Lane County's dirtiest jobs: Diaper service

EUGENE, Ore. - Rebecca Huerta makes a living off of dirty diapers.
    
A couple years ago, she started Ruby's Diaper Service, named after her daughter Ruby.

"When I was pregnant I was actually looking for a diaper service in Eugene and I couldn't believe that there wasn't a diaper service here," she said.

So she decided to start her own. Now she has over 20 clients and runs her business out of her home.

"My main goal is that if I can wash the diapers for people, it will make using cloth diapers more approachable," she said.

Clients get deliveries of fresh cloth diapers twice a week. And the other days, Huerta is usually cleaning.

"I'm cleaning a lot, over a thousand diapers a week," said Huerta.

And sometimes it can get messy, even dirty.

"Breast-fed babies, their poop is pretty benign, but when they start eating food, it's a whole different ball game."

Still she said, she wants people to know that using cloth diapers is not only better for the environment, it's also cost-effective.

"Using a diaper service costs less than buying disposables and you don't have to run to the store to get your diapers," she said. "Our diapers are a quarter a diaper, so 70 diapers is $70 for four weeks."

And even though her jobs isn't always the cleanest, she said she wouldn't trade it for the world.

"I enjoy having my own business. I enjoy spending time with my daughter."