Cloth Diaper Details...

I just switched my 21 month old and my 6 month old a couple months ago, it was so overwhelming for me trying to figure everything out. In order to help others out I am hosting a demo at my house in Lakeview, it's free. It would be perfect for you, if you are interested let me know. The woman who owns Love Bugs (www.lovebugsco.com) is teaching it (or answering questions). She helped me out a lot. I could get into all of the specifics of what I have learned and what I do now but maybe you could call me or send me a personal email and I can email you. You've made a great decision! My only regret was not starting earlier, it is so much easier than I imagined.

-We wash our diapers once a week but with 1-2 dozen you will probably wash every other day in the beginning. We do a hot wash followed by 2 cold rinses. We use 1/4 cup of Tide FREE and 1/8 cup or vinegar.
-Wash the covers just as often. We use 2 covers per day unless one is soiled. We alternate at changes so that the previous one has the chance to dry out again before use but we never use them again the next day.
-We keep the dirty diapers in a wetbag
-We use snappis and many different folds with our prefolds, where are you located, have you looked for a cloth diapering group, I'm sure they could help.

Hope that helps

Hi K.,
I just started using prefolds with my newborn so I can answer all your questions pretty well.

Currently I have 24 prefolds and 5 covers and have to do laundry every other day.

You need to either boil the prefolds for 45 minutes or wash them at least 3 times prior to the fist use. Cotton has a film on it that prevents water absorption, you must get rid of the film in order for the prefold to absorb urine. I chose to boil since it reduced the amount of water used. You will know if you have boiled/washed them enough if water soaks into the prefold and doesn't bead off. You need to use specific detergent with cloth diapers and no dryer sheets, dryer balls are used instead (got mine at Bed, Bath, and Beyond). You can research online the detergents that are okay, I use Charlie's.
Covers get thrown in the wash as well but I let mine air dry. I put my dirty diapers and covers a in bag that is in a pail. I got all my items at Be By Baby but you can buy them online as well. I just take the bag to the wash, throw in all the dirty diapers and the bag as well. You will also need a wet bag for your diaper bag. In terms of folding prefolds you can research that online as well. I use the newspaper fold with the snappis.

Some advice:
It is hard in the beginning because your newborn goes potty so often.
You need to change baby often since prefolds don't keep moisture off the body as well as a disposable diaper.
I use about 2 covers a day. When I remove the cover from baby it is always damp with urine. I lay that one out to dry and use another one. Just because it has urine on it doesn't mean you throw it in the wet bag, just let it air dry and use again. Of course if it is poopy I rinse it and throw it in the wet bag.
You may also want to look into getting a hose attachment for the toilet to rinse off the diapers prior to putting them into the wet bag.

Well good luck. It is tough to do in the beginning but give yourself at least 3 weeks to see if you want to do it. I wouldn't stop before then because it does get easier with time. Let me know if you have more questions, I am only 4 weeks into doing this as well so I can help you out.

www.diaperpin.com is a really great resource.

I believe that the store- Be By Baby does a cloth diaper class that may be helpful too.

I prefer the pocket diapers to the prefolds, personally. They just work better for me. Try a bunch of different kinds before settling on one.

No bleach!! We hot water wash with 1 extra rinse with Charlie's soap. If there is build-up- you can try baking soda or vinegar

Wash covers if they get stinky or if baby poops

I keep dirty dipes in a wet bag until I wash them. Keeps the smell contained

Many ways to use prefolds.... you can fold them in 3's so they resemble a maxi pad and lay them into a cover. You can bikini twist them (to make them thicker in the crotch). There are many styles of folding and then you can use a snappi or pins to close (not always necessary within a cover-- depending on the cover style-- pullup covers need the prefolds pinned).

We have used cloth diapers since birth (prefolds and coveres since the beginning), about 21 months now. A few months ago I discovered a website called www.greenmountaindiapers.com that is amazing! She has a ton of information on her website that will probably answer all of your questions. Cloth diapers are definitely the way to go!!

Prefolds are probably a great way to start out, especially with the million changes in the first few months. I had 2 dozen prefolds for a newborn and that worked great, gave me 2-3 days worth, give or take. I use All Free & Clear and do one cold rinse, hot wash and an extra rinse. Then in the dryer unless it's stained then I hang it outside to get the stain out. I use a tall kitchen garbage can without a liner and just wash it out in the tub every so often. 6 covers sound like a good start. Thirsties are great and they have cute colors. Or wool is great too. I wash a cover when it starts to smell like pee or it gets poop on it, then it goes in my dry pail. Sometimes I hand wash it if I'm running low or I want them to wear a certain one. Just a squirt of Dawn in the bathroom sink and hang it in the sun, just takes a few minutes. I love prefolds. I use a Snappi for them instead of pins and never got the hang of the trifold instead of snappi'ing it. I have a lot of snappis because they tend to get lost, misplaced etc. They are always somewhere I'm not it seems. I dont' have any problem with pf's at all. I think they are the best. I have some pockets and they are a little easier especially for people not really comfortable with cloth. Fuzzi Bunz, Bum Genius and Bluebery are great pockets. Not cheap at all but definitely makes changes easier and are trim. Diaperswappers is a great site and Be By Baby has a great class for $15 to really clear up all the confusion.
Good Luck.