are added to some detergents to help bend or refract the light to make clothing appear cleaner or whiter. They can be problematic in that they will cause build up over time in the fabric and lead to leaking or wicking problems with diapers and insert material.

Fabric Softeners– either built into detergent, added as a liquid or used in the dryer in the form of dryer sheets are not recommended as they will cause build up and leave a residue which will cause leaking. Items like dryer balls will help reduce static in the dryer if you wish to dry your diapers in that way. Even if you use fabric softener on other laundry and not in the loads of cloth diaper laundry, it can still leave a residue in your machine and dryer which can be transferred onto your cloth diaper laundry when it is being washed and/or dried.

Pure Soap– despite being a more natural cleaning component, pure soaps will leave a scum or residue on fabric and it will build up over time leading to leaking and repelling issues. Detergent which states it contains soap will not be the best choice for cloth diapers.

If you have a solid wash routine and a good detergent choice, then laundering cloth diapers can be successful for everyone.

Detergent Information Listing
For a detailed listing of recommended cloth diaper detergents please check out Bummis detergent information here.

Local Sources of Recommended Detergents

Here are the locations in Humboldt, Saskatoon and area that carry the following brands recommended for use on cloth diapers:

Humboldt:
Nature Clean and some varieties of Seventh Generation - Causeway Natural Health

St. Brieux:
Nature Clean - Lifewise Body Systems

Saskatoon:
Nature Clean - Dad's Nutrition, Nutters on Primrose Drive, Sangster's, Superstore
Country Save - London Drugs
Nellie's Laundry Soda - London Drugs
Seventh Generation - Delicate Care variety only is recommended for use on cloth diapers - Dad's Nutrition has some varieties of Seventh Generation

For Watkin's Laundry Powder contact your local Watkin's area representative.

As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us. We love to hear from you. If you need troubleshooting tips or laundry fixes, we can help!

Now that summer's here you can also hang those luvly cloth diapers on the line to dry. They'll smell so fresh and clean and the sun will naturally bleach out any stains.

That wraps up our second instalment on cloth diaper care. Our next topic in this area will address how to keep your diaper pail smelling fresh - even in summer. Now that's going to be sweet!

Baby Luv Boutique
http://www.babyluvboutique.com
(306) 682-5746
1-866-231-5135