As we packed and prepared to travel to Seward for a three-four day weekend, I was worried that I wouldn't have enough diapers to last the entire time. In the back of my mind though, I figured I could always hit up a laundry mat if I had to. I started a load of diapers (maybe about 5 or 6 total diapers) with enough time to dry them before we hit the road. About ten minutes before we were about to leave, I changed Kian into a clean diaper, and hand washed the diaper that he had been wearing. I had counted my diapers and if all went according to plan, I would have enough diapers to last the entire weekend without having to wash. As we pulled out of the driveway, there were diapers drying on the dashboard!
The weekend in Seward was amazing! The kids played and got to visit the Sea Life Center. We took a couple bike rides along the beach and made s'mores around the camp fire. Kian cooperated for me and only went through the allotted amount of diapers. I didn't have to scramble to the laundry mat and wash diapers to make it through the weekend. But, on the way home, we only had one diaper to spare and the minute we walked through the door, I started washing diapers!!
(Pic from an earlier camping trip where we did some cloth and some disposables.)
That weekend set the tone for many more weekends to come; camping with cloth diapers. I developed a good system and acquired a few extra diapers, which made things easier. Covers and inserts worked the best for us, but that was also our typical daytime routine, so I didn't change much. Very rarely did I ever wash anything while we were camping. Maybe a cover here and there, but I found that it was easiest to wash right before we left the house, line drying on the dash or at camp if necessary.
In my search though to find the easiest cloth diapering method during a camping weekend, I did find a rather unique way to wash while in the wilderness by making a camp wash machine. Take a 5 gallon bucket, cut a small hole in the lid and slip a plunger handle through the hole. Put the plunger in the bucket with water and the diapers/clothes, snap the lid on and voila... washing clothes and diapers becomes a piece of cake!
Through the years I have picked up a lot of tips from customers and created some of my own for successfully cloth diapering while camping. The first suggestion is to bring diapers that you are most comfortable using. You don't necessarily need to change everything about your routine for camping. The last thing you want to be worried about in the great outdoors is trying to figure out how to anteater fold a flat! If you do choose to use a different diapering method while camping, just make sure that you know how to use them and that you are comfortable with them. Also very important, is to make sure you have a secure storage bag to use while you are out there. Stinky diapers in the tent could ruin the whole weekend! I like to have a wet bag or pail liner for the clean diapers, and then another for the dirty diapers. When the clean diapers are stored in a wet bag or pail liner, it keeps off the smells from camp smoke and other possible camping funk.
The type of diaper that you use while camping can make the experience a little bit more enjoyable. Flats, light weight fitteds, and inserts that are quick to dry are generally the easiest diapers to use while camping, especially if you plan on hand washing. They wash up easily and dry quick which means you don't have to bring your entire stash with you. Pack enough for the day and wash in the evening. Don't forget to bring your laundry detergent. If you are environmentally conscious, try to use a soap that is biodegradable, especially if you are dumping the dirty water near a lake, river, or any other body of water. Then just hang up the diapers to dry and hope it doesn't rain! Some extra accessories such as bioliners (disposable poo catchers) can also make life easier. A few biodegradable inserts will also come in handy while camping.
Camping with cloth diapers is so simple and once you decide to try it, you will be very happy! Your pocket book will thank you, your baby will thank you, and mother nature will be pleased also!! Start out with a simple overnight trip and work into longer weekend trips. Or go all in like I did and try a long weekend! Happy Camping!!
