Recently, I was contacted by a fellow babyfur for some advice on cloth AIO diapers, and diapers in general. I figured that given my reply, it was worthy of a blog post. Enjoy!
(Note: the cloth diaper referenced in this post is eBay #171193110552, a product made by AngelsBest223. I highly recommend taking a look!)
Are they really as super leak proof as the seller describes? And how dependent on the proper, snug self-diapering is the leak protection?[/i]
Personally, I have yet to have them leak on me, and if you've ever seen my twitter account (specifically this post), I really fill them up. (Usually at least 18-24 hours between changes, and I pee a LOT.) Never had a leak, ever, which was a constant problem with the disposables. Still, I've only worn them alone (no disposables) a few times, but they held up well.
I would say that technique is super important; properly securing a diaper makes all the difference. See the next question.
Are there any tricks to putting a cloth diaper on yourself, or just any things in general, that are different from disposables? I've never actually used either before, but most of the how-tos I’ve come across only seem to talk about disposables.[/i]
As far as general disposable diapering goes, it needs to be snug and tight, but not to the point of cutting of circulation. A liberal amount of baby powder is crucial, both for rubbing and for other reasons, which I'll get into in a minute. I usually spread out the diaper already powdered, lay down with the back edge at the bottom of my back (this is the taped side). Keep my legs in a diamond shape, pull the far end up and over my crotch, and adjust it so that the tops on both sides are level if you were standing up. Tape the lower tapes first one at a time, getting them snug around the legs, and MAKE SURE they're flat all the way around and not bunched at all. Then do the tops, get the first side decently tight without moving, then arch your back and pull the other side tight and tape it. It takes some practice, but if you do it right, the tapes should be the same distance from the center on both sides. If you're skinny, this is a lot easier than if you're husky like me. >_<
Cloth is similar, but a lot easier. I don't bother with powder with the cloth only, but you may want to anyways. Just make sure that it's snug *after* being stretched out behind your back, and try to center the Velcro on the strip, otherwise it'll scratch your belly or come undone.
Can they handle multiple wettings well, or is it best to try and limit it to one before a wash?[/i]
Like I said in the first one, I can pee a ton between changes, but a couple things will affect this: you have to watch how you move: if you're lying down while wetting, make sure gravity's on your side. cock pointed down between your legs, lying on your back. You can pee on your belly if you go slowly, and you're small enough that the tip of your cock isn't near the top edge or near the side edge. I don't recommend being on your side. If you can go standing up, that's best, but not required. Watch out when sitting down, the squish is likely to squeeze the diaper and may leak.
This is one of those things that you just have to find what works for you; everybody's different, and the amount that different diapers hold varies greatly. I would recommend making sure your bed has a protective sheet under your regular sheets (they make cloth-like ones if you don't like the crinkle), and that your normal seating area has a towel on it. Then experiment and see what it takes to make it leak. If that means keeping it on for a day and a half straight, awesome!
How well do they hold up to messing?[/i]
I have yet to try this with only the cloth diaper, but I would imagine just fine and you can stay messy as long as you can stand the smell and it's not the runny/wet kind (which will cause nasty rashes). The logs should easily come off (I'm a scat pup, so I usually do this with my muzzle, but a paper towel is fine too), and the wetter/stickier messes should be mostly wiped off with paper towels or baby wipes and flushed or chucked. If you can't wash it right away, seal it in a Tupperware container or big Ziploc bag. DO NOT pre-soak or rinse it! Its fine if stuff dries on, it'll wash off. See washing instructions below.
Would it be safe to sleep in them if wet? For example, if I wanted to lie down in bed and, as I drifted off to sleep, let myself wet. I already assume overnight messing - letting that linger - probably isn't that great of an idea.[/i]
As I said previously, I sleep wet pretty much every night, and messy occasionally (see next question). I love having full padding for as long as possible. The only two concerns are leaking, which I discussed above, and rashes.
I happen to be one of the lucky few that are mostly immune to diaper rashes, but if you have sensitive skin, this may be an issue. Sweat is the big culprit here, much less than pee, so be liberal with the powder when wearing disposables, and if you're sweating a lot in the cloth padding, I'd powder that too. (Try it both ways, see what works for you.) If you do end up with a rash/itch, take a thoroughly soapy shower, and be liberal with the powder right on your skin once you're dry. Try not to wear anything for the next few hours if possible, or if not, wear loose, comfortable boxers. It should clear up in a day, two max.
How well, if at all, do they mitigate wet/messy odors? Does wearing any clothing on bottom over the diaper help with smell control at all?[/i]
This is a very subjective question, for four reasons:
1) The type of padding makes a huge difference; some odour block a lot better than others. Also, be liberal with the baby powder, and pick one with a fragrance you like. It makes a big difference.
2) How snug it is and the number of layers makes an enormous difference. More than once I've been in a disposable, cloth over, onesie over that, and PJ bottoms over that, and the messy smell wasn't noticeable to me until I took *everything* off the next morning, even though I was stinky all night. Make sure everything is a tight as possible without being uncomfortable.
3) Messes and wets have wildly varying odours. Some pees have no smell at all, others are really pungent. Similarly, some messes are mild (usually the firm tight lumpy logs are the tastiest least smelly), and others are disastrously smelly. This is all going to depend on your system and your diet. This will also affect how bad the padding (and trash) reeks after you chuck it. Flush it if possible, if not, ball the disposable up as tightly as possible. (Sealing it in a Ziploc with all the air sucked out will help even more.)
4) How much you like (or hate) the smell. The smell of a wet diaper or a musky crotch is hugely appealing to me, and I can't get enough of it, so it doesn't bother me at all. Similarly, I like the smell of a messy diaper, but if you (or your roommates/family/whatever) are "normal", it's definitely noticeable. It lingers, too, so be prepared. A room will stink of a messy diaper for hours after changing and taking out the trash. Febreze Air Effects (the aerosol can) helps a bit, but nothing truly gets rid of it other than time and airflow.
I'm not really familiar with the PUL material, but is it at all plastic-like in nature, mostly in regards to any kind of crinkling or other diaper-esque noises?[/i]
I don't know what PUL material is, but the "puppy pants", as I've dubbed them, are very quiet, and very soft, not plastic-y at all. The fleece covering rustles a bit, but that's about it. However, I think she now makes a thicker "waddle" diaper that does have a crinkly material in it. Either way, disposables make most of the noise. I like the crinkle. If you wear padding in public, regardless of how crinkly it is, the bulge all padding makes is quite noticeable. Period.
How long would it typically take for a full machine wash/dry? Does the process differ if messy?[/i]
The directions are extremely specific on this, and I've tweaked them with my own rules:
1) DO NOT, under any circumstance, pre-soak or rinse the padding. Wash immediately after using if possible. A little mess is fine, that'll wash out, but try to wipe off bigger amounts.
2) Wash it separately from everything else if you can. If not, add one towel (two max, and not the good ones) to balance the load so it doesn't shake when spinning. I don't recommend having anything else in there with it. Make sure to fold the tabs over on themselves to prevent sticking/lint. (Each tab has two squares that stick to each other. You don't have to connect the tabs.)
3) Use ONLY the proper amount of soap, and NOTHING ELSE. No fabric softener, bleach, oxi-stuff, or boosters. Use less soap than you think you'll need. And be absolutely sure that your detergent doesn't have "enzyme" or "agents" anywhere on the label; this will cause HORRIBLE rashes when you wet it later. I use All detergent, but Woolite works even better. Use the perm-press, wrinkle-control, or whatever the medium-gentle cycle is on your washer. If you have a top-loader, I recommend using the delicates/knits setting. Use cold or cool water if possible. DO NOT use hot. If it's still dirty or stinky after the first wash, repeat this step.
4) Dry on low temp. Most washers have two or three temperature settings. Go for medium on a home dryer, or low if your dryer runs extra hot or is laundromat/industrial quality. If your washer's spin cycle sucks, it may take two dryings to completely dry. Don't be tempted to use the high setting. DO NOT use a dryer sheet or anything other than the aforementioned towel in with it.
I suppose you could hand/hang dry, but I find things get horribly rough and scratchy dried that way.
Bonus: a fresh-from-the-dryer diaper is amazingly comfortable! Downside: keep an eye on your laundry. If you live with others, it's bound to raise a few eyebrows if seen.
If for any reason necessary, would it be possible to mimic the machine-washing directions through hand washing, or does it pretty much have to be machine-washed?[/i]
As I said above, you probably could, but I have no idea how; I've never done it. The rules above regarding detergent still apply though.
This is more of a general diaper question, but how important / helpful is it to shave around the front and back down there before any kind of diaper use? I mean, logic suggests that it's definitely ideal, but I haven't quite gotten very nimble when it comes to trying to shave my own butt.[/i]
Well, this is more of a personal preference thing, but I would say "neatly trimmed" would be the best answer. If it's too furry around your tailhole or if you have a hairy butt, messes will stick and painfully rip hairs off when you take off the padding. The front is much less important, but too much will lead to itching and some serious musk retention, especially if you end up cumming in your diaper. (Don't laugh; you WILL do it sooner or later. And when cum dries, it's worse than superglue. >_< Just remember: soap, soap, soap.)
On the flip side, I strongly suggest avoiding being clean-shaven. The risk of cuts/nicks is just too much of a pain in the ass (no pun intended), that part of your body is extremely susceptible to pimples and razor burn after shaving, and it's just not worth the effort, not to mention I find the stubble that results a few days later is uncomfortable as hell.
My solution to all this: trims.
I have an electric razor with a trimmer on the back of it. Once every month or two, I trim up down there. For the front, I usually grab a pinch of fur, and use the trimmer to cut it off at about ¼" to ½" from the skin, never getting too close, lest I risk either a nick or an ingrown hair. Same for the hair between my legs and my bits, and for the hair on the shaft and ballsack. Always go short, but never all the way. Especially on the ballsack and shaft, I use the electric razor part; it takes longer and may snag a hair or two, but there's a lot less chance of a painful nick. Just be sure not to get too close. For the butt, find a mirror and repeat the above. Or in my case, just leave it. My tailhole doesn't get furry enough to bother me.
This whole endeavor works best if you have a) a towel on the floor to catch all the hair (shake into the trash. DO NOT put it in the sink or shower; it WILL clog eventually), and b) something to sit on, like a small chair or the rim of the tub. A full-length and/or hand mirror is helpful too.
Bonus: this method also works wonderfully for underarm hair too! Just need to be flexible.
~Shino Puppy
