Everyone has a different setup for dealing with their “to-be-laundered” diapers.  I think when you’re new to cloth diapering, you may have to fiddle around until you find what works for you.  But an issue that is near and dear to all of our hearts is how to combat stink from the diaper pail.  Because that stuff can build up and take over FAST if we’re not careful!

My method is this:  We have a changing table set up in our half bath downstairs, where the vast majority of diapers are changed in this house.  This way the diaper sprayer is right there, a stink with warm water for cloth wipes is right there and the diaper pail is also right there.  But just because all of this is in a bathroom doesn’t mean I want it to stink any more than it has to.  In fact, I want it to stink LESS because that room doesn’t need help stinking, am I right?  When the weather is nice, I open the small window we have in there for ventilation, but I’ve noticed I can keep it smelling decent in there even with the window shut.

I purchased a cheap kitchen trash can at Walmart.  It’s a simple Rubbermaid-style 13 gallon trash can with a lid that has an opening that slides open and closed.  What I do is spray the inside and the lid with Lysol and then put in the pail liner.  I use the Wahmies brand and it fits perfectly.  The added bonus is the little hemp patch located inside the liner that you can drop some essential oil onto it to further control odors.  My local store didn’t have anything like that, so I purchased a Glade plug-in essential oil refill and I use that on the patch of fabric.  It works great!  The liner goes into the wash with the diapers so it’s super easy to take care of (and I don’t have to touch any dirty diapers!).

Between the closed pail, the Lysol on the can on laundry day, and the liner with the hemp patch, our bathroom has never smelled BETTER.

So what to do YOU do to combat diaper pail stink?  I love to hear everyone’s solutions!

I’ve been happily using cloth diapers for almost two months now, but I’ve suddenly found myself in a dilemma. Over the past week, I’ve noticed a terrible odor coming from my son. I denied it for a while because I don’t want to have that problem. I pretended that it wasn’t the diapers and that my son just had a really stinky butt, but now I need to face the facts… it’s the diapers.

I use bumGenius diapers, and I have strictly followed the manufacturer’s washing recommendations throughout my entire journey. I’ve done the once-a-month non-chlorine bleach wash, and I’ve even line-dried when I can so they get that extra kiss from the sun that helps prevent stains and odors. I’ve searched for advice and tips online, and I’ve read up on detergent build-up and other issues that might be causing the odor but all of the recommended techniques are either a) not approved by Cottonbabies or b) haven’t worked.

There’s also one more issue I’ve been avoiding, the diapers are giving my son sores on his thighs. I don’t know if it’s from the velcro or if it’s from the pinching that occurs where the tabs fasten to the front of the diaper. They don’t seem to be bothering him, but I feel horrible knowing that the sores are there because of my choice to use these diapers.

I feel like a cloth diapering failure, and I’m not sure what to do. I can’t give up because I’ve put too much heart and money toward cloth diapering. I’ve contacted Cottonbabies for help, but their response made it clear to me that they didn’t even read my e-mail. I’ve spent the last two days trying to rid the diapers of the smell, and I feel like it shouldn’t be this hard.

One of my options is to return all of my BGs and switch to prefolds and diaper covers. I would hate to do that because I really love BGs, but if they are going to stink, I can’t use them because odor is not a sacrifice I’m willing to make. In my research I’ve found that a lot of mom’s are having this problem with microfiber inserts from various brands of diapers, not just BGs, and they are all having a hard time fixing it. I’ve tried using prefolds as inserts, and they don’t seem to smell as bad, but I haven’t been doing it long enough for an adequate evaluation of the process. If it comes down to using prefolds as inserts, I think I’m best off returning the BGs and re-investing my money in diaper covers. Why pay for a BG when I have to makeshift my own inserts?

Mommies, what should I do?

I’ve been spending more and more time over at the Diaper Swappers forum.  If you are new to cloth diapering like I am and haven’t heard of this place, you gotta check it out.  It’s like a cloth diaperer’s dream.  These gals, they are HARDCORE.  Well, most of them are.  But that’s what makes it fun.  Because they are INTO IT.  And they sort of make you want to be into it too.

But I’ve also noticed that there are several different and distinct categories of mamas who cloth diaper.  We are not like the bumGenius and one-size-fits-all.  And there’s no real way of knowing what your Cloth Diaper Personality is going to be until you actually start to use cloth diapers.  You may go in thinking you’re going to be one and end up being the other quite by surprise.  As far as I’ve noticed, the personalities are as follows:

The Couture Craver
The mamas are constantly on the lookout for the newest and hottest diapers.  The special embroidery, luxurious fabrics, trendiest designs… they spend hours searching hyena cart for the latest and greatest.  And price is of little consequence.  These ladies will sell off less exciting portions of their “stash” in order to get the $$ needed for the cutest fitteds or covers out there if they have to.  The Couture Craver has little use for bumGenius diapers, as they only come in five colors and no prints.  If they use prefolds, they are dyed for maximum eye-candy-ness.  These are the ones who will take photos of their stash to post causing everyone else to drool and ask, “Where did you get THAT?”  Nothing wrong with these ladies, but they have an eye for fashion and design and “it” factor.  If you want to see some cool diapers, ask these mamas where they shop.  Just watch your willpower when you do!

The Practical Purchaser
There are several types of practical when it comes to cloth diapers, but I’m talking about those who look for function over form.  Sure, the latest cover is adorable, but does it hold in wetness?  Yes, prefolds are inexpensive, but are they the most efficient option out there?  This is the mama that cringes at the notion of plunking down even $15 for something that isn’t going to deliver bang for it’s buck, and beyond.  I have to admit, I am one of these mamas.  I will see an adorable diaper cover or fitted and think, “Hey… maybe I can one or two of those…”  But then I start thinking sizes.  I could buy one and my daughter might be able to wear it several months or it might just be several weeks.  The Practical Purchaser is drawn in by the allure of the one-size diaper.  bumGenius is the end-all, be-all.  A diaper that works well and lasts for the (usually) the entirety of the diapering years?  That kind of practicality can be hard to resist.  These are the mamas that are drooling over the new bumGenius one-size organic diapers.  Anything that says, “You won’t have to buy any more diapers” is aces in a Practical Purchaser’s book.

The Eager Economist
This is the mama who hangs out at the FSOT (For Sale or Trade) forums at Diaper Swappers, and often scouts for good deals on the FFS (Free For Shipping) forum.  She also is the sort who will, if she has to, happily use prefolds with the cheapest covers she can find.  She prides herself on finding the best deal out there.  If there’s a coupon code, she knows what is is and where to use it.  She might not have a lot of extra money to spend on diapers but is a firm believer in cloth diapering so she perseveres.  Hence the deal scouting if she wants at all to have the “fancier” diapers.  Or maybe she has the money to spend but has an inherent inability to spend it.  I can understand and admire that, having that sort of issue myself.  This woman is also hardcore.  She will take pride in never paying full price for a diaper EVER.  Believe me, if anyone can do it, she sure can.  And she is quite happy to sacrifice convenience for low price.  In other words: a force to be reckoned with.

The Granola Gal
These are the mamas who are into every organic and natural.  They want no synthetic fibers to touch their baby’s bottoms.  They are serious about lessening their family’s impact on the environment and line dry all their diapers as well as using natural detergents for their diapers.  They get very excited about natural fibers like hemp and bamboo.  And if they can find all of these natural fibers in a diaper that is adorable to boot?  Well then stand aside!  She is willing to spend a little (or in some cases, a lot) extra in order to buy only organic and even if a particular diaper fits all her other desires, if it isn’t organic then it’s not cutting it.  These women are true environmentalists and chances are, they drive a hybrid.  Not to stereotype, of course, I mean them the greatest respect.  They want the best for their baby AND for the earth.  What could be more noble than that?

So there you have it.  I’m sure there are more Cloth Diaper Personalities out there, but this should cover the basics, don’t you think?  So tell me, which personality are you?