Contemplating CDing... anyone use a laundromat?

duffmaker · November 2012

So I'm going to our local natural parenting store for a basics to cloth diapering class at noon tomorrow! I'm hoping I can make it to the CNY Cloth Diaper Circle too, that one is earlier in the am. I guess they're an accredited cloth diapering group for the area.

A couple random questions:

1. Cloth diapers are bulkier than sposies, at least the ones I have seen. Does it make it difficult to put LO in clothes for their size, do you have to put them in a larger pant size? Is it more difficult to dress them with such a bulky diaper? Is there a specific type of diaper that is slimmer and better to wear under clothes for outing and such? (generally M just wears a onsie when we're at home, which is a lot)

2. Does anyone CD and use a laundromat or coin operated machines in an apartment complex for example? Is it more difficult, do these type of general machines take a toll on the diapers? What about money wise? It costs a $1.00 a cycle for our machines and generally a decent load of clothes takes 2 dryer cycles, I don't really have anywhere to hang dry anything. I'm wondering how this will effect my CDing experience....

tjkdlhb · November 2012

clizh:

So I'm going to our local natural parenting store for a basics to cloth diapering class at noon tomorrow! I'm hoping I can make it to the CNY Cloth Diaper Circle too, that one is earlier in the am. I guess they're an accredited cloth diapering group for the area.

A couple random questions:

1. Cloth diapers are bulkier than sposies, at least the ones I have seen. Does it make it difficult to put LO in clothes for their size, do you have to put them in a larger pant size? Is it more difficult to dress them with such a bulky diaper? Is there a specific type of diaper that is slimmer and better to wear under clothes for outing and such? (generally M just wears a onsie when we're at home, which is a lot)

I buy bigger PJs for DD... She may grow out of pants slightly quicker too... but the bigger she gets, the less of an issue it is. And she's only 12.5 lbs now. Smaller than most babies.

2. Does anyone CD and use a laundromat or coin operated machines in an apartment complex for example? Is it more difficult, do these type of general machines take a toll on the diapers? What about money wise? It costs a $1.00 a cycle for our machines and generally a decent load of clothes takes 2 dryer cycles, I don't really have anywhere to hang dry anything. I'm wondering how this will effect my CDing experience.... I don't use a laundromat, but I've seen people on here who have bought the portable washers to use because it's still cheaper to buy the CDs AND the washer than to use disposables.

I think it would cut into the savings to use a laundromat, but would still be cheaper than disposables. You could also look into a diaper service if there's one in your area. Covers dry quickly, and even if you did one dryer cycle with the covers and inserts then hung the inserts in your bathroom overnight, to finish drying it...the inserts don't take up a lot of space.

Laundry: 2 loads/ week = $6 /week roughly

$312/year or $780 til potty training (2.5 years est)

Disposables: $0.22/diaper (Costco brand)

average of 8 changes/day (more when younger, less as baby is older)

$0.22 x 8 x 365 x 2.5 = $1606

A diaper stash can range from $300-$800 depending on how you buy them. Prefolds/covers is cheapest...some brands are cheaper than others for pockets etc.

so, average it to $500 + $780 = $1280

Then you can use the diapers for another child or sell them to get some money back.

A portable washer is about $300

MadamePresident · November 2012

I don't use a laundromat, but I might be concerned about detergent from other users. My dad is working out of town and gets migraines from fragrances. After using the laundromat, his clothes all had a fragrance detergent smell. You might have to be extra careful to avoid a buildup of detergent. But this is just my guess I haven't been in your situation.

KatelynEA90 · November 2012

I haven't had any issues with clothes and cloth diapers. You might need a pants size up. I could see needing a bigger size with newborns since the diapers are a little bulkier on them but I haven't CD'ed a newborn yet.

I don't have experience with using a laundromat but about where to hang dry, I use the shower curtain rod in our bathroom.

lageorgiapaperie · November 2012

We haven't had any problems with sizes, except maybe for jeans. Which he didn't wear much as a little baby, but is wearing a little more now that he's older.

We live in a condo w/ a laundromat. It would be $6 to do a full load (rinse, wash, rinse, dry), so we purchased a portable washer on Craigslist. Worth every penny. It just attaches to our kitchen sink and does a great job at getting them clean (I wash up to 10 AIOs/pockets at a time). I usually line dry but every once in a while I'll throw a load in the building's dryer. Haven't had any problems with that, but I've never used the building's washers.

amandamor · November 2012

I am planning to CD my son once he arrives. I Will be living in an apartment with coin operated laundry, so this is what I have decided Will be the most cost effective way:

1. Use PREFOLDS AND COVERS, NOT POCKETS.
If you use prefolds you can buy tons of them for the price of one pocket diaper, seriously. Use a Snappi instead of a diaper pin for safety reasons plus its easier. Youtube Cloth diaper with Snappi and How To Fold Prefolds to learn how to do this. Its seriously easier.
If you use multiple prefolds you only really need 3 to 4 diaper covers which you can rinse off in the sink or bathtub ,unless theyre really soiled. Unlike pockets which once that dipe has been used, its used and has to be washed.

As for the bulk,, prefolds are also less bulky. You can make them fit perfectly to your baby unlike pockets that are usually one size and snap adjustable.

I hope this helps, i plan to only do laundry twice a week with prefolds.

this decaf life · November 2012

Prefolds & covers are probably the best option for you. If you want pockets or AIO you just need to look at them - I have 3 different kinds right now and the FuzziBunz are noticeably slimmer than bumGenius 4.0 with my 1 Blueberry being the thickest by far. I've heard they'll probably be up one size in onesies/pants faster than disposable diapered kids.

Honestly though, I'm not sure I would cloth though if I had to go to the laundromat. The laundromat takes away a lot of the convenience of cloth diapering IMO.

Lindsinjuly · November 2012

as for line drying - in the summer, when it's sunnier and I'm home (I'm a teacher), I often hang outside on my neighbors line. In the winter, I use one of those folding drying racks. I bought it at Target for like $15 years ago. It's a little junky, but does the job. I put it up in my dining room, and usually by the time I get home from work the next day, the diapers are dry. I use pockets. My lone AIO takes a little longer to dry, but I have learned that flipping it inside out helps.

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