CD in the Philippines ... hand washing ... need help ASAP

[LaydieBugs]

Resources?  Suggestions?  What soap to use?  What diaper pail routine to use?

We are gifting 2 friends with a cloth diaper setup.  They are in the more rural parts of the Philippines, and live on a few dollars a day. 

My son's father is visiting in a week, and decided to bring the cloth.  He can give them a few lessons but he's not really dealt with the washing issues himself much.  And our son has about one poo per week, and has been breastfed, so the poo cleanup has been easier for us than many families experience. 

We are giving them each 2 dozen flat diapers (GMD, my favorite), and 4 Flip covers ... since this is what washes easily, and it's our most tried-and-true system so we feel comfortable recommending it.

They probably don't have anyone they know who has used cloth, either, to help them learn (I really hope we're not burdening them with a new problem, when we hope to help them keep costs down). 

[JamieCatheryn]

Bi-o-kleen is supposed to be the best if you want to send some with the diapers, comes in a dry powder version too. Any fragrance free laundry detergent will do nicely though. Or fels naptha and washing soda type of blends, but that would need stripping with hot water and/or vinegar now and then for buildup. Do you know how they currently handwash laundry? What tools they use or whatever? A washboard might be unpleasant with diapers since it's so hands-on, the "Breathing Washer" modified plunger-like product might work nicely. Honestly if you can wash clothes you can wash diapers, it's not much to learn. Getting into the routine of washing before you run out is the only trick to it.

[LaydieBugs]

Thanks.  I don't know anything about their current routine.

We prefer Country Save to Biokleen, and may send some.  But the main question is what they would do long-term after that initial bit runs out.  Thanks for the other soap suggestions.  I'm not even sure what is available there. 

[cristeen]

I honestly wouldnt worry about sending soap. Theyre going to have to get by w whats available at some point. I would however prep the dipes before sending them or be sure to send instructions on boiling before use. Are you sending pins? How about a printout on folding techniques w pictures for each step?

[LaydieBugs]

Yes, we are prepping the diapers before we send them.

We aren't sending pins or snappis, because we got Flip covers, which in our experience work best with a pad-folded diaper. 

I'm glad you mentioned boiling though ... I forgot that as a way to strip diapers if necessary. 

[cristeen]

But, you have to keep in mind that what works for you and your babe may not work for them or theirs. They are also in a tropical region, and PUL may not be ideal for them all the time. Having another option like pins would be a goid idea, IMO.

[LaydieBugs]

Yeah - really good point on the PUL! 

Maybe I can hand-me-down our two wool covers ... I was just concerned with their not having what they need to maintain the wool ...

We'll definitely send some pins and Snappis, and I'm trying to make a booklet on folding choices (and giving Dad a refresher course so he can help show them). 

[catherine1981]

I am pregnant with my first baby and currently living in the Philippines. I ordered all my stuff from GMD which my mom sent me along with a bunch of Charlie's Soap. Frankly, I don't think that I would have made the decision to cloth diaper as easily if I were back in North America. The landfill situation here is really bad and you have to pay a pretty penny for any disposables that aren't rejects from China with God-knows-what in them. We did buy a washing machine, have really reliable hot water, and will have a "helper" (the Filipino euphemism for "maid"), but still I'm sure that even without those things, your friends will be able to get their cloth diapers clean easier than constantly purchasing and throwing away disposables.