Cloth Diapering on a cruise

[MystikaFaith]

I noticed a thread further down where a man had asked whether it was okay to wash cloth diapers on DCL. His question wasn't really answered likely due to the outrageousness of his other questions/comments but it is a serious question of mine.

For a variety of different reasons I cloth diaper my son and it was my intention and preference to continue to do so should we schedule our next vacation ( a disney cruise for the first time ever ) before we get our youngest potty trained. But is washing them in the disney laundry facilities really not allowed?????

 

[Audreyrub]

I have no clue if its allowed to wash them in their machines, but I think it can be managed with a good wet bag and some bioclean to keep the smell at bay if you can't. I'm thinking that if your DC pooped or peed on their clothes and you wanted to wash them, they wouldn't say no. This is no different. I CD for years and, as you know, its not grossness everyone seems to think it is.
Also, maybe use liners also, so that you won't have to wash poop off the CD?? Good luck if you do it. I'm soooooo glad I'm done with CDing however and everyone is on the potty

 

[JACH1976]

I would suggest that you contact DCL with this issue, but would personally recommend against cloth diapers due to a shortage of laundry facilities and possible health concerns of fellow passengers. Given that you are on vacation, perhaps you could use organic disposable diapers instead? We used these for my son as he had very sensitive skin and had reactions to both Huggies and Pampers. Enjoy your trip!

 

[lbgraves]

That post was completely sarcastic.

I used cloth diapers for both kids but I did get Pampers for our trips. Even if we were staying with family I didn't want to have to deal with that, especially in someone else's machines. There are only 4 of each [if they all work at the same time] on each of the three decks the laundry rooms are located on for the Wonder/Magic. Not sure about the Dream, but I would guess there wouldn't be a big difference in the availability of them.

 

[OrcaPotter]

That thread was all done in jest, but I know a while back there had been another thread that seriously covered the issue of cloth diapers. You'll have to check with someone more knowledgeable about the official rules but what I had read on that thread is that the general consensus is rather against washing cloth diapers in the public facilities. There was great debate over whether or not it was sanitary regardless of measures taken to clean the machines. It was mostly recommended that for the duration of your vacation to switch temporarily to disposable diapers.

I personally make it a point not to do any laundry while on vacation, so what folks do in the laundry rooms is moot to me. Others feel more strongly one way or another.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

I noticed a thread further down where a man had asked whether it was okay to wash cloth diapers on DCL. His question wasn't really answered likely due to the outrageousness of his other questions/comments but it is a serious question of mine.

For a variety of different reasons I cloth diaper my son and it was my intention and preference to continue to do so should we schedule our next vacation ( a disney cruise for the first time ever ) before we get our youngest potty trained. But is washing them in the disney laundry facilities really not allowed?????

The ship's have 2 types of water waste. Grey and Black.
I'm not sure about the DCL rules, but I know the two different types are treated differently before being discharged into the ocean. Black water get's a higher level of treatment to make it safe to discharge from Grey Water (sinks, showers etc).

Calling DCL is a good option unless someone else on here can tell you what the regulations are (they fall under USPH and the environmental program DCL follow.

HOWEVER, even if it is permitted, I wouldn't be happy using the machine after the dirty diapers.
And I would think it would be a good courtesy to the next user to then put the machine on the highest temperature cycle available afterwards (empty of course) to try to remove any traces of poop, or germs.

Ex Techie

 

[peg2001]

If you decide to cloth diaper and do wash while onboard, note that early morning, late at night, and port days are the best times to do laundry. The last full day and sea days are the busiest.

I can't imagine that it is "not allowed." What do folks think everyone did in the olden days when everyone cloth diapered and used the laundromat down the road. The nice thing about washing machines - they're self cleaning.

 

[MystikaFaith]

Thank you for your responses.

I can't believe this hasn't even crossed my mind till now and there seems to be such varying points of views on the subject, understandingly so.

I typically only wash the diapers once every 2-3 days so one washing during the cruise would likely suffice. I also admit that I too have the mindset that at the end of the cycle both the diapers and the washing machine the diapers are in will be clean. However, I do understand that some people are at the idea of using a washing machine for their own clothes that has been previously used to wash fluffy bums.... But with that in mind I imagine that even without cloth diapering those machines see their fair share of bodily fluids...... Kinda makes the idea of waiting to do at home more appealing.

Anyways, I'm going to go seek out that other thread and see if I can find any disney regulations regarding the subject. While there is a part of me that wants to respect the preferences of others in terms of what goes in the washers there's another part of me that just feels really uncomfortable with the idea of using disposables... Silly I know, after all I did use them with my eldest child... But now the thought of using them just feels icky

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

If you decide to cloth diaper and do wash while onboard, note that early morning, late at night, and port days are the best times to do laundry. The last full day and sea days are the busiest.

I can't imagine that it is "not allowed." What do folks think everyone did in the olden days when everyone cloth diapered and used the laundromat down the road. The nice thing about washing machines - they're self cleaning.

As I said above, the way waste water is treated may be a factor.
Also just because it was allowed/accepted in time's gone past, doesn't mean it was nice for the next person washing their unsoiled uncontaminated clothes in the machine after other people.

Washing machines being self cleaning..... To a point, but that is dependent on the detergent.
If you were to use a dye to color a piece of clothing, would you be happy to put a full load of whites in the machine straight afterwards?

Some detergent's work at 90 deg's in these modern days, and that will not kill bacteria.

Ex Techie

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

While there is a part of me that wants to respect the preferences of others in terms of what goes in the washers there's another part of me that just feels really uncomfortable with the idea of using disposables...

In the nicest possible way, many of your fellow cruisers will also feel "really uncomfortable" using the machines after you washing your childs human faeces in there before their t-shirt or other clothing.

Whatever is said on the DISboards forum is one thing and previous advice from knowledgeable people, but DCL rules change from time to time, so it really would be best to speak to them and ask the question rather than planning your doing or not doing the towel diaper thing.

Ex Techie

 

[Makayna]

Here's a good thread about it.

http://www.htp.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2710548

 

[KatiezMom]

Have you looked at G Diapers? Fantastic for travelling when you cloth diaper at home. Reusable organic cotton cover with a biodegradable insert. Most flushed the insert (comes with a lovely swish stick) but I just threw mine in the garbage, seemed like a terrible waste of water to keep flushing. Just an idea

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

MystikaFaith,

If your concern is about waste to landfill and not one of skin care or allergic reaction's by your child, all recyclable waste (glass, aluminum can's etc are take ashore and recycled. Waste that isn't recyclable (batteries, low energy light bulbs etc) are are taken to waste treatment plants. The incinerator aboard deals with the others and burns off any waste it can. (the ash is also taken ashore and disposed of appropriately). Food waste is also ground up and then discharged.

Ex Techie

 

[toy]

Come on it isn't like the op is going to be tossing in big chunks of feces. if you use a liner or pre-wash, it is no different than someone washing their child's pants when they have an accident. I'm sure plenty of women have washed their clothing in those washers after soiling them during their cycles. If you are such a germ-a-phob you shouldn't use the laundry facilities any way.

Just my 2 cents. Have fun on your vacation.

 

[MystikaFaith]

Makayna - Thanks for the link. And I see that you're soon off on a disney honeymoon cruise! Congrats! My husband and I went to disney world for our honeymoon and it was INCREDIBLE!

KatiezMom - I haven't considered G diapers, but I will look into them.

Ex Techie - My main concerns with using sposies short term is skin reactions. With my oldest son, I had only ever used disposables and we were always battling rashes. Then I had my daughter and once again we had problems with rashes only with her it got so bad that her bottom was blistering and bleeding and got infected. It was terrible and I had tried every brand of disposables I could get my hands on. It was then that I turned to cloth and haven't had any problems with it since. Then there is issue with blow outs. Have you ever held a baby only to have it poop all the way up to the back of it's neck covering not only itself but you in baby feces????? It's not pleasant and I found that to be a regular occurrence with disposables. Good cloth diapers hold everything in and I've never had any poop explosion mishaps since switching to cloth.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Ex Techie - My main concerns with using sposies short term is skin reactions. With my oldest son, I had only ever used disposables and we were always battling rashes. Then I had my daughter and once again we had problems with rashes only with her it got so bad that her bottom was blistering and bleeding and got infected. It was terrible and I had tried every brand of disposables I could get my hands on. It was then that I turned to cloth and haven't had any problems with it since. Then there is issue with blow outs. Have you ever held a baby only to have it poop all the way up to the back of it's neck covering not only itself but you in baby feces????? It's not pleasant and I found that to be a regular occurrence with disposables. Good cloth diapers hold everything in and I've never had any poop explosion mishaps since switching to cloth.

As I said "If your concern is about waste to landfill and not one of skin care or allergic reaction's by your child" and now your need to CD your child is clear.

I still think contacting DCL is the best option and asking them as they may say Yay on the using the public laundry's and that the waste water is Black water, or may say that sending the diaper's to the ship's laundry is more hygienic and better for the treatment plant and for everyone else aboard

Everything that is said on here is opinion only and not from DCL or Disney so is you want it "from the horses mouth" as it were give them a call and ask

It can't hurt can it?

Ex Techie

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

But it still wouldn't be nice for someone else to use the machine afterwards.

Large zip bag's for soiled articles of clothing that have been soiled, whether they be faeces, urine or menstruated blood (taken home to your own machine) would be preferable to the next user, just my opinion on it.

For example, if I had defecated in my boxers, would you be happy for me to put them in with your wash as well?
Also if you can afford a DCL cruise, a washer isn't expensive IMO and therefore no need to use a public laundromat?

Anyway's, DCL rules apply and we should adhere to them the best we can.

Ex Techie

 

[kmix78]

I used CD exclusively on all of my 3 children - even when traveling/vacationing. I don't see any problems with washing them in public machines. I'm sure all kinds of yucky stuff (MUCH worse than baby poo!)goes into the machines, and if people can't somach that then the probably shouldn't be using public machines.

Just my humble opinion

 

[Makayna]

I'm sorry, "but everybody else does it" is not an acceptable excuse for washing your kids' poopy diapers in the public washing machines. NOT EVERYBODY ELSE DOES IT!!!


Because everybody else does it, can I...

- save loungers at the family pool?
- let my kids come into Quiet Cove?
- save seats at the theaters?
- take flash photography during the live shows?

Just because "everybody else does it" doesn't make it any less dirty and disgusting, and it doesn't make the next person who has to use that washer any more grateful to you for doing it, IMHO.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

if people can't somach that then the probably shouldn't be using public machines.

Just my humble opinion

Whether it is poop, urine or blood or whatever, you should Hand Wash your clothes or child's diapers, not inflict their or your deposit or accident on everyone else who then uses the machine afterwards.

Common courtesy in my humble opinion.

Ex Techie