Guest Post - Cloth Diapering on a Budget: How to Buy Used Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapering, by its very nature, is cost-effective. Still, if you're just starting out, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the high start-up investment required. One of the best ways to lower the initial amount of money needed to start cloth diapering is to purchase used diapers.

Yes, you heard me right. Used cloth diapers. Other than the obvious plus of a lower price, used diapers have the added advantage of being ready to use without requiring any prepping. Before you can use a brand-new diaper, you need to wash, rinse, and dry them multiple times in order to soften the fibers and increase the absorbency. The more the diapers are washed, the more absorbant they are.  Since used diapers have already been washed many times, they are highly absorbant.

How do I know what to look for in a used diaper?

One of the main things you should take into consideration is how the diapers have been washed.  If the diapers have been laundered in the "wrong" type of detergent, they are bound to have detergent residue, which causes the fabric to retain odor and repel liquid.  This handy chart from Diaper Jungle lets you know which laundry products are right for the job. Ask the seller what she's used to wash the diapers so you don't purchase diapers with build-up. If you do find that the diapers have excess detergent, wash them several times in the hottest water possible (either add boiling water to the washer, or turn up your hot water heater) until there are no visible suds. This will usually do the trick, although with severe buildup you may find that additional intervention is necessary. Some people swear by a bit of Oxyclean or even Dawn dishwashing soap to strip the diapers. Again, you'll need to repeatedly wash with hot water only to completely get rid of the suds.

Of course, when purchasing used diapers you'll also want to ensure the diapers are in tip-top shape. A good indicator of condition is often--but not always--how long the diapers have been used. Older diapers are much more likely to have weakened or even blown-out elastic. Also, you'll want to look for ones with snaps, since aplix and velcro closures are particularly likely to show and wear and tear.

I'm ready to buy! Where can I find used diapers?

The Diaper Swappers forum/marketplace is always buzzing, and you can find a really great variety of cloth diapers at amazing prices. There's even a section for trading, so there's no money involved! (Side note: If you're like me and are confused by the acronyms sprinkled liberally throughout many forum posts, keep this reference handy as you're reading.)

I've heard of people having great success finding used diapers on Craigslist and eBay Classifieds although I have not done this. Personally, I don't like the idea of driving to someone's house; but, if you're in a highly-populated area and this is doable for you, go for it.

Check out Veg Source's Miscellaneous Swap or Clothes Swap boards. Don't let the name "swap" scare you away; most items are simply offered for sale. Since it's not exclusive to diapering products, it's hit or miss. The listings are a bit tedious and time-consuming to comb through, and the archaic format is not for the impatient, but you can find some great items. And the fact that the boards don't specialize in diapering is a actually a plus, since that means fewer people are looking for the same items you are.

If you're looking for something a little more convenient, Diaper Junction sells certified pre-owned diapers which are washed, inspected, and ready to go. The Cloth Diaper Outlet also offers gently used diapers under their Reduce, Reuse, Recycle program. Just keep in mind you'll pay a little more for these pre-screened diapers than you would for used ones purchased elsewhere.

Don't forget about garage sales/yard sales! My mom recently scored 6 nearly-new FuzziBunz diapers for just $15. Another time, she found some diaper covers for 25 cents each.

And last but definitely not least -- do you know people who cloth diaper? Perhaps they would be willing to sell you diapers their children have outgrown.

I just can't bring myself to purchase used diapers. Where can I buy brand-new diapers for less?

The Eco Baby Buys website has one new deal every day which goes live at 9am EST. Often the featured item of the day is cloth diapers, wet bags, or some other diapering item. Depending on your budget and what you are looking for, some sales will be fantastic steals and others honestly won't be. In any case, it's worth keeping an eye on the site, especially if you are in the market for something specific.  Create a free account and sign up for their email newsletter to have the item of the day emailed to you every morning.

eBay has literally thousands of cloth diapers for sale at any given time. A little secret? Most of these are actually new diapers, listed for used prices! Decide what you're willing to pay, then either search for "Buy it Now" listings, or, start bidding on auctions.

Cotton Babies frequently has factory seconds available at a discounted price. It's also possible to score a great price on leftover stock when a diaper manufacturer introduces a new version of a diaper, so keep up to date on releases.

With just a little time and effort spent searching out the deals, you'll be fully stocked with a stash of bright, colorful, nearly-new diapers -- all for far less than retail prices.

--Gina Munsey has been cloth diapering since her daughter was six weeks old.  She and her artist-husband, transplanted Californians, currently live in Florida. You can find her blogging at Oaxacaborn, a gypsy-souled collection of words, photographs, and pretty things.

Cloth Diaper Snap Conversion Service

If you've got cloth diapers with velcro that is driving you insane, here's a simple fix. Send your diapers off to Convert My Diapers, and they'll replace the velcro with snaps for a small fee per diaper. This might be a great way to deal with seconds diapers that you already didn't spend too much on! I believe this is a work at home mom, so you would also be supporting a great cause too =) The picture above is an example of what she's done with 3.0's, and they look fantastic. Click here to find a price list to get an idea of the cost for your diapers.

Thanks Rebecca!

Free Shipping @FuzziBunz

Did you know that Fuzzibunz.com has free shipping on all orders? I believe this means no minimum, so if you were looking to buy something small that would be less than the cost of shipping somewhere else,  you might want to go check them out and see if you can get a deal!

Cloth Diapers

Do you Cloth Diaper? If yes, what's your favorite diaper and why? Do you use a wet bag? Which kind and why? And what's your favorite detergent and why?

I love all things cloth, and I love to hear about new and fun things that work well. I'd love to hear what you have to say!

Don't cloth diaper? Think it's gross or just never thought about it? Here are some resources to get you started if you're interested:

• Cloth Diaper Q&A pt.1
• Cloth Diaper Q&A pt. 2
• Some Thoughts on Cloth
• The Unintentional Cloth Diapering Mommy

And by the way...I was very unsure about cloth diapering, but now I am a true convert. I don't think of it as laundry because to me it's easier than cleaning our clothes. I don't have to sort or think. I just dump and wash. It's really that simple. And now I don't have the agonizing pain I used to get from throwing disposables away with my first. Every single time I changed her diaper I would think "I am literally throwing away money." If you've ever thought that, go cloth!!! There are some affordable ways to do it, and there are so many great resources. If you have any questions at all about starting up, please please email me at thebudgetmommy@gmail.com. I would be happy to answer what I know. Also, feel free to post any questions on The Budget Mommy facebook wall. There are many moms on there who know way more than I do, so take advantage and start saving money!

Cloth Diaper Q&A Pt. 2

I didn't actually mean for it to take this long to get to the second Q&A, but here we are! Oh, and a HUGE thanks to Jen AM who said I should try tossing my Bumgenius 3.0's in to the wash without pulling the inserts out. It worked like a charm and I saved the time and nastiness! Oh, and here's the link to the first Q&A for those who are curious. Got a question I still haven't touched on? Post it here or on my FB wall, or email me directly at
thebudgetmommy@gmail.com.

Do cloth diapers change the way the baby's clothes fit? Absolutely. I am now a big fan of BabyLegs because pants that work with cloth are so hard to find. To get them big enough at the tush, they are always way too long on the legs. It's gotten better since my baby has gotten older though. But when they're itty bitty, the difference is hilarious. We called our baby Bubble Butt for a while because her tush was SO large!

Do you use liners? I have fashioned my own liners out of sheer desperation. I am ashamed to admit I have been using paper towels! I have been waiting to make an order for some cloth pull ups and liners, and I got tired of cleaning NASTY diapers, so I tried paper towels. I obviously can't flush them, but it certainly beats the alternative which involved scraping and all around nastiness!

Do you get stains on the diaper if you don't use a liner? You get some staining, but I've heard putting them out in the sun bleaches that out phenomenally. I also really don't care about stains. I mean, we all know what these are used for, so as long as the outside is cute, I don't care at all what the inside looks like. All of that to say, I haven't really tried anything to lift stains or avoid them.

Do you change them more than disposables? Nope! I change them less! I find I usually just change because it's been a long time and I want her to have a fresh diaper. We never once had a blow out, and it only leaks when I forgot and don't change her for several (SEVERAL) hours. These things are amazing!

Do you have to wash the whole diaper every time or can you just take out the liners? With the diapers that I have, you have to wash the whole thing. Since you're inserting the liners in to the shell, the shell gets dirty before the liners since it's the first line of defense if you will. If you're looking for something that lets you reuse the same shell, go with flip or Econobum or Grobaby. Those styles all use a shell with liners that are easily changed when dirty. I see the pros and cons of either kind. I personally don't mind the ones you stuff, but it's totally about what you're comfortable with.

Cloth Diaper Q&A pt.1

Okay, so let me start by saying this. I have only cloth diapered for about 9 months now, and have used a limited (comparatively) amount of cloth diapers. I know there are those of you out there who've done it much longer than I have, so if you have thoughts, feel free to throw em in!

Here are the main cloth diaper websites I use: Diaper Junction, Jillians Drawers, and Kelley's Closet.

What do you need to get started? - A washing machine, some decent detergent, and cloth diapers of your choosing. There are some brands that need covers and some that don't but I'll get in to that in later. I have mentioned before about the trial program at Jillians Drawer's, and I have heard great feedback about it. If you want to get a great feel for what you'd like, start there. Then the whole process won't be such a mystery, and therefore won't be scary!

And the poopy messes? - Buy some liners when you buy your diapers. You simply lay them on top of the diaper before you put it on. If you get a really nasty poop, just lift out the liner and flush the whole thing. Otherwise, you can wash those along with the diapers 2-3 times and reuse them. And before your baby starts solids, you don't have to worry about the liners. Doing a rinse load takes care of the poo.

How much does startup cost? - It really depends on what you're buying, but if you're starting your whole stash from square one, you're going to pay somewhere between $100-$200.

Is there a huge difference between brands? - Well, there's a difference between styles. I have only used One Size diapers. These types of diapers are the kinds that snap to become larger or smaller, meaning you can snap it all the way down to make it fit a newborn or unsnap it completely to fit a bigger baby. This picture shows it well:

Some diapers need covers and some don't. Bumgenius 3.0's, Grobaby, Flip, and Econobums don't. They act as their own cover. But there are several that do. Usually, it will be obvious when you buy the diaper that you'll need a cover. It should be in the information about the diaper.

How do the sizes work? - Well, as I mentioned earlier, I use the one size styles. However I've heard those might not work as well if your baby has big legs or even really small legs. Assess your child's size to determine the best fit.

How many are needed? - I had 14 and was doing just fine. We had to wash every couple of days, but it wasn't awful. I now have 20 (5 of which I won,) and I don't have to worry about running out at all. I used to count them all into the wash, and now I don't worry because I know I have plenty. So somewhere between 10 and 20, I suppose!

What do I need to purchase to switch my 6 week old over to cloth? - Honestly, you'll need to assess what kind you want and go from there. Do you like the idea of laying the insert in to the shell, and then tossing the dirty insert in to the laundry and reusing the same shell with a new insert? If so, try a flip, econobum, or grobaby. Does that gross you out? Try a diaper like Bumgenius 3.0s, Fuzzibunz or Happy Heinys that you stuff the inserts in to and when they're dirty, just toss them in to the wash and start with a whole new diaper.

Does it help with potty training? - I've heard that it does as well, though I've never personally done it. I only started cloth on my newborn because my oldest was too old by that point.

Should I start cloth on my older toddler? - I do know that there are some decent pull up cloth diapers, so you could try those instead of buying normal cloth diapers. You pay $15 for the diaper shell, and then you'll need to buy some good inserts. In all, you'll probably be out $25 per pull up, but you can use the inserts for regular cloth diapers and you'll be able to use them for the next baby! Plus, we still pay $28 per month on disposables for our oldest for the occasional nap diapers and the bedtime ones..OUCH. So the cloth gets paid for in a matter of months.

How I wash mine: I toss all the shells, inserts, and wipes in to the washing machine and run a cold rinse cycle with no detergent. Then I run a HOT wash with detergent. Then I run a final HOT wash to rinse without detergent to be certain all of the detergent is gone. Then I throw the inserts and wipes in to the dryer and lay the shells out to dry. You don't have to air dry the shells, but they'll last longer if you do.

Don't get how it all works? Here's how I can explain it the best. My main diapers (bumgenius 3.0s) came with two microfiber inserts. One is a regular insert, and the other is an infant insert, or it's also called a booster. The regular insert is thicker and longer. It can be used by itself, and the diaper is trimmer that way. If I want to go longer without changing the diaper, or for overnight use, I add the smaller, thinner infant insert in too. It makes the diaper thicker, but it helps absorb a lot more. When I want to wash them, I simply pull both inserts out of the shell, toss shell and inserts in to the wash, and go about my day.

Okay, so this is just the first part. I know there were more questions, and I will get to those hopefully tomorrow. In the meantime, if you have any questions or input please feel free to post a comment.

Some Thoughts on Cloth Diapers

A reader asked for my opinion on a simple to use and cost effective cloth diaper, so I thought I would list what I have along with great, cost effective ways to buy cloth.

I have four different types of cloth diapers; bumGenius 3.0, flip, Econobum, and Gro Baby. When I first started, flip and Econobum hadn't come out yet, so we bought several (14) Bumgenius 3.0's. Then I won a flip diaper and the four GroBaby diapers, and I bought an Econobum so I could tell you guys how I like it. I have written a post more thoroughly explaining the differences between flip, Grobaby, and Econobum for another blog, and when it's posted I will definitely post the link. For now, here's a quick blurb about each of the four that I have:

• Econobum - This is definitely the cheapest quailty diaper of the four, but hey, that's what they advertise it as. Bare bones economical cloth. You use snaps to secure the diaper, and you can reuse the same shell several times. They are $9.99 each.
• flip - This is the higher quality version of the Econobum. You get color and insert choices, and it will probably (I don't know this for sure!) last longer. It's also roughly twice the price. These start at $16.99 each.
• Gro Baby- I call these the Aston Martins of this style. They are organic cotton, have velcro tabs, and are adorable. They absorb well and seem like they'd last longer than the other two. Did I mention cute? Oh, and when I say Aston Martin, I mean they're $24.99 each!
• bumGenius 3.0 - These are different from the other three in that you stuff the inserts into the shell instead of laying them on top. Therefore, when the diaper is dirty, you start with a whole new one instead of just a fresh insert. These things absorb TONS and will also grow with your baby. These are $17.99 each.

Okay, I know that was sparse on details. As I said, I wrote up a whole post describing the differences between those first three for another blog. I will link up to that post as soon as it's up!

Now, here's my thoughts on what I've got and some tips on starting your stash inexpensively.

Since I obviously have the most of the 3.0's, I use those the most. They are good quality and I have never had a leak problem. The only times I have had a leak, it's been my fault (oops..should have changed that diaper a WHILE ago!) They are great for overnight use and I love them. The cons? The velcro is already seriously showing some wear and it's only been 8 months since I started using them full time. They offer velcro replacement kits for free, but since I don't sew (again with the not being crafty!) I would have to get help from one of my crafty friends (which I thankfully have an abundance of.) The laundry tabs no longer stay put, so when I pull them out of the washing machine it's like monkeys in a barrel. They all come out together! But they do dry quickly and I think they're incredibly easy to use. There was a point before my 9 month old started crawling that I thought her legs would be too chubby for them. But after she started crawling around, the problem went away and they now fit just fine at the legs.

As for the other three, the Econobum and flip are fine but not my favorites. The flip insert absorbs extremely well, but I just don't like the snaps very much. They are both trimmer between the legs than the Bumgenius 3.0's, so it's easier to find pants that fit with them. (Oh yeah, with a thicker cloth diaper like the 3.0's, it's hard to find a good fitting pant, so be aware of that...that's why babylegs are so awesome!) Grobaby has velcro tabs and they are so stinking cute. I love them almost as much as my 3.0's, but they're pricey. Maybe you could splurge and buy a few just to try!

If you're interested in trying cloth but don't know what you want and don't want to spend an arm and a leg on something you'll hate, try out the $10 trial from JilliansDrawers.com. You pay $10 to get a 21 day trial of 6 different diapers. This will give you a good feel for what you like and don't like. It will also help you to better understand just what it is we mean when we're talking about "all in ones" and "prefolds" and "one size" (I know..it was all SUPER confusing to me at first too!)

Diaper Junction has a similar deal where you can buy a sample package for $57.50. This kit and several other diapers are available risk free for 30 days, meaning if you hate them, you get your money back, end of story. You're just out the shipping (which is free on orders over $75.)

One last thing. If you're going to use cloth, bite the bullet and buy cloth diaper detergent like Tiny Bubbles Laundry Detergent or Charlie's Soap Powder. It's pricey, but it's worth it. We started to have a bad smell problem with our 3.0's and using Tiny Bubbles seems to be taking care of it. I haven't used Charlie's Soap but I have friends who rave about it, so you could try either one.

Phew, ok there is so much more I could say but I'll stop now. There is just so much information! I will try to post soon about washing instructions and whatnot. If you have ANY questions or think this post is unclear at all, please leave a comment. I will answer you to the best of my ability!

I'm Famous Again!

I wrote another guest post for Cloth Diaper Blog! This one is about Cloth Wipes. Go check it out! =)

Econobum or flip Diaper Tip

I bought an Econobum diaper and a flip Diaper. I have been really excited to try each of them out and see what I think about that style of diaper. I am not going to give a full review yet, but I wanted to pass along a tip. You know all of those burp cloths you have laying around that are actually cloth diapers? While they don't absorb as much as the inserts that come with the diapers, they fit nicely inside the shells of both diapers and are a great inexpensive option for inserts. I wouldn't count on it for hours, but you could use them during the day for short stretches. Happy cloth diapering! =)

Interested in trying cloth? It will save you tons of money and is very little effort, so it would fit very nicely with a New Year's Resolution to save money! Use code AFL550 to save $5 off $50 at Diaper Junction, and try one of the Econobum or flip kits. You will be surprised at how easy it is to cloth diaper!

Preowned Diapers and Inserts @ Diaper Junction

Diaper Junction now has preowned diapers and inserts for sale! Quantities are limited, but check around and see if there's something you need for a good deal. There are flip Diaper inserts and systems, Gro Baby inserts and systems, and organic Bumgenius diapers too!

Tiny gDiapers

gDiapers now makes diapers for infants called Tiny gPants, and they are SO cute!! They are sadly only available in their New Baby Bundle, but if you were already looking to buy something like that, this would be a great starter kit. I have not personally used gDiapers, so I cannot say how well they work. If you've had any experience with them, please share. I would love to know what you think!

Cloth Diaper Giveaways

Cloth Diaper Blog has a great list of Cloth Diaper Giveaways right now. There's everything from gDiapers to Thirsties to Bummis, so there are lots of options to choose from. If you're looking for some ways to score free cloth diapers, go check it out!

By the way, I won a flip Diaper from Diaper Junction over the holidays, and so far I love it! I also grabbed an Econobum diaper too so I could see how the two compare, and I will be doing a write-up on my thoughts soon. Use the code AFL550 to save $5 off $50 at Diaper Junction and give them a try too!

Adventures in Baby Food Making

I made all the food for my first. I would slave forever to get everything prepped, steamed, put into my blender in batches, and stored. Granted, the child could eat 5lbs of produce in three days, so I never had to freeze anything, but still. It took a lot of time. Then baby number two arrived. I hit a great sale at Publix and was able to get a HUGE amount of organic baby food for $.28 each, down from $.99 each. Then I hit another sale just as I was running out and got the same deal.

Alas, I knew there was no way I'd be getting such a great deal every time I needed to buy baby food. Eventually my baby was going to start eating more than a jar a day. So just as I was running out of baby food and beginning to despair, I picked up the Make It Fast, Cook It Slow cookbook from the library. The author talks about using the crock pot for making baby food, and I had one of those "WHY DID THIS NOT OCCUR TO ME 3 YEARS AGO?!" moments. It's absolutely brilliant! I have a 6 quart crock pot which is easily three times the size of the pot that I was having to use (it's the only one I have with a steamer insert.) So I am able to make massive amounts of food at one time and not have to babysit it. And then when it's cooked, I simply stick an immersion blender in to puree and then viola! Baby food for days that costs pennies and takes very little effort. I am a HUGE fan!

I was actually called "so domestic" by someone this past weekend, and though it would have been rude to fall on the floor laughing, I did think about it. I am so not domestic that it's not even funny. I am just REALLY good at not paying money for something because there usually isn't any so I don't have a choice. All of that to say, don't be daunted by making your own baby food or even using cloth diapers. They are SO easy to do, and are not even the "Once you get the hang of it" kinds of things. Just give them a try. I think you'll find this stuff is easier to do than you'd think.

Cotton Babies Holiday Sale

Cotton Babies has yet another Bumgenius deal! You can buy four Econobums and get one free, or buy four Bumgenius 3.0 All-In-Ones and get one free! Bumgenius' deluxe Bamboo Fitted Diapers are now $7.77 (cheaper than the sale price of the Econbums last weekend!) You can also still pick up a pack of disposable inserts for the Flip for $3.96 and an Econobum Kit for $39.96.

As far as I can tell, it might still be a better deal to get the kit of Econobums. The buy 4 get one free sale price is the same as the kit and I think having more inserts would be more useful. If you were looking to invest right now, buying both together would probably be your best bet. That way, you get 8 covers and 17 inserts in total for a savings of $20 off retail. If you're simply looking to bulk up your stash, the Kit will give you more inserts.

Diaper Junction Black Friday Sale

Everyone is practically giving cloth diapers away today! Diaper Junction is having a black Friday sale today as well, and you can get the same deals there as CottonBabies. CottonBabies has free economy shipping, Diaper Junction gives points for each purchase and if you sign up for their newsletter you get a 10% off coupon. So basically, it's your call. Go get some great deals on diapers! Oh, one difference is that you can get the flip Diaper set with the Organic Cotton inserts for a few more dollars at Diaper Junction. CottonBabies doesn't give the option.