Making the switch to family cloth

[binkin]

So I have been considering this for a while and have finally decided to take action. I am so allergic to everything, and cloth pads and a Keeper made such a huge difference in my life, I don't know why I've put off trying family cloth for so long. I have been trying to do some reading but it seems like a stealthy subject because Google is not forthcoming with the goods! I have some pretty basic questions, if anyone could answer them for me.

1. Do you think I could make flannel wipes myself? I am really not a good seamstress and I just have a basic sewing machine, not a serger. If I cut the flannel into squares, double them up, and just zig zag the edges, will that hold up OK?

2. Does anyone know of a good source for unbleached organic flannel cloth? Much as I'm dying to try the cute prints, the idea is to get the bleaching chemicals away from my nether regions, so... oh well!

3. What would be a good solution to use for the wet wipes? I am reading basically distilled water, Dr. Bronner's, almond oil, and tea tree oil. I figured I could moisten a few wipes and just keep them in a glass jar (trying to reduce use of plastics), not too many so they don't mildew?

4. How could I sew a bag to keep used wipes in? I am seeing information about PUL but, uh... I am such a novice at sewing I'm not really sure what that is or where to buy it. It seems like sewing up a drawstring bag ought to be pretty simple - I just need to line it? I figured I would put it inside out in the washer when I wash the wipes.

I'm sorry about all these questions! I'm sure they've been answered a hundred times but I just can't seem to find as much information as I want. DH is on board, although I can't quite figure out if he's going to try them or stick with paper. He's so great about being supportive of stuff I do, though, and I think if I use the cloth all the time he'll eventually just do it too.

[anamama]

Hey, that's great! There's a mama who has typed up a whole family cloth tutorial. Her business is called Fern and Faerie, and you can buy the article here: http://hyenacart.com/FernandFaerie/index.php?c=14&p=47 I'm pretty sure it's well worth the .50!
We just keep out wipes on the back of the toilet in a little basket. We wet them at the sink, which in our tiny bathroom, is right under your hands when you're on the pot! : Then I just wash them with my mama cloth and the cd's.
You could make a nice little wool wetbag out of an old felted sweater, and steer clear of PUL altogether. That would be easy to handsew, too, if you wanted to.
:

[binkin]

Oh, thank you! Felting is something I'm a lot more comfortable with, as a knitter. I was planning to make a little felted basket/bowl to keep dry wipes in. I may just wet moist ones with the tap water - our sink is easily accessible when you're on the toilet, too. Let's hear it for small bathrooms! (I actually get weirded out when I'm in a big bathroom - why so much space for a room where you don't spend much time?)

I'm going to look at that article, I'm sure I can find .50 for it and I like to support WAHMs!

[thixle]

I use family cloth, and dd uses them (she's 2 and a half). Dh doesn't want to, and I'm cool with that since us girls use the most anyway!

1. Yes You can also use pinking shears to cut them out and keep them from fraying so bad. Or you can sew it inside out and leave a little opening to turn it right side out, then sew around the whole thing again. Or use t-shirt fabric that won't fray at all.
2. Can't help ya
3. I use water and ACV, just keep a cup of it on the sink. Any soaps or EOs just don't make our bottoms happy around here. Or just use water (I wouldn't like a potty where you couldn't reach the sink!)
4. I like a mesh bag so air can circulate. It really doesn't smell. I tried a plastic coffee can and it got stinky fast, but a simple mesh drawstring bag works awesomely (like a lingere bag). I have a suction-cup hook on the side of the toilet where the bag hangs.

Ah, cloth tp, I love thee so....

[anamama]

I've been thinking about the fabric thing, and I have to say we love our organic cotton and bamboo velour wipes the most. You would be spending a little more initially, but they are totally unbleached and organic and SO soft. If you really want to go for squishy yumminess, look at the wipes over at AhMay: www.hyenacart.com/ahmaydesigns I actually got my parents some of her beauteous wipes for Christmas (yes, they're super cool parents ). They are dyed, though, so I don't know if they would irritate sensitive skin or not. We've never had a problem with our handdyed baby wipes or fc.
Have fun putting your stash/basket/dirty bag together!

[brogansmomma]

Mine are double-layer serged ones so can't help you on non-serged wipes.

I only use mine for pee so don't worry about wet solutions or anything like that.

I put my used ones in a crock with a lid that fits nicely between my toilet and tub at the back by the wall. I picked it up at Value Village; it was a kitchen canister (flour? sugar?) in its former, more glamorous life. The waiting-to-be-used cloths are kept in a basket in the sink cabinet. Hooray for small bathrooms here too. Just bend over a little and reach into the cupboard door...