Why choose cloth diapers?
Many parents are choosing cloth diapers for practical, financial, and eco-friendly reasons. They’re cost-effective, each cloth diaper can replace up to 300 disposables and save families thousands of dollars over time. By switching to reusables, parents can help reduce the billions of diapers that end up in landfills each year.
How do I get started with cloth diapers?
Starting with baby steps is the perfect way to introduce cloth diapers into your family’s daily life! There are many brands of cloth diapers, so purchasing a couple diapers from various places may help you to decide which brand best fits your baby. By slowly integrating cloth diapers with your normal disposable diaper routine, you will be able to get a feel for cloth diapering!
What are the different types of cloth diapers?
There are several types of cloth diapers, each with different levels of convenience and absorbency.
Flat diapers are the most traditional style. They’re large, single-layer squares of fabric that need to be folded and used with a waterproof cover. They’re very affordable, dry quickly, and can be folded in different ways to fit your baby, but they do take extra time to prepare at each diaper change.
All-in-one (AIO) diapers combine everything—absorbent layers and waterproof cover—into one piece. They’re the easiest to use but take longer to dry and cost more.
Pocket diapers have a waterproof outer layer and an inner pocket that holds absorbent inserts. This allows you to customize how much absorbency you need by adding more inserts. They’re quick to dry and easy to put on, but require extra time to stuff and unstuff for washing.
Finally, specialty cloth diapers include training pants for toddlers and swim diapers for the pool. Cloth diapers come in various fabrics like cotton, bamboo, hemp, and microfiber, each with different drying speeds and absorbency.
How many Cloth Diapers do I need?
It depends on if you are making the full-time switch to cloth diapers or just starting to switch off between disposable and cloth diapers. Full-time cloth diaper users may want to purchase between 18-24 cloth diapers depending on your baby’s habits. This ensures a good 2-3 days of clean diapers available for changing. If you are just starting out, we recommend 4-8 diapers to switch off with disposables.
What materials are used in cloth diapers?
Cloth diapers are made from a combination of materials that provide absorbency, comfort, and waterproof protection. The inner layer is typically composed of absorbent fabrics like cotton, bamboo, hemp, and microfiber, and are often used as stay-dry layers to keep babies comfortable. The waterproof outer layer is typically made from PUL, TPU, or wool, creating a leak-resistant and reusable diapering system.
Can cloth diapers be used overnight?
Absolutely! Cloth diapers work well for overnight use. Many parents find that by adding extra absorbent inserts, or “doubling up”, their baby stays comfortable and dry throughout the night. The key is to adjust the absorbency based on your baby’s individual needs.
How do I clean and care for the cloth diapers?
Cleaning cloth diapers is easy breezy! Simply remove any solids into the toilet before washing. Then, place the used diapers and inserts in your diaper pail or wet bag until laundry day.
When it’s time to wash, start with a cold rinse to remove residue, followed by a warm or hot wash using a gentle, baby-safe detergent. Avoid bleach, fabric softeners, baking soda, or additives, as these can affect absorbency or damage the wetness indicator. For best results, line dry your diapers or tumble dry on low heat.
With proper care, your cloth diapers will stay soft, absorbent, and ready to use again and again!