**EDIT: Receive THREE extra entries by following DiaperTips and MommyKnows (that’s me) on Twitter. No need to comment your follows. I will add all new followers to the drawing.**

Everybody’s raving about the bumGenius 3.0 One-Size Cloth Diapers, so ClothDiaperTips is going to give one lucky commenter SIX free diapers (value $120+)

image property of bumGenius

Experience the first cloth diaper loved by every-day people – like your babysitter, grandparents and even dad! The bumGenius one-size cloth diaper is the first cloth diaper to feature stretch-to-fit tabs (patent pending), making cloth diapering as easy and comfortable as using disposables.

If you’d like to be eligible to Win a Six bumGenius 3.0 One-Size Cloth Diapers (Value $120+):

You may enter in three ways:
1. Leave a comment (easy! worth 1 entry)
2. Blog about the contest (worth 2 entries)
3. Twitter the contest using hashtag #FreeDiapers (worth 2 entries)

**EDIT: Receive THREE extra entries by following DiaperTips and MommyKnows (that’s me) on Twitter. No need to comment your follows. I will add all new followers to the drawing.**

On Friday October 2nd, 2009 I will randomly choose 1 winner and announce it here on the blog. You can then email me with your address and color choices and I will have your diapers in the mail pronto.

Make sure add our RSS feed so you’ll know if you’re the WINNER!

A few factors that can influence how clean your cloth diapers are getting; these include:

• water type,
• water temperature,
• type of detergent,
• type of washing machine.

If you experience problems, usually a small change to your laundering routine will solve the issues.

The only extra steps involved in using cloth diapers vs. paper diapers is in the washing of the cloth diapers. If it’s a WET diaper, just put the cloth diaper in a diaper pail or diaper bag. Done – easy peasy (it’s really much easier than those crazy diaper cocooning contraptions!) For a POOPY diaper just shake the solids into the toilet (quick and easy – no need to dunk, swirl or scrub!) and put the diaper in the diaper pail.  That wasn’t all that bad was it?

Are you aware that when you use paper diapers you are supposed to dispose of the POOP in the toilet so that the waste can be properly treated? NO kidding – human feces is NOT supposed to end up in our landfills!

Here’s the proof:

Why?

1975 The EPA warns that rainwater washing through dumps may carry viruses–which can live in compacted solid waste for up to two weeks–into underground streams, and from there into public and private water supplies. Improved sanitation during this century has made rare the diseases associated with direct contact with raw sewage: hepatitis A, shigella. salmonellosis, amebiasis, and typhoid. However, the University of Oregon Survival Center notes that outbreaks of shigella, salmonellosis and hepatitis A are now more common in hospitals and daycare centers. The World Health Organization has called for an end to the inclusion of urine and fecal matter in solid waste. (taken from: Mothering,  Jan-Feb, 2003  by Laura Schmitt)

If you are a paper diaper user, read the print on any package of paper diapers. I know that most people don’t (or won’t!) do this, however, if you do flush the POOP down the toilet after change and before putting a paper diaper in the garbage, you are using the same steps involved with changing a cloth diaper.

I know what you are thinking, not all POOP can be dumped! Many newborn babies (and older) and/or breastfed babies are notorious for having runny POOPS.  Regardless you have to clean/wipe your baby, it doesn’t matter whether they are in paper or cloth diapers. If you are cloth diapering a baby with messy POOPS, there is an extra step with cloth diapers –> either remove your disposable diaper liner and flush down the toilet  or, take that messy diaper to the toilet and SPRAY! A diaper sprayer is easy to use, inexpensive and it’s kind of FUN!

There is no need to dunk, scrape or swish a diaper in the toilet or touch ANY POOP. You’ll hold your diaper by a clean corner over the toilet and spray it clean (it really works!), then just put it into the diaper pail that you’ve placed conveniently beside the toilet. EASY!

This is probably the leading reason parents DON’T give cloth diapers a try. I think that most people are probably worried about the cleanliness of using and carrying for cloth diapers. Messy clean-ups, stinky diapers and wet diaper pails are the images invoked when cloth diapers are mentioned. I’d like to put an end to the false impressions once and for all.

Firstly, CHANGING cloth diapers is just like changing a paper diaper. The aim here is to remove the soiled diaper, clean the bottom and make sure baby has a nice clean diaper. This part all stays the same regardless of whether you are using cloth or paper. Now with paper you dispose of the diaper (it’s just as easy to toss in a diaper pail!) Poop is poop, smelly is smelly — a diaper change is a diaper change! The difference comes when the change is over … the cloth diapers will need washing. The paper make their was to the garbage and then to the land fill to sit for up to 500 years before they are reclaimed by the planet (that’s a really long time!).

Washing cloth diapers isn’t the big deal you think it is! Trust me - your modern washing machines are designed to handle a few messy diapers. I promise you, you won’t have to *touch* a thing!

Cloth diaper manufacturers and both off and online cloth diaper shops offer a HUGE selection of cloth diaper and cover styles.  The selection is so large many people find it a daunting task to select the perfect system for their families needs. Don’t worry, there are many cloth diaper advocates available to assist you in finding the perfect system for you and your baby.

Want an organic diaper that snaps on and off as easy as a disposable? Try the Bamboozle (Bamboo Terry Diaper). The Bamboozle is a fitted diaper that is so fantastically soft and beautiful you will fall in love with the gorgeous, silky fabric. It truly is irresistible! It’s trim fitting style means it fits nicely under most cloth diaper covers.

Is your baby a heavy wetter? Do you need to be able to adjust the absorbency of your diaper? Then you may want to choose a stuffable diaper like the BumGenius! 2.0.

Are you on a tight budget, but want a high quality cloth diaper that can be worn under any cloth diaper cover and wash up easily? Start with the best seller –> prefolds, made of 100% heavyweight cotton twill and available in unbleached/natural and white. They can easily be secured to baby using a durable and inexpensive “work horse” diaper cover – the Super Whisper Wrap.

Truly the choices are endless! We recommend explaining you and your babies needs to a cloth diaper expert and let them help you find the system for you.