Each year we recognize a cloth diaper from years past, the flat!  Flats are sometimes referred to as your Grandma’s cloth diaper because mothers used to cut flour sacks into large pieces of fabric to use for clothing and diapers for their children.  Today most store bought flat diapers are 100% birdseye cotton but can also be made of hemp or bamboo.  Flats don’t have to be store bought though, they can be made from any piece of absorbent fabric including bed sheets, t-shirts, and kitchen towels.

With so many modern cloth diapering options why would a family choose old-fashioned flat diapers?

It may be hard for you to believe but 1 out of every 3 families struggle to pay for diapers.  Disposable diapers aren’t cheap and a family who is trying to stretch a budget to pay for housing, transportation, groceries, and clothing may not always have enough money for all of the necessities.

Fact: Diapers are NOT part of any low income assistance programs by the government.

Because diapers are a necessity for babies from birth through potty training some of these struggling families stretch the length of time that they leave their baby in a disposable diaper which can lead to rashes, infections, and illness.  Many of these parents don’t realize that there is another option….cloth diapers!

While modern cloth diaper brands start at $15, flat cloth diapers can be purchased for just $2.00 a diaper plus the cost of a cover.  For as little as $50 a family could have enough flats and covers to diaper a baby for 1-2 days, even less if they use found items like t-shirts, old sheets, or towels.  Using flat diapers can save a family about $50-75 a month that they can use to pay for other necessities and their reusable so they will save that money each and every month.  What could you afford if you had an extra $50-75 a month?  

Fact: Not all families have access to washing machines.

Did you now that you can easily hand wash cloth diapers at home?  Since flat diapers are thinner they are easier to hand wash (compared to other types of cloth diapers) and they dry very quickly.  This will save a family additional money from having to go travel to a laundromat and pay to wash their diapers.  Hand washing can be done at home, with minimal supplies and effort for almost pennies a load.

Supplies needed to hand wash flat diapers:

• Laundry detergent
• Bucket or tub
• Hands, feet, plunger, and gloves (optional)
• Drying rack (optional)

How to Hand Wash Flat Diapers:

• Depending on how many cloth diapers you have you may need to hand wash every 1-2 days.  The more often you wash the easier your diapers will come clean and the less effort it will require.

• Pre-rinse (optional) – quickly rinse solids and urine from your diaper after you remove it from your baby with cool or warm water.  Wring out the diaper and place it in your diaper pail or wet bag until it’s time to wash.

• When it’s time to wash, rinse your diapers in cool or warm water to remove any urine or solids that are left.  You may use your hands, feet, or even a plunger to help you get the diapers rinsed well.  Wring out the diapers before the next step.

• For the wash cycle, fill up your bucket or tub with hot water and laundry detergent.  How much detergent? It really depends on how large your wash bucket is but don’t be afraid to use enough to get your diapers clean.  Add your diapers to the tub of soapy water and begin to agitate to get your diapers soapy.  This can be done with your hands, feet, or with the help of a plunger.  Continue this process of washing until you feel that your diapers are clean.  You may find that doing this process twice may end with cleaner diapers.

• After your diapers are clean you’ll need to rinse all of the detergent from them.  Drain the soapy water, squeeze out the excess water and begin to add clean water (temperature of rinse water is not as important) to rinse.  Rinse by agitating the diapers in the clean water.  You may need to drain your rinse water and repeat this process a few times until there are no more soap bubbles in the water.

• After your diapers are rinse clean you’ll need to squeeze out as much water as possible.  The more water you remove at this step, the quicker the diapers will dry.  You can sandwhich your diapers between a few dry towels to help squeeze out even more water before you hang your diapers to dry.

• Hang or lay your diapers to dry.  Depending on your climate this can be done indoors or outdoors.

Would you like to learn more about flat diapers and hand washing?  May 20-26th Dirty Diaper Laundry blog is hosting the 3rd Annual Flats Challenge with over 225 participants around the world.  Participants will use only a limited number of flats and covers to diaper their babies for a period of 7 days AND they will hand wash for the entire week.  To learn more visit Dirty Diaper Laundry and follow this years #flatschallenge online.

To purchase a complete starter stash off flats and covers we think you may like our Flip & Flats package for $62.85.

What is the Diaper Hunt?  It’s an internet scavenger hunt – for cloth diaper lovers!  By visiting the sites on the hunt during the month of May 2013, you have an opportunity to explore a myriad of excellent natural family sites as you qualify for random prize drawings by locating the hidden hunt icon.

We have hidden hunt icons on our store (www.kellyscloset.com) and hope that you have fun hunting for them.  To get started visit our Home Page and click on Clue #1 and follow the clues until you have found the “Found It!” icon.  Click on the final icon and it will take you back to the Diaper Decisions website to enter your email address.  This is how you confirm that you found the hidden icons and how you enter to win the prizes in the hunt.

Prizes?  Yes!!!  All of the sponsors have donated prizes for you.  At the end of the hunt Diaper Decisions will randomly select winners and send the prizes out to you.  We have donated an infant cloth diaper t-shirt and cloth diaper windshield decal for one lucky winner!  Will it be you?

What are you waiting for?  Get started hunting now!  The official hunt starts at 11am ET today (May 1st) so you may want to wait a bit longer before you begin – but at least you can get registered now!

There’s more!  Once you are registered, Diaper Decisions will send you an email with a coupon code.  This coupon code will get you discounts and special offers from the sponsors. For Kelly’s Closet if you use your coupon code (we won’t share the code here – you have to register to get it) you’ll save $5 off your next order of $25 or more.  There are a few manufacture exclusions – not valid on bumGenius, Flip, Econobum, Hemp Babies, Thirsties, GroVia or Sloomb brand products.  Limit 1 use per customer and 1 coupon code per order.

Common causes of diaper rash:

• Teething.  When a baby is teething they produce an abundance of saliva.  You will notice excess drool, wet shirts, and fussiness when your baby is teething but that excess saliva is also ingested and can lead to diaper rash.  Changing your baby more frequently and using a cloth diaper safe ointment may help reduce the chances of diaper rash.  Naked time can help with this type of diaper rash as well.
• Illness and medication.  If your baby has been sick or on certain medications (especially antibiotics) they may be more prone to diaper rashes; including yeast rashes.  You’ll want to consult with your family doctor if you think it may be a yeast rash.  Changing your baby more frequently and using a cloth diaper safe ointment may help reduce the chances of diaper rash.  Naked time can help with this type of diaper rash as well.  If you determine the rash is yeast you’ll want to disinfect your diapers to prevent the rash from coming back.  
• New foods, acidic foods, or diet allergies.  When you introduce your baby to a new food for the first time their stomach may not welcome the changes easily and may result in a diaper rash.  Food that are acidic (tomato’s and tomato based foods, berries, oranges, etc) may also lead to diaper rash.  Allergic reactions to certain foods may also result in a diaper rash.   Changing your baby more frequently and using a cloth diaper safe ointment may help reduce the chances of diaper rash.  Naked time can help with this type of diaper rash as well.  Thankfully, your baby will outgrow most diet related sensitivities as they get older.     
• Wet and soiled diapers.  Yes, sitting in a wet or dirty diaper, even for a short period, can result in diaper rashes for some babies.  Diapers lined with a stay dry layer next to your baby’s skin will help wick the moisture away from their skin and keep them dry.  When using a natural fiber (cotton, bamboo, or hemp) you may want to use a fleece or silk liner next to their skin to help wick that moisture away.   Changing your baby more frequently and using a cloth diaper safe ointment may help reduce the chances of diaper rash.  Naked time can help with this type of diaper rash as well.
• Mineral and/or detergent buildup.  If you have hard water, use too much detergent, the wrong type of detergent, fabric softeners, or other laundry additives you may have buildup in your diapers.  Buildup in gunk that doesn’t rinse clean and causes your diapers to not rinse cleanly.  This is most often a problem in older microfiber inserts.  It may be time to strip your cloth diapers and you can read all about that process: How to strip your cloth diapers.
• Ammonia.  Similar to mineral and detergent buildup, ammonia may be the cause of your diaper rash.  You are most likely to experience ammonia in an older child and/or if your diapers aren’t getting clean enough due to buildup.  You may want to read; Understanding ammonia and cloth diapers for more information.
• Fabric or detergent sensitivities.  While not the most common cause of a diaper rash; some babies may be sensitive to certain fabrics or detergents.  If your baby is allergic (or sensitive) to fleece pajamas or clothing, they may be sensitive to fleece, microfleece, or suedecloth lining in diapers.  Enzymes are found in some detergents (like Tide) and may cause sensitivities in infants and young children.  Discontinue the use of these fabrics and/or detergents to see if the rash goes away.

There may be other factors that may be causing a diaper rash on your baby.  Remember that we are not doctors and cannot diagnose your baby’s diaper rash; however we can help you narrow down the causes.  Please consult your child’s doctor if the rash is persistent or recurring.  

Remember that more frequent diaper changes, the use of a cloth diaper safe ointment or cream, and fresh air can help heal/prevent most common diaper rashes.

Have you ever wanted to tell you friends just how awesome cloth diapers are but didn’t quite know how to start that conversation?  We worked with our graphic designer to create an exclusive design just for you and your family.  She took all of our favorite cloth diaper sayings and terms and turned them into a fun cloth diaper subway art t-shirt.

T-shirts are available in both adult and infant/toddler sizes.  For adults there is the “I Love Cloth Diapers” on the front and the design on the back.  For infant/toddler the design is on the front only.

Adult t-shirts come in black, white, or grey and in sizes from small to extra large.  They are a woman’s cut shirt but not fitted.  It will fit better than a traditional mans shirt without the worry of showing off our insecure areas (it’s ok, we all have them).  The infant and toddler shirts are in white or black only at this time.

What about the men?  Let us know if your man would like a t-shirt and if we get a big enough response we’ll add some men sizes too!

Don’t want to wear a cloth diaper t-shirt but still want to show off your passion?  May we suggest a window decal instead (or in addition to the t-shrits).  You can apply these decals to the outside window of your car, truck, van, bus, or airplane (you never know) and only the white wording will appear.  It only takes a few minutes to apply and is a subtle way to share cloth diapers with your community.

To add a cloth diaper t-shirt or decal to your next order just visit us at Kelly’s Closet and look under Advocacy Gear (or just click the words and we’ll magically take you to the product page).  Once you get your gear snap a picture of you or your child wearing the shirts or of your new decal on your car and share it with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.  We’d love to see them in action.

They are finally here!  The new & improved FuzziBunz Elite one-size pocket diaper is back in stock.  We are excited to hear that the testers love the improvements to one of our best-selling diapers of all time.

What’s new?

A wider crotch.  This will allow the Elite to fit a larger range of babies; including those chunky monkeys and toddlers!  Don’t worry, they still fit the bitty babies just fine.

A wider pocket.  No more struggling to stuff your inserts into the pocket.  The new wider pocket is even wide enough that dad can help stuff the pockets now.

Now with microfiber inserts.  FuzziBunz found that customers prefer the microfiber over the minky inserts so they switched back to microfiber.  If you love the minky, don’t fear – they will still be available for purchase.  Each diaper still comes with one newborn insert and one med-large insert.

Stretchier elastic and larger button holes.  The stretchier elastic will give you a better fit; while the larger button holes will make it easier to adjust the size.

Same great warranty!  FuzziBunz will continue to offer their lifetime warranty on the snaps and PUL.

Same great colors!  FuzziBunz didn’t change their beloved colors at all.  In fact, they will be adding to their color scheme in the next 1-2 months to include black and some limited edition prints.

You can watch the video release by FuzziBunz owner and creator, Tereson Dupuy, here or on YouTube.

Direct link: FuzziBunz Elite 2013 Release

What others are saying about the new FuzziBunz Elite:

Lacey H: I got one and they are amazing, no more sticky PUL! The PUL isn’t sticky at all and it was SO easy to adjust the elastic. (Facebook)

Jennifer R: I was a tester and they are so much better now! (Facebook)

Add one of the new and improved FuzziBunz Elite to your stash today!  You can find them in-stock now at Kelly’s Closet.  

We have a winner!  Thank you all so much for entering our Egg Hunt and we hope that you had fun reading all of our contributing bloggers posts.  They did an amazing job!

Winner:  Sarah!  No last name was given but we have emailed Sarah to let her know that she won.

Coupon Code:  I realized quickly that emailing this many people individually might be a daunting task so we’ve decided to share the code here.  You may use the coupon code BASKETOFFLUFFHUNT at www.KellysCloset.com until Friday, April 6th.  The coupon is good for $5 off $35 or more with some exclusions.  (GroVia, bumGenius, Flip, Econobum, Hemp Babies, Thirsties, and Sloomb brands are excluded). Limit 1 code per order. Limit 1 use per customer.

Do you like egg hunts?  What about scavenger hunts?  Then we think you may just like this giveaway!  Starting on Friday, March 8th through Sunday, March 31st – we’re hosting a virtual egg hunt.  We’ve hidden 17 eggs on some of our favorite bloggers sites and you have to find them.  At the end of the month we will randomly select one entry to win a basket full of cloth diaper goodies.  OK, maybe there won’t actually be a basket but we’ll ship the goodies to your doorstep in a pretty bag.

How do you get started?

1. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  It’s OK if you have to come back to complete all of the steps later.  Our bloggers will also have the same form on their sites – you just need to enter once but you can do it from any of the participating blogs.

2. Hop around from blog to blog and try to find the hidden eggs on their site.  How will you know where to go?  There is a list of bloggers and links below.  They will have a blog post with a hint to how to find their hidden egg on their site.  If you get stumped you can always ask them for help but PLEASE don’t share the location with others.  Let’s keep this fun and fair.  NOTE: We have NOT hidden an egg on this blog.  Also – our bloggers have until March 15th to get their posts up so you may have to come back to hunt for eggs.  There will be 17 total not including us. UPDATE: Most of you have found all the letters – Congratulations! You may not know what to do next. Once you have them unscrambled you can enter that code in our store and save $5 off an order of $35 ore more. Some exclusions apply due to manufacturers restrictions (GroVia, bumGenius, Flip, Econobum, Hemp Babies, Thirsties, and Sloomb brands are excluded). Limit 1 code per order. Limit 1 use per customer. Hint: The code is 4 words with no spaces. The first part is BASKET…can you guess the rest?

3. As you find the hidden eggs, make a note of the letter on the eggs.  Once you find ALL 17 eggs you can unscramble the letters to spell out a secret message.  Save this code because it will also be a valid coupon code that you can use at Kelly’s Closet.  You’ll get a bonus entry into the giveaway if you enter the code into the Rafflecopter. While you’re visiting the bloggers sites enjoy their Spring or Easter inspired blog articles that they’ve written just for you.  They are all very creative and passionate about cloth diapering.  Feel free to leave them comments, follow them on Facebook, and connect with them. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Rules: One winner will be selected at random from the valid entries in the Rafflecopter form. The only required entry is to leave one comment on the blog where you entered the giveaway. Winner must be over the age of 18 yrs old and live in the US. To reveal the hidden code and the coupon for Kelly’s Closet you will need to visit all of the participating blogs and hunt for the eggs. You will receive an extra entry for every Facebook page “Like” for participating bloggers and for finding all of the eggs and unscrambling the code. No purchase necessary to win. Winner will be announced the first week of April here on blog.diapershops.com.

Are you a blogger?  Would you like to participate in an upcoming promotion with us?  Find out more about becoming an affiliate blogger today.

To enter:

• Follow us on Pinterest.  If you don’t already have a Pinterest account it’s easy and free to sign up.
• Complete the form below to request to join our group Pinterest board.
• Upload a Spring or Easter inspired photo of your child wearing a cloth diaper (or of your cloth diaper stash).
• In the description of your pin please include @DiaperShops and #clothdiaperlove along with one reason why you love cloth diapers.

Fine print:  Photo must include at least part of a baby in a cloth diaper (does not have to include their face) and a cloth diaper.  Photo must be an original photo taken by you or someone in your family and you must own the rights to the photo.  Fans from around the US (winner is limited to US residents) may contribute to this fan board by filling out the form below.  We will send invites to our board during regular business hours – please allow 24 hours for us to respond.

How do you join the group board?

Tips for How to Add a Pin:

We will announce the winner of the fan board photos (chosen at random) and announce them here on the blog the first week of April.  Good luck everyone and we can’t wait to see your creativity!

To find a cute Spring or Easter inspired cloth diaper (green, yellow, floral, pink, etc) visit us online at Kelly’s Closet today!  

Why did you start using cloth diapers on your child?  Did you want to save money?  Did you want to stop throwing away disposable products that were destined to sit in a landfill for hundreds of years?  Did you want a healthier diaper for your baby?  These are all the very same reasons that you may want to consider reusable menstrual cups for yourself.

Let’s start with a few facts about menstrual cups:

• They are made from medical grade silicone and are safe to use; even if you are allergic to latex.
• They will last for years without having to replace them.
• They may only need to be changed every 8-12 hrs (*depending on flow).
• They can be used if you have an IUD in place. (Read more)
• They are easy to use; but have a learning curve.
• They are LESS gross than pads and tampons.
• It’s normal to be afraid to try something new.

There are several brands of menstrual cups on the market but they all work very similarly.  We sell the Diva Cup and the Lunette Cup.  The Diva Cup is available in two sizes and is clear in color.  The Lunette Cup is available in two sizes and is available in clear or four fun colors (pink, green, orange and blue).

Common Questions:

What size should I get?  Both come in size 1 and size 2.  Size 1 is typically used for teens and women who have not been pregnant.  Women with strong core and pelvic floor muscles, women with a low cervix, and those with sensitive bladders may also prefer the size 1.  Those of us who have had children find the size 2 to fit better.  There is a detailed sizing guide available from Lunette and Diva Cup on their websites.

How do I get it in?  There are several different ways to put the cup in.  You can fold the cup (see diagram below) and gently push it into your vaginal canal.  You will feel the cup unfold and form a seal to prevent leaks.  I found the Lunette Cup (Size 2) to be a firmer silicone and it formed that seal quicker.  Sometimes with the Diva Cup I have to gently pull or twist the cup to get it to seal properly.  Everyone is slightly different and it may take a few tries to get the hang of it but once you do it’s a breeze to insert.

How do I get it out?  It’s not as difficult (or messy) as it may seem at first.  You can grab the stem and base of the cup with your hands and push (like giving birth or going to the bathroom) until the cup comes out.

How often do I have to empty it?  It really depends on your personal flow.  Most menstrual cups hold about 12-15 ml.  On my heavy days, I still only have to empty it 2-3 times.  Some women may have heavier flow and find that it may need to be emptied more frequently.

Then what? How do I empty it?  How do I clean it?  I have emptied my cup over the toilet and in the shower.  If you are over the toilet you will want to dump the contents directly into the toilet.  If you are near a sink you can rinse the cup to remove any other residue left behind.  Our sink is right next to the toilet so I can do it quickly after wiping and then reinsert the cup.  I actually found that changing it while showering was much easier because you don’t have to worry about leaks while rinsing the cup in the sink; but a pad can help here if you are worried about that.  You can rinse clean with warm water or you may use a gently wash (each brand makes their own).  There is no need to dry it between uses.  There are also disinfecting wipes by Lunette that can be used to wipe clean if you are not near a sink (public bathroom).

What if I’m in public?  Since the menstrual cup only needs to be emptied every 8-10 hrs for most women, you may not ever need to empty it in public.  I find that even on my heaviest day I only need to empty it once in the morning and once in the evening.  If you are in a public restroom you may; 1) use a handicap (or family) bathroom with a private sink in the stall, 2) use disinfecting wipes, or 3) carry a bottle of water with you to rinse out the cup.  I have emptied my cup in a port-o-let, airplane bathroom, and while traveling.  You just need to be aware of your surroundings and options.  I try to empty it right before leaving the house so I won’t have to worry about it.

What if I have a low cervix?  The menstrual cups actually sit pretty low in your vaginal canal and should allow for your cervix to sit within or above the cup.  If you experience leakage it may be due to your low cervix.  You may want to position the cup lower or change it more frequently.

How long can I leave it in?  It is recommended to empty your cup once every 12 hours to reduce your risk of infection.

Is it gross?  Is it messy? OK, let’s first start by acknowledging that menstruation is not pretty.  It’s not something even as adults many of us are comfortable with.  With practice, you can insert and empty a menstrual cup without getting blood on your fingers.  It may happen.  I actually found it to me much less gross than tampons.  I had to change those every 4 hours and find someplace to wrap them and trash them.  That to me was gross.  With a cup, all of the blood goes down the drain.  You only have to empty it 1-3 times a day, which means you don’t have to touch it as often.  There is a learning curve and you will quickly become familiar with your body and your flow.  I actually find it pretty neat to see how much (or how little) flow there actually is.  Each cup holds around 12-15 ml of flow.

Do they leak?  I usually wear a pantyliner or cloth pad on the first day – just incase!  Once you get the hang of using a menstrual cup it shouldn’t leak unless it’s full.

Can I sleep while wearing a cup?  Yes!

Can I exercise while wearing a cup?  Yes! Yoga, running, handstands, anything goes! On the heavy flow days I still wear a pad as back up but it may not be needed.

How do you store menstrual cups?  After your cycle it is recommended to clean them (or even boil them – see care instructions) so it’s ready to use again for your next cycle.  They come with small storage bags that will keep them clean and discreet.

Are they really LIFE CHANGING?  Yes, if you talk to any women who has made the switch that is the phrase they will use to describe menstrual cups.  No one looks forward to their menstrual cycle (unless you are trying to conceive) but menstrual cups make dealing with your menstrual cycle less stressful and more comfortable.  I often forget that I’m menstruating at all and if I didn’t tell my husband that I was menstruating he’d never know (unless I was being a bit mean or hormonal).  Menstrual cups really are LIFE CHANGING!

Need more convincing? Watch the Menstrual Cups: What Every Woman Should Know video by Kim from Dirty Diaper Laundry.  Other popular posts: What Menstrual Cup is Right for You, and Menstrual Cups: One Size Doesn’t Fit All (a good review on the different sizes of Lunette) by Amanda from The Eco-Friendly Family.

Change your life today!  Visit Kelly’s Closet to find the Diva Cup, Lunette Cup, gentle menstrual cup wash, and even reusable cloth pads.

Congratulations ladies! Please check your emails and reply within the next 48hrs to claim your prize.

Thank you everyone who entered!  Stay tuned – we have more fun coming soon.

To enter:

• Follow us on Pinterest.  If you don’t already have a Pinterest account it’s easy and free to sign up.
• Complete the form below to request to join our group Pinterest board.
• Upload a photo of your little one in a “love” inspired photo including a cloth diaper.
• In the description of your pin please include @DiaperShops and #clothdiaperlove along with one reason why you love cloth diapers.

Fine print:  Photo must include at least part of a baby in a cloth diaper (does not have to include their face) and a cloth diaper.  Photo must be an original photo taken by you or someone in your family and you must own the rights to the photo.  Fans from around the US (winner is limited to US residents) may contribute to this fan board by filling out the form below.  We will send invites to our board during regular business hours – please allow 24 hours for us to respond.

We will announce the winner of the fan board photos (chosen at random) and announce them here on the blog the first week of March.  Good luck everyone and we can’t wait to see your creativity!

To find a cute Valentine’s inspired cloth diaper (pink, red, white, purple, flowers, hearts, etc) visit us online at Kelly’s Closet today!