Cloth Diapering 101

So! You're thinking about cloth diapering, eh? YAY! ...now what? Google it, that's the smart thing to do... go on try it... what do you see? A LOT! That's what. Below is a step by step guide that will hopefully make your transition into cloth diapering a bit easier and less daunting.


1.) Choose what kind of diapers you want to use: Some people buy all One-Size All-in-one style diapers, all diaper covers with prefolds, or go for a combination of both.

*Keep in mind that babies go through a lot of diapers!
Newborns go through : 10-12 diapers per day
Infants : 8-10 diapers per day
Toddlers: 6-8 diapers per day

• For a One-Size All-in-one Diaper stash you will want at least 25-30 diapers:

This is for your sanity. 25-30 diapers will allow you to go about every other or every 3 days before washing another load.

• For a Diaper Cover with Prefolds or Inserts Stash you will want at least 6-8 diaper covers and 25-30 prefolds or inserts.

Using covers is generally the cheaper route to go, as inserts are inexpensive and you do not need as many diaper covers as you would All-in-one diaper shells.

• For a combination stash of both All-in-one and diaper covers with inserts you will want about 8-10 All-in-one diapers, 4-6 diaper covers and 10-15 prefolds or inserts.

Believe me, this is what most people's cloth diaper stashes look like. Several different brands, several different types - because sometimes it takes a while to decide which kind you prefer and sometimes you like several different kinds and this is more than alright.

*If you are unsure of how much you want to commit to cloth diapering, it is a good idea to try a hybrid diaper brand. This will allow you to switch back and forth from cloth to disposable inserts with ease.

**If you're just interested in trying cloth diapering, it is a good idea to start out with 2 All-in-One diapers and two diaper covers and about 5 inserts. This would give you enough diapers to get you through most of a day with cloth diapers (depending on how old your baby is) and give you a good idea of what it is like.

Changing a Cloth Diaper:

How to Change an All-in-One Cloth Diaper

*watch from about :31 - 2:38

How to Change a Cloth Diaper Cover with Inserts

How to Fold Prefold/Flat diapers:

Other Useful Accessories to Purchase:

• Cloth Wipes: You're going for cloth diapers, why not try reusable wipes too? You can throw them into the wash right with your baby's dirty diapers without the worry of having to fish out dirty disposable ones. They're also super soft and you generally end up using less cloth wipes than you would use disposable ones. I recommend getting at least a dozen, if not two of these babies.

• Diaper Pail and Reusable Diaper Pail Liner: Perfect for dirty diaper laundry, just slip a reusable pail liner into your diaper pail and wash the bag right with your dirty diapers. I recommend getting 2 pail liners so that you always have one while the other is in the wash.

• Reusable Diaper Bags: These are perfect for keeping in your diaper bag while on the go. If you're out and about and baby needs a diaper change, just slip the dirty diaper into one of these reusable bags and throw in the diaper pail once you get home and wash with the rest of your other dirty diaper laundry.
  

• Diaper Sprayer: If you don't have a utility sink to rinse out your diapers in, I recommend getting a diaper sprayer, especially with younger babies who are not eating solid foods. It is inexpensive, hooks up to your toilet and allows you to spray baby's diaper messes into the toilet.

*When baby is older and has firmer poops, the poop can simply be shaken into the toilet.

How to Wash Cloth Diapers:

The washing instructions for cloth diapers can vary from brand to brand, but generally it's all the same. You'll want to chose a detergent that is free of phosphates, dyes, and fragrances. Many cloth diaper companies carry their own brands of diaper detergents, but some big brands also carry suitable detergent, such as All Free and Clear.

• Step 1.) Separate your diaper covers and liners and throw them all into the washer together. Be sure to dump any poop that was not properly disposed of during diaper change. *Some people chose to scrub poopy diapers before wash, but in most cases, this not necessary as your washer should do a well enough job of doing this for you.
  

• Step 2.) Add detergent. Be sure to use only a small amount (refer to you diaper brand's recommended washing instructions to see how much you should use.) Too much detergent can cause build up, which leads to stinky diapers.
  

• Step 3.) Put diapers through a COLD wash cycle. This cycle gets all of the urine and feces out of you child's diapers.
  

• Step 4.) Put diapers through a HOT wash cycle with extra rinse cycle. You may also add some more detergent as well as vinegar or bleach. (A few cups of vinegar will take the ammonia smell out of your diapers and using a small amount bleach once a month will keep your diapers looking and smelling fresh (just be sure to take out pail liners and unbleachable diaper covers before adding bleach!) *Washing your diapers with hot water basically steam cleans your child's diapers and sanitizes them. If you have a high efficiency washer, DO NOT use the sanitary cycle as this cycle is too powerful for your diapers and will cause them to wear out faster.

• Step 5.) Separate your covers from your liners: Hang your covers to dry and place your liners in your dryer on HIGH. (Read the drying directions specific for your diapers. With some diapers, they have to be hung to dry, or the dryer will burn holes through the fabric. With others, it is fine to put them in the dryer, but it also may make them wear out faster.)

• Step 6.) Pre-stuff your All-in-Ones diapers and/or fold your covers and prefolds, put away and enjoy! Stuffing or folding your diapers beforehand saves time during individual diaper changes and keeping them organized helps you keep track of how many clean diapers you have left before another wash load is needed.