Complete Cloth Diapering Guide – Accessories to Buy (part 4)
Now you've read about the pros and cons to cloth diapering, learned about the different types of diapers and the brand and quantity to purchase, here are a few accessories you'll need to take the cloth plunge!
Trash Can
Here's where you can save more money – you don't need traditional diaper pails for cloth because it's not necessary to have an air tight container. The ammonia that is released from urine is much less strong if it is in a container that allows it to react with oxygen. You WILL smell the diapers – I took them out of my baby's room and put it in their bathroom and I only smell the diapers after two days, which just reminds me to wash them!
Pail Liner
You will need a wet/dry bag for both your diaper trash can/pail and a smaller one for your diaper bag. I bought a Kanga Care Pail Liner (where to buy) and love it because it's so cute! I got one in Robotronic and Whale. Amazon sells them for $18.95 and the large one fills a 13 gallon trash can with room to spare and easily holds two days worth of diapers from two kids.
Flushable Diaper Liners
I find diaper liners to be an essential cloth diapering accessory after being used to the convenience of disposables. They collect the poops and keep them from (mostly) sticking to the diaper (unless the liner gets stuck in the baby's crack!). I like biodegradable, flushable ones from BumGenius (buy here) because you can flush them down the toilet, or if put in the trash can, will dissolve over time
Optional – Diaper Sprayer or Rubber Gloves
If you're just starting out with cloth diapering and just don't wanna spend another $40 to $50 bucks on an accessory, start by buying a $2 pair of rubber gloves that you keep close to your toilet. Use the gloves to swish the diaper around in the toilet (see my Scoop on Poop post for more instructions) so your hands don't have to get disgusting.
Otherwise, buy a diaper sprayer, which you can also buy from Amazon from BumGenius (buy here). This attaches to your toilet and you use it as a hose to squirt the poop off the diaper and into the toilet. I've heard wonderful things about these and if we have any more children, I will probably buy one!
Hi Sara, I would live to read all of your info on cloth nappies, but I have trouble accessing the links: part 2 goes to part 4 and part 3 and 5 just goes blank. Can you perhaps email them to me?