Camping With Cloth

We just returned from a family camping trip to Sharbot Lake Provincial Park. With a family of 5 kids and 2 adults, we had lots of gear packed into our Suburban but that didn't mean we were leaving the diapers behind! Camping with cloth is surprisingly easy, provided you take the right dipes for the job.

I like to pack flats. Flats are a single layer of (usually) cotton fabric -- this makes them easy to wash and rinse thoroughly, they can be boiled if needed, and are thin enough to dry quickly. I use am single flat for daytime use, and double them up for overnight.

I generally wash diapers as needed, as small loads fit on the camp line better and it means we don't have to take as much stuff. If I am going to be washing larger loads (or also washing clothing), I use my Hillbilly Washing Machine, otherwise I wash the diapers in a large bowl or bucket. 

Washing diapers is as easy as boiling water. (Okay, it's a little more challenging than that but it still isn't hard. It takes less time than convincing a 15yr old to get out of bed in the morning!)

Boil some water, and pour it into a large bowl or bucket with an appropriate amount of detergent -- I like Nellies because it dissolves and rinses clean easily. Stir the water to ensure the detergent is dissolved, then add the diapers and wipes. Set the covers aside to wash separately in warm water. Agitate the diapers with your hands -- don't be afraid to scrub the material together. When it look like the diapers are free of mess, empty the dirty water and add clean water to rinse them. Squeeze them out before hanging to dry.

Travelling with cloth doesn't have to be complicated. Often it is just a matter of having the right diapers for the situation -- in this case, flats and prefolds! 

We had a great trip and I got to indulge myself in one of my favourite woodsy activities -- taking pictures of mushrooms and toadstools. I can't wait to get out again for Fall camping in a few weeks!