Cloth Diapers 101
Getting Started
What you will need to get started can greatly vary. It depends on how often you want to wash diapers, the age of your child, how often your baby soils his/her diapers, and the types of diapers/covers you select. Generally speaking, most cloth diapered babies will require changes every 2-3hrs. Below are guidelines for your consideration.
How many Diapers etc. you need:
In addition to your diapers, you may need the following items:
Diaper Pail and/or Pail Liner-most people now use the dry pail method versus the wet pail method. Options to store your ditry diapers include: pail with lid, hamper, or a hanging pail liner/LG wetbag. If using a pail or hamper, it's nice to use a pail liner in it as it facilitates faster/easier clean-up. What ever you select, it's recommended that it either has a lid or has some sort of closure mechanism (zipper or toggle/string). Only it is only necessary to have one, but sometimes people will opt to get two.
Wet bag-1 smaller wet bag is convenient for when you go out of the house to store your dirty diapers in until returning home. Most smaller wet bags hold 4-6 diapers, and ones with a zipper closure are better.
Diaper wipes-if you decide that you do not want to use disposable wipes, there are reusable cloth wipes available. You can use extra baby wash clothes or purchase cotton flanette wipes. Like cloth diapers, they are better for the environment and they save you money.
Inserts/Doublers-inserts/doublers are the absorbent portion of the diaper. If using pockets diapers you will need 1 insert per diaper, plus some extras as back-up or if you baby is a heavy wetter. Most pocket diapers already come with 1 or 2 inserts included in the price, so in those cases you don't need to buy extras. You will want to ensure your diaper stash has some diapers with a couple of inserts for overnight. If you are using AIOs, then a few extra inserts or doublers will provide you with some extra absorbancy for overnight.
Liners-liners are thin pieces of fabric or paper-product that sit on top of your diaper and protect it. Bio-degradable/flushable paper liners are excellent to make clean-up easier once you baby starts on solid foods. You don't need these liners for breast-fed babies as their stool breaks down and cleans easily. Alternately, fleece reuasable liners are also available.
Mini-Toilet Shower Attachment-you may decide that this tool is for you to spray excrement into the toilet. Rather than swishing dirty diapers in the toilet, these mini shower heads attach to your existing toilet plumbing and provide a convenient way to clean your diapers into the toilet.
Laundering Requirements
Biodegradable detergent-1 container to start. Make sure it is a detergent that won't leave a residue. See the following link for recommended detergents. Detergents.pdf
Baking Soda-some people sprinkle baking soda on their dirty diapers once they are tossed into the diaper pail to help control odours, or some use it when washing their diapers. Always check manufacturers' laudering instructions before using.
Vinegar-some people use vinegar in the rinse cycle of their diapers to help prevent possible residue build-up and freshen the diapers. Always check manufacturers' laudering instructions before using.
Downy Ball-if you choose to use vinegar in your wash routine, a Downy Ball can be very useful especially if you have a top loading machine because it eliminates the need for you to catch your machine at the right time. And, if you have a front loading machine that locks, all your washing and rinsing agents must go in at the start of the washing cycle. The Downy Ball "magically" knows when to dispense the vinegar.
Diaper Saving Calculator
What you will need to get started can greatly vary. It depends on how often you want to wash diapers, the age of your child, how often your baby soils his/her diapers, and the types of diapers/covers you select. Generally speaking, most cloth diapered babies will require changes every 2-3hrs. Below are guidelines for your consideration.
How many Diapers etc. you need:
| Wash Daily | Wash Every 2 Days | Wash Every 3 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-6 months | 10-12 | 20-24 | 24-30 |
| 6-12 months | 8-10 | 16-20 | 24-30 |
| 12-24 months | 6-8 | 12-16 | 18-24 |
| During potty training | 2-4 | 4-8 | 6-12 |
| Diaper Covers (if using diapers that require a cover) | 3-4 | 6-8 | 9-12 |
| Reusable diaper wipes | 12-18 | 24-30 | 36-45 |
In addition to your diapers, you may need the following items:
Diaper Pail and/or Pail Liner-most people now use the dry pail method versus the wet pail method. Options to store your ditry diapers include: pail with lid, hamper, or a hanging pail liner/LG wetbag. If using a pail or hamper, it's nice to use a pail liner in it as it facilitates faster/easier clean-up. What ever you select, it's recommended that it either has a lid or has some sort of closure mechanism (zipper or toggle/string). Only it is only necessary to have one, but sometimes people will opt to get two.
Wet bag-1 smaller wet bag is convenient for when you go out of the house to store your dirty diapers in until returning home. Most smaller wet bags hold 4-6 diapers, and ones with a zipper closure are better.
Diaper wipes-if you decide that you do not want to use disposable wipes, there are reusable cloth wipes available. You can use extra baby wash clothes or purchase cotton flanette wipes. Like cloth diapers, they are better for the environment and they save you money.
Inserts/Doublers-inserts/doublers are the absorbent portion of the diaper. If using pockets diapers you will need 1 insert per diaper, plus some extras as back-up or if you baby is a heavy wetter. Most pocket diapers already come with 1 or 2 inserts included in the price, so in those cases you don't need to buy extras. You will want to ensure your diaper stash has some diapers with a couple of inserts for overnight. If you are using AIOs, then a few extra inserts or doublers will provide you with some extra absorbancy for overnight.
Liners-liners are thin pieces of fabric or paper-product that sit on top of your diaper and protect it. Bio-degradable/flushable paper liners are excellent to make clean-up easier once you baby starts on solid foods. You don't need these liners for breast-fed babies as their stool breaks down and cleans easily. Alternately, fleece reuasable liners are also available.
Mini-Toilet Shower Attachment-you may decide that this tool is for you to spray excrement into the toilet. Rather than swishing dirty diapers in the toilet, these mini shower heads attach to your existing toilet plumbing and provide a convenient way to clean your diapers into the toilet.
Laundering Requirements
Biodegradable detergent-1 container to start. Make sure it is a detergent that won't leave a residue. See the following link for recommended detergents. Detergents.pdf
Baking Soda-some people sprinkle baking soda on their dirty diapers once they are tossed into the diaper pail to help control odours, or some use it when washing their diapers. Always check manufacturers' laudering instructions before using.
Vinegar-some people use vinegar in the rinse cycle of their diapers to help prevent possible residue build-up and freshen the diapers. Always check manufacturers' laudering instructions before using.
Downy Ball-if you choose to use vinegar in your wash routine, a Downy Ball can be very useful especially if you have a top loading machine because it eliminates the need for you to catch your machine at the right time. And, if you have a front loading machine that locks, all your washing and rinsing agents must go in at the start of the washing cycle. The Downy Ball "magically" knows when to dispense the vinegar.
Diaper Saving Calculator
