So it looks like we are switching up our cloth routine, again (I'm really happy about this). When we change our routine, it's because there is a flaw with the previous one. The biggest challenge (which isn't very big) of cloth diapering is definitely the cleaning process for my family. Solids, like we expected, changed the game of cloth for us. The buildup has been a lot more frequent, and I refuse to let my child wear these awful smelling diapers. When we were in Texas, I stripped Bug's diapers and *poof* the buildup and smells were gone. After a few uses, the smells came back, even with the frequent use of Bac out. Luckily, for us we had to time to figure out another method for stripping. Whenever we travel we use biodegradable disposables, so Ava wasn't in cloth for a little over two weeks. As soon as we got our cloth accessories, I knew exactly what I wanted to change in order to keep Ava bug's diapers fresh and good. Instead of soaking cloth diapers, wipes, etc. in rock in green, we opted to use the rock in green, funk rock.

All it took was 60 minutes of soaking in our tub (you can use the washer or sink) and our diapers smelled better than when we first put them in. The final step was adding a rinse cycle, than washing your diapers like you normally would. As soon as the diapers were done with the rinse cycle, I took one out, and I smelled NOTHING. I was so pleased that the funk rock worked so well. The true test was using them and then washing again... NOTHING! We did switch our wash routine around a little bit, so I'm curious if switching the amount of detergent, wash routine, and new stripping method is the new cause for our diapers being stench free. 

Wash Routine

Normal Cycle w/ two scoops of rock in green 

Warm Wash

Rinse

Normal Cycle w/ one scoop of rock in green

Hot Wash

Rinse

Extra rinse w/ no detergent at all

Stripping Routine

Toss all cloth accessories in tub,sink,or washer

Add hot or warm water to soak the cloth accessories in

add 4 tbsp of rock in funk to the hot water

allow cloth accessories to sit for 30-60 minutes (for best results soak overnight)

rinse diapers 

Wash like normal, with your desired cloth friendly detergent. 

Overall, I'm really pleased with our recent changes. Before we changed our stripping routine, our diapers spent hours soaking in the tub. The amount of time has downsized, and the smell is even better. Hopefully there aren't too many more surprises in our cloth journey. I'd like to get our routine perfected for future Howl babies! If any of my readers ever have any questions or concerns, I'm always willing to lend an ear, or answer in anyway I can. A lot of people contact me via facebook (which is great), but you can always comment on the posts I publish. 

Happy Monday all! 

♥- Leilani

Stripping!

After six solid months of cloth diapering, I am finally stripping Ava's cloth diapers. I definitely think solids changed the game of cloth for us, but it hasn't been too difficult of a change. We finally said good bye to Ava's small sized prefolds (they've joined her newborn prefolds) and we will be adding medium sized prefolds to our stash (thank you grandma). Prefolds still remain my favorite and I cannot believe that we are moving onto the next size that green mountain diapers provide. Justin has been super giddy about all of our fluff lately. He knows that Howl baby # 2 will be all set with their diapering needs. Although I attempted to cloth diaper Ava from the time we were in the hospital, I know that I'll feel even more confident using cloth from day one to potty training with our next child.

Our Stripping Routine

1. Remove all inserts from pocket diapers, remove all covers from prefolds, and make sure everything is separated and ready to go in the tub
2. Spray all stained inserts, covers, or pockets with biokleen's bac-out and allow them to sit for five minutes
3. Fill the bathtub with hot water, and add four scoops of Rockin' Green to the tub (or desired detergent)
4. Add all cloth wipes, prefolds, covers, pocket diapers, etc. to the hot, soapy, tub
5. Agitate the cloth every thirty minutes
6. Allow the cloth accessories to soak for 2.5 hours
7. Rinse all the water from the diapers
8. Take the cloth to the washer
9. Rinse cloth in COLD water
10. Repeat rinse at least 4-5 times to get all the suds out

** Bac out is extremely safe on your cloth diapers, and I encourage everyone to use it if you are facing odor problems or stains. 

I hope all my fluff mom's are able to use this as a starting guide for stripping their diapers. Diapers do not need to be stripped nearly as often when you have a great wash routine! 

♥- Leilani