In the mood for some little known fun facts about cloth diapers? Today’s post is jam-packed with interesting things you never knew you needed to know! If you missed the first two installments, you’ll want to check them out! Besides, who knows when you are going to be playing Jeopardy and these things might come up?
Here are the links to the first two installments! Enjoy! Three Interesting Things First Edition & Second Edition
Fun Fact Fact 1:
What…is…that? Ever open up your jar of carefully chosen cloth diaper safe rash cream and find THAT. I know, I know…it looks like some sort of weird mold. What could have grown in there?
Rest assured. It’s NOT mold. Lots of these cloth diaper safe creams are made with all natural ingredients. What that means is that there are no chemicals to keep everything in a perfect state for eternity. (That’s a good thing!) Sometimes the ingredients will separate or change consistency (like from creamy to grainy). It’s usually caused by extreme temperature changes, usually during transportation. Think box trailer behind an 18 –wheeler baking in the sun kind of hot.
Good news though! You don’t need to do anything if it doesn’t bother you. The cream will still work exactly the same. If it does bother you (it bothers me!), it’s an easy fix! I had this happen to my Cj’s BUTTer and also Earth Momma Angel Baby Bottom Balm. I just followed what CJ’s said to do. It works on any cream that has had this happen. CJ’s BUTTer’s website says:
…just remove the cap and microwave it for about 45-60 seconds (standing up in a microwave-safe cup if it’s a tube). Then replace the cap and shake the bottle well or stir well if it’s a jar or tub. Place it in the freezer to re-harden and it should be smooth and creamy again. Melting the BUTTer melts the crystals in the shea butter and cooling it quickly in the freezer keeps the crystals from reforming.
I would just add to keep an eye on it while the jar is in the microwave. It might take less time to melt and you don’t want it bubbling out of the container! After a bit in the freezer, my rash creams come out silky smooth every time.
Fun Fact 2:
Did you know that cloth diapers with leg gussets can be stuffed to the max and not gap? Yup, that’s right. I always knew gussets were good at keeping messes in, but now I know they can hold an insane amount of absorbency! I currently stuff three Large Thirsties Hemp Inserts (love them!) and a Ragababe Large Insert (Bamboo blend) on top! It all fits and goes on easily and I don’t have to mess with the legs to make sure there aren’t gaps. I’m lovin’ on my Thirsties Duo Wraps, Rumparooz One Size Covers and Blueberry Coveralls! Great options for night diapers!
Fun Fact 3:
Hot water is great when cleaning cloth diapers. Between that and a good detergent you should be set! BUT….hot water can be TOO hot. When the temperature of your water is too high you risk damaging your PUL/TPU covers. Excessively hot water isn’t really all that good on anything. So what is a good range to aim for? Something around 120-125 degrees is probably sufficient. You could even go a little lower as long as everything is still coming clean. Going hotter than that on a regular basis could cause delamination on covers and lead to leaks. (Wondering what the heck delamination is? What about PUL/TPU? Click here to get the scoop!
To this end, you should never use the washer’s sanitize cycle on your cloth diapers! It’s just too hot for your covers! Flats, prefolds and inserts with no snaps are ok to run though occasionally if you need to.
To test your water temp, you need to get a sample either directly out of your washer (if possible) or from the sink closest to the washer. Let the water run until it is at it’s full hot temp and then fill a small glass with water. You can use a meat thermometer and just stick it in to get a reading. If it’s too hot…or not hot enough you can adjust the temperature by adjusting your hot water heater accordingly.
OK! That’s it for now. Any fun facts you know about cloth diapers that I haven’t mentioned? I’d love to hear them! And if you learned something new today, be sure to share this post so others may also have the answer when it’s their turn in Jeopardy!
Jenn is a long-time cloth diaper educator and a passionate small business advocate. She has worked in the reusable diaper industry for over a decade, helping millions of families via her websites All About Cloth Diapers, Thinking About Cloth Diapers and Cloth Diaper Geek as well as hundreds of small businesses during that time. Her goal always to provide simple, reliable information.
Irina Johnson says
You are absolutely right Heather! Good read on how to wash cloth diapers
Suzie says
Cut up fleece to line you diapers with! Save from stains! Cheap alternative. Throw away if completely yucky, otherwise just rolls off :) My favorite c/d tip!
Jennifer Reinhardt says
That’s a good one! Thanks for sharing Suzie!
Heather Johnson says
We keep our water heater set to non-scald 120. I wash in warm, so the water is not all the hot. I check the water temperature periodically at the kitchen sink with a thermometer. I haven’t had any problems with the lower temp and prefer not to risk my daughter scalding herself.
Jennifer Reinhardt says
You are absolutely right Heather! That is always a risk when you have little ones! Often a lower temperature of the water gets the job done just fine. As long as everything is getting clean all is good!