I finally took the plunge and have ?'s

ilenegrace

My breastfeeding support group recommended a local lady that sells pocket diapers that gave a discount to the group members so I really couldn't find an excuse not to cloth diaper. My stash includes 36 OS pocket diapers (which I got for $9ea), 2 large hanging wet bags, 1 travel wet/dry bag, and Rockin Green detergent. I'm about 10 days in and loving it! I was so worried about the laundry aspect but its actually NBD.

A couple questions though...

How often should I wash my wet bags?

Why do some people leave theirs zipped open? Am I doing it wrong?

Any recommendations on how to hang dry my covers? Are there things I could buy? Links would be great. So far I am just putting them in the dryer ::gasp::

Are the wool dryer balls worth the price?

Do you take the insert out before you put them in the wet bag or when you put them in the washer? 

TIA!

mypalbabs

A couple questions though...

How often should I wash my wet bags?

each time it gets used - just throw it in with your dipes

Why do some people leave theirs zipped open? Am I doing it wrong?

dealer's choice

Any recommendations on how to hang dry my covers? Are there things I could buy? Links would be great? So far I am just putting them in the dryer ::gasp::

I just drape them on the drying rack in the laundry room

Are the wool dryer balls worth the price?

Depends on how much they cost, lol.  I made my own and haven't bought dryer sheets in years

Do you take the insert out before you put them in the wet bag or when you put them in the washer? 

I vote before 

childbearing hipster

How often should I wash my wet bags?

I wash mine every other time, or more often if they smell.

 Why do some people leave theirs zipped open? Am I doing it wrong?

No, not doing it wrong if you leave them closed. I leave mine open due to laziness to zip EVERY time, but the diapers I leave in there are usually pretty dry, so they don't stink in there.

 Any recommendations on how to hang dry my covers?

I have this one (https://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/Laundry/IndoorOutdoorDryers/PRD~0428805P/Small+Deluxe+White+Dryer.jsp?locale=en) . Yes, it's $43, but it's heavier-duty and in the summer I use it to hang our regular laundry too. It's worth buying decent quality. I use these, some inexpensive laundry pegs. If I'm feeling really lazy, I hang my velcro-tabbed two-wide, and I just snap my snap ones across the belly over the bars and they stay on.

Are the wool dryer balls worth the price?

I use the plastic Nellies kind, so I can't say much about wool, but I am happy with the Nellies variety.  

Do you take the insert out before you put them in the wet bag or when you put them in the washer?  

Take everything apart before putting it into the wet bag. I've found things tend to stink less that way (from my experience!), and then that way I'm not having to touch old, smelly inserts to put them in the wash. Also, I read somewhere that if you start getting ammonia build up, it can shorten the lifespan of your PUL in the covers of your diapers. I'm all for keeping a long life of my diapers.

Good luck!!

littleredfish

ilenegrace:

How often should I wash my wet bags?
I wash mine when I wash my dipes. For the smaller ones if I just use it for a couple hours out and about with one wet dipe, I'll invert it and let it dry, then use it again the next day and wash it when I wash all of my dipes.

Why do some people leave theirs zipped open? Am I doing it wrong?
It seems to be a preferrence thing. I use a pail so my wetbag stays open and the pail has a vent and the cover never shuts tight. I find if I use it traveling and close it, it smells more on laundry day.

Any recommendations on how to hang dry my covers? Are there things I could buy? Links would be great? So far I am just putting them in the dryer ::gasp::
I just hang my covers over the shower curtain rod if I'm washing between laundry washes. Otherwise I just use a standard standing drying rack. Putting them in the dryer is NBD. I live in Canada so I'll be using my dryer until May probably.

Are the wool dryer balls worth the price?
I don't use them, but I'd love to try them.

Do you take the insert out before you put them in the wet bag or when you put them in the washer? 
Before the wetbag. I prefer to pull out a fresh insert than one soaked in pee for 2 days. That way they are all seperated so I can just invert my wet bag into the washing machine. No touching the poopy laundry that way.

OctGirl80

ilenegrace:

How often should I wash my wet bags?

We use a pail with liner at home and wet bags when outbut they go right in the wash with the CDs.

 

Are the wool dryer balls worth the price?

I like them, but I think you can find a decent deal if you aren't interested in making your own.

 

Do you take the insert out before you put them in the wet bag or when you put them in the washer? 

Nope, I toss the whole thing in the pail, then into the washer. Ours agitate out every time, but I did separate for a long time before testing the theory. If it's a really nasty one that needs to be rinsed, I will take out the insert first. Otherwise it soaks up all the nastiness and is even worse.

sarenu1

ilenegrace:

My breastfeeding support group recommended a local lady that sells pocket diapers that gave a discount to the group members so I really couldn't find an excuse not to cloth diaper. My stash includes 36 OS pocket diapers (which I got for $9ea), 2 large hanging wet bags, 1 travel wet/dry bag, and Rockin Green detergent. I'm about 10 days in and loving it! I was so worried about the laundry aspect but its actually NBD.

A couple questions though...

How often should I wash my wet bags? Every time you wash.

Why do some people leave theirs zipped open? Am I doing it wrong? Air ciculation helps keep the smell under control.  So leaving it open helps.

Any recommendations on how to hang dry my covers? Are there things I could buy? Links would be great. So far I am just putting them in the dryer ::gasp:: Get a good solid drying rack.  You'll want something to sun stains out anyway. 

Are the wool dryer balls worth the price? I only use dryer balls.  So yes.

Do you take the insert out before you put them in the wet bag or when you put them in the washer?  Depends, but most is the time yes.  It makes washing easier.

TIA!