10 Tips For Getting Started With Cloth Diapers

Using today’s cloth diapers is simpler than you may think – after all, the diapers were invented by Moms like you! Here are 10 tips to getting started on your journey:

SELECT A SIZE:
Sized cloth diapers vs. one size is your first decision to make. Many people like the convenience of a one size diaper that will fit from ‘birth to potty training’ without having to buy anymore diapers. However, you may find these bulky on a tiny newborn until they grow into them a bit. Sized diapers, however, will generally fit newborns quite well and while you do have to size up to larger diapers as baby grows, there is no fussing with sizing adjustments and you will get a trimmer fit overall for baby in sized diapers especially when they are small. Read more about selecting a size here.

CHOOSE A FABRIC
Your next choice is whether you want to use synthetic fabrics (microfiber, athletic wicking jersey, microfleece, microsuede, PUL/TPU) or whether you want to use natural fabrics on baby's bum (organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, wool). There are advantages to each. Synthetics tend to dry faster, stain less, have stay-dry capability and are usually less expensive. Natural fabrics are biodegradable, sustainable, and wash very easily. Pick what fits your lifestyle and diapering requirements best and yes, you can have some of both in your diaper rotation. They can all be washed together. Read more about deciding on the fabric(s) that are right for you here.

PICK SUPER CUTE COLORS & PRINTS:
Leave generic, plastic diapering to your friends using disposables. Cute, fluffy bums, here you come!

AMOUNT NEEDED:
Purchase 20-24 diapers to get started if you want enough to wash every second day and are using cloth full time. 12-16 if you are cloth diapering an older baby (over 6 months). If you are using cloth part time, or if you don’t mind daily washing, you can start with fewer. Here's a more detailed discussion of how many diapers to get.

ACCESSORIES NEEDED:
You will need a place to store your diapers until wash time, preferably a breathable and washable option like these hanging wet bags and pail liners. You may also want an optional diaper sprayer to easily rinse soiled diapers over the toilet. Also useful are wool dryer balls to decrease drying time and disposable liners for easy cleanup when baby starts solids. More about cloth diaper accessories here.

TRY IT ON:
After receiving your order of diapers, try one on before washing the entire lot to ensure a good fit. Remember, you cannot return washed, worn or soiled diapers and some types of diapers require more than one wash to prepare them for use, so make sure they fit first. How to try on cloth diapers in case you need to return them.

DIAPER CHANGES: Simply plop solids (if any) in the toilet, and place the diaper in your diaper pail to wait for wash day. Remember to separate the insert from the pocket of the diaper shell before placing in your diaper pail if you are using pocket style diapers.

YOUR FIRST LOAD OF LAUNDRY:
Empty diaper pail contents into the washing machine. Soak or rinse/spin on cold and then run a hot water cycle with detergent. Use the amount of detergent for the size of your load that's recommended on the detergent package. Rinse with cold water. Line dry or dry on low/medium setting in your dryer. Keep it simple. It's just a load of laundry 😊 More tips for washing cloth diapers.

ENJOY THE EASE:
Once you get into the groove, you won’t even think twice about using cloth. Plus, you will never have to worry about running out of diapers, making midnight runs to the store to buy diapers, storing bulky boxes of diapers in your house, hauling away stinky diaper trash, or buying diaper rash ointments and creams. In other words, all you’ll ever need to diaper your baby is in your home… where it should be.

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