Storing cloth diapers
STORING USED CLOTH DIAPERS
Where to put used cloth diapers?
Used disposable diapers go in the bin. Used cloth diapers don’t. Where do they go? That's what we're going to explain to you in this article. But don't worry, it's not difficult at all. You should store used diapers as follows:
- in a dry environment (i.e., not in a bucket of water or soaked in water)
- well ventilated
- not too warm
Done.
Are you surprised now? No airtight bucket? No water bath? Exactly. It’s all water under the bridge. We now know better than we used to. And washing machines can also do things that you couldn't do with a saucepan in the past.
AVOID WATER AND HEAT WITH USED DIAPERS
When urine comes into contact with water, urea breaks down more quickly into ammonia due to the change in pH. You can probably imagine what ammonia smells like. It is an unpleasant, acrid smell. In addition, germs multiply particularly quickly in a warm and humid climate. So water and warmth are not necessarily effective for storing used diapers.
If you take this into account, you will understand our goal in this topic: When storing cloth diapers, we want to avoid that urine diapers come into contact with water (including condensation) and that germ-friendly temperatures are created. This also applies to rinsed flannels.
You will find very precise recommendations for the correct storage of our WindelManufaktur products in a clear table in our instruction manual with everything that is important.
RINSE USED DIAPERS: YES OR NO?
The question is therefore easy to answer: rinsing diapers after use is not necessary.
So it is best to store urinated diapers without rinsing them.
Diapers soiled with solids should first be shaken out over the toilet and removed with toilet paper if necessary. For easier removal, you can use a liner when changing diapers. Eliminations from breast feeding are water soluble and wash out easily in the pre-wash cycle.
If you still want to rinse them out, e.g. with a so-called "diaper sprayer" or the shower sprayer into the toilet, make sure to separate them from the urine diapers when storing them. Large pieces of solids do not belong down the drain of the sink, bath or shower.
WHERE TO PUT USED DIAPERS?
Now you know that rinsing is not the best solution when it comes to storage. However, water can happen in other ways. For example, in an airtight bucket. There, the heat from the diapers causes condensation to form on the lid and walls. That is why closed diaper pails also smell much stronger than open ones. The same applies to storage in plastic bags.
At best, they can be well ventilated from all sides and allowed to dry out. There are several ways to do this:
- Use a breathable wetbag made of PUL or wool and do not store it on or near a heater.
- Use a diaper pail without a lid. Put a pail liner in it to make it easier to put the diapers in the machine.
- Hang the used diapers to dry and then store them in a wet bag.
If you use a diaper pail, make sure that there is enough air exchange. If diapers come into direct contact with the pail, clean thoroughly on a regular basis to prevent germs from multiplying excessively.
This way you can store the diapers until the next wash. We recommend washing them after four days at the latest. Dried diapers may be able to wait longer until the next wash. However, there is still a risk of germs forming.
Under no circumstances should you store used cloth diapers in a bucket of water. In addition to germs, the material fibres swell and tear more quickly due to the mechanical action of the washing machine.
Often, only the absorbent inserts are soiled. Store them in the same way as described. We have helpful tips for storing inner and outer diapers in the Help Centre.
CLOTH AND DISPOSABLE LINERS MAKE SOLIDS REMOVAL EASIER
If you are not completely comfortable with removing the solids, you can use cloth or disposable liners. These are placed in the top of the diaper. They catch most of the big business.
You dispose of disposable liners after contact with solids. A cloth liner is the reusable option. We explain how to use both types.
Disposable diaper liner
Disposable diaper liner is a thin piece of fabric, usually made of cellulose, which is placed on the liners to catch solids.
It is best to dispose of the solids in the toilet, then put the liner in the residual waste bin. We advise against disposing of disposable diaper liner in the toilet because it can lead to blockages in the sewage system. In principle, like toilet paper, it should be able to dissolve in the sewer system within a very short time so that it can be disposed of in the toilet without any problems. It is not enough that it is biodegradable. If in doubt, please contact the disposable diaper liner manufacturer.
There are disposable diaper liners that can withstand several washes and can be used several times. For this reason alone, we advise you to dispose of it in the residual waste instead of in the sewage system. For more information on disposing of diaper liners, see the Zerowaste Family blog.
Cloth Liner
The washable version of the disposable fleece is the cloth liner, which is made of polyester fleece or wool. A liner is not absorbent. Instead, it catches solids and passes urine on to the absorbent inserts. Solids stick to it with difficulty and can be easily removed.
Usually, a liner also feels dry for longer because of its surface. This is why it is often called a Stay Dry Liner or Fleece Liner. For this reason, a liner is especially good if your baby has sensitive skin and may react with sore bottoms. It also protects your inserts when you need to apply cream to your baby's diaper area.
For eliminations from breastfeeding, you can use a cuddly fleece liner. This holds the more liquids than solids in the diaper much better than smooth liners. It also feels very soft against baby's skin and gives a dry feeling. You can put the diapers directly into the washing machine without any pre-treatment. Just remember to choose a pre-wash programme where the rinse water is pumped out before the main wash.
Another advantage of liners is that they are easier to clean than complete diapers or inserts. There are no creases for anything to get caught in. The risk of wear and tear is much lower.
Also with the liner, you dispose of the solids in the toilet by shaking it or with some toilet paper. Then put the liner in a wetbag. If you still want to wash it out, we advise you to store it separately from the urine diapers. You have already seen the reason for this above. You should wash the liner according to the washing label.
We are convinced of the benefits of liners, which is why we have a range of liners to choose from at WindelManufaktur.
WHAT TO DO IF IT SMELLS OR LEAKS?
There is a strong smell of ammonia in the Wetbag
- Do you perhaps have water soaked diapers or flannels in the bag?
- Is your Wetbag on the underfloor heating?
- Is it hanging too close to the radiator?
These could be the culprits.
Sometimes the night diaper is also "to blame" for the particular smell. If your child has had several urine excretions in the diaper over a long period of time, the urea may have already decomposed into ammonia in the diaper. You can rinse this out and hang it up to dry or store it separately from the other diapers. Daytime urine does not usually have a strong smell.
The diapers will only start to smell again with the next pee.
Do your diapers smell as soon as they get wet, after they have been freshly washed and dried? Then you should check your washing routine. It is possible that germs have settled in the diapers together with detergent residues or lime soap. You can find out more about this on our knowledge page about washing cloth diapers.
Solids always pass over the disposable diaper liner or liner
It is in the nature of babies' changing solids that they do not always collect well. If the solids are still very liquid, the top liner should be high-pile. Also make sure that the diaper fits well. It should not be so full that there is no room for the solids to pass.
If it makes you feel any better, liquid or greasy parts of the solids will dissolve easily in the washing machine. More solid parts should be caught with the help of disposable diaper liner/liners or removed with some toilet paper before you wash the diapers. So, especially in the transition phase to the firmer complementary feeding solids, you can do without disposable diaper liner and remove it directly from the liner.
Do solids diapers really not smell?
Newborns’ eliminations do not usually have a strong odour of their own. You can store them next to the diaper-changing area as described above without any pre-treatment.
As soon as baby food comes into play, odours arise, just like with us adults. If you don't want to wash it for another two or three days, it's a good idea to remove the gross dirt. Depending on how strong your child's solids smell, it may be better to store it on the balcony or in the bathroom.
STORING CLOTH DIAPERS ON THE GO
It may seem an unusual thought to put used diapers in your bag and take them home again. But don't worry, it's no problem at all. For the day trip you can use medium wetbags. They keep the used diapers odour and waterproof. Prepare the diapers with a liner or disposable diaper liner to make it easier to remove solids on the way. You can also add damp flannels for the short term.
Please note that the seams of wetbags may become soggy under pressure. Therefore, avoid placing other heavy items on top of the filled wet bag.
For longer journeys, you can use larger wetbags that hold two to three days' worth of diapers. You can even get through a long weekend without having to wash. If you're going to be away for longer, you'll need a washing facility. We have some tips for you on our knowledge page. Three-piece systems like the ManufakturWindel are ideal for travelling because they cause less laundry than other systems.