Not Your Grandma’s Cloth Diapers! Jennifer Waldon ENMT 365

Introduction Cloth Diaper Misconceptions Rubber pants, safety pins, bucket of soaking diapers Rubber pants, safety pins, bucket of soaking diapers “That is way too much work for a busy mom!” “That is way too much work for a busy mom!” “Disposables are just so convenient.” “Disposables are just so convenient.”

Environmental Impact: Disposables Take up about 2% of landfill space Take up about 2% of landfill space 18 billion diapers 18 billion diapers Or 3.4 million tons of waste Or 3.4 million tons of waste 60 times more solid waste 60 times more solid waste Take 500 years to break down Take 500 years to break down Can build 4,610 Washington Monuments a year Can build 4,610 Washington Monuments a year Potentially spread disease Potentially spread disease 20 times more raw materials 20 times more raw materials 300 lbs wood pulp 300 lbs wood pulp 50 lbs petroleum 50 lbs petroleum 20 lbs chlorine 20 lbs chlorine 2.3 times more water 2.3 times more water Secondary impacts Secondary impacts Plastic and cardboard packaging Plastic and cardboard packaging Pollutant emissions to produce and deliver Pollutant emissions to produce and deliver

Components of a Disposable Diaper Polypropylene: Added to liner to give cloth-like appearance Made of plastic Composite Fiber Commonly pine wood pulp Polyacrylate Improves absorption Becomes a gel when wet Polyethylene Thin liner on outside to prevent leaking Decreases breathability Contain: Dioxin: known carcinogen TBT: toxic; causes hormonal problems Polyacrylate: taken out of tampons, caused Toxic Shock Syndrome

Social Impact: Disposables Produced with potentially harmful chemicals Produced with potentially harmful chemicals Skin irritant Skin irritant Respiratory irritant Respiratory irritant Longer time to potty train Longer time to potty train Possible fertility issues in boys Possible fertility issues in boys

Economical Impact: Disposables More expensive than cloth More expensive than cloth Americans spend $7 billion a year Americans spend $7 billion a year $1600 per child for two years $1600 per child for two years $66 a month $66 a month

Environmental Impact: Cloth Produced once and used multiple times before lifetime is over. Produced once and used multiple times before lifetime is over. Used times Used times Fewer resources needed Fewer resources needed Less waste in landfill Less waste in landfill Disintegrate in 1 to six months Disintegrate in 1 to six months Makes diapering a cycle Makes diapering a cycle Reduce global warming impact Reduce global warming impact By 40 % if hand-me-down By 40 % if hand-me-down By 24 % alone By 24 % alone Live more sustainably Live more sustainably

Social Impacts: Cloth Gaining popularity again Gaining popularity again Sales are increasing Sales are increasing $200 million a year market $200 million a year market Don’t irritate asthmatics like disposables. Don’t irritate asthmatics like disposables. Earlier potty training Earlier potty training 6 months earlier 6 months earlier

Who else is using them? Celebrities Celebrities Sarah Jessica Parker Sarah Jessica Parker Jennifer Garner Jennifer Garner Jessica Alba Jessica Alba Gwen Stefani Gwen Stefani Halle Berry Halle Berry Friends Friends Acquaintances Acquaintances Cloth diaper community anywhere and everywhere Cloth diaper community anywhere and everywhere

Economical Impacts: Cloth Less expensive over the life of the child Less expensive over the life of the child Collectively save $6 billion dollars a year Collectively save $6 billion dollars a year Cost about $300 Cost about $300 Costs one tenth disposables Costs one tenth disposables Cloth diapered baby not in diapers as long, so less wear on diapers Cloth diapered baby not in diapers as long, so less wear on diapers Additional savings Additional savings

Potential Downsides: Cloth Requires more work for busy mom Requires more work for busy mom Could require more energy and water for cleaning Could require more energy and water for cleaning Larger environmental impact for cleaning Larger environmental impact for cleaning More upfront cost More upfront costBUT… Busy? Use a cloth diaper service Busy? Use a cloth diaper service Decrease laundering expense Decrease laundering expense Use energy efficient washer and dryer Use energy efficient washer and dryer One mom experienced only a $3 increase in electric bill One mom experienced only a $3 increase in electric bill Opt to line dry Opt to line dry Choose renewable energy supplier Choose renewable energy supplier Look for reduced cost in long-run Look for reduced cost in long-run

Getting Started 1.Choose a diaper 2.Purchase items 3.Prep 4.Changing 5.Folding 6.Laundering

Choose a Diaper If you want the convenience of disposables If you want the convenience of disposables Use pocket diapers: cover and insert washed after one use Use pocket diapers: cover and insert washed after one use Use all-in-one diaper: no separating insert from cover Use all-in-one diaper: no separating insert from cover

Choose a Diaper (cont.) If you want a more economical diaper If you want a more economical diaper Use prefolds with diaper cover Use prefolds with diaper cover Traditional diaper Traditional diaper Choose covers that are one size fits all Choose covers that are one size fits all Snaps adjust size Snaps adjust size No need to purchase different sizes No need to purchase different sizes Snap or Velcro closure Snap or Velcro closure

Purchase Items Diapers (about 18-20) Diapers (about 18-20) Covers (about six for prefolds and 20 for pocket) Covers (about six for prefolds and 20 for pocket) Snappi’s, or other fasteners if desired Snappi’s, or other fasteners if desired Laundry bin Laundry bin 2 laundry bags 2 laundry bags Wet bag for storing dirty diapers on the go Wet bag for storing dirty diapers on the go Laundry detergent (free and clear) Laundry detergent (free and clear) Normal detergents inhibit absorbency Normal detergents inhibit absorbency For recommendations see: For recommendations see: Wipes (can use washcloths or burp cloths) and holder (disposable wipe container) Wipes (can use washcloths or burp cloths) and holder (disposable wipe container) Sprayer to moisten cloth wipes (squirt bottle) Sprayer to moisten cloth wipes (squirt bottle)

Prep Wash everything! Wash everything! Removes natural oils from fabrics Removes natural oils from fabrics Prefolds and liners Prefolds and liners Wash 5 to 7 times to make absorbent Wash 5 to 7 times to make absorbent Hot water, and dry in between washes Hot water, and dry in between washes Polyester fabrics and covers Polyester fabrics and covers Wash once separately from natural fiber items Wash once separately from natural fiber items Line dry covers Line dry covers May tumble dry inserts May tumble dry inserts

Changing Prefolds Prefolds Remove prefold and place in laundry bag Remove prefold and place in laundry bag Wipe baby bum with moistened wipe, place in laundry bag Wipe baby bum with moistened wipe, place in laundry bag Fold clean prefold and place in cover Fold clean prefold and place in cover All-in-one or pocket All-in-one or pocket For pocket diapers remove insert from cover and place both in laundry bag For pocket diapers remove insert from cover and place both in laundry bag Place all-in-one in laundry bag Place all-in-one in laundry bag Wipe baby bum with moistened wipe, place in laundry bag Wipe baby bum with moistened wipe, place in laundry bag Place new diaper on baby Place new diaper on baby Don’t use diaper rash cream Don’t use diaper rash cream No need to soak diapers No need to soak diapers Only have to remove solid bowel movements Only have to remove solid bowel movements

Folding Newspaper Newspaper Angel wing Angel wing

Folding (cont.) Bikini Twist Bikini Twist Jelly roll Jelly roll

Laundering Wash diapers and laundry bag every 2 to 3 days Wash diapers and laundry bag every 2 to 3 days Two loads Two loads Cold removes residue Cold removes residue Hot with extra rinse Hot with extra rinse Small amount of detergent in each Small amount of detergent in each Dry diapers, covers and bags Dry diapers, covers and bags Don’t use fabric softeners or other additives Don’t use fabric softeners or other additives Sanitize with bleach once a month Sanitize with bleach once a month Remove stains –place in sun Remove stains –place in sun

Conclusion The Truth about Cloth Diapers Simplicity of use Simplicity of use Reduce impacts Reduce impacts Environmental Environmental Social Social Economical Economical Address disadvantages of disposables Address disadvantages of disposables Gaining popularity Gaining popularity

References The American Women’s Club of Hamburg (2000, November). Hidden dangers of disposable diapers. Retrieved from disposable-diapers.html The American Women’s Club of Hamburg (2000, November). Hidden dangers of disposable diapers. Retrieved from disposable-diapers.htmlhttp:// disposable-diapers.htmlhttp:// disposable-diapers.html Anderson, R. C., & Anderson, J. H. (1999). Acute Respiratory Effects of Diaper Emissions. Archives Of Environmental Health, 54(5), Retrieved from 8ede2a8c1b44%40sessionmgr11&vid=7&hid=1 Anderson, R. C., & Anderson, J. H. (1999). Acute Respiratory Effects of Diaper Emissions. Archives Of Environmental Health, 54(5), Retrieved from 8ede2a8c1b44%40sessionmgr11&vid=7&hid=1 8ede2a8c1b44%40sessionmgr11&vid=7&hid=1 8ede2a8c1b44%40sessionmgr11&vid=7&hid=1 Barlow, T. (2010, April 22). 10 old-time products that make green and healthy sense today. Daily Finance. Retrieved from sense-todayhold/ Barlow, T. (2010, April 22). 10 old-time products that make green and healthy sense today. Daily Finance. Retrieved from sense-todayhold/ Booroi (2008). How to use Booroi cloth nappies. Retrieved from Booroi (2008). How to use Booroi cloth nappies. Retrieved from Cotton Babies, Inc. ( 2007). Cloth diapers – Just the basics. Retrieved from Cotton Babies, Inc. ( 2007). Cloth diapers – Just the basics. Retrieved from Diffin, E. (2009, April 30). Cloth diapers benefit baby health and the environment, advocates say. Retrieved from Diffin, E. (2009, April 30). Cloth diapers benefit baby health and the environment, advocates say. Retrieved from Green Mountain Diapers (2012). Using prefold diapers. Retrieved from Green Mountain Diapers (2012). Using prefold diapers. Retrieved from

References (cont.) Just Add Cloth (2012, January 2). The jelly roll fold with prefolds and flats. Retrieved from Just Add Cloth (2012, January 2). The jelly roll fold with prefolds and flats. Retrieved from MSNBC.com (2009, April 21). Frugal moms use cloth diapers to save money. Retrieved from money/#.T3IFuXi_GK0 MSNBC.com (2009, April 21). Frugal moms use cloth diapers to save money. Retrieved from money/#.T3IFuXi_GK0 money/#.T3IFuXi_GK0 money/#.T3IFuXi_GK0 Onion, A. (2005, May 26). “The diaper debate: Are disposables as green as cloth?” ABC News. Retrieved from Onion, A. (2005, May 26). “The diaper debate: Are disposables as green as cloth?” ABC News. Retrieved from People Magazine (2009, October 20). Celebs love Smartipants reuseable cloth diapers. Retrieved from People Magazine (2009, October 20). Celebs love Smartipants reuseable cloth diapers. Retrieved from Real Diaper Association (2012). Real diaper facts. Retrieved from Real Diaper Association (2012). Real diaper facts. Retrieved from Richer Investment Diaper Consulting Services (2011). What are the components of a typical disposable diaper? Retrieved from Richer Investment Diaper Consulting Services (2011). What are the components of a typical disposable diaper? Retrieved from Rodriguez, K. (2012, February 27). Personal communication. Rodriguez, K. (2012, February 27). Personal communication. Sutton, M. (1991). Baby Bottoms and Environmental Conundrums: Disposable Diapers and the Pediatrician. Pediatrics, 88(2), 386. Retrieved from 8ede2a8c1b44%40sessionmgr11&vid=7&hid=1 Sutton, M. (1991). Baby Bottoms and Environmental Conundrums: Disposable Diapers and the Pediatrician. Pediatrics, 88(2), 386. Retrieved from 8ede2a8c1b44%40sessionmgr11&vid=7&hid=1http://ehis.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=0c8dd455-e42f-4e89-9a7f- 8ede2a8c1b44%40sessionmgr11&vid=7&hid=1http://ehis.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=0c8dd455-e42f-4e89-9a7f- 8ede2a8c1b44%40sessionmgr11&vid=7&hid=1