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Renter's Manual
Welcome to our online Renter's Manual. This is the same manual we give to new customers with their first delivery and should answer most of your questions concerning our service, but we encourage you to call us if you need clarification or think of something we have not covered. You may reach us Monday thru Friday 9am to 5pm at (206) 634-BABY or (800) 562-BABY. If you reach our voice mail because all lines are full or after hours or on weekends, please feel free to leave a voice mail message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible on the next working day.
HOW TO HANDLE YOUR DIAPERS
It is not necessary to rinse or soak any of our cotton diapers. If you have an older baby, you may shake off any loose stool into your toilet if you wish, and then drop the diaper into the hamper provided with your service. Because we have taken great care and time to develop a wash formula that will clean while causing a minimum of damage to the diapers, we ask that you NEVER wash our diapers at home. Home laundering frequently results in discoloration, permanent staining, chlorine damage, etc., and you will be charged for the damages.
The cotton diaper which Pure & Natural Diaper Service uses was specifically chosen for absorbency. As a result our diapers have many useful purposes around the home and car, such as dusting, polishing, washing the car, etc. Unfortunately, all of these uses make our diapers less than perfect for Seattle's babies. Things such as paint (including fingerprint and poster paint), glue, glitter, fabric and hair dyes, shoe polish, furniture polish, and household cleaning agents (Pinesol, 409, etc.) are just a few things that will permanently damage cotton diapers. For this reason we ask for your cooperation in helping us keep our diapers in as good a shape as possible so that we can continue to keep our prices below that of the competition.
Also, we ask that you do not use Regular Formula Desitin due to the amounts of cod liver oil and zinc oxide used. This particular formula permanently stains and damages the diapers. You can use any other kind of baby ointment, including other products in the Desitin line such as "Desitin Light" or "Desitin Creamy". A & D ointment is fine to use as well. The only ointment we ask you do not use is Regular or Original Formula Desitin.
When able, we are always happy to provide home delivery of used diapers which are no longer suitable for their primary purpose (diapering). We can provide you with household rags for you to keep and use as you wish. These are limited to stock on hand and are usually mixed sizes for cleaning convenience, so size may vary. Our used diapers can be purchased for $3.95/lb + tax and can be delivered with your normal diaper deliveries. The "retired" diapers can be purchased and delivered to non-diaper service customers as well, there is a minimum order of 10 lbs. + an $8.00 delivery fee. Deliveries can be made anywhere in our diaper service delivery area.
Please note that any diapers or training pants damaged during your rental time, or damaged and unaccounted for when your service is discontinued will be charged to you at a rate of $3.00 each.
DIAPER PICK UP & DELIVERY
Each week we will deliver your clean diapers in a plastic bag which you should use to line the inside of your hamper. If you choose to use a different liner, please make sure it is clearly labeled with your last name so we know who the diapers came from and to ensure that your diaper count stays accurate. Use a black marker on a white bag or write your name on a piece of masking tape for use on a black bag. You should also double check to make sure your name is already written on the outside of the bags we deliver.
On your specified delivery day, please leave the bag of used diapers out on your porch or other pre-designated area. If you have a particular area for pick up please notify our office or your driver so that we can log this on to our route schedule.
IF YOU HAVE MISSED YOUR PICK UP
If you have forgotten to set your used diapers out or missed the pick up, you have three options. Usually customers hold onto them for the extra week and we pick up a double load. You will not be double charged for the week. You may also pay a Special Delivery/Pick-Up Charge ($8.00 plus tax) for us to come back out and get them. The third option is to bring them into our office in Georgetown in South Seattle. Please note that if you are bringing them in yourself, we do need to have the diapers in the warehouse within 2 days of your missed pick-up so that they are counted in on time for the next week delivery.
You will still get diapers the first time you forget to put your bag outside. The next week we will deliver you a load based on your past usage number and pick up 2 weeks worth. However, we cannot deliver clean diapers if there is no pick up of used diapers for two (2) weeks in a row. If you are having a problem getting your diapers turned in on a regular basis, the best thing to do is just make a habit of putting them out the night before or when someone leaves for work early in the morning. Frequent missed pick-ups can throw the numbers on your account off.
DIAPER COUNT
On your first two (2) deliveries we will bring you the number of diapers which you have ordered when you signed up. Beginning with the third delivery we will place you into a rotation system, which means that the number of used diapers you turn in one week will be returned to you the following week. Our goal is to maintain you at the number of diapers you have decided to order. As a result of this two week rotation system, we probably will not always deliver you the full amount you ordered but instead we will deliver the number you returned soiled the prior week, up to the maximum of your weekly diaper order. We assume that if you do not return all of your diapers soiled that you will still have clean diapers at home to supplement your next weeks delivery. You should start the beginning of each week with enough clean diapers to make up the full amount you have ordered and that we maintain you at. If you are finding that you are running short of diapers, you may wish to increase your weekly rental number. It is only fifty (50) cents per week, per ten (10) diapers that you wish to increase or decrease by.
Clean Diapers should only be turned in after you have spoken to us on the phone about a vacation, a size change, or a number drop. Please do not turn in your clean diapers unless you have spoken to the office because this will always throw your number and count off.
Finally, because we are a rental service, you are charged for the full amount we maintain you at regardless of usage (example: If you go to a video store and rent three movies but only have time to watch two, you still had to pay the rental fees to take all 3 home). Another example is if you go on a vacation and leave home, you still have to pay a full month rent or mortgage even though you may even be out of the country. The Diaper Rental is week by week, not per diaper. Each week you have diapers out of our warehouse and unavailable to other customers is a fully charged rental week.
TOO MANY OR TOO FEW DIAPERS?
We increase and decrease diaper counts in increments of 10. The cost is only fifty (50) cents per week, per ten (10) diapers that you wish to increase or decrease by. Most babies need diapering for at least one and half (1 1/2) to two (2) years. As your baby gets older and has more control, he or she will probably need fewer diapers. Because of how the two week rotation works, it is normal and even essential to the two week cycle to have extra, clean diapers left over each week. Frequent decreases and increases in your number or refusing a delivery due to a perceived backlog will throw your count off and may incur Special Delivery charges to get you back on track. We advise that you find a realistic number of diapers for your needs and stay with this number until it is very obvious it is time to drop. When it is time to drop your count, just contact our offices no later than twelve (12) noon prior to your day of service, and the change will take effect the next delivery day.
We try to reduce the number of diapers in your home a few different ways, but our normal procedure is to have you to put out everything clean and dirty in the same bag and restart you at the new lower number you wish to change to. The only way to lower charges (and please remember this is a very small monetary difference) is to have you turn everything clean and dirty as described above and restart you at the lower number.
DIAPER SIZES
Baby Diaper Service is proud to offer its customers a large range of diaper sizes to fit your growing baby. We have diapers in 4 basic sizes, Preemie, Newborn, Large, and Toddler. Sometimes we are able to offer a "Medium" size if a baby is having problems switching from Newborn straight into Large. Please note that the "Medium" size is not commercially available and we cannot guarantee the availability of the "Medium" size for any length of time. These diapers are just the older, shrunken Larges we have taken the time to sort out. Also please keep in mind that since these diapers are older, the condition will be more worn then the other sizes. Again, since we have such a limited quantity of this special size with a high demand for them, we cannot guarantee availability.
Within all sizes there will be variations in size due to the nature of the cotton diaper shrinking during the hot wash process. We are constantly adding in brand new diapers and sorting out ones that are too shrunken, or that are not up to our high standards of quality. You will sometimes see up to a 2 inch difference in the same size category. This guide will provide you with some approximate weight ranges for the diapers and help ensure that you always have the correct size for your baby.
2003 size chart Size Weight Range
Preemie 2-7lbs
Newborn 6-16lbs
Large 16-31lbs
Toddler 32-45lbs
Typically we will start your baby out in our Newborns to ensure that you may use the cloth diapers right away. Baring any inventory shortages, your diaper size will not change unless you contact our office to make a size change on your account. Just give us a call if you notice the diapers getting too short or too snug, or if you are noticing rapid soak through (which would indicate needing a thicker absorbency). You should also keep in mind you will need to change your diaper wrap or nylon pant size on a regular basis as your child grows. You will experience fewer leaks and a happier baby when you have the proper sizes!
DEODORIZERS
Deodorizer disks are given to you automatically every 4th week usually along with your bill or statement. The deodorizers we use are non-toxic and made with a food grade citrus oil for your peace of mind. For scent sensitive Mothers and Babies, just give us a call and we will make sure you do not receive them. The disc is strong enough to last for 6 weeks, but extra deodorizers are available as well, for 50? apiece and the extra charge would be placed on your statement.
To install the deodorizer disk in our rectangular pail 54 quart pail, flip the pail lid over and inside it along the back you will see a row of plastic ridges or fin-like shapes. The middle two are raised up slightly leaving space for you to slip the unwrapped deodorizer into it.
ACCESSORIES
We also offer Velcro Diaper Wraps, Nylon Pants (also known as Rubber Pants), and Diaper Pins for sale for your convenience. We can deliver these to your door with your regular diaper delivery and bill you later. Please click here for more information on these items.
PRE-BIRTH DELIVERY
Normally we try to get a pre-birth delivery into your home about one week to two weeks prior to your due date. Typically, the normal weekly rental charges do not start until after you bring the baby home. However, if you have had the pre-birth delivery in your home over 4 weeks without activation or without contacting us with extenuating circumstances, we will call to let you know that charges have begun to accrue on your account. If you find you wish to start using the cloth at a later date after the baby has come, please call us immediately and make arrangements to turn in all the diapers clean and dirty so you will not be wasting your pre-paid rental time. We can restart you at a later date, however you will be charged a minimum of 1 week against your credit. This policy applies to Gift Certificates as well.
Our minimum sign up time is for four (4) weeks, and this first four (4) weeks is not refundable. This payment is due before or on your first drop off date. We will be unable to leave a delivery unless payment has been made. You may either pay by Credit Card, or Check. Most people leave a check taped to their front door for the driver to pick up the first time we come out.
Please remember to notify us within a couple of days of the birth so you don't get caught short on diapers!
HOLIDAY SERVICE
Babies don't stop, and neither do we! While our office may have shortened hours, our Drivers here at Baby Diaper Service have decided to work many recognized Holidays. We will send you notice of any revised delivery schedule 1 to 2 weeks prior to any major holiday so you can be sure to get your diapers out for pick up. We can happily accommodate any special arrangements you may need to make on these special days such as different pick-up/drop-off locations or partial loads. Please see our Vacation Policy for more information.
SNOW POLICY
If it is snowing on your day of service, we may make the decision to postpone your delivery until the roads are safely passable. If you do not think you can get by for up to 1-2 days on your existing supply, please call us and we will try to put you into our abbreviated Snow Emergency Only Route. Please understand this is for EMERGENCY cases only and unless you fall into that category, please wait for us to get out to you safely.
Also, please keep in mind that even if it is not snowing on your particular day of service or specific area, you may still be effected by the weather. Deliveries MAY be postponed by a day or two while we catch up, but please rest assured that we will do everything possible to stay on schedule and effect as few people as possible.
VACATIONS
Prior to going on your vacation, we do ask that you give about 1 to 2 weeks notice to make sure we can make proper pick up arrangements and change your billing cycle accordingly. Since we are a weekly rental service, our vacation policy is to pick up all your diapers clean and dirty (please make sure your name is clearly marked on the outside of all bags so we know where the diapers came from), prior to your departure to avoid incurring charges to your account. Again, since we are rental service, you would be charged for any diapers you have in your home during a vacation regardless of usage. Usually vacation holds are only for a week or more, but if you wish to prorate for a shorter amount of time, we would still collect all your diapers, deliver you a modified load, and then pro rate your account accordingly. Again, Clean Diapers should only be turned in after you have spoken to us on the phone about a vacation, a size change, or a number drop. Please do not turn in your clean diapers unless you have spoken to the office because this will always throw your number and count off.
When you go on vacation or suspend your service we also put the billing cycle on hold. We always bill in 4-week increments in advance, but those 4 weeks do not have to be in succession. You will rarely see a "vacation credit" on your bill (unless you are doing a pro-rated load). Instead, the time between billings would change. For example, if you took a 2-week vacation and we picked everything up before you left and restarted you 2 weeks later, it would be 6 weeks, between bills instead of 4.
MOVING
It is very important to call us PRIOR to moving, especially if you are going to be relocating out of our service area. Two (2) weeks is a good time rule of thumb time wise to give us a call. We will ask for a forwarding address and/or telephone number to contact you regarding any refunds or amounts due after the termination of service.
If you are moving within our service area this could result in a day of service change, and for this reason we need ample time to make the changes so that your service is not interrupted.
ENDING SERVICE
To discontinue your service we require a minimum of one (1) weeks notice in advance of your next scheduled delivery day. After notifying us, it is your responsibility to keep track of your ending date and round up all diapers, put them into bags with your name on them and set them outside with the diaper hamper for final pickup. At that time, the final diaper count audit is done and you will be contacted by mail regarding any refunds or charges due. Remember, there is a three dollar ($3) per diaper fine, not a purchase price for any damaged or unreturned diapers, and it can add up fast! If you choose to keep the diaper pail, you may purchase it for $19.95 plus applicable state tax.
As parents, we know that the day your child no longer needs diapers may be almost as exciting as the day he or she was born. We hope that during the "diapering period" of your baby?s life that our service was everything and more than you hoped for from a diaper service. We will also try and make your transition from diapers as simple as possible.
If financial matters are prompting your termination, you may wish to consider the following: The average parent has found the price difference between doing it themselves and diaper service is only about $2.00 a week. This is taking into consideration soaps, water, electricity, wear and tear, finding the high quality diapers themselves, plus your time and labor. Also, if you are washing them in shared machines, such as an apartment complex or public Laundromat, make sure to find out the policies regarding possible spread of bacteria and other peoples feelings on sharing machines used for cleaning body waste. You also need to remember there is no sure way to make sure all residual chlorine and other unsafe chemicals have been totally removed in a home grade machine.
For plastic (disposables), most parents have found there to be a 15% INCREASE in your monthly costs versus our diaper service, in addition to the impact on the environment, and the unhealthy chemicals and materials coming into contact with your baby. Even though disposables advertise that they keep wetness from your baby?s skin and you can sometimes leave them on a little longer, body waste mixes with those dangerous chemicals to form gases that stay trapped in the diaper and thus against your baby's tender skin.
GIFT ORDERS
Click here if you are wanting information on how to Give a Gift of Diaper Service
When your gift order period ends, service will automatically continue to avoid interruptions. You will receive a bill for your upcoming period of service (we bill in advance) at least one (1) week prior to the end of your gift time so that you can give us the required amount of time to stop if you chose to do so. Responsibility for any increased diaper count charges and additional weeks are your responsibility and charges will be accrued regardless of usage until you contact us with any changes. Please see the section on ENDING SERVICE for more information.
THANK YOU
All of the employees of Baby Diaper Service wish to thank you for using our service. Your patronage is very important to us, as is your input. If you have any suggestions which you feel could make our service even better, we hope that you will let us know. We want all of you to feel like you are an important part of this business, now and in the future.
Baby Diaper Service
6559 5th Place South
Seattle, WA 98108-3435
(206) 634-BABY * (800) 562-BABY
