Perhaps you are currently pregnant, have a child, know a child, or have simply heard about cloth diapers and are wondering what cloth diapers actually are, whether they can be hygienic, and whether cloth diapers are even up-to-date.
Three types of diapers
First of all, there are three different types of diapers: disposable diapers, washable diapers, and a hybrid type.
Disposable diapers are probably the most well-known here, since Pampers, Lillydoo, Hipp, and many other brands are available in almost every large supermarket. Disposable diapers come in various sizes and are disposed of after use. This results in 1.3 tons of plastic waste per child during the entire diapering period.
Cloth diapers are unfortunately less common in stores. After use, they are washed, dried, and reused. The practical thing about cloth diapers is that there are many different systems that can be adapted to every child and every need. So there really is something for everyone.
And mixed systems include, for example, washable diaper pants and disposable inserts.
Are cloth diapers unhygienic?
No. Absolutely not. Because stool doesn't end up in the washing machine, but in the toilet or the trash. You can either use a diaper liner that's inserted into the diaper to catch the stool (and then simply dispose of the stool in the liner in the toilet or trash). Or you can simply shake the diaper out over the toilet. Thanks to our skin-friendly and soft AWJ coating, stool doesn't stick to the diaper.
The cloth diaper is then stored in the wet bag for a few days and then simply washed at 60 degrees.
Aren't cloth diapers completely eco-friendly?
Yes and no ;) That would be a bit like asking if washable underwear isn't a little too eco-friendly. Cloth diapers come in various colors, cuts, and designs – just take a look around our shop and see for yourself our fancy diapers.
Does the child urinate through the cloth diaper, or how does the cloth diaper stay sealed?
Don't worry, a cloth diaper isn't like a thicker pair of underwear; it's a fully functional diaper that contains your child's waste. Most cloth diapers have a waterproof outer layer – this can be made of PUL or TPU (which is what we use), or even wool. Urine and stool stay exactly where they should: inside the diaper.
And what about when you're out and about? Do you just throw away the cloth diaper?
No. For when you're out and about, there are small wet bags that keep wet cloth diapers odor-free and leak-proof. And if that still seems too risky, you can always use disposable diapers when you're out. If you use cloth diapers, you don't have to use them exclusively; you can mix and match.
Are cloth diapers more expensive than disposable diapers?
No. You can't compare a cloth diaper to a disposable diaper here; you have to calculate the savings over the entire diapering period. Disposable diapers cost around €2,000 (depending on the brand), while cloth diapers only cost between €300 and €400 (again, depending on the brand). So, while cloth diapers are significantly more expensive, you don't need thousands of them, just 12 (depending on how often you want to wash them).
How many cloth diapers do you need?
It depends on whether you're using them with disposable diapers, how old the child is, and how often you want to change and wash them. We recommend 12 cloth diapers. This allows you to wait a few days before washing them and ensures good rotation.
Do cloth diapers have any other advantages?
Cloth diapers actually smell less than disposable diapers. Because disposable diapers are full of chemicals and additives, they smell more quickly and are also unpleasant in the diaper pail. With cloth diapers, the odor-neutral wet bag prevents odors from escaping.
Furthermore, with cloth diapers you don't have to constantly buy new diapers and you don't have to deal with different sizes, as most cloth diapers are adjustable to the size of the child and thus grow with it.
