Storing Cloth Diapers + #giveaway

I am so over cloth diapers… and onto the sweetest little undies a mama can find! From superheros to Minnie Mouse, Millie is sporting a new look these days!

But don’t ask me about potty training. Thus far, that has consisted of me, on a snowy Friday morning, declaring “I don’t want to wash cloth diapers anymore” and “Millie needs to be in the big kid dance class”.

Thankfully, I have the support of an epic community, and Kelly Guertin, owner and guru of Bellani Maternity in Warwick, RI… and the gentle nudge I needed to SHUT UP AND DO IT, laid just within my grasp! So… we’re in it! And we’ve been pretty successful during the day, and no accidents overnight. #amen

And here we are.

A pile of cloth diapers…

lay at my feet and I know I can smell something. It wasn’t necessarily urine, but something. After collecting every last item, from my pre-folds to my wet bags, I took a few simple steps to store my diapers for future use. Thankfully, I’ve been to this rodeo before, so my plan was perfectly arranged.

Storing cloth diapers isn’t hard, but it’s important to do it right, especially if you want to keep your stash fresh for any [possible] future children, or to possibly pass on or sell later!

Clean & Dry

Make sure your diapers are clean and dry. CLEAN and DRY.

Any stains that are left on your diapers during storage will be there to stay! To give them a good cleaning, go through your typical cleaning cycle. There should be NO trace of odor (as usual, never use fabric softeners), then follow with two rounds of Mighty Bubbles. RLR is another option, but Mighty Bubbles from Grovia have served me best! Formulated to remove buildup of urine and minerals from cloth diaper, it’s phosphate free and pH neutral without any ammonia, alcohol or ethers. They dissolve completely and are safe for all washers, including HE!

Lastly, your diapers must be dry. Bone dry- but that doesn’t mean high heat. If the diapers are not dry, they will form mildew which will ruin your them, but high heat is never good for the fabrics or elasticity. I line dry my diapers, almost to complete dry, then toss them in the dryer on low heat for 60 minutes.

Replacement

Now that your diapers are all clean and shiny, investigate. Check all snaps, velcro, and elastic. If something needs to be replaced, do it now! “When you’re pregnant” is not the time to have to do the work it takes to replace gussets.

Your diapers can last through all of your children- yes, all. But you have to care for them!

Storage Containers:

To begin, wrap each diaper in acid-free tissue paper, and loosely stack into a container (or bag) that won’t degrade and will seal out dirt, dust, rodents, insects, and moisture. Each storage container should contain a cedar block– this will help repel insects (hooray!). Look for #5 plastic for the best storage.

Climate matters:

You want to avoid dampness, extreme heat, and sunlight. Wherever your storage area is, do not let the diapers be exposed to direct sunlight. Your cloth diapers should be stored between 32°F and 85°F. A cool, dry area is best, which rules out most attics and garages. Be wary of basements, as well, as they may be too damp. Ours are stored in the guest room, as that is the planned location for baby 3 (no, we’re not pregnant, just planning).

For humid climates:

Make sure that your diapers are in a moisture-proof container.

For dry climates:

If you’re storing in a clean, dry environment, a cardboard box works well for storage, as long as it is not subject to rodents or insects.

So, now that we’re done with cloth diapers… what adventure lies ahead?
Planning Addie’s 504! #bringiton

But before that? Let’s win a BumGenius Freetime Limited Edition Sierpiński diaper! Please note, THIS IS NOT SPONSORED BY BUMGENIUS… in fact, this print was gifted to me by Bellani Maternity about a year ago, so I wanted to pay it forward to you- and purchased one this weekend for you!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Other video resources:
My stash!
5 Cloth Diapering Tips!
The 11 Best Ways to Destroy Your Cloth Diapers!