[glorib]

Hi! I am lori and bigbellydreams sent me over here! (thanks!)

I am planning on using cloth diapers, but with a diaper service. So I am wondering if I can still use covers from other places, do I need covers? etc. From what I understand they drop off the diapers and pick them up-wash em and bring em back...
They are rectangle in shape.
Could any of you offer up some advice on this whole thing as far as why you would choose to wash them yourselves vs a service. Is it just for economics? any other wisdom you can offer up would be greatly appreciated!
tia!

 

[HRC121799]

We're new to cloth diapering too, but we did decide to wash our own dipes. vs. a diaper service because it's less expensive than the service, and we can pick out whichever diapers we want rather than using the diaper services kind (unless they wash any cloth dipes?). You could buy your own covers and use those I think, but then you'd have to wash them at home. I don't have much wisdom on this topic yet,lol. I do know it's fun so far though, and I love seeing my little guy in his soft diapers.

 

[Artisan]

You can absolutely buy your own covers and wash them yourself while using a service.

The advantages of washing your own are that you know what's going in the wash water. You know for sure that you're not using bleach or other harmful chemicals, and that your child's diapers are not being washed with many others. You can guarantee that they're well rinsed.

In addition, you can use GREAT fitted diapers, which, IMO, are more absorbent and keep poop off the covers/clothes better. (Fitteds close with snaps or velcro and then you put a cover over it.) You can also use all in one diapers (AIOs), which don't need a separate cover and are very easy to use. In addition, you can get tons of cute diapers, reuse them for subsequent children, and sell them when you're done with them.

Welcome!

 

[Aurora]

Quote:

Originally posted by sharonal You can absolutely buy your own covers and wash them yourself while using a service. The advantages of washing your own are that you know what's going in the wash water. You know for sure that you're not using bleach or other harmful chemicals, and that your child's diapers are not being washed with many others. You can guarantee that they're well rinsed. In addition, you can use GREAT fitted diapers, which, IMO, are more absorbent and keep poop off the covers/clothes better. (Fitteds close with snaps or velcro and then you put a cover over it.) You can also use all in one diapers (AIOs), which don't need a separate cover and are very easy to use. In addition, you can get tons of cute diapers, reuse them for subsequent children, and sell them when you're done with them. Welcome!

What she said.

 

[HRC121799]

Oops, double post!

 

[chaos_pie]

we currently use a diaper service (and have for 11 mo now...although I will be switching soon to DIY). I have totally loved it. We chose the service to simply try out cloth (used disposables on ds). It has really been great for helping me gradually adjust to the whole cloth diapering scene. 11 mo ago I never had any plans to DIY, I was just trying to go for 3 months in cloth (since I remember using so so so many diapers in the newborn days). After 3 mo, I just kept going.

At this point, I have realized it would be a TON cheaper to just DIY. I can buy enough prefolds (the rectangular dipes the service provides) in what I pay for 1 mo. of service.

In answer to your other question....You use your own covers. And you wash your own covers. It is up to you how you use the CPF (prefold dipe). You can just trifold them into the cover or you could pin or snappi. In the early days I just trifolded because that was the easist thing I could figure out.

Good luck! I have found a service a great way to try it out without an investment. I have loved the prefolds and that will be what I will buy (I still find all the all-in-one and fitted dipe scene complicated and overwhelming

)

 

[blazfglori]

Welcome Lori!

Looking forward to getting to know ya!

...I think the other Mamas have pretty much covered why it's great to wash dipes yourself.

 

[Spicey Momma]

Some of the reasons I choose to wash my own dipes are

1. Diaper service in my area is $82 monthly
2. They only supply 100 dipes weekly (we go thru about 15 to 20 daily)
3. I wanted to be able to use whatever diapers I wanted
4. I didn't want dirty dipes sitting in my house for a full week! I wash every 2 to 3 days.
5. Even with a service you still have to wash your own covers and wipes (if you choose to use cloth wipes) so you are washing ANYHOW!

I enjoy washing my own diapers. I like making sure I get all the stains out, and how fluffy they are out the dryer. I like folding them and putting them away. I even like stacking all my wipes and getting them rinsed and a little soapy for my wipes warmer

And I totally completely enjoy buy a NEW DIPE for a good price