Diapers Defined -- What is a Flat Diaper?

What is it?

Flat diapers are cloth diapering at its simplest.  They are the oldest known style of diaper, and have been in use for most of history.  They are simply a square or rectangular piece of cloth that you fold to fit onto your baby.  They are generally made from natural fibers such as linen, cotton, hemp, or bamboo.  Any size may be used, but around 30" square is fairly standard.

Advantages of Flats

Flats wash very cleanly and are the quickest drying diaper.  This makes them very convenient to use if you are camping or need to wash your diaper laundry by hand.  They are also an excellent option for those traveling abroad.  Flats are also extremely versatile, and are one of the few diapering options that can fit just as well on a newborn as they can on a toddler.  For heavy wetters and older babies, it's easy to add extra layers of absorbency where they are needed the most.

A disadvantage of flats is that they do require a bit of extra time and effort when you are first learning how to use them.  Very active babies may not wish to hold still long enough to get an effective fit.  I still find flats to be a very convenient diapering option, and use them to diaper my own babies often.

How to Wash it

Most natural fibers will need to be washed several (usually 6-8) times before first use in order to wash away natural oils and increase fiber absorbency.  Alternatively, you could boil your flats in a large pot (about 20 minutes), followed by washing once or twice.  When you are completely finished with your washes, dry once, and then your diapers are ready to wear!

After normal use, you only need to wash your flats once.  I recommend doing a cold rinse, hot wash with a small amount of detergent, and a second rinse.  Then line dry, or use a dryer.

How to fold it

There are many different ways to fold a flat diaper.  Here are just a few to get started.

Padfold:

Fold in half horizontally.  Fold several times vertically.  Tuck excess under.  Use in any diaper cover designed for inserts.

Triangle Fold:

Pull bottom right corner to top left corner.  Then pull bottom left corner to top right corner.  Place under baby with long edge aligned with baby's belly button.  Pull bottom corner of triangle up through baby's legs, folding down any excess.  Pull left edge of triangle over baby's belly.  Pull right edge of triangle over baby's belly.  Secure with pin or snappi.

Prefold style:

This fold requires two flats.  Padfold first flat (see above) and place it slightly off center on unfolded flat.  Fold top and bottom of flat towards center.  Fold left side towards inner padfold.  Fold right side over about an inch, then over the padfold center.  Place baby on diaper and put on like a prefold.  Secure with a pin or snappi.

Closure

There are a few different options for holding a flat diaper closed once you have folded it around your baby.  You may not need any closure system if you are using your flat under a tight fitting wrap-style cover.  Other ways include:

Pins
Snappi/Boingo
Diaper belt
Mitten clips

Top it Off

You can use a flat diaper by itself, or add a cover on top as a moisture-resistant protective layer to keep leaks from happening.  Covers can be made of wool, polyester fleece, or PUL.  Remember to change your baby often (every 2 hours or as needed) to prevent rashes.

What is your favorite way to use a flat?  Share in the comments below!

Intro to Green Cleaning

One reason that parents may choose to cloth diaper their baby is to reduce the number of chemicals that their baby is exposed to.  We want our homes to be a place that is free from all of the chemicals that may be linked to health problems.  However, many of the most popular cleaning products from well-known and reputable brands contain undeclared ingredients, many of which may be toxic to your family.  These products might even have warning labels that merit concern.  Some parents hear horror stories about children swallowing cleaning products, leading to panicked phone calls to a poison control hotline, or having to rush the child to the hospital.  Others may be concerned with the environmental impact of washing these products down the drain.

My second son was born with a skin condition that makes him very intolerant of a wide variety of household products, including laundry detergent, soaps, shampoos, lotions, and household cleaning products.  Prior to his birth, I had no idea just how many chemicals Americans are typically exposed to on a daily basis.  Since many of the ingredients that were causing him the most problems were undeclared, finding things that would work for his skin was a process of trial and error.

What is it?

Green Cleaning methods typically involve ingredients that occur naturally and tend to be gentler on our skin and the environment.  I have found that when I use vinegar and baking soda to clean my house, I don't really need to use gloves to protect my hands.  I also don't need to worry as much about ventilation, and using these kinds of cleaning products does not make me cough or irritate my throat or chest.  Most of the cleaning formulas that I use take only a minute to mix and last for a long time.  Best of all, I have seen a vast improvement in my son's skin since I switched to these methods, so I know that they are gentler on skin than mainstream cleaning products.  Another bonus aspect to this cleaning method is that many homemade cleaning formulas are much cheaper to make than the products you may buy in a store.

How Does it Work?

There are many different ingredients and cleaning formulas available in books and on the internet to help you to clean your house without using synthetic chemicals.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Window Cleaner:

1c        Distilled white Vinegar
1c        Water
2TBsp  Lemon Juice

Pour ingredients into a spray bottle and shake to combine.  Spray onto dirty surface you wish to clean and wipe with a clean, dry cloth (I recommend a lintless flour sack towel).

Soap Scum Remover:

1/4c+     Baking Soda
2TBsp+ Water (HOT!)
1TBsp+ Distilled White Vinegar

Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda onto the affected tile or counter area, and add enough water to make a paste.  Scrub with a cleaning brush.  For stubborn spots, pour about a tablespoon of vinegar over the paste and allow it to bubble, then scrub until clean.

Cleaner for Mopping:

1/4 c  Borax
2 gal  Water (HOT!)

Pour water into mop bucket or sink.  Add the borax and stir until dissolved.  Use to mop floors or wipe counters to clean and sanitize.

Here are some links to kindle books on green cleaning available for download.  At the time this blog was published, they were available for free, though the offer is for a limited time only.

Natural Green Cleaning: 101 Non-Toxic DIY Hints & Cleaning Tips For Home Cleaning Using Vinegar

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HE5I99S/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=16T1F7C2HYW1&coliid=IF6DSGLW8K7IM

The Green Home Cleaning Guide: Clean Your House the Easy and Natural Way in Less than 30 Minutes a Day (Clean Green Minimalism)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CO07HHS/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=16T1F7C2HYW1&coliid=I2LGNFCETE6GJ3

Book Package: The Green Home Cleaning Guide: Clean Your House the Easy and Natural Way in Less than 30 Minutes a Day & Natural Green Cleaning: How to Clean Your Home Naturally

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I8C3GFS/ref=wl_it_dp_v_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=16T1F7C2HYW1&coliid=IWEKSKZPSDE09

I hope you enjoy using these green cleaning methods.  Please share your experiences in the comments below!