Last Updated March 16, 2020

As a mom there are tons of decisions you have to make. One of those choices that a lot of moms don’t even realize they have a choice about is the decision to use cloth diapers!

There are so many benefits to choosing cloth diapers. Two of the biggest benefits are the financial savings and the benefits to the environment.

While cloth diapering is a little off topic for Mended Mom, I love it so much I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share it with you!

So let’s talk about how to use and care for cloth diapers so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your family.

Getting Started with Cloth Diapers

The first step to using cloth diapers is to plan and prepare your stash. You’ll need to first decide which types of diapers you’d like to use and how many you’ll need. There are a few things you should consider when making this decision.

• How will you be washing your diapers? Having to haul diapers up or down stairs, needing to use community facilities, or choosing to hand wash could all impact your diaper choice and how many you’ll need to have.
• Who will be using your diapers? If your baby will be cared for by anyone aside from you and your partner, you may want to choose a diaper that is simpler to use or you may need to teach your caregivers how to use the diapers. Also, many child care facilities have cloth diaper policies so you’ll need to check with them before making a decision.
• How many babies will you be cloth diapering? If you’re having a singleton your stash will likely be smaller than moms of multiples.
• How often are you willing to wash your diapers? You can get by with fewer diapers if you wash every day. Or you can choose to have a larger stash and only wash a couple times a week. Be aware that diapers will wear out over time with heavy washing. So if you wash more frequently, your diapers may not last as long.

Types of Diapers

Flats

Flat diapers are what you might think of your great-grandparents using on their babies. They are a flat piece of fabric, usually cotton, that is one ply thick and will need to be folded up and fastened onto baby. There are a variety of ways to fold a flat depending on your needs and you can find plenty of how-to videos on YouTube. You can choose between diaper pins or a fastener (Snappi is the leading brand) to secure them. These diapers will need a waterproof cover to prevent leaks.

This type of diaper may be a good fit for you if you:

• are on a tight budget
• are willing to work with a learning curve
• plan to hand wash and line dry your diapers
• want an additional insert for heavy wetters or for overnight
• don’t want to deal with different size diapers as your baby grows

Prefolds

Prefold diapers are a square of several layers of fabric sewn together so you don’t have to do a lot of folding. They usually have a thicker middle section. They come in a variety of sizes from preemie up to sizes large enough for older toddlers. Prefolds are used with a fastener and a cover.

This type of diaper may be a good fit for you if you:

• are on a tight budget but don’t want to fold a flat
• are ok with using pins/fasteners
• plan to line dry your diapers
• want something that’s very versatile
• want an additional layer for heavy wetters or for overnight

Fitteds/Contours

Fitteds and Contours are similar to prefolds in that they don’t need to be folded but they do need a cover. However, these diapers are designed with the same shape as disposables, being narrower in the middle and wider where you will fasten the diaper. Many come with snaps or hook-and-loop fasteners.

This type of diaper may be a good fit for you if you:

• want something a little easier to use but still affordable
• prefer to use covers instead of pocket diapers
• want something super absorbent
• plan to wash in a washer but prefer to line dry your diapers

Hybrids

This type of diaper may be a good fit for you if you:

Hybrid diapers allow you to combine the benefits of cloth and disposable in one diaper. These diapers have a cloth shell and can be stuffed with a disposable insert. Many of these brands also have cloth inserts so you can switch back and forth easily. Another benefit of a hybrid over disposables is that usually the inserts are very eco-friendly. These diapers do not need separate covers or fasteners.

• love the idea of using cloth diapers but travel a lot and don’t want to carry dirty diapers with you
• want something quick and easy for running errands
• need something disposable for your child care provider
• like the idea of cloth diapers but aren’t quite ready to fully commit yet
• need to be able to switch back and forth easily between cloth diapers and disposable

Pockets

Pocket diapers are probably the most commonly used diaper among cloth diapering families. These diapers have a waterproof outer shell which is typically coated in PUL (Polyurethane Laminate – the stuff that makes it waterproof) and a soft, stay-dry inner layer. You’ll stuff inserts in-between the two layers through an opening at one or both ends of the diaper (the “pocket”) to create the absorbency.

This type of diaper may be a good fit for you if you:

• prefer not to mess with fasteners, pins, or covers
• want to be able to customize the absorbency for different needs
• are willing to pay a little more for your stash
• don’t mind stuffing inserts into your diaper
• have easy access to a washer/dryer

All-in-Twos (AI2)

All-in-twos are fitted diapers with a waterproof outer shell and removable absorbency layers. There is no pocket to stuff. These diapers are similar to all-in-ones except that the absorbent parts are separate, therefore making them easier to wash and quicker to dry.

This type of diaper may be a good fit for your if you:

• want an easy-to-use diaper
• want something that’s easy to wash
• have easy access to a washer and dryer
• are willing to pay higher prices
• use a child care provider who requires AIO or AI2 diapers

All-in-Ones (AIO)

All-in-ones are the most similar to disposable diapers. They are all one piece and have no separate inserts, pins, fasteners, or covers. There is virtually no learning curve with these diapers. They do usually take longer to dry, though, which may mean you’ll need a bigger stash. AIO’s are the most expensive diaper type as well, but they are usually one of the most trim fitting diapers and take up the least amount of space in storage.

This type of diaper may be a good fit for you if you:

• want a cloth diaper that is easy to use and requires no extra steps in the diapering process.
• use a child care provider who requires AIO or AI2 diapers
• have easy access to a washer and dryer
• have limited space for diaper storage
• are willing to pay a premium price for convenience

Sized or One-Size?

In general, there are two options when it comes to diaper sizing: sized or one-size. There are no major differences in functionality between the two. The two biggest differences are how they fit and the cost. How long they may last is a consideration too. Ultimately the sized versus one-size question is really a matter of personal preference.

Sized Diapers:

• Tend to have a trimmer fit
• Often have a better fit on smaller babies
• Require you to buy more diapers, since you’ll need them in different sizes as baby grows
• May last through more children or have a higher resale value since they won’t be used as long and will, therefore, have less wear and tear

One-Size Diapers:

• Allows you to keep a smaller stash since you can use the same diapers for most of the time your child is in diapers
• May be a cheaper option since you will only have to purchase one “size” and not several different sizes
• May not fit newborns or small babies well, meaning you may need to use a different diaper option for the first few months
• Might wear out sooner since you’ll be using them for several months instead of moving to a different size

How Many Diapers Should You Have?

For the first few months of baby’s life, you’ll be going through roughly 8-10 diapers a day. By around month 4 and onward, baby will use between 5-7 diapers a day, on average.

The number of diapers you need to have will depend primarily on how often you plan to wash and how long your wash routine will take.

For the sake of simplicity here is an example of what you may need in order to wash three times a week (every 2-3 days):

Sized Diapers:

Sizes may vary depending on brand, but this assumes 4 basic sizes: newborn, small, medium, large

• Newborn/XS: 24-30 diapers
• Small: 24-30 diapers
• Medium: 15-21 diapers
• Large: 15-21 diapers
• Total: 78-102 diapers

One Size Diapers:

One Size diapers often do not fit newborns well, therefore I recommend purchasing a sized option for the first few months of diapering

• Newborn: 24-30 diapers
• One-Size: 24-30 diapers
• Total: 48-60 diapers

Of course, you could get by with a smaller stash if you wash more often and you’ll need a larger stash if you’d like to go longer between washes.

Since babies are often in newborn diapers for a short period of time, you might decide to purchase only a small stash of newborn diapers and wash every day for the first 2-3 months until baby can fit into small or one-size diapers. If you wash every day, I recommend having a minimum of at least 12 diapers.

Washing Your Diapers

Washing is the one thing that gives people pause when it comes to deciding to use cloth diapers. But it doesn’t have to be complicated!

In general, you can use any washer/dryer or you can hand wash and line dry or any combination of these.

When it comes to soap, you’ll need to be a little more picky since you want to make sure your diapers are getting really clean. Obviously you don’t want any of the contents of dirty diapers lingering around after you wash for sanitary reasons and also because it can cause skin problems for your little one (not to mention it can eventually ruin your diapers).

Basic Wash Routine

When washing cloth diapers you’ll always need to do two wash cycles. The first cycle is meant to get rid of all the surface debris and the second wash gets deep into the fabrics to get them super clean.

General Tips

• NEVER use fabric softener on your diapers!
• You may need to add a detergent booster to your wash cycles if you have hard water. (Borax, Washing Soda, Calgon).

Pre-Washing

When you change your baby’s dirty diaper you’ll need a place to store it until wash day. Breastfed babies do not need their diapers rinsed, as breastfed stools are water soluble. However, if your baby is formula fed or is eating solids, you will need to rinse every poopy diaper in the toilet.

You can rinse by using rubber gloves to “dunk and swish” your diapers directly in the toilet water or you can choose to spray your diapers with a diaper sprayer attached to your toilet’s water supply.

Wet diapers normally don’t need to be rinsed.

You can store your dirty diapers wet or dry. Dry is the preferred method for most people. Hang a wet bag (a PUL lined bag to contain moisture) on a door or line a diaper pail with a wet bag for dirty diapers.

If you’d prefer to keep your dirty diapers in a wet pail until wash day (this makes for easier stain removal, can reduce washing time, and may reduce the stink), fill a bucket or tub with water, add some baking soda, essential oils or other additives to help control the stink if you’d like, and let your diapers soak till wash day. Be cautious with this method, as it can be a drowning hazard for small children.

Cycle #1:

Add only your diapers to the wash (no other clothes/laundry). Use a small amount of soap on your washer’s normal/cotton cycle with the highest spin speed and soil level available.

Cycle #2:

If you have a small diaper load, you may need to “bulk” this load by adding small towels or your baby’s clothes. This creates more friction between the fabrics, getting them cleaner. If you’ve already got a big load of diapers, you don’t need to bulk your load.

Add the maximum amount of detergent and use the heavy duty or bulky setting on your washer. If you have an option for stain care, turn that on as well.

Drying Your Diapers

You can dry your diapers in the dryer on a normal cycle. Some bulkier/thicker diapers and inserts may need more than one drying cycle. Be aware, though, that using a dryer can shorten the life of your diapers. You can also hang dry them if you choose.

Fluff Love University has great information and resources for learning how to properly care for your cloth diapers. You can find full washing instructions, a list of recommended detergents, troubleshooting tips, and more. They also have a community Facebook page to get support and help if you’re having any issues with diapering or diaper care!

Troubleshooting & Tips

If you’re dealing with issues in your washing routine, I recommend reaching out for help on the Fluff Love community FB page. However, there are some basic tips to keep in mind as you start your cloth diapering journey.

• Be careful what diaper creams you use. Many OTC brands are not cloth diaper safe and can cause repelling issues with your diapers.
• Coconut oil is a great skincare option for minor rashes or dry skin and it’s totally cloth diaper safe!
• Serious diaper rashes are less common with cloth diapers, but they do happen. If this happens to you and your babe and you need to use a non-cloth diaper safe cream, use a liner in your diapers or temporarily use disposables.
• If your baby develops a persistent rash or a yeast rash, you will need to bleach soak your diapers and possibly strip them. This will remove any lingering bacteria or waste that may be irritating baby’s skin.
• If you end up needing to strip your diapers, you likely need to re-evaluate your wash routine to make sure your stash is truly getting clean. Seek out help on the Fluff Love FB page if necessary.
• You should not strip your diapers unless absolutely necessary, as this process is very harsh and can shorten the life of your diapers.
• Be aware that using bleach on your diapers may void the warranty. Be sure you understand the warranty terms for your diapers.
• When you purchase used diapers, it may be beneficial to do a strip and bleach soak before you use them for sanitary reasons.
• Most cloth diapers will last you a very long time if properly cared for. If you are having problems with your diapers, there is likely a simple solution. The only issue I know of that really cannot be fixed is delamination (when the PUL – the waterproof coating – starts peeling off). If this happens to you, you will need to replace your diaper. However, many diapers come with a standard warranty which may get you a replacement for free.

I know this can all seem quite overwhelming and difficult at first. But cloth diapering really is pretty simple once you get the hang of it. There are tons of benefits to choosing cloth diapers and if you stick with it, you’ll mostly likely find that you love it!

If you still aren’t sure, start out small and just do part-time cloth until you build your confidence. And if you get into it and decide it’s really not for you, that’s ok too! Just do what works best for your family. A family that is less stressed and is happy with their decisions is the best place for a child to grow up!