Silkworm Yarn Shop: momma cloth

Showing posts with label momma cloth. Show all posts

Cleaning cloth pads

DRY METHOD

This method is good for this those who travel, those who have to share living space with roommates or those who do not have access to washing machines.

Basically, you allow the cloth to dry out completely. It is stored in a breathable container our bag of some sort.

The danger with this method is molding before they dry. Air is essential. Without air circulation, they can mold. The amount if time it takes to dry depends on the materials they are made with, the humidity and how much liquid they contain.

When it is time to wash, they can be soaked and washed. Some soak overnight, some do not soak at all. Each person may get different results depending on body chemistry, water quality and wash detergent our soap used.

WET METHOD

In the wet method, the cloth I'd rinsed after they are removed or immediately upon arriving home. They are stored damp, in an place with good air circulation. They can be stain treated prior to storing. Mold is also a danger in this method. You cannot forget these and just leave them for days on end.

When it is time to wash, they can be soaked and washed. Some soak overnight, some do not soak at all. Each person may get different results depending on body chemistry, water quality and wash detergent or soap used.

SOAK METHOD

In the soak method, pads are put into a wash solution immediately, usually something like oxyclean.

With oxyclean, the oxyclean or other cleaner is started with some hot water, as it activates the chemicals. It is filled with cold water, as hot water or even to warm water can set stains- especially protein stains.

The cloth is soaked overnight and often washed the next day. The cloth is stain treated and often added into the next wash in the household. They are often also hand washed in the shower

In the soak method, if they are not to be washed that day, the cleaning solution is drained and remade. This helps prevent mold growing on the surface of the water our material. The the wet cloth is put back into the solution to await more cloth or the next wash cycle.

Postpartum shells and inserts

Postpartum shells and pads are a great way to handle postpartum bleeding and a great way to handle incontinence. The waterproof shells are designed to snap around your underwear as a waterproof barrier. The inserts then snap into the shells as an absorbent layer. The inserts are removablefor easy changing and washing.

The postpartum shells are 14 inches long with a 3 inch gusset. The snaps can make it narrower but it bunches the gusset. The shell has a single snap in the center to anchor the insert to keep it place.

The shells have raised gathered areas to each side of the gusset. These act to hold in liquid to give the insert time to absorb everything.

The shell is normally plain inside, usually white. It makes it easy to simple wipe clean. The pretty side of PUL is covered by a layer that provides traction. The traction layer is usually fleece or corduroy but can also be denim. Basically anything that will grip the underwear.

The inserts are the absorbent layer of the postpartum shell set. They are ~14 inches long and ~3 inches wide at center. They have a single center snap that corresponds to the shell. The snap works to hold the insert into the shell. The snap is always black due to us having to special order long shank snaps.

We sell them in 3 absorbencies: regular, heavy, and ultra.
Regular corresponds to our day pad.
Heavy corresponds to our overnight pad. Ultra has 2 extra layers of absorbency.

The insert can be topped with many fabrics. Flannel, OBV and CBV add a layer of absorbency. Cotton is a thin, cool layer for summer. Minky is soft and easy clean but does not absorb as quickly. Micro fleece is a soft topper that is considered wicking and stay dry.

This pattern is based on a pattern by MommaCabDoIt on Etsy.

Cloth pad cleaning and care

When you first get cloth pads, WASH THEM. This is for your own health. It doesn't matter what a maker says, wash them yourself in your favorite detergent or soap.

Why? Allergies mainly. Jennifer and I use handmade cleaners only. While these are usually less chemical filled than others, we do not know what your allergies are and how you would react to our cleaners.

Washing also preps the materials. While we wash the cotton and flannel before we use them, materials like fleece are not washed before hand and will still contain any leftover chemicals used in the manufacturing. Zorb, a material specifically designed by the cloth diaper industry for absorption, cannot be washed before use. When washed, it fluffs up, becoming impossible to sew...and becoming highly absorbent. Flannel, cotton and Zorb all need a good wash, if not several, to achieve maximum absorbency.

Jennifer and I both use the soak method. Jennifer uses a pretty red candy tub with a lid from the dollar tree, I use an old pickle container. Both are small enough to sit by the commode, holding about a gallon of water each. They are small enough to stick anywhere, even under the sink. They just have to be large enough to hold several pads and water to cover them. When not in use, you can store them anywhere, but if pretty enough, can be left out all the time. Since I use mine to soak un-paper towels and cloth tissues, mine lives in the bathtub and is set outside when I'm in the tub.

When soaking, use cold water to avoid setting stains. Once the chance is stains is over, you can wash in warmer temperatures. We like to use something like OxyClean...or an off brand similar. It changes the ph of the water to make it a more effective cleaner as well as contains enzymes that assist in removing biological based stains...i.e. blood. I start the OxyClean solution with a little hot water to allow it dissolve and fill the rest with cool water to avoid staining.

I soak pads overnight. I wipe off any excess material and make sure it is completely under the water and saturated. They do not have to be rinsed before soaking, that is all up to your personal esthetics. You can rinse them in cold water before soaking if you want. The most important thing when soaking is to make sure the pads are completely saturated to allow the water to reach every stain. Leave the top of the tub off a bit to allow air circulation and always remember to take them out. Forgetting about them for a week can result in mold growing. Change the water in the tub as needed.

After soaking and allowing the OxyClean to do its work, I then rinse them in cool water. I scrub and apply a stain stick to darker areas and suspected stains. A stain stick can be any good soap. I use an old bar of basic lye soap without any additives. Once they are clean, they can be tossed in any form of wash. Just remember, if you have accidentally forgotten a stain or two, a hot wash can set that stain forever. So warm or cool washes only until you know what you are doing.

I hang dry my pads. The can by dried in the dryer, I just like hang drying mine mostly. Drying in to hot a dryer can shorten the life of pads with PUL. When pads dry, stains may suddenly appear from the inside layers if they were not cleaned properly. That is another reason to hang dry the first few times you wash, so the dryer doesn't set the stain.

Sanitizing. Once in a while you may need to sanitize them. After infections mostly. Soak them with peroxide, getting in all the layers and then wring it out. Spray the pad with vinegar, pushing it into the peroxide damp pad. Don't let it sit, but rinse immediately. Do this in a ventilated area. Vinegar and peroxide make an industrial strength sanitizer used in places like dairies and cheese factories. It is neutralized by water and is completely food safe, but rinse well anyway. You don't every want any leftover chemicals on the pad. It is not good for your skin and can shorten the life of a pad.

Make sure they are well dry before storing. Pads with PUL can hide damp areas, so give them an extra bit to dry completely.

Never, EVER use fabric softener liquid or dryer sheets. It stops pads from absorbing liquid. If you accidentally use conditioner, you will need to wash them several times to remove the softener.