Use a Diaper Service or Wash Cloth Diapers Yourself?

Photo by @jasminstadlhofer

Are you facing the decision on how to go about diapering your baby? The choice of the right diapers and how to use them plays a significant role in everyday family life. Many parents are considering whether a diaper service is the right solution or whether washing cloth diapers themselves is the better alternative. Both options have their advantages, and it's important to find the one that best fits your life. We highlight the pros and cons for you here so that you can make an informed decision.

What is a diaper service and how does it work?

A diaper service, often also called a cloth diaper service or diaper washing service, takes on the task of washing used cloth diapers for you. But how exactly does it work and what can you expect? Let's take a closer look.

Definition and process of a diaper service

A diaper service is a company that collects used cloth diapers from your home, professionally cleans them, and delivers fresh, clean diapers back to you. So you'd be keeping any used diapers in a container provided by the company, and on a regular schedule – often weekly or every two weeks – these then get picked up and replaced with clean ones. The service takes care of the entire washing process, from pretreatment to hygienic cleaning and drying.

Advantages of a diaper service

Using a diaper service can have some useful advantages:

• Time-saving and convenient: The time you save can be an advantage because you don't have to worry about washing, drying, and folding the diapers. This can be a relief, especially in the hectic early days with a baby.

• Eco-friendly washing methods: Many diaper services advertise environmentally friendly washing processes. They often use energy-efficient machines, eco-friendly detergents, and are mindful of water consumption.

• Low entry barrier to cloth diaper use: If you are curious about cloth diapers but the effort of washing them yourself initially seems too great, a diaper service can be a good way to try cloth diapers without a big initial investment or commitment.

Disadvantages and possible challenges

Aside from the advantages, there are a few other aspects you should consider:

• Higher ongoing costs: A diaper service is generally more expensive than washing the diapers yourself. The service fees add up over the entire diapering period.

• Not available everywhere: Diaper services are not available in every region. Particularly in rural areas, the availability may be limited.

• Lack of direct control: You relinquish control over the washing process. This means you have no direct influence over which detergents are used and how gently the diapers are treated. This can be a disadvantage for parents who care about specific ingredients or washing temperatures.

Washing cloth diapers yourself – an alternative to a diaper service

Washing cloth diapers yourself is the traditional and still very common method. Many parents consciously choose it. But what speaks for it and what challenges are there?

Advantages of washing diapers yourself

Washing the cloth diapers on your own offers you clear advantages:

• Long-term savings: Even though purchasing a good set of cloth diapers and possibly special detergent can initially be a sizeable investment, you'll save a significant amount of money in the long run compared to disposable diapers and often also compared to the ongoing costs of a diaper service. With Judes cloth diapers, for example, you can save up to €3,000 per child.

• Full control over detergents and methods: You decide which detergents you use – ideally gentle, ecological products without unnecessary fragrances or additives that protect the delicate baby skin. You can adjust the washing temperature and cycle to the needs of your diapers and your baby.

• Flexible schedule: You are not tied to fixed pick-up and delivery dates. You wash the diapers when it suits your daily routine.

• Sustainability in your hands: You can actively contribute to greater sustainability by using organic detergents and energy-efficient programs. Did you know that Judes cloth diapers, including washing, are significantly more sustainable than disposable diapers? They save around one ton of plastic waste per child and significantly reduce CO₂ emissions as well as water and energy consumption.

• Health for your baby: By choosing natural materials like organic cotton (as with Judes) and gentle detergents, you avoid chemicals on your baby's skin. This promotes healthy skin and can help prevent diaper dermatitis.

• Earlier potty training: A often underestimated advantage: children who are diapered with cloth diapers, on average, become potty trained almost a year earlier. This is due to the natural bio-feedback provided by the diaper. This not only saves you effort but also costs.

 

Challenges of washing yourself

Of course, there are also aspects that need to be considered when washing yourself:

• Additional time investment and learning curve: Washing the diapers requires time – even though it is surprisingly easy and quick with modern systems like Judes (often only about 15 minutes per week). There might be a small learning curve at the beginning until you find the optimal washing routine for you. But don't worry, it's usually less complicated than many think!

• Need for a suitable washing machine and space for drying: A functioning washing machine is an essential. You also need space to dry the diapers if you don't want to or cannot use a dryer (Judes are dryer-safe!).

• Mistakes in washing can damage cloth diapers: Incorrect detergents, too high temperatures, or unsuitable washing programs can damage the materials of the cloth diapers in the long run. Therefore, it is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

But this is exactly where we come in: At Judes Family, we have made it our mission to make cloth diapers as easy as possible – and that naturally applies to washing them too!

Easily wash cloth diapers yourself with Judes detergent

Photo by @antonia_natascha

We want to show you that washing cloth diapers yourself doesn't have to be complicated. With the right products and a few tips, it is really easy and straightforward. Our Judes cloth diapers made of organic cotton are designed to be not only super easy to use but also easy to care for.

What is the Judes detergent?

Our Judes detergent specially for cloth diapers was developed with much love and expertise. It is perfectly tailored to the needs of cloth diapers and the sensitive skin of your baby:

• Gentle on the skin: It is free from fragrances, unnecessary enzymes, and optical brighteners that could irritate baby skin.

• Strong against stains and odors: Despite its gentleness, it reliably removes stains and prevents odors.

• Gentle on materials: It cares for the fibers of your cloth diapers, keeping them soft and absorbent for a long time.

The development of our own detergent was a logical step for us. It was less about other organic detergents being problematic per se, but more about the advantages that a specially designed product offers. We know exactly what is in our detergent and can ensure that it is absolutely odor-neutral and especially gentle on baby skin. A common feedback from parents relates to the often strenuous chemical smells of other detergents – a point we avoid with our product without compromising on stain removal.

"Many parents report on the chemical smells of other detergents, which can sometimes be very difficult to wash out. That is not the case with our detergent, and still, all stains come out excellently." - Tamara from Judes Family

Guide to washing with Judes detergent

Washing your Judes is really child's play. Many parents tell us that it is even easier than using disposable diapers when you consider the entire effort (shopping, waste disposal, etc.).

1. Collect: Store the used inner diapers and covers in the breathable Judes diaper bag. Dispose of the poo paper with the stool in the residual waste. This way, no stool ends up in your washing machine.

2. Wash: Every 2-3 days, you can place the Judes diaper bag directly in the washing machine. Simply open the zipper at the bottom of the bag so that the diapers can fall out during washing. The bag itself is washed along. There's no need to pre-rinse or soak the diapers!

3. Washing program: Choose a 60°C program for cotton.

4. Dosage: Measure the Judes detergent according to the instructions on the packaging and your water hardness.

5. Drying: After washing, you can dry the inner diapers and covers in the dryer (delicate cycle) or on the line.

For more detailed tips, check out our guide: Gently and hygienically washing cloth diapers.

You see: With Judes, washing cloth diapers is truly simple and takes up minimal time.

Pros and cons: Diaper service vs. self-washing

Photo by @kerstinbrigitteposch

To make your decision easier, we have compared the most important aspects of diaper service and self-washing (especially with Judes):

Many parents wonder if there is a specific point at which self-washing becomes financially more worthwhile than a diaper service. Experience shows: self-washing is essentially the more cost-effective decision from the start. A diaper service comes with ongoing costs and often requires a larger number of diapers, as these are unavailable during the cleaning process. With self-washing, these ongoing service fees do not apply, and you are more flexible in your washing schedule and potentially need fewer diapers overall.

Conclusion – Which option suits you?

The decision between a diaper service and washing cloth diapers yourself is very personal and depends on your individual needs, your daily routine, and your priorities.

A diaper service can be a good option if:

• you have absolutely no time or ability to wash.

• you can and want to afford the higher costs.

• you find a reliable service near you.

• you value the convenience of having the washing completely taken care of for you the most.

Washing cloth diapers yourself is often the better choice for you if:

• you want to save costs in the long run.

• you want to retain control over the detergent and washing process to ensure what happens with your baby's diapers.

• you value flexibility and prefer washing according to your own schedule and needs.

• sustainability is an important factor for you and you want to actively shape it through your own choices (e.g., eco-electricity, choice of detergent).

Additional advantages of self-washing with Judes:

If you decide to wash yourself, Judes cloth diapers also offer you additional decisive advantages:

• Simplicity: Judes are designed to be as easy in use and washing as disposable diapers. Many parents even report that they are easier in everyday life.

• Health: The skin-friendly organic cotton and the absence of chemicals protect the delicate baby skin.

• Earlier potty training: Children who are diapered with Judes become potty trained almost a year earlier on average.

• Tightness: Judes hold particularly reliably tight, even with liquid milk stools.

• Lower overall time investment: With earlier potty training and low washing effort, you save time compared to disposable diapers (no constant shopping, no overflowing trash cans).

• Hygiene: The breathable storage in the Judes diaper bag prevents odors, and thanks to the poo paper, no stool ends up in the washing machine.

• Sustainability in the system: Judes are designed for sustainability not only in washing but throughout the entire product cycle (1 ton less plastic waste per child, resource-conserving materials, and European production).

When parents are torn between a diaper service and self-washing with Judes, often full control over the detergent used is a convincing argument. Knowing exactly what happens to the diapers that have direct skin contact with the baby gives many parents peace of mind – especially when it comes to potential allergies or skin sensitivities. This transparency and control, combined with the already mentioned flexibility, the easy handling of Judes, and the lower costs, make self-washing with Judes an attractive choice for many families.

At Judes Family, we believe that cloth diapering can be easy, sustainable, and healthy. Our mission is to offer the simplest cloth diaper in the world. If you're still uncertain, take a closer look at our Judes cloth diapers or read about the experiences of other parents. Many were initially skeptical and are now enthusiastic Judes users!

Have you already had experiences with a diaper service or do you wash your cloth diapers yourself? Feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comments!