|
|
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
cloth diaper care • wool care • silk care • elastic issues • snaps • returns / exchanges • place of manufacture •why choose cloth diapers • shipping
# We also have a growing knowledge base here: https://www.betterforbabies.com/kb_results.asp
Let us know if we don't yet have your question answered.
#
Q) How many Little Beetle diapers and wool covers do I need?
A) In general you need twice as many diapers as you use in a day, if you plan to wash little beetle laundry every day. So for a newborn who likely needs a diaper change 10-12 times a day you would want around 24 diapers. (18 as a minimum) As your child gets older there will likely be fewer changes each day.
For wool covers, we recommend 3-5 with three being the minimum. Our favorite assortment is to have 3 wrap covers (snap or aplix closure) and 2 soaker shorts.
Q) How do I wash/dry/care for my Little Beetle diapers?
A) For starters, your Little Beetle diapers do not need repeated pre-washing: once will do so long as you know that they will continue to gain absorbency with the first 8+ washes.
We recommend a cold pre-wash/wash or rinse first, then a hot wash (140
degrees Fahrenheit). Do not boil your diapers as this can ruin the
elastic. Use a small amount of laundry detergent each time (too much
detergent can create a residue).
Use vinegar occasionally in the rinse to help keep the diapers soft.
And please, no fabric softener or treatments of any kind. These can
ruin a diaper's absorbency.
For more on detergent choices, see the question below.
It may not be realistic every time, but the more you can dry your diapers on low or medium the longer their life will be.
Line drying is always a wonderful, planet happy choice (tossing into the dryer for the last few minutes can soften up even the crunchiest hemp diapers).
#
Q) Can you tell me more about the snaps used in Little Beetle cloth diapers and covers?
A) We use a combination of polyacetal resin snaps, all are tested and certified in compliance with CPSIA regulations. As with all 100% natural fibers, care should be taken to treat the fabric delicately when possible. This means placing your fingers as close to the snaps themselves as possible when opening and closing. Sometimes the snaps are tighter initially but will loosen a little with time and use. Should a snap rip through the fabric, please use the RMA form to allow us to repair or replace the item.
#
Q) How do I wash/care for my new raw silk liners?
A) The liners do require a bit of special care. They need to be hand washed with a mild soap and should be laid flat to dry. The occasional accidental toss in with the diapers for a wash won't ruin them but over time, it can be too harsh and destroy the sericin content.
#
Q) What kind of elastic is found in my Little Beetles and what do I do if it seems like it is not as stretchy or tight as usual?
A) Little Beetle diapers and wool wrap covers contain Lastin clear elastic. We like this elastic because it has a 'memory' of sorts such that you can stretch it out gently and it will remain at that length until washed and dried again. If the elastic seems looser than normal, see if washing and drying tightens it up. If the diapers seem tighter or smaller than normal, try gently stretching the diaper (not while the fabric or elastic is hot) to see if the Lastin eases up.
Our wool soaker shorts are made with natural rubber elastic which is thicker overall but without as much 'rebound.' We find this to be the perfect solution for the design and fit of the shorts.
Little Beetle Learners have a natural rubber elastic enclosed in a thin cotton binding. The binding itself is delicate and does not tolerate whiteners or strong detergents. Please reference our recommended detergents below.
With all our products, the elastic is sewn in during the early stages of manufacturing and it not repairable without destroying the item itself. Should you encounter a problem with elastic in any Little Beetle, please use the RMA form to contact us about it.
Q) Do I need to prime my diapers before first use?
A) You should prewash your Little Beetle ONE or hemp diapers and doublers once on a HOT wash cycle with a small amount of your normal detergent and then tumble dry. This is all that is needed to prime the diapers/doublers for first use. They will continue to gain absorbency over the next few wash/dry cycles, but are fine to use after that first wash. :-)
Q) My hemp diapers are stinky when my baby wets. What could be wrong?
A) It sounds like what you are experiencing is possibly a detergent
build up on your diapers.
This can be remedied by "stripping" your diapers, which is a fairly
simple process to carry out.
To begin, toss the diapers into the wash and run several full cycles
with NO detergent added at all. Watch your rinse water for bubbles. If
you see bubbles during the rinse, you will want to repeat this process
until the rinse water is bubble-free. You do not need to dry the
diapers between these cycles.
Once you finish this, you can dry the diapers as normal. Or, if
possible sun them out (which will further help kill the stink).
If this does not work and you still smell the odor when baby wets in
the diaper, you will want to toss everything back into the washer and
set it to a pre-soak cycle. Leave the diapers to soak in about a cup of
baking soda and cold water for several hours (or overnight, if
possible). Let the pre-wash setting finish running after you have
attained the desired soaking time.
Next, run a full wash cycle on the hottest setting you have. Use on a
TINY amount of your normal detergent. No more than a tablespoon should
be needed. A little oxygen bleach can be added as well to further help
sanitize if you wish. Make sure that the machine is set for a cold
rinse at the end of this cycle. Run an extra cold rinse at the end and
watch for bubbles in the rinse water. If you see bubbles, rinse again
until the water is clear of all bubbles.
Dry the diapers as normal or sun them if possible.
Q) Should I use a dry pail or a wet pail to store my diapers until wash time?
A) Avoid use of a wet pail if possible as this can cause
odor issues in the diapers. Simply store the diapers in a dry pail with
a tight fitting lid until wash day. You can shake out any solids into
the toilet prior to placing the diaper into your pail. You can add a
few drops of tea tree oil to a piece of microfiber cloth in your pail
to control any odors.
#
Q) What detergent do you recommend for washing my cloth diapers?
A)
We suggest you avoid optical brighteners and whiteners, softeners,
fragrances and other additives. The Real Diaper Industry Association
has a wonderful resource for finding a cloth diaper friendly detergent:
http://detergent.realdiaperindustry.org/
#
Q) How do I care for my new Little Beetle Wool soaker shorts or wrap covers?
A) Wool covers must be hand-washed in
lukewarm water using a wool safe wash and little agitation. Typically a
tablespoon of lanolin soap in a sink of water will be perfect. If the
wash
contains lanolin, rinse first, then let soak for 15 minutes in the
lanolin/soapy water. Lay flat to dry. You can hasten the drying process by rolling the wet covers in a dry, fluffy towel to help remove excess moisture.
You can typically re-use a cover multiple times if it is not soiled or damp to the touch. Damp covers can be aired out and then reused. Soiled covers must be hand washed as noted above.
Q) Do my new wool covers need to be lanolinized before first use?
A) Yes! For your wool covers, you will need to do a full lanolin treatment prior to first use to get them ready to go. This can be a wash with lanolin soap OR a treatment with lanolin alone (balm or lanolin dissolved in water). After this initial lanolinization you should only need to wash/lanolize every couple of weeks (unless the covers become soiled).
#
Q) How do I request an exchange, repair or return?
A) We hope you and your little one love the products you buy from us.
If, however, you find any item to be defective, unsatisfactory or just
not what you wanted, please let us know at once by reading about your options and filling out a RMA form.
#
Q) Where are Little Beetles made?
A) All Little Beetles (with the exception of the Little Beetle Learners) are manufactured in the USA at the woman-owned and operated Better For Babies facility just off our town square. Every effort is made to minimize waste, increase sustainability and promote the health and welfare of our local employees and our community. Little Beetle Learners come to us from a certified organic and fair trade facility in India.#
Q) Why should I choose reusable, cloth diapers? A) There are so many reasons to choose cloth! See our article here.
#Q) How much do you charge for shipping and what method(s) do you use?A) We charge actual shipping for your order based upon it's weight. You may choose USPS or FedEx although we recommend FedEx for real time tracking, included insurance and immediate claims processing should something happen during transit.
|
|
