Everything you need to know about cloth diapers from someone who used to know nothing about cloth diapers

So you're thinking about cloth diapers, huh?  Whether your reasons are to save money, save the environment, or save your little one's skin,  cloth diapers are not as scary (or gross) as you might think.  All the different types, styles, and brands can be pretty overwhelming at first, so hopefully I can help answer some of your questions.

I bought my entire stash and other accessories for right around $200.  I figured out that my investment will pay for itself in about 4 months, (that's when compared to generic disposable diapers.)  Assuming Little H will be in diapers until she is at least 2 years old, and her future younger siblings will be in diapers for at least as long, I'd say the money you'll save is reason alone to look into this option.  One thing that may sound gross to some people, but really isn't that unusual, is you can resell your diapers when you're done with them to recoup some of your investment.  As long as they are in pretty good condition, you can sell them on Ebay, craigslist, or find a website like Cottonbabies that will buy them from you.

First I'll tell you what I know about all the different diapering options, then I'll get into my own stash and show you what I use.

First thing you need to decide is what type of diapers, or combination of diapers, you want to use.  Keep in mind you need at least 20-24 diapers to get you through about 2 days.

All-In-Ones (AIO's)
These are as close to disposables as you're going to get.  No inserts, no folding.  Just put the diaper on, and take it off when it's dirty.  You have to change the entire diaper every single time, so at $15-$25 a pop, this is the most expensive option.

Grovia All in One

Inside of the Grovia

 

Pocket Diapers
These are similar to AIO's, except there is a pocket that you stuff with a liner or insert.

BumGenuis Pocket Diapers

Stuffing the pocket with a Bum Genius Liner

You have to change the diaper cover and the liner every time, so this option can be a bit pricey, as well, depending on what brand you buy.  I wish I would have researched pocket diapers a bit more because there are some really economical choices out there.  Somebody just told me about Sunbaby diapers, and Kawaii diapers.  Each have great package deals.  You can get 30 Kawaii diapers with all the inserts you need for about $195!  This seems like such an easy option!  They even have package deals for twins and triplets.  A lot of people like pocket diapers because you can customize your absorbency level.  Stuff the pocket with two liners for overnight, or with a hemp liner for extra absorbency.  The way they are designed, the baby should not feel the wetness either.  Another great brand of pocket diapers is Fuzzibunz.

Covers with Prefolds, Flats, Fitteds, or inserts/liners
This is the cheapest option, and what I use 99% of the time.  Instead of buying 20-24 diapers, you buy 20-24 inserts, which are much cheaper.

• Prefolds - A prefold diaper is a big rectangle piece of fabric, usually made of either cotton, or bamboo.  A prefold diaper is pretty thick already, with the center of the rectangle being even thicker.  

Chinese Prefold Diaper

         You can purchase different sizes of prefolds, or buy one size and fold it to fit a smaller baby.         When looking for prefolds, you'll notice a description of 4x6x4 or 4x8x4.  This is the ply per each 1/3 of the fabric.  4 ply on the sides, then 6 or 8 ply in the middle.  There are many different ways to fold a prefold diaper.  Look up tutorials on Youtube to learn how.

Most ways of folding require a Snappi to secure the diaper. 

I am absolutely terrible at folding prefolds any way except the trifold, so that is what I primarily use.  

Chinese Prefold trifolded

• Flats - A flat diaper is a giant piece of fabric, all the same ply and thinner than a prefold.  Flats require a cool origami fold to be used properly.  Again, Youtube is great for learning how to do it.  I don't have any flats, so I've never tried it, but I've heard you can even use receiving blankets as a flat diaper.  Again, a Snappi is needed to secure the diaper after folding.  Some people prefer flats because they aren't as bulky as prefolds.  My grandmother has actually always used flats as dish towels because they are so absorbent.  
• Fitteds - Fitted diapers are shaped like a cover.  You wrap them around the baby and secure.  No folding required.
• Inserts/Liners - Some companies make inserts or liners that are just a long rectangle.  These can be used as inserts, or stuffed in a pocket diaper.  Most are made of microfiber or hemp.  No folding required.    

Flip microfiber StayDry insert

Trend Lab cover & Flip cover

After you have your stash of inserts, then you need to buy about 6 or 7 covers for them.  The reason you don't need very many covers is because you only change the insert!  If the cover doesn't get dirty, just use it again!  There are many different brands and types of covers.  Some covers are lined with microfiber, some are not.   The Trend Lab diaper on the left is lined with microfiber.  I can usually use this cover multiple times before changing, but sometimes it does get dirty right away.  Notice the Flip diaper is not lined with anything.  If this gets a little bit dirty, I just clean it with a wipe and use it again.  

If you decide to get a few pocket diapers, you can even use those as covers.  Just don't stuff the pocket, put whatever insert you're using on top of the pocket.

Placing a liner on top of the pocket instead of inside
means you can reuse the cover.

That way, you don't have to change the cover when the diaper gets soiled.  Some popular brands of covers are Bummis and Thirsties, but there are many others out there that work  great, too. 

Hook and Loop vs. Snaps
When it comes to covers, you'll have to decide if you want velcro or snaps.  Right now, I have no preference, so you'll have to weigh the pros and cons and decide what is best for you.  I hear velcro wears out and is easier for older toddlers to take off.  You also have to make sure to secure the velcro to the laundry tabs before washing.  Otherwise, other diapers will stick to the velcro in the wash.  The good thing about velcro is that you can easily customize your size.  It's like using a disposable diaper.  Just pull the tab around your baby's body until it's tight, and stick.  Snaps are good because you don't have to bother with laundry tabs, they don't wear out, and they're harder for toddlers to undo.  The downside to snaps is they can sometimes be difficult to fumble with (especially in the middle of the night,) and you only have so many sizing options.


Sizing
I chose to buy all one size fits all diapers.   I think this is a great way to save money.  The problem was that I had a fairly small baby.  The one-size diapers usually start at 8 pounds.  I noticed I couldn't realistically start using my cloth diapers until Little H was bout 9-10 pounds.  Because of this, we had to use disposables for the first 7-8 weeks or so.  If you want to cloth diaper from the very beginning, I suggest purchasing a handful of newborn sized diapers.  I've heard very good things about Bummis.  They even have premie size diapers!


Other Accessories

My wet bag

• A place to put the dirty diapers - No Diaper Genie needed for cloth diapers.  Purchase a cloth bag (also called a wet or dry bag) to throw your diapers.  Don't let the name fool you.  "Wet bag" does not mean the bag is wet, or you put water in it.  It simply means that is where you put the wet diapers.  When it's laundry time, wash the bag with your diapers!  There are also small wet bags available out there to put in your diaper bag for on the go.  
• Diaper Sprayer - Breastfed babies' poop is water soluble, so rinsing is not necessary.  Diapers from formula fed babies, and babies who are old enough to eat solid foods need to be rinsed off before putting in the washing machine.  You can do what your grandmother or mother did and just dunk the diaper in the toilet to rinse it off, (um...no thank you!)  Or you can purchase a diaper sprayer and hook it up to your toilet.  If you're handy, or if you have a handy husband like me, then send him to the hardware store to make one out of a kitchen sprayer.  I saw this idea on Pinterest and will be making John do this in the next couple of months.  
• Cloth wipes -  I admit I have not started using cloth wipes yet.  We bought a gigantic box of disposable wipes at Costco back in the newborn days (or daze..), so I'm still using those.  When I do start using the cloth wipes, I will be using the ones I made myself , in addition to plain ol' wash cloths from Target.  There are websites out there that sell special cloth wipes that I'll 

  

  My homemade wipes made out of
  receiving blankets

  probably end up splurging on one day just because :)  To use cloth wipes, you can keep a spray bottle of plain water or wipes solution next to your changing table.  Spray your baby's bottom then wipe with a dry wipe.  The other option is to put your wipes in a container with water or a wipes solution. One of those big plastic things that disposable wipes come in works great, or a wipe warmer works, too.  I bought this wipes solution,  but you can also make your own.  Here are some great recipes.  

Kissaluvs Diaper Lotion Potion

• Detergent - I bought the Thirsties Pre-Wash and Super Wash for $32.  The containers don't look big, but I only use 1/2 ounce for each load.  I've been using the same bottles for nearly 3 months and still have a lot left.   Some people say cloth diapers need to be washed in special detergent, otherwise they are left with a stink, or they lose their absorbency; although, I've heard that some people just use plain Tide.  Experiment a little, and see what works for you.  If you're using regular detergent, keep in mind that you only need 1/4 of the recommended amount.  Too much detergent can leave a residue on the diapers, and cause irritation on your baby's skin.  

Thirsties pre-wash and super wash

• Diaper Pail Freshener - Honestly, when I zip up my wet bag, I don't notice any odor coming from my diapers.  I did buy this deodorizer though.  I got the Green Tea scent and it smells so good!  

Rockin' Green Diaper Pail Deodorizer

Washing
I wash my diapers about every other day, or every 2 days.  How often you wash depends on how many diapers you have. Like I said above, breast milk poop does not need to be rinsed.  Just throw all your wet and dirty diapers in your diaper pail, bag, or whatever you are using.  Once your baby starts eating solids, just rinse or spray the poop off into the toilet before putting in the diaper bag.  Some people might think, "Ew!  Won't your hand touch some of the poop?  And then you just put that stinky diaper in that bag in the room?  Doesn't it make the room stink?"  What I would say to that is this:  What disposable diaper using mom hasn't had her hand in some poop?  And have you ever smelled a nursery lately that uses a Diaper Genie?  It's not that great.  If you're really worried about the smell though, buy some diaper pail deodorizer like the one I mentioned above, and you're good to go.

On laundry day, put all your diapers and your wet bag in the washing machine.  Most diapers will come with instructions on how to wash.  What I've noticed is most recommendations are the same:  Prewash on cold, wash on hot, extra rinse.  I am not an expert on laundry, and pretty much ignored most of the buttons on my washing machine until now.  When I read these instructions, I thought "Prewash?  How do I even do that?? Extra rinse? What??"  Then I looked at my washing machine, and there are buttons for this, so it's very easy.   As I stated above, you can use a special cloth diaper detergent, or experiment with regular detergent. Never use fabric softener or bleach though because this will definitely mess with the absorbency.  Drying is easy, too.  Some covers need to be line dried, but your liners, prefolds, and all-in-ones can be thrown in the dryer.  When it starts getting warmer out, I will probably line dry everything to save electricity.  For the three months that I've been doing this routine though, none of my utility bills have gone up.

Another thing to note about washing is that your diapers will need to be "prepped" before using.  This mean they must be washed and dried about 5 times before you use them for the first time.  This allows for maximum absorbency.  I cheated a little and washed them a few times, dried, washed a couple more times, then dried.  In other words, I didn't dry after every wash.


Okay, now onto my stash!  Once you start buying your cloth diapers, you'll soon realize that you really truly love them and it becomes an addiction.

Bins for covers, liners, prefolds and wipes, dirty clothes,
and disposable diapers.

This is what I have:

I have lots of prefold diapers because I thought I was going to use these exclusively.  I have some Gerber brand prefolds:
                                   

And some Chinese prefolds:
                                     


 As you can see, the Chinese prefolds are much puffier, which makes them more absorbent.  The more you wash them, the puffier they get.  Like I said before, you can fold these diapers many different ways, but I exclusively use the trifold:

  

  

Chinese Prefold trifolded

I have 3 velcro Flip covers and 6 Flip inserts:

The Flip diaper system is so easy to use.  They are one size fits all thanks to the snaps on the front.

To insert the Stay Dry insert, simply fold it down to the desired length, and stick it in.

 

A little trick that is helpful:  Put the thick, folded part in the front for boys, and in the back for girls.    Since I don't have many of these inserts,

I use my prefolds in these covers a lot.  I simply trifold the diaper, and stick it in the cover.  I can fold down the front of the prefold to make it the correct length, but then it is really thick, and I don't like that.

 Instead, I fold it this way:

And it's the perfect length!

I have 6 Trend Lab covers, and 12 Trend Lab inserts.

These are also one size fits all.  I bought the starter pack, which came with a messenger bag style diaper bag.  The diaper bag came with a travel changing pad, and a small wet bag.  This is a great deal for only $90! I really like these diapers.  They are the first ones I grab when doing a diaper change.  They work like this:

When I bought all my Flip diapers and prefolds from Cottonbabies, they threw in a free Econobum cover. (I will adda photo later.  Baby is napping and the diaper is in her room!)  These covers look and feel kind of cheap (and they are very inexpensive at about $9 each), but they work great!  I've noticed absolutely no difference in functionality between this cover and the Flip covers.  The Econobum does not have the handy dandy flaps like the Flips, but who cares.  I've heard and read from reviewers that the prefolds that come in Econobum starter packs are not that absorbent.  I would stick to just buying the covers instead of the combo packs that come with prefolds.  

I got 3 Bum Genius pocket diapers as gifts.  This cute little pink one (size small):

                           

Stuff the pocket with an insert

And these 2 (one size fits all):

BumGenuis Pocket Diapers

The green and yellow ones came with two inserts each, so that gave me 4 more inserts to use with any of my covers!  Here are these diapers work:  

Stuffing the pocket with a Bum Genius Liner

You can stuff the pocket with anything: A prefold or different
brands of inserts, for example.

Also as gifts, I got these two super cute Grovia All-in-ones:

I usually use the Trend Lab diapers first.  When I run out of those, I start using my Flip diapers with their inserts.  When I run out inserts, I start using my prefolds as inserts.  When all my Flip covers are dirty, I move on to the pocket diapers and All-in-ones.  By then, it is definitely time to do laundry!  What I like about my stash is I have a variety of inserts and covers that I can use interchangeably.  I can use my microfibers inserts and prefolds in any of my covers, including my pocket diapers.  This gives me lots of options.

Keep in mind that these diapers are just my preference.  It is really good to have a variety of covers and see what you like best.  I took a chance and purchased all of these, and I ended up liking what I got.  I'm sure there are other brands that I would like just as much, (and I'm really tempted to buy more because they're so cute!) but I really don't need anymore diapers.

 If you're still unsure, some websites even offer diaper trials.  You put down a deposit, and they send you a bunch of different brands of diapers.  Once you've tried out all the different brands and styles, you can keep it all, or you can send back what you don't want!

You can dive as deep as you want into cloth diapering.  I know some people who only do it on the weekends because their baby is in daycare.  Some people only do it at home, and use disposables when out and about.  Some people, like us, only do it during the day and use disposables at night.   Others use them 100% of the time, make their own covers, and have a huge stash.


I hope this was helpful.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to leave a comment.  If you are currently cloth diapering, what is your preferred brand and style?