Cloth Diapering!

I just want to shoot out some fast facts about cloth diapering.. Most people don't realize that cloth diapers have EVOLVED! So I just want to share some pictures and some facts. I use mulitple kinds of diapers and I will be reviewing all of them in the near future so keep checking in.
Waste:

• 5 million tons of untreated waste and a total of 2 billion tons of urine, feces,

plastic and paper are added to landfills annually.

Better for Baby:

• Disposable diapers contain traces of Dioxin, an extremely toxic by-product of the paper- bleaching
  process. It is a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals.
  It is banned in most countries, but not the U.S.
• Disposable diapers contain Tributyl-tin (TBT) - a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in
  humans and animals
• Disposables also contain sodium polyacrylate, a type of super absorbent polymer (SAP), which becomes a gel-like substance when wet. This had been used in super-absorbency tampons until the early 1980s when it was revealed that the material increased the risk of toxic shock syndrome and banned from use.
• Some experts say (and all the women I have met that cloth diaper) that using cloth diapers usually means potty training earlier, most by 2 years old!

Cost:

• On average it will cost $1,500 to $2,000 or more on disposables
• On average it costs $300 (for the cheapest option-prefolds and covers) to possibly $1000 (I find this number outrageous, but it could happen) if you want organic and special brands.
• Personally, we cloth full time (except at night) and I have spent roughly $400 and I bought all name brand diapers and no prefolds/covers!
• Cloth can be used to multiple children, so you more than double your savings right there!

Convenience:

• If you use cloth, even just part time, you won't have to run to the store to buy disposables because you'll already have your reusable diapers!
• Velcro or snap closures! No more pins! Just as easy as a disposable.

Cute factor:

• I know this sounds ridiculous but it's really the first reason I chose cloth!

Cons:

• Time consuming, well sort of, you will need to wash your diapers. It is recommended to wash them every other day or every third day to prevent stink issues.
• You have to use special detergent. Now, it's not expensive but you can't use just any old detergent. You can get these online when you order your diapers.
• You can't just run to the general store and buy them, esp where I live, so you have to order them online.
• Upfront cost, while you stand to save thousands of dollars there is an upfront cost that can be a little scary, but in the long run you'll save a TON.
• Inconvience while out, now I don't think this is a con, we just use those diaper bags and put the dirty diapers in those.
• Cleaning poop. However this was made way easier by the invention of a diaper sprayer that hooks to your toilet and you just spray them out, it's very simple.

All in all, cloth diapering can seem like a chore, but we choose not to look at it that way. We are saving thousands of dollars and doing what's best for our baby. Additionally we are doing something good for the environment. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask. I'll be posting more about cloth diapering in the future.