Questions and Answers about:

Do you deliver to my area?
Check our delivery map to find out if you live within our delivery area.

Still unsure? Call or email us and let us check your zip code against our service area database.  We are continually growing and adding locations so if you are not in our service area now lets work together. We may be able to service other families in your area to make deliveries efficient.

How many diapers do I need?
The amount of diapers that you need will depend on the age and weight of the baby. If the baby is a newborn you can expect to use between 9 and 15 diapers per day.  That number decreases as the baby gets older and is more control of her elimination. Toddler usually soil between 6 and 8 diapers per day. The most popular package for the newborn stage is the Basic 70 (70 diapers per week/ 140 diapers in rotation). This package allots 10 diapers a day. We have found that this seems to be a good number for many of our clients.

If, however you find that you need more diapers please contact us so that we can add-on packs of 10 prefolds. The add-on diapers will be included in your next delivery bag. If you need the diapers prior to the next scheduled delivery, we will make a special delivery for your extra diapers. The special delivery incurs a fuel fee of $7.

How Do I Sign-Up for Service?
Contact us at (info@2theroot.com) or call us at (202) 630-6654 to schedule a “like free” in-home demo and begin service. If you are on the fence and just want to find out more about us, contact us to find out when our next community meet-and-greet will be held.

What does “like free” in-home demo mean and are they mandatory??
We explain more about “like free” demos here.

What’s the starter kit and do I have to purchase it?
The starter kit contains all of the basic essentials needed to cloth diaper using our service. It is a one time fee and includes the rental of the odor-proof eco-pail, the rental of two industrial strength custom-made laundry bags, the purchase of a 3-pack of Snappi diaper fasteners, the purchase of one designer diaper cover in the style and size of your choice, and 32 ounces of BacOut natural enzyme solution to “eat away” at waste and odor. All of the items in the starter kit have been tested and selected to make your cloth diapering experience successful.

While we do suggest purchasing the starter kit as is, if you have cloth diapered before and feel confident that you have everything that you need, the only part of the kit that is mandatory are the waterproof, reusable laundry bags. Our extra large laundry bags are not like anything you will find for retail. Our laundry bags are made of an industrial strength laminate fabric, can hold 100 wet diapers/approximately 50 pounds, and can really take a beating as they are picked-up and dropped each week. Because there is nothing like it on the market today, we custom make all of our bags with the help of our talented local seamstress. The bags also include a pad for adding essential oils for odor control, and a heavy duty zipper to contain diapers and odors while in transport.

Also, unless you plan to have the bag sit on the floor or unless you have your own extra large pail (large enough to contain a week’s worth of wet cloth diapers) we also recommend that you rent our odor-proof eco-pail in combination with the laundry bags. Our heavy duty pail is one of a kind. It is made of recycled plastic, has a carbon filter (another step in controlling odor), and has locking lid handles for curious toddlers and pets.

What makes your service different from the traditional diaper service?
Our service differs in our diverse and earth-friendly products, method of cleaning and delivery, and our superior customer service. Learn more about what makes us unique.

Do you have special pricing for Twins / Multiples?
Of course! Parents of multiples deserve a break. We offer Twins Special package of 140 diapers per week for $36.75/week. Need fewer than 140 diapers per week? We offer a 10% discount off any other basic prefold service packages. Add-on items are excluded.

We accept all major credit and debit cards. A minimum of four weeks of service is required. Just email or call us if you’d like to cancel after your four week commitment.

What if my baby has a diaper rash?
Although cloth diapers may help to prevent most diaper rash due to its breathability and our special rinse that helps to reduce the pH of the diaper to match baby’s sensitive skin, some rashes may still happen.  Please do not use traditional diaper rash creams or any with zinc oxide.  The zinc oxide will severly stain the diapers and covers and can also cause them to repell.  You can use coconut oil or castor oil to coat your little one’s bottom. We will also be carrying all natural salves that are cloth-diaper safe.  See our post on diaper rash relief.

Can I use disposable diapers with your service?
That is a personal choice.  We try our best to provide all of the support and products necessary  for you to use cloth diaper all of the time, but we understand that there may be times when disposable diapers come in handy.

We do ask that you limit your use of disposable diapers, much like limiting the use of other plastic bags and plates. Using paper, plastic, or styrofoam products daily increases your environmental impact, not to mention wastes your hard earned money.

What should I do when I go on vacation?
Please notify us by e-mail  at info@2theroot.com and tell us when you are leaving and when you will be back so that we can schedule your pick-ups and deliveries.  We request 5 days notification if possible.

Your service contract is only extended for the number of weeks that there are no drop-offs of clean diapers. If we only pick-up dirty diapers, your service can be extended. Contact us if you would like an advance of cloth diapers or a hybrid diapering system with the biodegradable/compostable/disposable inserts to take with you.

You have a couple of options for returning any dirty diapers used between your last pick-up/delivery and when you leave on vacation.

Option 1: If you are leaving on vacation Friday to Monday, you can leave your bag of dirty diapers in a secure location on your property and it will be picked up during our normal pick-up days and time – there is no additional cost for this pick-up but no service extension is granted because it is part of your normal weekly pick-up/delivery.

Option 2: If you are leaving on vacation Tuesday to Thursday, you can either contact us to arrange a special pick of the dirty diapers – there is a $7 charge for this special pick-up; Or you can drop-off the dirty diapers at our new drop box location (contact us for the address) – this drop box drop-off is free and you may be granted a service extension for the weeks that no pick-ups or deliveries occur.

What if I need to take a break from service?
We understand that there are times that you may need to travel for extended periods or leave service but plan on returning. If you are leaving for 3 weeks or less and you have an active contract, you can consider it a vacation (see the FAQ above). If you will be gone from 4 to 8 weeks and have pre-paid for service, your customer account, diapers, rental pail, and laundry bags, will be held awaiting your return. If you leave service and have not pre-paid for renewal, you have four weeks from the date of your last service contract to return to service without having to re-rent your pail and laundry bags. After four weeks, without pre-payment for renewal, we welcome you back in service but you will need re-rent the pail and two laundry bags.

How does delivery work?
We pick-up and deliver once per week on various days and times. You will be notified of your scheduled day and time range based on your address. Because we are continually adjusting our schedule for the arrival of new babies, we can’t commit to a set time slot. Therefore we ask that you leave your dirty diaper bag in a safe location on your porch, within your gate, with your doorman, or we can make arrangements to collect your building key or, if you feel comfortable, we can be privy to your building access code.

Can I wash the diapers being serviced?
Only if they are your own personal diapers that you having laundered through your Laundry Break account. We prefer that you don’t wash any of the rental diapers that we service (rental covers are okay to be home laundered). We work hard to develop a formula using additive-free, earth friendly, products that will effectively clean and sanitize all diapers.

What is your return policy?
Our return policy is a little different for sales and service.  See our full return policy here.

Will I get the same diapers back each week?
We strive to ensure that your same diapers will be returned to you each week. In the case of a stubborn stained diaper, your stained diaper will be replaced with a different diaper in our inventory.

Do you service waterproof shells/covers?
Yes, we offer diaper cover rental packages that we launder along with your diapers.   If you have another favorite brand/style of cover you can purchase those through us or one of our partnering retailers. You will need to launder and maintain the covers that you purchase on your own. If you do decide to have us launder your covers, you will incur the traditional Laundry Break fees per cover. One exclusion is wool. Although we love wool covers, we do not professionally launder them.

What happens if I forget to leave my diapers out for pick-up?
As a reminder we email your packing slip the night before your delivery/pick-up. If you do forget to leave your bag of dirty diapers outside of your door, we will still deliver your clean diapers. You can either drop-off your dirty diapers at our new drop box location (contact us for the address) or you can contact us to schedule a special pick-up. A $7 fuel fee is charged for special pick-ups . Either way, your bag of dirty diapers must be returned to us within 24 hours of your missed scheduled delivery.

What happens when my baby goes to Daycare?
We make it easy to transition from using cloth at home to using cloth in a daycare setting.  We offer packages, diaper styles, and accessories, that are daycare-friendly.  Please contact us when the time comes for your little one to enter daycare. We would be happy to supply you with what you need to cloth diaper successfully.  We can also support your daycare provider in any way that we can (via personal diaper demos or literature on the modern cloth diaper).

What about the odor?
To combat any odor, we offer a top of the line, locking lid diaper pail. Our eco-friendly diaper pail, made from recycled plastic,  has a charcoal filter that allows for the right amount of airflow to prevent odors.  We also carry BacOut natural enzyme spray that helps to “eat away” at any odor causing waste. Each new customer starts service with a new carbon filter which is replaced every six months. If you have been with us less than six months and request a filter change there is a $5 filter replacement fee. At your six, twelve, eighteen, and twenty-four month anniversaries, your filter is replaced at no charge.

Truly, the best defense against odor is going to be proper disposal of solid waste.  Our flushable/biodegradable liners and diaper sprayer make handling soiled diapers manageable and hygienic.

How do we end service?
Simply notify us via email, at least one week prior to your last pick-up, that you will be ending service. We will confirm the date of your last pick-up and discuss any purchases that you would like to make. After we receive your last batch of rental diapers, inserts, covers, and/or wipes, we will notify you of your account standing and close your account. If any of the rental items are missing, you will be subject to a replacement fee for that item (Individual replacement fees can be found on your Terms and Condition sheet provide upon starting service). The replacement cost for the missing item(s) will be charged to your credit card on file. Once any and all replacement fees are satisfied your account will be officially closed.

What is Laundry Break?
2 The Root offers a “Laundry Break” package that includes the pick-up, cleaning, sanitizing, and deliver of your personal stash of diapers. This allows you to use our service even if you have purchased or been gifted your own cloth diapers.

Laundry Break: How much does it cost?
All diaper pieces are laundered at a rate of $.50 per diaper piece ($.25 per diaper piece if the diaper is purchased through us). A diaper piece consists of one separate component of the diaper. For example, (regardless of size) a prefold diaper is considered one piece, a All-in-One diaper (the water-proof outer is sewn to the absorbent inner) is considered one piece, a cover is considered one piece, a fitted diaper with no insert or a sewn-in insert is considered one-piece, a fitted diaper with a snap-in or lay-in insert is considered two pieces, a pocket diaper with stuffable insert is considered two pieces. We suggest that you keep your shells and covers since they don’t need the extensive cleaning that absorbent materials do. They can also be easily hand washed and hung dry. You will save money by only having us service the pieces that really need it.

Laundry Break: Do you offer discounts on Laundry Break?
Yes, we offer a 20% discount on diapers, covers, and inserts, purchased through one of our partnering cloth diaper retailers. You will need to email us your receipt from the retailer to confirm purchase. Diapers, covers, or inserts, purchased through 2 The Root are laundered at a 50% discount.

Laundry Break: Do you launder all types of diapers?
No, we do not launder traditional cotton prefolds. Sending in personal cotton prefolds is not economical. Also, because we offer so many different types of diapers and inserts in our service, personal prefolds can sometimes be confused with our rental diapers during receiving and processing. It can be difficult to distinguish between your cotton prefold and ours. We do, however, launder any hemp prefolds, bamboo prefolds, or specialty cotton prefolds (ex. knit cotton fleece, knit cotton terry, or woven cotton birdseye). If you are unsure about whether or not we will launder your diapers, contact us. We also reserve the right to refuse any diaper that is tattered, torn or in any way damaged.

Laundry Break: What if my diaper is damaged or lost in laundering?
Unfortunately, we do not replace, repair, or in any way credit for any personal diaper pieces that may have been damaged or lost as a result of our laundering process. Sending items in for laundering is done so at your own risk. Fortunately, no personal diapers, covers, or inserts, to date, have ever been damaged or lost while being laundered via our Laundry Break service.

Laundry Break: Calculating pre-payment
You would pre-pay for how many diapers pieces approximately you may want us to launder. To help you estimate how much to pre-pay into your Laundry Break account, determine the total number of personal diapers that you would like to have professionally laundered. It is easiest to pre=pay $1 per piece. This should cover your laundering over a four week period.

Here is a more detailed explanation: For example, you own 30 diapers that you would like us to launder. Split that number in half. You estimate that 15 diapers will be laundered each week. Multiply 15 diapers by $.50 (15 x $.50 = $7.50). Multiply that weekly amount by four weeks ($7.50 x 4 = $30).

Laundry Break: Keeping up with your balance
As the weeks pass you will receive, in your weekly emailed-packing slip, a listing of all diapers laundered and your Laundry Break balance. The Laundry Break balance is based on the number of diaper pieces laundered that week. So using the example above if we laundered 6 diaper pieces (ex. 2 pocket diapers with inserts and two prefolds) and you pre-paid $30.00, your balance going forward would be $27.00. Think of it like a pre-paid phone card. As you use it the balance decreases.

Laundry Break: What if things change?
What if, for example, you estimate 30 diaper pieces but we really launder 45 diaper pieces. No problem, your Laundry Break funds, in this case, would run out prior to the end of your four week contract period. We will notify you when it is time to add more money to your account.

You may also choose to renew your service contract and still have Laundry Break money in your account. That money will rollover to your new contract period. lf however, you decide to discontinue service and you and you have Laundry Break funds in your account, that money will be returned to you.