There is a lot of information out there about cloth diapers, so how do you know what’s fact or fiction? You a. learn from experience b. do some research or c. ask a friend or d. let the Cotton Babies myth busting team provide some clarity! Check out some of the most common myths we’ve heard about cloth diapers… and see what’s really true below 🙂

Using cloth diapers will make my house smell like a diaper pail. 

Wrong! You shouldn’t experience anymore oder with cloth diapers than you would with disposables.  Many cloth diapering parents actually claim to smell less diaper pail odor when using cloth diapers simply because their cloth diapers aren’t full of perfumes (like disposables). Deo-disks are an inexpensive way to deal with diaper pail odor. These non-toxic deodorizers smell like citrus and do a great job cutting down on diaper pail odor. The best way to combat diaper pail odor is to wash cloth diapers frequently, at least every other day. Finally, be sure that your diaper pail has a lid on it and keep it closed.

Cloth diapering is too expensive.

Cloth diapers may cost more than disposables up front, but over time, they will be much cheaper. If you use disposables, you can expect to spend over $1,000 to diaper your baby from birth to potty training! With cloth, you can use economical systems like Econobum and spend around $100.

Cloth diapers are just pins and prefolds. 

NOT TRUE! Cloth diapers have come a LOOOOOONG way over the last few decades. Pins and prefolds were among some of the first cloth diapers, but today, more modern systems are available. If you don’t believe it, check out bumGenius 4.0 One-Size Cloth Diapers! 

It takes FOR-EV-ER to wash cloth diapers.

Washing cloth diapers should take the same amount of time as it does to wash a regular load of laundry. You do not need to spend any extra time soaking, dunking or scrubbing diapers. 

There’s not enough time to use cloth diapers.

If you have enough time to put your baby in a disposable, you have enough time to put your baby in a cloth diaper. All-in-one systems like bumGenius Freetime have built-in inserts, so all you have to do is literally put the diaper on your baby. There’s no stuffing required. Just think, cloth will actually SAVE you time because you never have to run to the store to buy new diapers if you run out. You diapers will ALWAYS be at your convenience. 

I have to sanitize my wash machine after washing cloth diapers?

Absolutely not. If the diapers are clean, the washing machine is clean.

You use more water and resources if you cloth diaper.

Disposable diapers will always be far more harmful to the environment than cloth. Consider the amount of energy, oil, wood, and water that goes into manufacturing disposable diapers. For most families using cloth diapers can mean an extra two to three loads a week, but your carbon foot print is still significantly less than it would be with disposables.

Cloth diapers are gross.

Everyone poops. It’s life. And when you’re a mom, it’s an everyday thing. Whether your baby is using a cloth or disposable diaper, they’re going to soil it and you’re going to have to have to change it. With disposables, most people think you just take off the dirty diaper and throw it away, but did you know that disposable diaper manufacturers often state on packaging that solids are to be removed into the toilet? That means you’re NOT supposed to let the poo go into your trash. If you have to remove it, why not just use cloth? You’d have to do the same thing anyway. If your baby is EBF, the poop is water soluble and can be easily washed off in your washing machine!

Disposables are better for my baby.

Disposables are made with wood, bleach, sodium polyacrylate, dioxins and other toxic ingredients. You decide what’s better for your baby.

What are some of the myths you’ve heard about cloth diapers? Let us know in the comments section below, so our Myth Busting team can help debunk it!