I've decided to take the plunge. With the baby (2.0), at least. I found a really good deal on some well-priced and easy-to-use diapers, but The Guy vetoed it. So I decided, "Well, why can't I do it the hard way for a few weeks?" We spend a minimum of $10/week diapering 2.0. Probably more. If I wash a load of diapers every day and line dry, that's about $1.40/week (less if I switch from Charlie's Soap to homemade detergent).
We already have some plastic pants. We already have a million flannel receiving blankets lying around that I can make into prefolds. All I'd have to buy are the Snappis, which are about $9/pack. We need to buy some diapers soon anyway, so why not?
The reason I'm not putting The Child into cloth right away is that her skin is ridiculously sensitive, and she goes through far fewer diapers. She also freaks out if there's anything wet touching her skin, and I don't have the emotional stamina for that if I'm also learning to deal with cloth diapers.
I've decided to start tomorrow. I'm heading into town this evening for a hair appointment (you can have my fancy haircuts when you pry them from my cold, dead hands), so I might as well make it worth more than just my vanity.
So, switching 2.0 to cloth diapers: $1.22/day.
I'm toying with the idea of making my own detergent. I love Charlie's Soap so very, very much, though. A friend gave me what looks like a good recipe for detergent. I don't know how clean-rinsing it is, though. Maybe I'll test it out on one load and see how 2.0 reacts.
OK what is Charlie's Soap? I may have to try it. I think I might try cloth some day, but I'm full of all kinds of lofty ideals. When the rubber meets the road, I'll probably be too lazy to try any of it! Haha
ReplyDeleteCharlie's Soap is the best thing ever. If you have sensitive skin, and if you have the funds, it's well worth the price. It cleans thoroughly, and it rinses very, very clean. I didn't realize how gunky my clothes were until I started using Charlie's--this even after I stopped using fabric softener and started putting white vinegar in the fabric softener compartment. I think it was partly that we have a front-loader. The "HE" "free and clear" detergent we were using was neither, and while that doesn't affect top-loaders as much, it's important for a front-loader.
ReplyDeleteIf you buy it in humongous tubs, it's not as expensive, but we have neither the space nor the funds to buy it in such large quantities.
http://www.charliesoap.com/
Oh, and it's funny. I'm extremely lazy, and I've toyed with ideas like this for a long time. Something just snapped in my head a couple of weeks ago, though, and I was suddenly gung-ho. It seems to be sticking for once, too!
ReplyDeleteHave you thought about making your own baby wipes? I'm not sure what the cost per wipe comparison might be, but if you did use washcloths or fabric it might be an even bigger bang for your buck...http://www.mommysavers.com/2010/09/how-to-make-homemade-baby-wipes/
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