Antsy Pants™ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Ordering Questions:

How many diapers should I order? 
Can I pick the color of diapers I want?
Can you ship outside of the U.S.A.?

Sizing/Fit Questions:

My child has chunky thighs; will Antsy Pants™ fit?
My child has skinny thighs; will Antsy Pants™ fit?
Will the size I buy now still fit in 6 months?
How do I decide which size to order?
How do I take my child’s measurements?

Laundering Questions:

What are the recommended wash instructions?
What detergent should I use in the wash?
Can I put them in the dryer?
Can I air-dry them?
Can I wash with cold water?
Can I wash them with hot water?
Can I use fabric softener in my washer or dryer?
Can I use chlorine bleach in the wash?

Use Questions:

What do I do with the dirty ones between washes?
What do I do with the poopy ones?
Can I use these when we go out of the house?
Can these be used while traveling?
How often do I need to change diapers?
How do I change these diapers?
How do I prepare a diaper for night use?
Will these diapers leak?
How long can I expect these diapers to last?
Won't cloth diapers cause diaper rash?
Don't cloth diapers smell bad?

Product Questions:

What are Antsy Pants™ made of?
Are there any all natural fiber / non-PUL Antsy Pants™?
What are the nighttime inserts made of?
Where are Antsy Pants™ made? 

Ordering Questions:

How many diapers should I order?

Generally speaking, you will need about 6 pull-up diapers per child times the number of days you wish to go between washes. If your child goes to day care full time you will also need four to six for use there. For night use only, having three or four diapers works well.
It is not recommended to go more than three days between washes; that's what we do at our house. :-)

Can I pick the color of diapers I want?

The Antsy Pants™ packages offered on GetAntsy.com are packaged in assorted gender-neutral fun, bright colors sure to please the toddler in your life. If you want to specify the color of your Antsy Pants™ or tell us what color not to send, put that information in the comments box in the shopping cart as you check out and we will see what we can do.

Can you ship outside of the U.S.A.?

We can! We presently ship to the U.S., Canada and all countries served by PayPal. All of our orders ship using USPS Priority Mail unless otherwise specified. The shopping cart is enabled with shipping options for Canadian and international orders.

Orders to Canada seem to take six days to three weeks to arrive, depending on order size. The delay is in Canadian customs. International orders usually arrive at their destination in under two weeks.

Sizing/Fit Questions:

My child has chunky thighs; will these fit?

Chunky thighs are no problem. Antsy Pants™ unique convenient soft stretch side panels allow them to fit a broader range of thigh circumferences without discomfort and still resist leaks. Just choose the correct size for your child’s waist and rise, making sure that your child's hip measurement is not larger than the maximum stretched measurement of the diaper, and Antsy Pants™ will fit correctly.

My child has skinny thighs; will these fit?

Antsy Pants™ are a great cloth diaper option for children who have leaks in other brands. The Antsy Pants™ unique convenient soft-stretch side panels allow them to fit a broader range of thigh circumferences than other diapers without leaks or discomfort. Just select the appropriate size for your child’s waist and rise measurements, making sure that your child's hip measurement is larger than her waist measurement if she is near the lower end of the measurement range, and Antsy Pants™ will fit correctly.

Will the size I buy now still fit in 6 months?

Antsy Pants™ Pull-Up Cloth Diapers are engineered to accommodate a wide range of body shapes and sizes, and as such, so long as you pick the correct size initially, your child will still be able to wear the same size for up to a year. In other words, your investment in your Antsy Pants™ stash now could very well last through your child’s time potty training.

How do I decide which size to order?

Take a look at our page on selecting the right size for details.

Do I need to take my child’s measurements?

If you are unsure about the correct size of Antsy Pants™ to purchase for your child, you will likely want to take a few measurements to assist in finding the best size match. The required measurement points are waist circumference, hip circumference and rise length. Details on how to take the measurements can be found on the page regarding selecting the right size.  

Laundering Questions:

What are the recommended wash instructions?

We recommend washing Antsy Pants™ as follows:
Pre-rinse cold or warm
Machine wash cold or warm inside out
Do not bleach
Do not use softeners
Tumble Dry Low or Line Dry
Do not iron
Do not dry clean

What detergent should I use in the wash?

While the answer to this question is largely a personal choice, there are certain things you should look for in a detergent when you make the choice to home-launder cloth diapers.
1. No detergent build-up over time. Remember, these diapers will be laundered every 1-3 days for up to a year. Detergents that do not rinse out fully will cause diapers to lose absorbency over time and may lead to issues with diaper stink.
2. No fabric softeners in the detergent. These also cause diapers to lose absorbency over time.
3. No chlorine bleach in the detergent. Use of chlorine bleach in washing Antsy Pants™ Pull-Up Cloth Diapers may cause failure of the waterproof layer on the outside of the diapers. If your Antsy Pants™  develop stains that you want to remove, you can try oxygen bleach such as Oxyclean or an enzyme-based product such as Bac-Out.

Can I put them in the dryer?

Absolutely! Antsy Pants™  are engineered to dry more quickly than most AIO cloth diapers. You should find that your Antsy Pants™  dry in about the same amount of time as other items in your normal wash load such as jeans and towels. We suggest you use the low setting on the dryer to extend the life of your diapers.

Can I air-dry them?

Of course! Line-drying your laundry is a great way to conserve energy. Antsy Pants™ are engineered to dry as quickly as possible, whether in the dryer or on the line, but if you intend to air-dry yours, plan to order an additional day's worth to use while the rest are drying.

Can I wash with cold water?

Yes, Antsy Pants ™ Pull-Up Cloth Diapers can be washed in cold water. In fact, this is a great way to conserve energy. The key to getting your Antsy Pants™ clean each time you wash is to use a good detergent that will not build up over time, use enough detergent to get the diapers clean but no more, and use the correct water temperature for the detergent. If you will be washing in cold water, then be sure to select a detergent that is formulated to clean effectively and rinse out completely in cold water.

Can I wash them with hot water?

Yes, your Antsy Pants™ can be washed on a hot setting. The waterproof layer is designed to hold up to sterilization temperatures, so 120-degree water will not hurt it. We suggest that you do this only periodically, however, about once every 2 weeks, to extend the lifetime of the diapers and keep the performance lining in good condition.

Can I use fabric softener in my washer or dryer?

No, do not use fabric softener in your wash and do not use dryer sheets on your Antsy Pants™ Pull-Up Cloth Diapers. The chemicals in these products will reduce the absorbency of your diapers and cause the performance lining to stop wicking moisture. Either of these problems will cause the diapers to leak or cause your child discomfort. Fabric softener can also cause skin rashes on your child’s sensitive skin.

Can I use chlorine bleach in the wash?

Do not use chlorine bleach on Antsy Pants™ Pull-Up Cloth Diapers. It may cause the waterproof outer layer of the diapers to fail. An oxygen bleach product such as Oxyclean or enzyme-based product such as Bac-Out can be used in place of chlorine bleach. 

Use Questions:

What do I do with the dirty ones between washes?

We recommend that you use a standard dry-pail, which can be as simple as a lidded trash can. Diaper pails such as Diaper Champ work well also and can be fitted with a reusable bag instead of using disposable trash bags. Others use a large zippered or drawstring waterproof wet bag. We do not recommend storing Antsy Pants™ in water.

What do I do with the poopy ones?

Toddlers’ bowel movements tend to be solid enough to simply fall out into the toilet. For looser stools, get as much out as possible by flipping the diaper inside out and using toilet paper or a plastic scraper to coax the poop into the toilet. An additional wipe with a wad of toilet paper should get enough off to be ready for washing.

Can I use these when we go out of the house?

Yes, Antsy Pants™ are just as convenient as disposable diapers and training pants, but you will want to carry either a dedicated reusable wet bag or a few plastic grocery bags to put dirty ones in while you are out.

Can these be used while traveling?

If you will have access to laundry facilities and enough free time to do a load at your normal wash interval, then Antsy Pants™ Pull-Up Cloth Diapers are wonderful for traveling. I have used these same diapers on both of my daughters while camping, while visiting relatives out of state, on extended car trips, airplanes and even on trains. The only difference between them and disposable products is that you don’t throw Antsy Pants™ away after use.

How often do I need to change diapers?

Most experts recommend changing your child every two hours during the day, and that is our recommendation for Antsy Pants™ Pull-Up Cloth Diapers as well. If your child is still dry after two hours, then there is no need to change at that time, but it would be an excellent time to encourage a potty sit! You would then put the still-dry diaper back on your child after going to the potty. Diapers should be changed immediately when your child has a bowel movement.

How do I change these diapers?

Antsy Pants™ snap closures allow them to be configured either as a pull-up training pant (when fastened) or as a conventional diaper (when unfastened). With a child that is already walking, we encourage caregivers to use Antsy Pants™ in the pull-up configuration. Your child will likely be much happier stepping his feet into the diaper while standing than having to lie down to have a diaper changed. If you are in a situation where you would rather not take off your child’s shoes and pants to change him, then you can open the snap fasteners and pull the diaper from between his legs, then put the clean diaper on in the same way.
If you have a younger child who is not yet able to stand you can put the child on his back in your lap with feet away from you and pull the diaper on and off as well. This method is very useful for even tiny infants whose caregivers use infant hygiene techniques to “potty” their babies.

How do I prepare a diaper for night use?

Add more absorbency to your Antsy Pants™ with one of our night inserts. See our tutorial on how to prepare your Antsy Pants™ for nighttime use. If you are using an insert from another manufacturer that doesn't fit inside the pocket you can even place your insert behind the pocket by passing it through a hole at the end of the pocket.

Will these diapers leak?

Antsy Pants™ Pull-Up Cloth Diapers are engineered to be highly leak-resistant when used correctly and replaced at the correct time interval. If left on for too long during the day or used at nighttime without sufficient additional absorbency added to the pocket, moisture can eventually escape the diaper. Incorrect sizing can also contribute to leaking.
Antsy Pants™ are also exceptionally good at containing bowel movements within the diaper. Poopy diapers should of course be changed at once.

How long can I expect these diapers to last?

Antsy Pants™ Pull-Up Cloth Diapers are intended to last through at least 180 washes without failure for any reason. If you are diligent about the use, care and maintenance of your Antsy Pants™, you may find that they last considerably longer than that. If you do experience problems with your Antsy Pants™, whether during or after the period of our guarantee, please contact us with details. Our intention is to sell a durable, high quality product that will see you through your child's potty training. 

Won't cloth diapers cause diaper rash?

Leaving a child in wet or soiled diapers of any sort for too long causes diaper rash. If routinely changed at two-hour intervals, Antsy Pants™ Pull-Up Cloth Diapers have not been found to cause diaper rash. The wicking performance lining (standard lining only) helps keep moisture away from your child’s sensitive skin in much the same way that disposable products do, but without the chemicals found in disposables. 

Don't cloth diapers smell bad?

If cleaned thoroughly and contained properly in a sealed diaper pail or wet-bag between washes, there is no real difference between the smell of disposable and cloth diapers, other than a lack of the disposable product synthetic fragrances and plasticizers.

Product Questions:

What are Antsy Pants™ made of?

The main diaper shell on all is polyurethane laminate (PUL) backing a soft polyester knit fabric. The absorbent pocket layers are made from cotton/polyester sherpa. The lining is a performance wicking material that forces moisture through the fabric into the absorbent layers, and the side panels are cotton broadcloth. We use Lastin at the leg openings; all other elastics contain natural rubber.

Here are the "official" contents:
Shell face 100% polyester, back 100% polyurethane.
Lining 100% polyester.
Absorbent layers 80% cotton / 20% polyester.
Sides 60% polyester / 40% cotton.
Exclusive of elastic, snaps.

Are there any all natural fiber / non-PUL Antsy Pants™?

There are not currently any Antsy Pants™ versions containing all natural fibers. We do carry a version that replaces the synthetic lining with velour made of bamboo rayon and cotton. This lining is not feel-dry like the standard synthetic lining, but the velour has a true luxury feel to it. This version is not recommended for overnight diapering due to the wetness next to your child's skin and the potential for moisture to exit the diaper because of the absorbancy of the lining itself. This version is custom made to order in 3-4 weeks. Contact us for size and gender color availability and for the order page link.

The contents of the viscose bamboo/cotton velour version are a little different:
Shell face 100% polyester, back 100% polyurethane.
Lining 70% bamboo rayon / 28% organic cotton / 2% polyester.
Absorbent layers 55% hemp / 45% organic cotton.
Sides 65% polyester / 35% cotton.
Exclusive of elastic, snaps.

What are the nighttime inserts made of?

Our standard nighttime insert is heavyweight 100% Polyester microfiber terry. If you prefer natural fiber inserts, purchase the hemp/cotton fleece night insert intead. If you are purchasing the nighttime package, it is possible to substitute Hemp/Cotton Fleece (overall slightly less absorbent, but less bulk for a trimmer fit) for a small additional fee.

Where are Antsy Pants™ made?

Antsy Pants™ Pull-Up Cloth Diapers are manufactured in the U.S.A. of U.S. and imported materials. At present, all production is done by in Oregon, in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.