I have been selling new parents on the concept of buying and washing cloth diapers for over five years now. Most of them are skeptical about the workload involved, but close to 100% of them stick with cloth diapers. I have informally loaned out some of our own diapers to some of these skeptical parents to give them an idea of what’s involved when you launder your own cloth diapers.

This informal lending gave way to our 'Cloth Diaper Loan Program', which was launched in August 2003. This loan program allows parents to seriously consider cloth diapers, giving them a chance to ‘test the waters’ without making a serious financial investment. The loan program has convinced many parents that cloth diapers are a viable option, and we are starting to see other companies offering similar programs -- we're thrilled to have such a positive effect!

Why Should I try this program?

Most people don’t believe that using cloth diapers can be ‘that easy’. Most people don’t consider the fact that each baby who wears ‘single-use’ diapers will go through two tones of these diapers before being toilet trained… these diapers will be hanging around in our already over-burdened landfills for 500+ years.

Aside from the obvious benefits to the environment, other benefits of using cloth diapers include earlier potty training (up to a year earlier), significantly lower occurrence of diaper rash, and finally, HUGE cost savings, upwards of $1,500/child, depending on what type of cloth diapers you use.

By participating in this program, you can at least try your hand at cloth-diapering your baby. If you don’t like it, you can at least say you tried. If you do like it, you can decide what type of diaper you prefer without investing a lot of money.

Can’t I use a diaper service to try cloth diapers?

You could use a diaper service to ‘test the waters’, but you will only be able to try out one kind of cloth diaper, the basic prefold (supplied by the diaper service) and a cover (bought and washed by you). This is a decent way to try cloth diapering, but you won’t have the benefit of trying different types of diapers.

Depending on the build of your baby, and what your priorities are (cost, bulk, absorbency, etc.), you might find that you prefer a different type of diaper. This program takes all of the guesswork out of buying cloth diapers – figure out what works for you without spending a lot of money.

How long can I keep the diapers for?

You can keep the diapers for one or two weeks. We recommend that you try the program for two weeks, as this will give you a real appreciation for the (minimal!) workload involved, and you will be able to try each diaper a few times.

How much does it cost?

The program costs $20/week, which is comparable to what you would spend to keep your baby in single-use diapers for a week. If you decide you would like to keep your child in cloth diapers, $20 of this fee will be waived for purchases greater than $75.

In addition to the participation fee, you will have to leave a (fully refundable) deposit for the retail value of the diapers. When you return the diapers, you will be refunded the deposit.

What will I get?

Currently, each participant in the loan program will be provided with the following diapers:

• 2 Bummis Super Industrial Whisper Wraps (retail value $10.49 each)

• 2 ProServices Classic Velcro covers (retail value $10.49 each)

• 2 dozen prefold diapers (retail value $29.00 / $38.00 each, depending on size)

• 1 Snappi

• 2 stay-dry terry liners (retail value $2.99 each)

• 1 Tiny Tots fitted diaper (retail value $5.75 /$6.49 /$7.25 each, depending on size)

• 1 Kissaluvs fitted diaper (retail value $14.50 each)

• 1 Kissaluvs contoured diaper (retail value $7.99 / $8.99 each, depending on size)

• 1 Snug-to-Fit one-size diaper (retail value $9.75 each)

• 1 ProServices all-in-one diaper (retail value $15.00 - $18.00 each, depending on size)

• 1 Fuzzibunz pocket diaper (retail value $21.49 each)

• 2 JoeyBunz hemp inserts (retail value $7.49 each)

As you can see, this is a wide variety of diapers -- if you were to buy these diapers to try, you would have to spend approximately $200.00.

Depending on your budget and your tastes, you will find something here that works for you and your baby. Typically, most parents have to play a ‘hit and miss’ game ordering and trying these diapers, this program eliminates this guesswork – if you don’t like a diaper, don’t buy it!

What if I lose or damage a diaper?

If you lose a diaper, you will have to pay the replacement cost. If a diaper is damaged due to ‘user error’ (ie – you bleach a diaper), you will have to pay the replacement cost. If a diaper is damaged due to ‘normal wear and tear’, you are not responsible for damages.

Is this sanitary?

Yes! We will require that diapers are returned clean, and we will wash the diapers upon their return to ensure they have been cleaned properly.

We will use Tide Free detergent in the wash (a mild detergent), and we will use vinegar in the rinse to kill germs and remove odors. Lavender oil will be used in an extra rinse, this essential oil has anti-fungal properties, and a fragrant scent. Diapers will be sunned (weather-permitting) to remove germs, odors and stains, and they will be run through the dryer on high heat to kill anything that might be lingering (highly unlikely!).

When you wash your own diapers, you do not need to perform all of the above steps – washing diapers can be as simple as washing any other load of laundry. We are using this routine to ensure that the diapers are clean and sanitary.

How will I know what to do with the diapers?

Full washing instructions will be provided, though we promise you, it is remarkably easy. Here is a brief synopsis of the work involved:

When your baby is exclusively breastfed, you don’t have to worry about rinsing the poop off the diapers because the poop will be water-soluble (and it is virtually odorless). You just put the dirty diapers into a container with a tight-fitting lid, we recommend that you use a dry pail.

On wash-day, dump the contents of the pail into the washing machine. You can do a cold rinse if you’re worried about stains (hot water will set stains), but we suggest that you just do a hot wash with a cold rinse. Use more water than a regular load of laundry, but use less detergent (Tide Free has worked well for us, about ¼ to ½ of the recommended amount).

Occasionally, you can add vinegar to the rinse to kill germs and get rid of odors (baking soda is great for odor-removal as well), or you can do an extra rinse. Lavender oil is anti-fungal, and it has a pleasant scent. The sun works wonders for getting rid of stains, though stains are only a cosmetic issue – if your diapers smell clean, they are clean!

What sizes are available?

This program is geared towards new parents, so the majority of the packages are suited to babies weighing between 8 – 15 pounds (we generally recommend waiting until your baby's umbilical cord stump has falled off because the covers that come with the program don't have umbilical notches).

Packages for larger children weighing between 15 – 25 lbs are available, but they are fewer in number.

How long are the diapers used for?

The diapers are tracked, and after 6 months, the diapers will be taken out of rotation, and replaced with new diapers. We are doing this to ensure that participants in this program will be using diapers that are in good shape.

What happens to the diapers after they’re taken out of rotation?

The used prefolds will be donated to a charity that collects supplies for orphanages in Eastern Europe. The remainder of the loan packages will be auctioned off on Ebay, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the same charity.

This program is not intended to earn a profit; it is intended to show parents that using cloth diapers is a viable practice. The money earned from charging a participation fee and from auctioning off the used diapers will strictly cover the cost of running the program.

Where do I sign up?

Simply call us at 613.321.7249 or e-mail us with your information -- you can be put on the waiting list once your little one is born, and s/he weighs at least 8 lbs. At the current time, there is a 3-4 week waiting list. When you contact us, we will give you a rough idea of when you can participate in the loan program.  Unfortunately, due to the unpredictable nature of birth, we cannot set you up with diapers before baby is born...

When your number is up, you can pick the diapers up at the store, and we will give you a brief overview of 'what goes where'. You will also be provided with full directions via e-mail.