Dumb mama cloth questions...

[Kate888]

All these mama cloth discussions have me very intrugued :) And before I realized, my finger clicked the purchase button and got a custom slot with Funny Farm Creations! Ok, it's time to figure it out... Thanks for answering these questions, ladies!!

1. How do you store them before wash day? Do you use a pail? Dry or wet?

2. What's the wash routine? Do I need to add Oxiclean to avoid stains?

3. Should I choose PUL, fleece or wool as the backed material?

4. What soaker fabric is your favorite?

5. What are your favorite mama cloth links? Where can I find Shandelle's website?

6. How many mama pads do you have? What's the average number to get by?


Ok, these are what I can think of right now. Off to do some "research". :)

Thanks a bundle!

ETA: well, I'm such a dork, just realized that FFC is Shandelle's website, LOL!


Kate
Mama to Maya 2-17-02 and Polo (my big black dog http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dog.gif
and "baby bear" (a BOY) due 5-11-05
http://lilypie.com/days/050511/0/12/1/-5/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[nitaghei]

Oh, so you're the one who snagged the custom spot! It's probably a good thing for me, because I do NOT need any more mama cloth - even though I have 2 of ones Shandelle listed sitting in my cart right now :)

My stash and routine are very simple. The pads are mostly backed with fleece - I have one from Shandelle that's only velour - works fine for lighter days. I love fleece because it's breathable and low maintainence. All the pads I have are topped with either flannel or velour, because I'm allergic to fleece.

ETA: The velour is much softer than than the flannel

The soaker is hemp/flannel; hemp; organic cotton. The organic cotton is by far the softest; the hemp is the trimmest and most absorbent.

I simply rinse the pads in cold water and throw them into a wetbag until the time I do a diaper load. If I run out before, then I launder them the same way as I do diapers. I use Zout for stains on the flannel, which has worked pretty well. I have a fair number of pads, but don't remember off the top of my head.

ETA:

Just hit the "buy" button for the pads, including one that's backed with wool. Should be interesting.

ETA, again

My favorite mama cloth site is www.daisygirldesigns.com

Tara is wonderful to work with, and offers a great variety of choices for everything. And everything is one piece, and idiot-proof for use. And no stalking - place your order, and it arrives withint the stated time (less than two weeks each time, IME). Highly recommend Tara!!

HTH

Nita
mom to Neel, January 2003
dog mom to a PWD and a cocker(at the Rainbow Bridge)

[pittsburghgirl]

1. I rinse my pads thoroughly with cold water and store in a dry pail. During the week day, when DH isn't home, I will sometimes let them soak in the sink before throwing them in the pail.
2. I wash my pads with my cd's, so I don't use oxyclean. I decided I could live with some stains, I will sun my pads as soon as we start getting some!
3. I have a couple of PUL backed but mostly fleece. I prefer the fleece totally. Don't have wool, not sure if it's as washable? I love my velour topped/windpro backed Shandelle pads... absolutely my favorite!

I have a couple of overnight Daisygirldesigns pads, then I have maybe 8 regular pads. I have wings on all of my pads.... don't trust myself to not let them fall in the toliet! I also have several liners from Shandelle which are nice when I use my diva cup.

Marilee
mommy to James
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040120/1/1/1/-5/.png

[kensjen]

>1. I rinse my pads thoroughly with cold water and store in a
>dry pail. During the week day, when DH isn't home, I will
>sometimes let them soak in the sink before throwing them in
>the pail.


LOL!! I do the same thing! I really think it would freak out DH if he saw them soaking in the sink. The diapers don't bother him, but you know how some men get with AF! LOL I usually wash mine with the diapers as well, and I don't really worry about stains. They are pads, after all. I will probably sun them though, someday.

Well, I love my wool bodies (from freshies), that you can snap on pads to the top. The wool has been so easy to clean, and is really lightweight. I love organic cotton and velour for the pad. Soft. :) (Maybe not the most absorbant combo though, hemp is good for heavy days.) I usually use the keeper and then a liner for backup (I have some of Shandelle's liners that I really like). At nighttime, I sometimes use pads, I just bought some from Jen at www.mom-and-me-creations.com Hers are backed with something similar to PUL (ultrex or something). She may still be open for customs.

I guess the number of pads you need will depend on if you use them full time (and not a diva or keeper) and also your flow and length of AF. You will need to change them much more frequently than tampons, or even "paper" pads.



HTH!

[todzwife]

1. How do you store them before wash day? Do you use a pail? Dry or wet?

I rinse until the water runs clear and keep them in a small trash can filled w/ water. (So I wet pail mine, but you DON'T have to)

2. What's the wash routine? Do I need to add Oxiclean to avoid stains? Cold wash with detergent, hot wash with nothing :) Basically the same thing I do w/ the diapers.

3. Should I choose PUL, fleece or wool as the backed material? I prefer fleece...but PUL is the trimmest. Wool is the bulkiest, but still very comfortable since it breathes.

4. What soaker fabric is your favorite? Organic cotton fleece.

5. What are your favorite mama cloth links? Where can I find Shandelle's website? Well, I'm biased...I like mine the best ;)Other than that I really do like my daisygirl pads.

6. How many mama pads do you have? What's the average number to get by? I have an addiction to trying other WAHM's pads...and of course I have about a dozen of my own...I think 12 is a good number to have if you want to wash every other day. If you are a heavy night bleeder, I really suggest 2 night time pads that are longer. FWIW, I've NEVER had a leak in a cloth pad at night. I don't think they shift as much.


Hope that helps :)

[Kate888]

Thanks Nita, Marilee, Jen and Shandelle! It's like when I first started CDing and feeling a little nervous about it, LOL!

All these discussions about how comfortable mama cloth is makes me really want to try them. Plus, they look much prettier than the disposables, LOL!

I'm really looking forward to the first mama fluff and will definitely give an update when I get them :)

Thanks again!


Kate
Mama to Maya 2-17-02 and Polo (my big black dog http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dog.gif
and "baby bear" (a BOY) due 5-11-05
http://lilypie.com/days/050511/0/12/1/-5/.png (http://lilypie.com)