Save a Bundle Using Cloth Diapers and
Homemade Diaper Wipes
by Michelle Jones
We saved a small fortune by doing
these two things with our first child, and it’s not as hard as you
might think.
When I gave birth to our first
child almost 14 years ago, my husband and I were just about flat
broke. Not only did we use cloth diapers, but I also made my own
diaper wipes and continued to make them for several years. We
saved a small fortune by doing just these two things, and it’s not
as hard as you might think!
Diapers
The best cloth diapers to use
are the plain white ones that are pre-folded; they have thick
padding in the middle, are inexpensive, and work great. You’ll
need about 4-dozen, though you could get by on less. The plastic
pant covers are also nice to use, but try not to use them all the
time. They keep the moisture in a little too well, and can lead to
diaper rash. It’s important to change the cloth diapers often;
they are not as absorbent as the disposable ones.
Liners
Diaper liners are available in
the store as well, but I found these to be a waste of money. I
purchased one package and never even used half of them. If you’re
using the pre-folded cloth diapers, they will be thick enough to
keep everything in. But if you are using the thinner, unfolded
variety, you might want to invest in the liners and give them a
try. When anticipating a possible leak, during a long car ride or
day trip, I would just fold a single thin diaper and place it
inside of the pre-folded one. It usually did the trick.
Laundering
Use a large plastic container
with an airtight lid to store the soiled diapers until you are
ready to wash them. Washing them every other day should be plenty
enough; depending on how many diapers your baby goes through. Just
be sure to rinse the dirtier ones in the toilet before placing
them in the container. Do this by holding one end of the diaper
above the water line, swishing the cloth around until the soil is
released into the water. You may have to flush the toilet once and
repeat this step, just be sure not to let go of the diaper!
When you are ready to wash your
container of diapers, wash them in hot water with your choice of
detergent. Tide is great, but if your baby has sensitive skin you
might try switching to a milder detergent. If the diapers are
badly soiled, add a little bleach to the water and soak them for
an hour or so before washing. Don’t soak them in the bleach water
too long, as this can break down the fibers in the cloth and cause
them to tear.
Diaper Wipes
This was always my favorite
part. Every time I made a batch of home made diaper wipes I was
just a little more proud of myself for being so frugal. They do
not take long to make, and at a cost of 50 cents a box, you’ll be
able to take a small vacation with all the money you’ll save!
Here’s the recipe:
1 roll of paper towels
2 T. baby oil
2 T. baby bath or shampoo
2 cups boiled water, then cooled
Old diaper wipe container
(or any airtight container will do)
Each roll of paper towels will
make two boxes of wipes. You also have two options for the style
of diaper wipes to make. You can either cut the roll of paper
towels in half; leaving them in a roll, or you can tear apart the
towels and fold them to fit into the box. The later was my
preferred choice.
After you place your towels into
the empty box, mix the remaining ingredients in a large measuring
cup. Slowly pour the liquid over the towels, making sure to cover
them evenly.
If you have chosen the folded
method, place half of the towels in the box and pour in half of
the liquid. Then add remaining towels and remaining liquid on top
of them.
If you have chosen the rolled
method, be sure to remove the cardboard from the middle before
adding the liquid. After the towels have set for a short while,
they will absorb the liquid more evenly and will keep fresh for
several weeks.
Be proud of yourself for saving
money, but more than anything else enjoy that precious little
baby, they grow up so fast! Sing songs or nursery rhymes while
changing those diapers, make the most of every moment you have
together. Babies are a precious gift from God, and every new day
is another blessing.
Michelle Jones, author
of Frugal Family Recipes and Dealing with Debt, is dedicated to helping
families save money and live a better life. She's also a frugal mom of 4
and the Publishing Editor of Living a Better Life: The Free Money-Saving
Tips Ezine. Please visit
www.BetterBudgeting.com to sign up for your free subscription!
Copyright © by Michelle Jones. All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission.
