Troubleshooting

• + What if I have hard water?

• Hard water solutions

  Hard water has a lot of minerals in it, namely calcium and magnesium. Detergents don’t work as well in hard water causing buildup issues, stinky and dingy diapers, and diapers that don't work very well.

  Hard water often causes a white powder ring around the inside of your pots when boiling water, or limescale buildup in your bathtub, shower, or sinks. Soap will not lather very well if you have hard water. To determine the hardness of your city water, you can call your city water department. If you have a well or other source, you can go to a local pet shop for a water hardness test kit.

  Here are some options to combat hard water:

  1. Make sure you are using the recommended amount of cloth diaper safe detergent. Hard water may require a bit more.

  2. 1/4 cup of baking soda can be added to a wash load in addition to the detergent, to soften laundry water adequately.

  Please add the powder to the water and agitate before adding your diapers, or dissolve thoroughly in some hot water before adding to the washer.

  3. Add ¼ cup of Calgon Water Softener to your diaper laundry. You can start by doing this once a week, and adjust the frequency as necessary.

  4. Adding ½ cup vinegar to the first rinse cycle may help.

  Please do not pour directly onto diapers, but in the water after the washer fills or in the fabric softener cup. It was originally thought that using vinegar would damage laminates. Our supplier has stated that as long as it is diluted in the rinse cycle, it should not cause any damage.

  5. You can purchase a water softening tank that you attach to your water supply.

  This is an expensive option, but will be noticed throughout your household, from cleaner dishes to shinier hair.

   

  Make sure you aren't overloading your washer. Diapers need a lot of room to move around to get clean. An optimal load is 18 M/L or 24 XS/S diapers, plus any washable liners, doublers and cloth wipes.

  For HE machines, we suggest a load of 12-15 diapers. Diapers need a good amount of water to clean them properly, and HE machines use less water. Adding a wet bath towel to your diaper laundry will trick the washer into adding more water. You will use this in the prewash cycle, and leave in for the wash and rinse cycles.

  *Tip: Clean your water heater every 3 years or as instructed by the manufacturer. Acidity in the form of mineral buildup in your water heater is culprit to deteriorated components.

   

  For a US map of the United States with a visual breakdown of concentration of water hardness: http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/2008/12/could-you-have-hard-water.html

• + My baby has a diaper rash, what do I do?

• Diaper Rash

  A diaper rash is inflamed skin. It can be very alarming for parents, although usually more of an annoyance to baby! Causes can include dirty diapers, introduction of new foods, irritation from product ingredients, bacterial or yeast infections, teething, and clothes or diapers that are too tight.

  -First, let baby air out. Use only a gentle soap and/or lotion on baby for bath time, with no perfumes or dyes. You can also use a blow dryer set on low to dry baby out after every diaper change.

  -Use cloth wipes, and water or a wipes solution, instead of disposable wipes. Most disposable wipes contain chemicals and perfumes that can irritate baby’s skin. Thirsties Fab Wipes are very soft on your baby’s delicate skin, adding Thirsties Booty Luster will help to aid in healing and keeping diaper rash at bay.

  -We recommend keeping a good wash routine with a cloth diaper-safe detergent. Please refrain from using any products containing ingredients such as bleach, fabric softeners, brighteners, dyes, and fragrances.

  -Follow diaper changes with a cloth diaper safe rash cream if needed. Our first recommendation would be our very own Booty Love diaper ointment. Made with certified organic oils to moisturize and nourish your baby’s sensitive skin, and natural herbs to relieve dry skin and rashes.  It can also be used to aid in the healing of minor cuts, burns and skin irritations.

  If Thirsties Booty Love is not available, some other good brands to use are:

  Angel Baby Bottom Balm (Diaper rash, cuts, scrapes, insect bites, burns)

  Baby’s Bottom Butter (Diaper rash, thrush / sore nipples, bug bites, cuts, healing perineal tissue, chapped skin)

  Magic Stick (Diaper rash, skin irritations)

  Motherlove (Diaper rash and thrush)

  Northern Essence Diaper Salve (Diaper rash)

  Northern Essence Better Butter Cream (Diaper rash and yeast infections)

  You may also use Coconut Oil or Olive Oil in place of a diaper ointment.

  -If a diaper rash is persistent or painful, please speak to your pediatrician to rule out a yeast infection, food allergy, or other condition.

  We have also compiled an in-depth article on diaper rash, using many trusted sources. If you would like a copy of this article, please e-mail us at support@thirstiesbaby.com.

• + Why do my diapers smell?

• There is nothing like a smelly problem diaper to deter moms from using cloth diapers. It can be very frustrating, but the problem is normally very easy to fix.

  Even if you follow all the recommended washing tips, you still might end up with occasional stinky and less absorbent diapers due to detergent, diaper rash ointment, and/or water mineral residue. Please go through the causes below to find a solution.

  1. Are you using enough water to wash your diapers?

  For optimum cleanliness, limit the size of your load to no more than 18 M/L or 24 XS/S diapers and wash every other day (plus inserts and wipes). Water is the most important factor in wasing cloth diapers. Make sure to use an adequate water level for the amount of diapers you are washing. Use enough water to cover all of the diapers so they have enough room to agitate around.

  For HE machines, we suggest a load of 12-15 diapers. Diapers need a good amount of water to clean them properly, and HE machines use less water. Adding a large, wet bath towel to your diaper laundry will trick the washer into adding more water. You will use this in the prewash cycle, and leave in for the wash and rinse cycles.

  2. Check your water hardness.

  Detergents do not work as well in hard water. Tell-tale signs are white rings in pots and pans, dishes with spots, and soap that doesn’t lather well. If you are not sure, you can call your municipal water supply. If you have a well, you can have the well tested. If the water hardness is above 1 GPG (grains per gallon), your water is hard.

  Solutions:

  • Use 1/3 more detergent, and make sure to rinse twice
  • Use a water softener such as Calgon Water Softener
  • Install a water softener. Consider mechanically softening your water if the test reveals a hardness of more than 3 GPG.
  • Add ¼ cup of baking soda to your wash load
  • Add ½ cup of vinegar to the final rinse cycle (pour in after filling)

  3. Take a look at your detergent.

  What works for one person may not work for another. You may be using too little or too much detergent. If using a detergent specifically made for cloth diapers, use the recommended amount from the package. Otherwise, you will typically use ½ the amount for top loaders, and ¼ the amount for HE machines.

  Solutions:

  • Use an approved detergent for cleaning your diapers. You can find some recommended detergents here. 
  • Check the amount of detergent that you are using
  • If using an un-approved detergent, change detergent and do two hot washes followed by an extra rinse to prep the diapers for use again

  4. Have you used diaper creams or ointments?

  Diaper rash ointments and creams can coat the fibers of your diapers, making them repel and hold odor. Please be sure to choose a recommended cloth diaper cream or ointment such as our Thirsties Booty Love ointment which will wash out of the diapers.

  If you have residue from a diaper cream or ointment:

  • Strip your diapers
  • Change diaper cream or ointment to Thirsties Booty Love or cloth diaper safe brand

  5. Do they simply need a deep cleaning?

  If you are following the Care and Use instructions, and still have diaper odor, they may just need a deep cleaning.

  • Use the recommended amount of oxygen bleach powder on clean diapers, in place of your regular detergent when needed, but not more than once a month.
  • Make sure you are using the proper amount of water – this is very important! Use a heavy cycle with enough water to allow the diapers to move around. If using an HE machine, please follow the washing instructions for HE machines.

  6. Ammonia smell?

  Urine gradually turns into ammonia as it sits…a little smell is inevitable for everyone and diaper pails almost always smell like ammonia.  But a strong ammonia smell in a freshly worn diaper may be an indication that something needs to be remedied.  Causes of the smell may include any of the above issues, or may also include:

  -URINE RESIDUE: This may occur if there is not enough water or enough detergent being used.

  Solution: Use enough water to cover all of the diapers so they have enough room to agitate around. Use the recommended amount of detergent per load. Hard water may need more detergent.

  -DEHYDRATION

  Solution:  Drink more water if you are breast feeding, or give your child more liquids if the child is bottle fed or exclusively on solids

  -ANTIBIOTICS

  Solution:  Rebuild healthy flora with pro-biotics (available at local health food store).

  -URINARY TRACT INFECTION

  Contact your pediatrician (other symptoms will occur, as well, if this is the problem).

  Solution:  Disinfect your diapers

  Excessive ammonia release can occur when the body is too acidic, in an effort to maintain a proper pH balance. A possible solution to this problem is to eat more alkaline foods, such as; bananas, chocolate, figs, mineral water, orange juice, potatoes, spinach, and watermelon.

  7. Do your diapers need to be disinfected?

  Washing diapers on hot (130°F/55°C) with a good routine and approved detergent will keep your diapers clean, but if the diapers have been infected with a virus or bacterial infection, you will need to disinfect the diapers, covers, wipes, changing pad, and inserts or doublers.

  Solutions:

  • Add 20 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract to the final rinse
  • Drying the items in the sun for a couple of hours or until dry may help
  • Put in the dryer on high for 25 minutes

   If all else fails, please contact us for other options.

• + Why are my diapers leaking?

• Below we offer a few of the most common reasons for leaks & their corresponding solutions:

  1. The fit may be too big. It is tempting to purchase diapers a bit larger than what you need in order to get longer use out of them. If you size-up to soon, the diapers will not fit properly and will end up leaking. Check to see if the waist and legs are snug against baby. If they are not snug, and the fabric does not touch the skin, the diaper will not be able to absorb the liquid before it makes its way to the openings. Please check your baby's measurements against our sizing chart at: http://www.thirstiesbaby.com/customer-center/size-chart/

  Solution: Use smaller size

  2. The diapers may be worn for too long between changes. Cloth diapers need to be changed more frequently than disposables, and on average will need replacement every 1/5 - 2 hours. If you find you need additional absorbency, add a cotton doubler or hemp insert.

  Solution: Change more often and/or use an insert or doubler.

  3. Baby boy? Be sure to point his privates downward when changing his diaper. If he is aiming to the side or up, it can cause leaking out of the diaper or cover. It may help to fold an insert and put in the front where boys need more absorbency.

  4. Leaking due to repelling…

  How do you know if they are repelling? If the fit is correct, and the absorbent part of the diaper is not soaked, then you may have residue that is causing the liquid to repel. This can be due to detergent or mineral residue, fabric softeners, or diaper creams or ointments.

  Please note: some ingredients in diaper creams and ointments can be very hard if not impossible to remove from fabric.

  Solution: We recommend to first run a Hot wash or two on the highest water level with no detergent. If that does not take care of the problem, you can strip your diapers by replacing your detergent with 2 Tablespoons of Original Dawn dish soap. (We do not recommend stripping with dish soap in HE machines, as this may void your warranty.)

  Using the wrong detergent can lead to build-up and will make your diapers repel. Due to factors including water mineral content and alkalinity, what can work for some will not work for others. Some detergents can come free with a headache (can cause stink and repelling), and can actually ruin your diapers.
  Please read our Care and Use info for complete washing instructions and detergent recommendations. http://www.thirstiesbaby.com/customer-center/care-use/.

  Solution: Change detergent.

  5. The diaper does not meet the absorbency needs of your baby.

  Solution: If the sizing is correct, consider adding a cotton doubler or hemp insert to every change.

  6. The waterproof lamination is comprimised. If you feel that the liquid is coming through the fabric, examine the lamination for cracks, holes or peeling. There is an easy way of checking to be sure the lamination is intact. Flip the diaper inside out to reveal the laminated side of the exterior fabric. Examine the lamination to see if you see any separations or cracks in the places where you have noticed leaks. If this is the case, please refer to our replacement warranty at: http://www.thirstiesbaby.com/customer-center/return-merchandise-authorization/.

  Most often the diapers are just leaking. When this happens, it does seem as though the liquid is coming straight through, but most often it is just wicking along the reverse side of the fabric. In this case, you will want to do a leak test. For pocket diaper shells and covers: Take the cover and lay it inside up on a counter. Place a wet washcloth within the diaper or cover, making sure not to touch the elastic or fabric at the legs. Wait a minute or two, take the washcloth out, and examine the outer fabric. If there are wet spots on the fabric, then the lamination has been compromised, and please refer to our warranty.

  Solution: Visit our leaking FAQ.

  *An occasional 15 minute tumble in the dryer on high is actually beneficial to the waterproofing layer. This may reseal tiny pin holes in the lamination.

  If you still have trouble after reading our leaking solutions, please contact our customer service team so we can help to find a solution.

• + I have received a defective Thirsties product...what do I do now?

• Return Merchandise Authorization

  Defects are rare, but they do occasionally occur and we apologize wholeheartedly if you have received a defective Thirsties product. We stand behind our products and are happy to work with you to provide a resolution.

  Our Warranty:

  • Your product is under limited warranty for possible return for up to 1 year after the original purchase date.
  • Defects include loose stitching, holes discovered upon arrival, broken snaps, etc.
  • Staining, fading, holes that develop with use and potential build-up are all considered normal 'wear and tear' and does not suffice for repair or replacement purposes.
  • Leaks are not considered a defect. Please search our database for detailed instructions in battling leaks or call us and we will be happy to troubleshoot with you to ensure successful cloth diapering.
  • If your products were damaged by the use of additives or improper care, the warranty will be void.

  If your product meets our warranty guidelines please click here to complete the necessary information.

  What to Expect Next:

  Upon receipt of your information a customer representative will review and contact you shortly.  If a replacement item is deemed necessary, we will send the same color and size of the defective diaper at no cost to you. Your replacement product will arrive with a prepaid label to send your defective item back to us.  

  If possible, we will repair the defective items and donate to supply needy families with cloth diapers and accessories.

• + I would like to use cloth diapers, but I cannot afford the up-front investment. Do you offer donations or low-income assistance?

• It can be tough initially to make the leap to cloth diapers. But you can save over $2000 by choosing reusable diapers over disposables over the course of birth to potty. Purchasing cloth diapers is a wise investment!

  Here are a few tips for making cloth diapering as affordable as possible:

  1. Try making your own flat diapers from old T-shirts or receiving blankets. Find some other no to low cost diapering options here.
  2. Locate a local Cloth Diaper Bank or Nappy Library in your area.   Giving Diapers Giving HIope is a national organization that may be able to help.
  3. Flats or prefolds with diaper covers is the most affordable diapering option.
  4. Check our Outlet Store for some great deals.
  5. You can save BIG by purchasing used diapers from cloth diaper retailers.
  6. When your baby grows out of one size, you can also resell your own cloth diapers fee-free at sites like Diaper Swappers. Many times you will be able to resell them for a return of 50% or more of your original investment! Turn that money around to help purchase the next size up.

Laundering Tips

• + Do I need to wash my diapers before using them for the first time?

• Yes - All Thirsties diapering products must be prepped before use by washing and drying at least once.

  Thirsties Hemp products need to be washed at least three times before use to rid the fibers of the natural oils. This is done separately from your other diapering products for the first 3 washes. Our hemp products will be fully primed and at their maximum absorbency after 8 wash cycles.

  Tip: You may wash your natural fiber diapering products with your other white laundry for the prep cycles, as long as you use a cloth diaper safe detergent.

• + At what temperature should I wash my cloth diapers?

• We advise pre-washing your cloth diapers in warm water. Use hot water for the wash cycle: between 100-130°F. Water temperature in your washing machine depends mostly on your hot water heater settings. An easy way of making sure your water temperature does not exceed the maximum recommendation is to adjust your hot water heater to no more than 130°F. Alternatively, you can use a candy thermometer to check the water temperature in your machine. Add a second warm rinse after the wash cycle.

  Warning: Please do not use the sanitize or whites cycle on your High Efficiency machine for any diapering products with elastic, hook and loop products, or lamination. The high temperatures can damage these components and can void your warranty on them. Sanitize cycles are fine for natural fiber diapers or inserts without components, such as prefolds, inserts, and doublers.

• + Can you recommend a detergent for washing cloth diapers?

• Most mainstream detergents on the market will leave a residue on your diapers that will affect the absorbency and will cause odors and diaper rash. Please avoid soaps to wash your diapers, and detergents with ingredients such as bleach, fabric softeners, brighteners, dyes, and fragrance. These can not only harm your diapers, but your baby's sensitive skin as well.

  You can find a detergent rating chart here: http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html
  
  The following can void your warranty: Additives, Chlorine bleach, Oxygen bleach, pure soap, Borax, high heat in the dryer, and sanitize/high heat cycles on HE machines. 
  
  Here is a list of detergents recommended for use on Thirsties products:

  Allens Naturally Liquid*

  Country Save Liquid

  Ecover Liquid*

  Ecover Powder*

  Mountain Green Free and Clear Baby*

  Mountain Green Ultra Baby*

  Nature Clean Laundry Liquid

  Nature Clean Powder*

  Planet Delicate Laundry Wash*

  Planet 2X Ultra Laundry Detergent HE

  Planet Ultra Powdered Laundry Detergent

  Vaska*

   

  * = HE safe

   

  For powder detergents, please dissolve in hot water before adding diapers.

  For hard water, you may also use Calgon Water Softener or 1/4 cup baking soda as needed, along with your detergent.

  For Thirsties recommendations on how to wash your diapers, please go to: http://www.thirstiesbaby.com/customer-center/care-use/

• + How do I wash my Thirsties cloth diapers?

•  

  Before Wearing

  Wash all diapers at least one time before use, using a cloth diaper safe detergent.

  Thirsties hemp products can be used after 3 wash/dry cycles, and will reach maximum absorbency after 8 wash/dry cycles. You will need to wash Thirsties hemp products separately from your other diapering products for these initial cycles.

  Diaper Changing Station

  Shake solids into toilet after each diaper change. Before storing in a dry diaper pail attach Aplix hook and loop to rectangular laundry tab on the inside of diaper.   This step will help eliminate the diaper from becoming tangled in the wash or dryer and will lengthen the life of your Aplix. Be sure to line your pail with a Thirsties Deluxe Diaper Pail Liner to avoid having to clean your pail on every laundry day.

  Stow your stash of Thirsties Fab Wipes in an accessible location to your changing table along with some fresh water for wipe dipping. Toss soiled wipes into your pail along with your diapers.

  Follow diaper changes with a cloth diaper safe rash cream if needed. Our first recommendation would be our very own Booty Love diaper ointment. Made with certified organic oils to moisturize and nourish your baby’s sensitive skin, and natural herbs to relieve dry skin and rashes.  It can also be used to aid in the healing of minor cuts, burns and skin irritations.

  If Thirsties Booty Love is not available, some other good brands to use are:

  Angel Baby Bottom Balm (Diaper rash, cuts, scrapes, insect bites, burns)

  Baby’s Bottom Butter (Diaper rash, thrush / sore nipples, bug bites, cuts, healing perineal tissue, chapped skin)

  Magic Stick (Diaper rash, skin irritations)

  Motherlove (Diaper rash and thrush)

  Northern Essence Diaper Salve (Diaper rash)

  Northern Essence Better Butter Cream (Diaper rash and yeast infections)

  Note: Using a non-approved diaper cream or ointment may cause repelling of your cloth diapers, and void your warranty.

  Pre Wash

  For optimum cleanliness, limit the size of your load to no more than 18 M/L or 24 XS/S diapers and wash every other day (plus inserts and wipes). You will need to use an adequate water level on your washer for your diapers. Use warm water and a small amount of detergent for the pre-wash cycle to help pre-clean your diapers. If you do not have a pre-wash cycle on your washer, a short or quick wash cycle will work just as well.

  For HE machines, we suggest a load of 12-15 diapers. Diapers need a good amount of water to clean them properly, and HE machines do not normally use an adequate amount of water. Use the heavy cycle option if that is available. To trick the washer into adding more water, add a large, wet bath towel to each load. You will use this in the prewash cycle, and leave in for the wash and rinse cycles.

  *Although soaking can aid in stain removal, we do not recommend soaking anything but natural fiber diapers for any longer than 10 minutes. This is due to the fact that it can eat away at lamination, and lock in odor. This will void your warranty.

  Wash

  Choose a HEAVY cycle and wash on HOT for the main wash, using an adequate water level. You will want to use enough water to soak the diapering items and to cover them. The diapers should have a bit of room to move around. Please be sure not to use temperatures over 130 degrees for any item with components. Use the recommended amount of cloth diaper safe detergent per load. Hard water may need more detergent.

  Most detergents on the market will leave a residue on your diapers that will affect the absorbency and will cause odors and diaper rash. Please avoid soaps as well as additives such as bleach, fabric softeners, brighteners, and dyes. These can not only harm your diapers, but your baby's sensitive skin as well.

  As a general rule, please avoid:

  Bleach

  Fabric Softeners

  Pure Soap

  For diapers or covers with components such as Aplix, elastic, and lamination, please also avoid:

  Borax

  Sanitize cycles

  Vinegar

  Washing Soda as an additive

  These practices and/or additives can void the warranty on your Thirsties products. If you need to disinfect your diapers due to infection, please contact us and we will be happy to help find a solution.

  Rinse on warm, adding an extra rinse.

  Dry

  Hang your cloth diapers to dry or dry in dryer on low. Inserts, flats, and prefolds may be dried on higher settings.

   

  Add a dry towel or wool dryer balls to the dryer to speed the drying process.

  A monthly 15 minute dryer cycle on hot is beneficial to lamination.

  Drying in direct sunlight is the very best method for drying and disinfecting, and at getting rid of stains. However, take care not to leave diapers out longer than neccessary, as UV rays and high temperatures can also have an ill effect on diapering products. Cotton and hemp diapers will be somewhat stiff when hung to dry. One option to soften sun-dried textiles made from natural fibers is to use the dryer while still slightly damp.

  *Routine drying in the dryer will hasten the life of any diapering product - especially on diapers or covers with components such as hook and loop fasteners and elastic.

  Stripping

  Even if you follow all of our Care and Use instructions, you still might end up with occasional stinky and less absorbent diapers due to water mineral residue. In this case, we recommend running your diapers through a HOT wash with no detergent, followed by two rinses. You may need to change detergents. If you are still having trouble, you will need to strip your diapers of the residue causing the problems. Following are the instructions for diaper stripping. Strip only as needed, as it can be harsh on your diapering products.

  Standard machines:

  Maximum load size is 24 XS/S or 18 M/L diapers.

  Starting with clean diapers:

  1. Fill machine with hot water on the highest water level, using a heavy cycle.

  2. Add 2 Tablespoons of Dawn Classic dish soap to the wash water and agitate for about 10 seconds. 

  3. Add diapers and run wash cycle, adding two extra warm rinses.

  4. If the rinse water is slimy or has any bubbles during the last rinse, you should add another rinse.

  HE machines:

  Dawn dish soap is NOT low sudsing, and will most likely void the warranty on your machine. We recommend stripping with RLR, or stripping with Dawn in the bathtub or a standard machine as above.

  Maximum load size is 15 XS/S or 12 M/L diapers.

  Starting with clean diapers:

  1. Put diapers into the machine along with a large, wet bath towel.

  2. Wash on Hot with RLR, using a heavy cycle.

  3. Add two additional warm rinses.

  4. If the rinse water is slimy or has any bubbles during the last rinse, you should add another rinse.

  Important:

  If you have residue on your diapers, you will want to strip the diapers but also take care of what is causing the problem. First make sure you are using the correct wash instructions above.

  If you are not using a recommended detergent, you will want to strip your diapers and change to a cloth diaper safe detergent.

  Make sure that if you use a diaper cream that it is cloth diaper safe. You may want to use a liner when using diaper creams.

  For hard water, you will need to use a water softener such as Calgon Water Softener to your wash load.

• + How do I disinfect my cloth diapers?

• How To Disinfect Your Diapers

  Simply washing your diapers on HOT (130 degrees Fahrenheit) with a good detergent, and putting them in the sun to dry will routinely help to disinfect diapers. Please make sure that you are not overloading your machine, and using our special washing instructions if you have an HE machine.  Drying on high heat will also kill germs, but is not recommended as a routine for diapers with components. Yeast will effectively be killed at temperatures above 122 degrees Fahrenheit. 

  Below are some options for disinfecting your diapers:

  Grapefruit Seed Extract - Tests have shown that GSE is dramatically more effective than Colloidal Silver, Iodine, Tea Tree Oil and Clorox bleach against five common microorganisms. In studies performed by Dr. John Mainarich of Bio-Research Laboratories in Redmond, WA, samples of each of the common antimicrobials or sanitizing agents were evaluated for effectiveness against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus faecium and E. coli. The other antimicrobials tested were considerably less effective than the GSE.  http://drjaygordon.com/breastfeeding/thrush.html

  20 drops added to the first rinse cycle should suffice.

  Tea Tree oil is another option.  Add 20 drops to the washer while filling. Make sure you are using 100% tea tree oil and not a cheaper mixture.

  You want to look at the Cineole and Terpinen-4-ol numbers.

  Cineole: The lower the number the better. Tree oils with high cineole content are thought to be of poor quality and more likely to cause skin irritation.

  Terpinen-4-ol: The higher the number the better. Terpinen-4-ol appears responsible for most of the antimicrobial activity of tea tree oil.

  Vinegar is known to kill germs, although it does not kill yeast. Vinegar is also not recommended for microfiber diapers, as it will hold on to the smell. You would use 1 cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle after a hot wash with detergent. Follow with a 25 minute high heat cycle in the dryer.

  **Please be sure to check with manufacturer's washing instructions (and warranty information) before starting any disinfecting routine.

• + Why is it against Thirsties' recommendations to use oxygen bleach at every wash?

• We do not recommend using detergents with oxygen bleach as a routine. Extended and frequent use will yellow the velcro and elastic of your diapers and more importantly, it can deteriorate the waterproof lamination, elastic, and velcro fasteners of your diapers. Rather than using an oxygen bleach, we recommend using a good detergent, and hang dry your diapers in the sun as much as possible.

  An oxygen bleach additive, such as ECOS powder or Biokleen powder, is OK for an occasional deep clean.   We recommend once a month or less, and only if needed.

Common Questions

• + Are Thirsties products PVC (vinyl), phthalates, and lead free?

• Yes!

• + Can I tuck my prefold diaper under the flap of Thirsties Diaper Covers?

• The flap is a facing and is designed to cover the stitching holes and snaps on the front of the cover. Tucking a diaper beneath the flap may cause wicking through the holes created by the stitches or snaps. If this does happen, you may also need additional absorbency.

• + How long will my Thirsties products last? Can I expect my reusable diapers to last through multiple children?

• We take care to choose high-quality USA-made fabrics and components that have been proven to withstand the test of time. Purchasing reusable diapers is an incredible investment that can rack up thousands of dollars in savings over disposables. However, as with any apparel item, nothing lasts forever. Reusable diapers go through a considerable amount of use and abuse and are laundered far more frequently in comparison to other attire items.

  Your Thirsties diapers will last your through one child and onto the next if the proper care and use routine is followed. You can extend the life of your reusable diapers by laundering with a very gentle yet thorough detergent. Drying in the dryer will hasten the retirement of any apparel item, therefore we always recommend hang drying whenever possible.

• + Can you recommend a good 'starter kit'?

• You will need this many diapers if you are washing every other day:

  Newborn: 20-24 diapers

  6-12 months: 14-18 diapers

  12-24 months: 12-16 diapers

  Potty Learning: 4-8 diapers

  You will need this many covers if you choose a two-piece system:

  Newborn-9 months: 1 wrap for every 3 diapers

  9 months-18 months: 1 wrap for every 4 diapers

  18 months to potty: 1 wrap for 5 every diapers

  A single Thirsties Duo Wrap or Thirsties Diaper Cover can be wiped clean and reused 3-4 times before requiring a full washing.

  Not all diapers require a cover. Many diapers include a waterproof shell. Diapers that do require a separate cover include Flats, Prefolds, Contoured, and Fitted.

  Here are a few bundling options that provide a good stash to start out with for a newborn:

  Economical – Prefold/Wrap Package

  24 Duo Hemp Prefolds

  8 Duo Wraps

  6  pkgs. Fab Wipes

  1 8 oz. Booty Luster

  1 4 oz. Booty Luster

  1 2oz. Booty Love

  1 Deluxe Diaper Duffle

  2 Deluxe Diaper Pail Liner

   Convenient – All In One Package

  24 Duo All In One

  2 pkgs. Fab Doublers

  6 pkgs. Fab Wipes

  1 8 oz. Booty Luster

  1 4 oz. Booty Luster

  1 2oz. Booty Love

  1 Deluxe Diaper Duffle

  2 Deluxe Diaper Pail Liner

   Absorbent - Pocket Diaper Package

  24 Duo Diapers

  2 pkgs. Hemp Inserts

  6 pkgs. Fab Wipes

  1 8 oz. Booty Luster

  1 4 oz. Booty Luster

  1 2oz. Booty Love

  1 Deluxe Diaper Duffle

  2 Deluxe Diaper Pail Liner

  Following the proper care and use directions is vital to cloth diapering success. You can find our care and use instructions as well as many other helpful tips in our FAQs.

• + Do I need a cover for every fitted diaper in rotation?

• Fitted, contoured, prefolds, and flat cloth diapers are not waterproof. But you do not need a cover for every diaper. We recommend 1 cover for every 3-6 diapers in rotation. You can use the same cover several times and wipe it down between uses before it will be fully soiled. During the newborn stage, you will find you need more covers in rotation because your baby will soil them more often. For the first few months, 1 cover for every 3 diapers changes is the minimum recommendation. Once your baby is 18 months old, you will likely get away with only 1 cover for every 6 diapers in rotation. The number of covers you will need also depends on the type of diaper you choose. For instance, a fitted diaper provides very secure fit. Therefore your cover will stay cleaner and can be used more times before a full laundering will be necessary. You will need more covers in rotation if you choose a prefold or flat diaper which doesn't provide quite the same secure coverage.

• + How many covers/wraps do I need in rotation?

• A single Thirsties Duo Wrap or Thirsties Diaper Cover can be wiped clean and reused several times before requiring a full washing.
  Newborn-9 months: 1 wrap for every 3 diapers
  9 months-18 months: 1 wrap for every 4 diapers
  18 months to potty: 1 wrap for 5 every diapers

  Please Note: Not all diapers require a cover. Many diapers include a waterproof shell. Diapers that do require a separate cover include Flats, Prefolds, Contoured, and Fitted.

• + How many diapers do I need in rotation?

• Newborn: 20-24 diapers
  6-12 months: 14-18 diapers
  12-24 months: 12-16 diapers
  Potty Learning: 4-8 diapers

• + Should I fasten my prefolds with pins or Snappi before covering with your cover?

• We do not recommend using pins or snappis with our Duo Hemp Prefolds. This is due to the fact that the diapers are made from a knit material, and the pins and snappis can damage the fabric. Thus we do not recommend using the Diaper Cover with the Duo Hemp Prefolds, as these covers are not trim fitting enough to hold the prefold in place without fastening.

  When using Thirsties Duo Wraps, you can simply trifold the prefold, lie it in the wrap, and fasten around your baby. Thirsties Duo Wraps are trimmer fitting than our original Diaper Covers and will hold a trifolded prefold in place without shifting and sagging.

• + What type of dyes are used in the Thirsties products?

• We use low impact reactive dyes and processes that are eco-friendly. Our textile dying processes meet or exceed criteria set forth by the European Union. No heavy metals, toxic substances, or environmentally destructive practices are used in dying our fabrics.

• + Where are Thirsties products made?

• 100% of Thirsties products are manufactured in Denver, CO, USA! We do not stop at just making our products in the USA. We go through great lengths to find sources of fabric and components made in the USA, as well. To date, over 90% of our fabric and components are also manufactured domestically! Even our new hemp jersey fabric is knitted in the USA...which was a hurdle and an accomplishment we are so proud to have achieved! Thirsties is committed to fair and sustainable labor practices, providing people in our own communities with much needed jobs, and doing our part in boosting our local economies!

• + Do you offer wholesale sales to co-ops?

• No, we sell wholesale only to fully registered businesses with storefront or online stores only.

• + Do you sell seconds?

• We do occasionally come across a slightly defective diaper or cover. When we do, we list it in our outlet store: https://www.thirstiesoutlet.com. All the diapers listed in our outlet store are fully functional but contain a very small blemish such as a slight mis-stitch.

• + How can I order Thirstie's products?

• You may purchase from any of our fine retailers located throughout the world:http://www.thirstiesbaby.com/where-to-buy/retailer-locator/. We have over 500 locations worldwide so you are likely to find one near to you! Nothing beats getting a hands-on feel for modern cloth diapers.

• + I'd like to resell Thirsties products. How do I receive information on opening a wholesale account?
• We appreciate your interest in carrying Thirsties in your own business. Please apply for wholesale information here: http://www.thirstiesbaby.com/where-to-buy/wholesale. Your company must be fully established and registered with your state or province before applying for an account. We will not disclose our policy and pricing information until we can verify your business status with a Resale Tax ID. Here is a great resource with information on how to start your own baby/cloth diaper business: http://www.diaperdecisions.com.