Sweet Cheeks Covered in Cloth

PookaPants cloth diapers are sew easy to use and care for, you’ll start to wonder why everyone doesn’t jump on the cloth bandwagon!  I prewash the fabrics before the sewing process begins, and I live in a smoke/ pet free home; however, I recommend pre-washing them yourself before use.  They can be handled in the shop a few times before they reach your sweet baby.

Step 1:  Place baby in diaper, adjusting snaps or velcro to give your growing baby that perfect fit.

Step 2:  Cover with a pair of lanolized Wool-Agains soaker, longies, or footies.  Other conventional diaper covers will also fit over Pookapants.  (We’ve tried them all!  We just love the look and feel of cozy wool!!)

What to do when it’s time for a change?  Keep your diapers in a bin until laundry time.  We use a regular old 5 gallon bucket with a lid.  (Hardware store, $5 investment.  A bit rugged, but we’re happy with it.) No need to add water or any other liquids to the bucket.  If you must add something to keep that ammonia smell down, I’d recommend a sprinkle of pure baking soda between diaper layers.  We go through about 10 a day and usually wash that load at the end of the day.

Yeah, yeah, pee diapers are easy.  What about Poo?!  Well, get ready to learn even MORE about your tiny tot.  Nothin’ says lovin’ like leanin’ over the toilet elbows deep in pooey water.  Yes, you’ll have to swish and scrub the poo into the pot.  Just remember all the benefits that come from Cloth Diapering (did you read that blog??).  Go to your happy place, sing yourself a song, and it will soon be over.  Throw rinsed off diaper in the bucket.  Close the lid.  Flush the toilet and wash your hands (and elbows   thoroughly.  Continue singing song until you feel well again.  Seriously though, I have to say that I’ve learned a lot about what my baby can and cannot digest while cleaning out his diapers.  And I’ve learned where all those missing crayons ended up!

Wash your diapers on a hot cycle, using a baby mild detergent.  An extra rinse cycle is recommended.  Toss them in the dryer for 10 minutes to fluff, and hang on a sunny clothes line.  The sun is our cloth diapering friend because it naturally rids the diapers of bacteria and urine smells.  Not to mention, its natural bleaching powers.   On cloudy days, it may take a tumble or two in the dryer to get them completely dry.  We keep a drying rack next to the heater to save on bills.  Heat the home and dry diapers overnight!  Sun is always best, but I like to throw mine in for a tumble for a bit of time at least.  It prevents them from turning into stiff cardboard diapers.  Averie doesnt like stiff cardboard dipes!

**Never use fabric softener or dryer sheets with cloth diapers, as it prevents absorption!**