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Here are a few answers to questions that can commonly arise when using cloth diapers! We hope you find this helpful!
 
Can I make an appointment to see your products?
You sure can! We are located in Red Deer and Blackfalds, Alberta. We can be contacted through email: info@naturebums.com  phone: 403-885-1816 or you can stop by the Farmer’s Market to see our products. We are happy to set up a private consultation for you and your baby. During this time you can see the different options available to your family when it comes to cloth diapering- how many you will need, the different types, washing instructions, and helpful accessories to keep things convenient and easy- even for the babysitter!
 
How do I wash my cloth diaper?
There are many suggested ways to wash your cloth diapers. We encourage you to follow the directions given by the manufacturer for best results as their instruction may differ from the following.
    
1. Once dirty diaper is removed from baby, flush liner in toilet, remove insert from diaper and fold all laundry tabs closed. This is important so that your diapers do not stick to each other.
   2. Store dirty diaper, insert, cloth wipes and/or doublers in a diaper pail with a waterproof liner (hanging diaper pail liners are also great!).
   3. On laundry day, empty the pail liner and diapers into the washing machine, taking care to turn out all diapers from the pail liner. For most pocket diapers, the liner will work its way out during the first wash. If not, you may take any remaining liners out after the cold wash- so no need to handle smelly or wet inserts! We also recommend shaking your inserts out into your pail liner bag. Wash your diapers every 2-3 days.
   4. Use a cold prewash, followed by hot wash cycle with ¼ of the recommended detergent for the size of the load. End cycle with an extra cold rinse.
   5. Hang diapers to dry outside if possible, if not set on medium heat in the dryer.
   6. Try adding a ½ - ¼ cup of baking soda to the wash cycle to help with odors. Then add ½ - ¼ of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. You may also consider using oxygen bleach once a month which contains no additives or chemicals. **Never use bleach, borax, softeners or bounce sheets as they my cause build up on the diapers.
 
Is there a special detergent I should use when washing my diapers?
There are several detergents available that can be used with cloth diapers. You need to find one that works for you and your baby. Here are some things to look for when buying detergent. Look for fragrance free, dye free, chemical free detergents. Watch out for labels that use ‘Natural’ as they may still contain enzymes or other additives. Remember to use ¼ of the recommended amount of detergent. You may also consider using oxygen bleach once a month which contains no additives or chemicals.

Here is a list of Detergents that have safely used by other cloth diapering parents:
Allen's Naturally liquid/powder, Charlies Soap Liquid, Claudia's Choice, Country Save Powder, Mountain Green Baby Free & Clear, Nature's Clean Regular, Nellie's, Sensi-Clean (sportwash), 7th Generation Delicate Care, Wonderwash

Please note that results may very depending on water conditions. We reccommend using 1/2 of the recommended amount for top loaders, and 1/4 of the recommended amount for HE front loaders. This is simply an approximation, and something you may have to test with your washing conditions. 
 
 What causes detergent build-up or residue? How do I get rid of it?
If your diapers have a strong ammonia smell when wet or they have an oily texture to them you may have detergent build-up or residue on your diapers. Smells are also often caused when your diapers are not washed with enough hot water. You may need to strip your diapers to get rid of any build up that is causing leaks. Follow these instructions:
    
  1. Wash diapers as normal. *Consider changing detergents as the current detergent may be causing a residue.
   2. At the end of the normal cycle continue with an additional HOT water cycle with no detergent at all (optional ½ cup baking soda to neutralize and eliminate odors).
   3. Follow with another HOT rinse (optional ½ cup white vinegar) to get rid of remaining residue.
   4. Lastly, run as many cold rinse cycles as needed without detergent until there are no signs of soap suds (2-4 rinses with or without vinegar).
   5. Dry diapers on HIGH in the dryer or hang to dry in the sun. Repeat process as many times as needed.
 
My diapers smell like ammonia when wet, what can I do?
This often indicates that you have residue build up on your diapers, your hot wash is not using enough HOT water, or that you are not using enough detergent. First, try increasing the amount of detergent you are using in your load. If that doesn’t work, try adding ½ cup of baking soda to your wash cycle, and ½ cup white vinegar to your rinse cycle. For HE front loaders, you may have to add a wet towel to "trick" the machine into thinking its a heavier load, thus creating more hot water to clean your diapers. Be sure you are not over filling the machine with too many diapers. Diapers should be washed every 2-3 days. Finally, you may need to strip your diapers of residue if the previous suggestions haven’t worked. See What causes detergent build-up or residue? How do I get rid of it?
 
How do I get stains out of my diapers?
If you wash your diapers every 2-3 days you shouldn’t have a problem with stained diapers. Also, if you use a biodegradable liner in the diapers than you simply flush it down the toilet. However, if you do find that your diapers have a few stains, lay clean, wet diapers in the sunlight and allow the sun to bleach and sanitize your diapers. You may also consider using oxygen bleach in moderation, which contains no additives or chemicals. Please be sure to read your diaper’s care instructions, as this may void any warranty.
 
 How do I prepare my brand new diapers?
It is necessary to wash your new diapers before use for several reasons. First, they have been handled, packaged and touched by several people and objects. They need to be cleaned. Second, your diapers need to be washed up to 10 times before they are fully absorbent. You do not have to necessarily wash them 10 times before use, however keep in mind that they need to be washed several times to attain full absorbency.  We recommend you start with 3 full wash and dry cycles before use on your baby. For Bamboo and Hemp fibres, we recommend at least 4-6 hot washes.
 
 Can I use both disposable and cloth diapers?
Some customers prefer to use a combination system of cloth diapers and disposable diapers. If this works best for your family then go ahead and give it a try. Keep in mind that the maximum savings from cloth diapering only comes when you use cloth diapers on a full time basis.
 
 Do I have to rinse a poopy diaper?
Not always. If you are using a biodegradable liner, simply flush the liner down the toilet and store the dirty diaper in your diaper pail. However, if you do encounter a messy one you can use a diaper sprayer to rinse your diapers. Consider purchasing a diaper spray that hooks to the back of your toilet. For most babies, the early, runny, breast milk poop will rinse completely clean in the wash, and pre-rinsing is not necessary.
 
Will my cloth diapers leak?
Cloth diapers should not leak if you have chosen the right absorbency and fit for your baby. Keep in mind that with One Size (OS) diapers you may need to experiment a few times to obtain the perfect setting for your baby. With Perfect Size diapers (XS,S,M,L) you may find leaks if the diaper is to big or to small for your baby. If you find your diapers are continually leaking, consider checking your diapers for detergent residue. See What causes detergent build-up or residue? How do I get rid of it?
 
 Can I use the cloth diapers overnight?
Yes! Cloth diapers can be used overnight. We recommend that you use a doubler during naps or overnight for extra protection. Cloth diapering is unique in such a way that you can customize your babies diaper to his/her needs. You may need to try a few combinations before getting the perfect overnight diaper for your baby. We use a pocket diaper with an extra insert stuffed in the pocket for our daughter. Our friends use a fitted diaper with a cover for overnight. It really depends on your baby and his/her needs.
 
 Can I use a diaper rash cream with cloth diapers?
Daily use of diaper creams, lotions or Vaseline can lead to a residue on your diapers that cause leaks and odors. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to use a diaper cream every time you change a cloth diaper. This is a common practice with disposable diapers because normally babies are left for longer periods of time in disposable diapers, as it’s difficult to tell when they are wet. Diaper rashes are less common with cloth diapers because it is easier to tell when they are wet. However, if you must use a rash cream we suggest that you use Happy Baby Rash Salve as it is all natural and safe to use with cloth. We also recommend that you still use a diaper liner, either fleece, biodegradable, or even a dry cloth wipe placed inside the diaper. If residue is apparent, you may need to strip your cloth diapers.