My Frugal Baby Tips: Diaper Washing

Image: Laundrypile by Robin Skyler Tell, on Flickr

Ingredients:

🧼 one bar Fels Naptha soap, grated (2-3oz bars or 1 4-5.5oz bar) (the finer grated the better)
🧼 one cup washing soda
🧼 5 gallon bucket
🧼 Water

Directions:

Place grated soap in a small saucepan and cover it with water.

If you let this sit overnight, it is MUCH faster.

Heat on low until dissolved - don't stir too rapidly or too much, it will get foamy and you won't be able to see if it dissolved.

If you let it sit overnight, it takes roughly 20 minutes to dissolve.

If you didn't let it sit, it takes much longer.

Image: Zout Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar and Stain Remover, Tough Stain Removal, 5 Ounces

Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Soap

When the soap is just about melted, put the bucket in the tub and fill with hot water almost to the top, then add melted soap.

Stir to combine.
Add 1 cup of washing soda and mix well.
Don't reverse the order or it won't turn out.

As it cools it will thicken.
Use about 1/2 cup for diapers.
And 1-2 cups for other types of laundry.

Plastic Bucket

If you keep it in the big bucket, you will need to stir each time before you use it.
I pour it into gallon jugs while it is still warm.

If you do this, only fill 3/4 of the way.
You will want to shake it to get it to mix and will need the room.
I learned this the hard way. LOL.

You can customize your detergent by adding essential oils to it.
Only add to the current jug you are using, because it loses its smell.

It is very soft without fabric softener.
If you add fabric softener, it makes clothes feel funny.

Thanks to Judi Sutherland for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Make your own diaper sprayer, by Nicole V. Bennett on NicoleVBennett.com

Dana asked: I found directions online on how to make your own Cloth Diaper Sprayer.

Here's the link: DIY Diaper Sprayer Tutorial

Cloth Diaper Sprayer

Anyone try this? Was it difficult?

Jen replied: I have something like that connected to our utility sink in the basement. I didn't even know they had this listed online.

I just went to the hardware store and told them what I was looking for, and the wonderful man set me up with all the parts I needed.

One nice thing about having it attached to the faucet is you can adjust the pressure. With the toilet, you can't.

You will also need plumbers tape if it isn't listed on the things to buy.

Oh, I love mine and no leaks.

Thanks to Dana and Jen for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Soap Bubble, by SzaboJanos on Pixabay

Calgon Liquid Water Softener

Shannon said: I use liquid Calgon because we have EXTREMELY hard water.

I use about half a cap of liquid Calgon or, obviously, about half of what they recommend.

It's made a huge difference in the softness of the diapers.

You're right; it's very expensive.

Veronica replied: I used Calgon too, it is sooo expensive when you see it reads to use 1/4 cup per load!

The $5 box lasts about a week and a half here!

I went to the grocery store a week ago, and went to the huge bags of water softeners (for the softener machine).

I don't have one, but I bought a bag of the cheapest rock pellet salt softener, the store's brand for $2.99 for 40 pounds!

(Kinda like the kind you use for home-made ice cream).

It works just as good for me!

I pour a half of a cup into the running water, then on the rinse cycle I pour in some apple cider vinegar and presto!

The diapers are soft, without added fabric softeners.

My washer has also lost its musty smell it used to have, it must be the vinegar.

Funny how something that smells itself can make odors disappear!

~~~~

Thanks to Shannon and Veronica for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Painted pails, by Monica Arellano-Ongpin on Flickr

Just thought I would add to this tip...

Behrens Locking Lid Can

I too use this type of bucket, but being an artist, I can't stand to have things around that just aren't aesthetically pleasing.

Using regular acrylic paints that are non-toxic, I paint the entire bucket and lid to match the painting I did on the dresser and crib.

Once it's done and dry, you just put on a few coats of water-based polyurethane which is also non-toxic and it keeps it from chipping or peeling off.

Now you have a nice, one-of-a-kind, decorative diaper pail!!

Thanks to Karylann Love for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: Painted pails, by Monica Arellano-Ongpin

When I first started to cloth diaper I tried the frugal tip at Born to Love, washing them in the tub using old bathwater, and it didn't work for me.

They came out yucky.

I have two children in cloth, my daughter is finally starting to potty train but still wears cloth half the time, and I have to use a laundromat for the washing and drying.

Right now it costs me $2.00 to wash and $1.50 to dry (.25 = 8 minutes, and I usually dry for 48 minutes), and I wash two loads a week, so that's $7.00 per week.

Using Walmart's brand disposables would cost me $15 per week, so I'm still saving money.

When my daughter potty trains I'll be even, but there are so many more benefits to using cloth over saving money: not putting chemicals on your baby, better for the landfills, no human waste in landfills leaching into the water supply, etc.

Plus it's a heck of a lot cuter than using disposables.

Image: Household Essentials 6524 Tall Indoor Folding Wooden Clothes Drying Rack | Dry Laundry and Hang Clothes | Bamboo

Wooden Clothes
Drying Rack
Folds flat for storage

I don't dry my Bumkins diapers or my covers. I use a wooden drying rack for these.

You don't HAVE to use a dryer, it will just take longer for stuff to dry if you hang dry.

If I am short on funds, I dry however long I can and then hang them up to finish drying.

If I delay washing for a day or so, I use the huge washing machine for $3.00, which is cheaper than using two $2.00 machines, and I still dry for $1.50.

So, using cloth diapers with a commercial laundromat is not necessarily more expensive than using disposables.

You can get some Chinese Prefolds, some Thirsties diaper covers, some hemp doublers, make your own fleece liners, make your own wipes, and come out ahead (like me!).

Thanks to Melanie for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Child in the Washer, by Sharron on Flickr

Image: Rockin Green Cloth Diaper and Laundry Detergent (Funk Rock Ammonia Bouncer), 16oz | gets rid of stinky smells while keeping you green | Suitable for both cloth diaper and general household laundry

Rockin Green Cloth Diaper Detergent

I do not use a diaper pail, I just put my used cloth diapers straight into the washing machine with no water (I have a front loading).

Then every two days I do a rinse and short spin the diapers with cold water (and a bit of vinegar).

Then do a hot wash with an organic detergent (only a TBSP).

Hang the diapers to dry, and start all over again.

Any smell is trapped in the washing machine, and I never usually need to do laundry more often than every two days, so it works out perfectly.

Thanks to Mandy for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Deep thinking, because it's King! Spooky - by Lech Karol Pawłaszek, on Flickr

When our Diaper Duck broke for the second time, we decided not to pay the shipping to get another replacement.

Out of necessity, we discovered a frugal and effective fix - regular salad tongs work great for swishing and dunking diapers, and for holding the diaper and flushing at the same time.

The tongs have a metal piece that slides from the hinge end to the holder end, to keep the ends closed - when holding the diaper with the tongs, we slide this metal piece down, so the diaper stays clamped in the tongs.

You can swish and dunk without having to touch the toilet water at all.

Diaper Duck

Another great idea:
The Diaper Sprayer

Sometimes we swish and flush the big stuff, then just leave the diaper held in the tongs soaking in the toilet bowl until somebody needs to use the toilet.

Rolling the diaper around the tongs like rolling spaghetti on a fork, squeezes out enough water for the diaper to be whisked into a nearby diaper pail.

Thanks to Monica Thomas for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Reusable Large Pail Liner Bag

I was having a difficult time finding a nylon diaper bag I could throw in with the diapers, that the colour of the bag wouldn't run.

Someone gave me a great idea for a diaper pail liner a while back... now I use an old pillowcase!

I have used pillowcases for 3 months, with great success.

I now have two pillowcases in use.

I wash diapers every other day, and I throw the used pillowcase right in the washing machine with the diapers.

Then I put a clean pillowcase in the diaper pail.

This works great, and I didn't have to spend any money!

Thanks to Dana for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: The Best Diaper Pail | YourBestDigs.com

Image: Feeding Baby E by Rocket Ship, on Flickr

When I had my first baby, I used these tips - they work like a charm!

Image: EST Mothers Day Gift | 3 Pcs Family Mugs | Mom Dad and Baby | Coffee, Water, Juice, Cup/Mugs | Couple Matching Drink Cup

Mom, Dad, and Baby Cups

Baby Meals:

I used an ordinary-sized coffee mug to keep the baby's cereal warm.
Plus, it has a handle so you can feed the baby with ease.

After you are done, rinse out and fill with a cup of coffee.

Animal Paper Cups

Toy blocks:

Why not use paper cups?

Stack them, sort them, pile them up, build a castle!

When the baby is finished playing, the cups are cheap to replace too.

Laundry Drying:

Tension Curtain Rod

If you're low on cash and do your own laundry, an extra shower rod placed in the middle of shower stall works awesome for drying clothes.

Just make sure a piece of cheap bath mat (rubber) is placed between wall and rod so it won't mess up the paint (something I wish I had done ahead of time.)

Thanks to Sarah Corinne for these Frugal Baby Tips!

Image: washing laundry in India, by alheyse on Photobucket

I've been meaning to post to you my letter which ran in the New York Times Sunday, August 1st.

It was a response to a June 27 article Taking Children to Exotic Places which told parents to use disposable diapers when traveling.

I would be happy to discuss diapering issues further with anyone who is traveling soon to India! -- Sujata

To the Editor:
I spent three months traveling with my baby daughter in India, and I have one tip contrary to Martha Stevenson Olson's advice: forget disposable diapers for travel and use cloth diapers instead.

Disposables, especially those with plastic exteriors, are too hot for warm countries.

They cause diaper rash, and public health problems in developing countries without good trash collection and landfills.

It's also inconvenient to have to keep looking for poorly made disposables at twice the United States price.

I brought my cloth diapers to India, and this turned out to be a wonderful convenience.

I never ran out, and they were washed daily for a minimal charge at all hotels and resorts.

While staying in a private home in Calcutta, I contacted an agency providing a cheerful young woman to wash baby laundry, and do nanny duty -- all for just $1.50 a day.

I bet similar excellent help is available in other countries.

Thanks to Sujata for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo Credit: Washing laundry in India, by Alheyse

Image: Money Laundering, by Karen Barefoot on freeimages

Here's an excerpt from idalog: Alternatives in Diapering: Comparison of Alternatives:
------------------------------------------

Following are sample calculations.
Practices, supplies, and utilities cast vary.
You can insert your own current costs for a personalized total.

6,500 diaper changes over 2.5 years represents an average of 7-8 changes/day (10-11 for newborns, 5-6 for 2-year olds.)

Laundry (based on 6,500 diaper changes), 24 diaper changes/washload = 271 loads:

Detergent (@ 27 cents/load x 271 loads) $73.17;

Diaper pail additive (200ml of vinegar @ 15 cents/load) $40.65;

Water and sewer (for 4 toilet flushes, 16 gal; 1 normal wash cycle, 45 gal; rinsing and filling pail, 7 gal. Total of 68 gal. @ $.0067 = 46 cents/load) $124.66;

Natural gas to heat water (20 cu.ft. of natural gas @ $.0015 = 3 cents/load) $8.13;

Power to run dryer (5.76 kw/hr. for 1 hr., 5.76kwh @ 7 cents = 40 cents/load) $108.40;

Power to run washer (.76 kwh@ 7 cents = 5 cents/load) $13.55;

Depreciation on washer and dryer (16 cents for washer + 9 cents for dryer = 25 cents/load [a] ) $67.75 = $436 ($1.60/load). [b]

To calculate labour costs for home laundering, allow at least 40 hours over 2.5 years. [c]

[a] A $600 washer is estimated to last a family of 4 for 12 years.
Based on 6 loads/wk x 624 wks., a washer will wash 3,744 loads before having to be replaced.
$600 / 3,744 loads = 16 cents/load.
Dryer is estimated to last 15 years and dry 4,680 loads.
$400 / 4,680 loads = 8.5 cents/load.

[b] Laundromat: detergent $73.17, vinegar $40.65, flushing $29.05 = $142.87 + washing ($1.25 x 271 loads = $338.75) + drying ($1.00 x 271) = $752.62.

[c] 8-10 minutes per load x 271 loads = 40 hours.
Time test assumed:
10 washer and dryer in the basement;
20 no-fold diapers left in basket until used (i.e. no folding or stacking); and 3) exclusion time when washer or dryer runs unattended.

Thanks to Grace for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Reusable diapers, by Michael Coté on Flickr

My husband made some more of our laundry soap last night, and I did some calculations.

Over the last month, I've been experimenting and discovered I can use much less than I used to and still get great results.

My recipe uses one bar of Fels Naptha, grated (about 2 cups), and 1 cup washing soda. The total yield is roughly 52 cups detergent. Since I only use 3/4 c. per load, I end up with nearly 70 loads.

So, that means each load contains roughly 2/3 teaspoon washing soda, and 1 1/3 t. soap.

Now, the reason for all this? I've been reading washing soda causes pilling for many people, yet I haven't had a problem. Perhaps this is because I have hard water; I don't know.

Laundry Soap Kit

However, I also wonder if it is because of the tiny amount I use in each load? I see people using anywhere from 2 Tbs. per load to 1/2 cup per load.

And the same thing applies to the soap - I read of people using 1/4 c. grated per load, yet I get great results with just 1 1/3 t. soap.

Now, Fels Naptha IS a concentrated soap, but I wonder if I'd get the same results if the soap were not pre-dissolved, together with the washing soda, as it is when I make my soap recipe.

It may be the soap does it's job better when first dissolved together with a boosting agent (the washing soda).

Clutter's Last Stand:
It's Time To De-junk Your Life!

I wonder if it isn't so much the washing soda itself causing problems, as the way it is used? Many of you may be familiar with Don Aslett - the cleaning guru?

He talks of how many people misuse cleaning solutions, by using them in the wrong proportions, and not applying them correctly.

There's the idea of if a little bit works, a lot will work better, and Mr. Aslett disputes this, by explaining the products are designed to work a certain way, and if we overuse them, they will either not do their job properly, or will even cause damage.

I wonder if what actually causes diapers to pill is TOO MUCH washing soda?

By the way - I've been washing my diapers this way for 16 months now, and not one has any pilling. Maybe I've been lucky; maybe it's because of the hard water (although it isn't excessively hard); I really don't know.

But I thought I'd throw these thoughts out there - anyone else has any input on this?

Thanks to Amy for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: I gotta fold ALL the clothes?! by Travis Seitler, on Flickr

I just use an old pillowcase for a laundry bag in the baby's room.

It is attached to the changing table by a cloth diaper pin.

It keeps all of my baby's dirty laundry and things together.

When it's time to wash, everything can be dumped right into the washing machine...

Including the pillowcase!

Thanks to Beth for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: GroVia Reusable Perfect Pail for Holding Dirty Baby Cloth Diapers

Shopping Suggestions:
• GroVia Reusable Perfect Pail

• Charlie Banana Hanging Diaper Pail

• Planet Wise Hanging Wet/Dry Bag

• Ecoable Doorknob Diaper Pail

• Teamoy Travel Hanging Wet Dry Bag

• Bonng Baby Laundry Organizer

Image: Knitting on a clothesline, by Michael Kauer on Pixabay

I wanted to share my cleaning article - Keeping Your Home Clean and Safe

You might be able to get Sodium Hexametaphosphate in most natural food, environmental or alternative stores, or Amazon.

OK, here's the article...

-----------------

#1 - Laundry Bleach
--Sodium Hexametaphosphate doesn't work like a chlorine bleach to get your cloth diapers, bedding and clothing white.
Rather, it disposes of the dull, shabby, dim or yellow film that develops on your clothing after several piles of washing with soap or detergent.
Indeed, you will be shocked to see all the suds discharged from your clothing and bedding you thought were spotless.
By using sodium hexametaphosphate every wash, it will keep away that dull film and keep your whites and colors bright.
How much you should use depends upon the hardness of your water.
Begin with 1/8 of a cup per load.
Add more, a bit at a time, until the water feels slippery.
To get rid of years of dull film, run your washer load through an entire wash cycle using twice as much sodium hexametaphosphate as you would normally use, without any soap or detergent.

Sodium Hexametaphosphate

After that, add sodium hexametaphosphate first, then just half the amount of soap or detergent you normally used.

#2 - DISHWASHER DETERGENT
-- Sodium Hexametaphosphate is going to be the best substance you use in your dishwasher.
It cuts oil and will leave your dishes spotless, acts as a scale inhibitor and will even clean your dishwasher with each washing.
Use the same amount of Sodium Hexametaphosphate as dishwasher detergent and watch your dishes sparkle!

#3 - DISHWASHING LIQUID BOOSTER
-- As a water conditioner, it will boost the cleaning activity of your soap or detergent.
Simply add a couple of tbsp. to your dishwater (use the amount that makes the water feel slippery) and half as much dishwashing liquid.
No more water spots on your hand-washed dishes either!

#4 - WINDOW CLEANER
-- Works as well on your windows as it does on your dishes.
Simply add about a tsp. each of Sodium Hexametaphosphate and liquid soap with warm water in a spray bottle.
Use this solution on glass shower doors to dissolve mineral build-up (if really bad build-up, make the solution a little stronger).

#5 - BUBBLE BATH
-- No, Sodium Hexametaphosphate won't froth up into bubbles on it's own, however what it will do is make a little liquid soap foam up even more.
Add a little at a time, letting it dissolve in your bathwater till the water feels slippery.
A wonderful bath recipe is Sodium Hexametaphosphate, liquid soap and a couple of sliced lemons.
Gives you a fragrant, luxurious bath that will make your skin softer and smoother than ever before.

#6 - HAIR RINSE
-- Do natural shampoos leave your hair feeling sticky?
Try rinsing with a solution of Sodium Hexametaphosphate and that dull soapy film will rinse right out.

Thanks to Rebecca for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Jacob and his diaper pail, by Amber Strocel on Flickr

I find that deodorant disks don't work well at all after about a week...

I have two pails - a dry diaper pail for cloth diapers -- I don't put them in a solution - I soak them overnight in Bio Kleen Oxygen Bleach in the washer.

Then another pail for miscellaneous baby stuff - disposable diapers I use occasionally, the odd disposable wipe when I run out of my homemade ones - but, I digress...

I can't remember who told me about it - but it really works -- I put in a Bounce dryer sheet - I cut them in half and put one in each pail.

They just end up being washed if they are in cloth pail - I suppose if I was a fanatic I could use it as poop catcher in a diaper... or thrown out if in trash pail.

This was one tip I found truly worked!!

Thanks to Lisa for this great Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail - Deodorizer compartment with locking tabs

Shopping Suggestions:

• Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail

• Imse Vimse Citrus Circles Diaper Pail Deodorizing Disks

• Bio Kleen Oxygen Bleach

• Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets

Image: Cloudyfocus Wet and Dry Cloth Diaper Bags | Baby Nappy Organizer | Zippered Pockets Wet Bag for Swimsuit, Underwear, Breast Pump

Wet/Dry Cloth Diaper Bags

I actually stopped using a diaper pail altogether! I dry pail in a fleece and PUL wetbag (I have 2 in rotation).

The bags coordinate with my bathroom, and I have one hanging on a robe hook in the bathroom, instead of a diaper pail.

I put 1/2 cup of baking soda and a dribble of tea tree oil or lavender essential oil in each empty bag before I bring it up from the washer, but there really hasn't been much smell...

I've actually had friends ask me where I put my diapers, even after spending two days at my house and using the bathroom I store the used diapers in!

I simply plop any solid poops into the toilet and throw the diapers/wipes/soiled covers into the doorknob bag.

Hanging Wet/Dry Bag

Every 2-3 days I take a wetbag down to the basement to run a load (cold wash with detergent, hot wash with no additional detergent, cold rinse) and throw the whole wetbag in with the diapers.

After the first wash, I take out and hang the wetbag and my covers on the line and finish my routine and dry the diapers.

I used to use a Diaper Champ diaper pail with an Reusable Pail Liner bag as a liner... the smell was pretty intense as I had to open the whole lid to get toddler AIOs into the Champ.

I was SICK of the smell and SICK of washing out the pail, so the pail-less solution has been fabulous for me!

Thanks to Julie for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: My Nephew in a Bucket, by Jonny Hunter on Flickr

I can top that diaper pail tip!

If you shop any of the large warehouse stores, such as Costco or Amazon, you can buy clothes washing detergent in that identical bucket ...

And get the bucket for free!

The detergent works great with all diapers, including FuzziBuns, Bumkins, etc.

Image: Charlie's Soap Powder Bucket, 800 Loads | Safe for all HE machines | Hypoallergenic and safe for those with sensitive skin | Excellent for cloth diapers

Buy Charlie's Soap or 5 gallon bucket

Charlie's Soap is a very straight-forward detergent with no fabric softeners or bleach in it.

Less is More: zero brighteners, zero fragrances, zero dyes, zero fillers, zero harsh chemicals

Works on all your laundry, even high-tech fabrics, and delicates.

She is right about using it as a diaper pail - we use two of them for our cloth diapers!

Thanks to Nina Maginnis for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: What else is in here?, by Owen and Aki on Flickr

Here is my powdered laundry soap recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 bar of grated soap (very fine)

• 2 cups borax

• 2 cups washing soda

Directions:

Grate everything in the blender twice.

Laundry Soap Kit

Then use 1/4 cup of this powdered laundry soap per load of laundry.

Use less of this soap when washing diapers.

Thanks to Judi Sutherland for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Recycled wool wrap, by Ashley Barrett on Flickr

You could test your baby's used wool covers for waterproofness, by dribbling some water on them.

If the water beads up, they are still good.

If the water spreads out or soaks in, you need to re-lanolize them.

To do this, you need to get some Lanolin, (you don't have to pay the $$ for Lansinoh).

Anhydrous Lanolin Pharmaceutical Grade

Dissolve a small amount in a cup of hot water, then fill a sink full of warm water.

Pour the water and dissolved Lanolin into it, then put the covers in.

Squeeze the covers to get the Lanolin to penetrate.

Then squeeze the water out, and lay flat to dry.

You might also want to put a bit of baby shampoo in the water, to clean them.

I am not a lanolizing expert, so I am not sure if the shampoo would have any effect on the lanolin being effective... anyone else knows?

Eucalan No Rinse Delicate Wash

If you did this, you would want to rinse them in some clear water first.

Another option: I use Eucalan, which is a special wool wash which already has lanolin in it.

You can add additional Lanolin, which I recommend for the first wash since they are gently used.

Then every so often, maybe every month or two.

Thanks to Scarlet for this frugal baby tip!

Image: Salad Spinner Head, by Augie Schwer on Flickr

I love using my wool soakers for my baby - especially at night time.

But washing them can be a bit of a chore!

Here's my quick and easy tip:
Use your salad spinner to wring out your wool soakers after hand washing.

Image: Prepworks by Progressive Flow Through Salad Spinner | Unique design lets water flow through lid opening | drains through the base | Easy to wash and dry in one easy step

Prepworks by Progressive Flow-Thru Salad Spinner

Simply grab your (clean) salad spinner and place your wool soaker evenly around the basket.

Then just give it a whirl! It's the hand-washing equivalent of the spin cycle.

Never wring the water out by hand.

The wool fibers of your wool soakers are the most delicate when they're wet, so be very careful not to twist or wring.

Thanks to Sara Harrington for this Frugal Baby Tip!