We are in the dead of winter here in New England. This past week has been one of the coldest that I can remember! Needless to say, this doesn’t exactly help when hanging my diapers outside for some sun! Sunning cloth diapers in winter can create some challenges. So what options do you have if you want to sun your cloth diapers but can’t put them outside because they will freeze (literally)? Here are a few ideas that I came up with:
Window Sill Sunning
This would seem like the most practical and easy way to sun your diapers inside. Simply place them on the window sill and let the sun do it’s work. A porch or sun room is ideal but not necessary. The bigger the ledge the better. If you don’t have a big enough window sill, you can even place them on the floor and let the sun hit them that way too. Just beware if you have animals or active kiddos who might rearrange them for you.
Blinding my Diapers
Last year I had to get creative when I was air drying my cloth diapers for the Flats Challenge when I couldn’t use a dryer and it was raining out. This technique for which I coined the term “Blinding My Dipes” turned out to be pretty successful with no blind damage! This is very similar to the below technique where you hang clothes pins from a hanger, but without the hanger. I know the picture does not do a good job showing, but if you open the blinds more or even roll them up, the diapers will get even more sun. It works best for lighter weight diapers that won’t damage your blinds.
Table/Rack in front of the window
Simply put a table or even a chair in front of a window that gets a lot of sun. The bigger the window the better! If you have a wire or wooden rack you can place it in front of a window too. Just be sure to rotate the diapers or flip the rack to make sure you get the sun on all sides of your diapers.
Hang in front of window
If you don’t have a rack, simply grab some wire or plastic hangers and clothespins. Hang the diapers from the wire hangers with the clothespins and hang on your windows. The nice part with this technique is that little fingers and hands can not reach them if you put them high enough up. Also excuse the nasty stains, I have a teething baby!!!
Do you sun your cloth diapers in the winter? If so, how?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s so crazy… Juls while researching for sun drying I read that uv rays hit the earth everyday!! So even in the rain or snow they will still be brightened!! Love your post !
Yes very true! That is why we have to wear sunscreen all year around!
Funny. Honestly, I don’t sun my diapers very often but when I do I just put mine out on the deck. One time I have also heard that UV rays will still help even when cloudy and even while raining, not that I would put my dipes out in the rain
Yes, I would be worried I forgot about my diapers in the rain…plus there is acid in the rain and I don’t know how that would affect the diapers over time…although that might make a good post! Yes UV rays will still be out in the summer, winter, snow or rain, but I tend to think you get the most in the sun directly!
Ignore the “one time” up there – I didn’t finish my thought
One time while getting some diapers ready for sale I put them on my buffet near the window because it was freezing and I didn’t want to go outside
I love the idea of “blinding diapers!” I had never thought of that but I have lots of windows it could work well in! I have done the hanger in an open window though
Yeah! Let me know how it works out!
One time I hung them in the window and they froze to the glass. Granted it was -30 out and the windows were covered in ice and it was a tongue on flagpole situation. It was funny though.
ha ha, that is awesome!!! I don’t think I would put my diapers out in subzeros in the snow…although the UV rays would still help, I don’t want to chance it!
Thanks for the article and hope to read from you again. “Sunning in Subzeros” – interesting title julie. Very valuable information julie.
{ 2 trackbacks }