Using Organic Cloth Diapers

If you use cloth diapers, you already know how much more environmentally friendly they are than synthetic disposable diapers. Not only are you saving the raw materials needed to make these one-use-only diapers, but you’re keeping a lot of non-biodegradable material out of landfills. Aside from that, good cloth diapers are more comfortable, more durable, and much more affordable, making them a smart choice for new parents.

However, it’s entirely possible to go a step further and buy organic cloth diapers. In addition to all the great benefits of cloth diapers, you also get the benefit of knowing that your diapers were made with sustainable practices, paying workers fair wages, and keeping your finished product chemical-free, which all add up to a responsible choice in a global economy. Of course, before you decide to invest in organic cloth diapers, you should know exactly what they are and what they can do for both you and your baby.

What is Organic?

To be called organic, the materials in your cloth diaper need to be certified, usually by the Institute of Marketocology, or IMO. According to the IMO, to be certified organic, a diaper company must: 

• Grow materials only in soil that has no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides
• Use water sustainably (IE, watering only when the plants need water)
• Use no synthetic defoliants
• Use no genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
• Improve the fertility of the soil between harvests
• Improve the quality of life of the farmers in the region
• Make sure their products are fair-trade

By making sure all of these guidelines are followed, the IMO can ensure that your organic cloth diapers have a positive impact on both the planet and the growers, making it a great socially-conscious choice. If you find that your diapers are certified organic by a group other than the IMO, do some research about them and find out exactly what their criteria are; for most reputable organizations, they won’t be all that different than what you see above.

Why Use Organic Materials?

In addition to the social impact of buying sustainable cloth diapers, there’s also a practical side that you should consider. With disposable diapers, you’re putting a lot of synthetic materials like nonwoven fibers, polymers, and color dyes, right next to your baby’s sensitive skin, all of which can lead to diaper rash. If you move on to regular cloth diapers, you’ve got the option of your classic materials like cotton, as well as materials like terry cloth, polyester, and microsuede.

While these are definitely steps in the right direction, making sure you have soft fibers against your baby’s skin, these synthetic fibers aren’t usually as absorbent or breathable as natural materials, meaning you‘d probably need to use an absorbent liner with these diapers.

In more specialized cases, there’s still the chance your baby may be allergic to certain synthetic fibers. By buying organic cloth, you can get the absolute best of both; an absorbent diaper that is comfortable against the skin, yet free from dyes, pesticides, or any other chemical irritants.

If you’re going to make an environmentally conscious choice buying cloth diapers, doesn’t it just make sense to make a socially conscious choice and make them organic cloth? Not only are you saving the environment, you’re also promoting responsible business, sustainable growth, and ensuring that these materials will be available for a much longer time.

Use these organic cloth diapers with our SmarterFresh cloth diaper sprayer for the best diaper experience.

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