Being a new parent means you have your work cut out for you. Midnight feedings, daily baths and constant diaper changings make it almost impossible to get a minute's relaxation time. If you are environmentally conscious and don't choose to go the disposable diaper route, you can add cleaning dirty diapers to that routine. Fortunately, there's an alternative. A diaper service eases the burden of cleaning cloth diapers by picking up your baby's dirty diapers and replacing them with a clean set.

A diaper service is a professional cleaning service. They are paid to do the job for you. Instead of going out and purchasing countless cloth diapers, you can rent diapers from the diaper service. Included with this rental are laundering, pick-up and drop-off service. Since a diaper service has to follow strict standards set by the board of health, your diapers are much cleaner than they would have become in the household laundry. When a diaper service cleans soiled diapers, the water is frequently changed and they're dried with air so hot they're sterilized.

When you sign up for a diaper service, you will be provided with a special air tight hamper. This ensures that the smell of dirty diapers doesn't permeate your home. Some diaper services will also supply liners for the hamper and special deodorizers. On pick up day, just remove the dirty diaper-filled liner from the hamper the same way you'd remove a bag of trash from your garbage receptacle. Neither you nor the diaper service attendant has to touch the dirty diapers.

Some diaper services request that you rinse soiled diapers before placing them in the air tight hamper. When you call to interview a potential diaper service, be sure this is one of the questions you ask. Other questions to ask include cleaning methods, type of diapers, the time of day the diaper service attendant can be expected and, of course, cost.

Many busy parents choose to have their diaper service come on a daily basis. While this is preferable to many, it doesn't have to be the rule. You can also choose for the diaper service to come every other day or only once or twice per week. Keep in mind that if the diaper service comes less often, you'll have to order more diapers so you don't run out.

Being a new parent can be an overwhelming experience. Hiring a diaper service to handle the cleaning of your baby's unmentionables will give you more time for the things that really matter.