When I first considered cloth diapering, I was so intimidated and overhwhelmed just at the thought. Now, it is one of my favorite routines with baby girl. She is our 4th baby and I wish I would have done it with all of them.
If cloth diapering is something you’re interested in exploring, I’m here to walk you through getting started. It may seem overwhelming at first, but with a little guidance, it can become an easy, sustainable, and cost-effective choice for your family. Here’s everything you need to know to dive into cloth diapering!
please note that some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.
Reasons to Consider Cloth Diapering
Cloth diapering offers a range of benefits that make it an appealing choice for many families. Here are some of the top reasons why you might want to consider making the switch:
Lower Your Waste Impact: Because cloth diapers are reusable, you’re significantly reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. With millions of disposable diapers being thrown away each year, cloth diapering provides a more sustainable option for your baby’s early years.
Natural Fibers for Baby's Skin: Cloth diapers are typically made from natural fibers like cotton, bamboo, or hemp, which are gentler on your baby’s sensitive skin. Unlike disposable diapers, which often contain plastics and chemicals, cloth diapers provide a more natural alternative, helping to prevent diaper rashes and irritations.
Huge Long-Term Money Saver: While the upfront cost of cloth diapers might be higher than disposables, the long-term savings are significant. With cloth diapers, you’ll only need to make one purchase (or a few, depending on your diapering preferences), and they’ll last through multiple children, making them an investment that will save you hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars over time.
They are Darn Cute!!
The Basics of Cloth Diapering
What even is cloth diapering?
Cloth diapering is the process of sustainable/reusable diapering involving an absorbent inner layer (the diaper) and a water-proof/resistant outer layer (the cover) that are washed after being soiled to then use again!
What are the different diaper (absorbent/insert) options?
Typically the inner layer will be made of cotton, hemp or bamboo (I personally do not like bamboo from a natural fibers standpoint). There are also different styles of inserts -
Flats - these are large square pieces of thin fabric that you fold into a diaper shape then secure to the baby with fasteners before adding the cover.
Pros
a cheap option and can work for many sizes
easy to wash and quick to dry
versatile and customizable for shape of baby
Cons
more work with each diaper change
less absorbent and could require added absorbancy
Pre-Folds - these are similar to flats, but are already in a rectangle shape with many absorbant layers. You can secure them to baby in a diaper shape or fold them up like pictured below.
Pros
still a cheap option
you can wrap around and secure to baby or just fold into thirds and set it inside the cover
still easy to wash and quick to dry
more absorbent than flats
Cons
not as "one size" as flats
still have the extra work of using fasteners
if you choose to fold and set inside cover (pictured above), baby's poo can leak out the sides
Fitted Diapers - these are more specifically sized and already made in the true shape of a diaper. They usually have extra absorbency layers and buttons built in.
Pros
no folding required
no need for extra fasteners
super absorbant and easy to layer other cloth inside
super secure and can easily be worn without a cover if desired
Cons
more expensive
most options are not one size (though there are some)
not as easy to wash
slower to dry
What are the cover options?
The outer layer options are most commonly polyester/PUL (polyurethane laminate), alpaca, or wool (my personal choice).
PUL - these are a fully waterproof option. They are made with buttons to fasten around baby and over the absorbent layer.
Pros
cheaper option than wool
fully waterproof
machine washable
easy to source
lots are made as a one size style
Cons
they are usually made with a layer of polyester (plastic)
not as sustainable as wool
because they are fully waterproof, potty can leak out the sides
not breathable
Wool/Alpaca - a water "resistant" option made with buttons or velcro to fasten or in a pull on style.
Pros
completely natural and sustainable product
you only need to wash every so often, which means you would only need a couple of them
extremely absorbant and leak proof
super breathable and temperature regulating
Cons
more expensive
can only hand wash
more upkeep with the lanolizing process (although that is not needed often at all)
if they get soiled with poo, you need to wash immediately
What do you need and where to get it?
This list is based off a wash routine of 2 days and changing every few hours (6-7 diapers per day).
Inserts of your choice x15-20
(I recommend trying a couple different options to see which you like best)
Doublers/liners x10 - these are just small absorbent layers to add and can be wool, cotton, bamboo, hemp or any blend. They are great for layering up at bedtime or for going out of the house.
Covers (PUL) x15
Covers (wool) x2-3
Cloth wipes if you are wanting to go for it! (see my note on cloth wipes below)
If using wool
a gentle soap - this can be a wool wash soap or just a gentle castile soap
I get all my diapering supplies from Green Mountain Diapers and Puppi
(these links are not sponsored or affiliated I just love these companies!)
It is okay to start slow and learn what you like, then add on more. This is how I did it. I did a mix of cloth and disposable diapering for quite a while and one day fully committed. I will say that it becomes easiest when you fully commit to the routine of it.
A note on cloth wipes
Okay I never would have thought I'd get into using cloth wipes, even when I was already doing cloth diapers. And now - I wish I would have just started sooner!
They are soft and so simple to use. When my baby is poopy I take 2 cloth wipes to my bathroom sink and get them wet and wring them out - that's it and they're ready to use! I have also seen people who have a little tub of water at their diaper changing station.
Using cloth wipes is a really simple addition to your routine and lowers your waste so much. They are also great to use as paper towels. If you are going for the cloth wipes they usually come in a pack of 12. That's probably all you would really need, but I personally like having a lot because I use them for everything!
Washing Your Diapers
This seems to be the scariest part of cloth diapering, which is fair, but it doesn't have to be scary!
When a diaper is wet only, just throw it in a diaper pale, bin or wet bag while it awaits to be washed. When a diaper is soiled with poo from an exclusively breastfed baby, it is still water-soluble and can be thrown in the wash without a rinse, just like a wet diaper.
For solid fed babies, you can simply knock the poo off into a toilet then wash with the other diapers. If the poo is not solid enough to knock into the toilet, you have a couple options:
use a sprayer that attaches to your toilet like this one
dip the diaper into the toilet and swish it around until the large pieces of poo are off
It is recommended that you wash your diapers every 2-3 days so that they don't get too smelly. Here are my washing steps:
over 2-3 days I pile diapers and wipes into my bin
once it's time for a wash I throw it all in with 1 scoop of Molly's Suds on a regular, warm cycle
I then do one more cycle on regular, but hot and with 2 scoops of detergent
then dry on a normal cycle (I usually have to dry two times because I use a lot of fitted diapers that take longer)
Prepping your diapers - don't skip this!
In order for your diapers to become absorbent, they need to be washed and broken in.
The process is simple - wash and dry them at least 3 times. The more they are used, the more absorbent they become. If you do 3 cycles and notice they are still leaking more than absorbing, wash and dry them a couple more times.
A Bit More On Wool + Washing Wool
My personal experience
I would like to preface this by saying - this is MY opinion and others have different opinions. My goal is to educate you and empower you to use wool if you feel you want to.
I started with using PUL covers, but switched to wool for all its benefits especially it being a natural fiber. I’ve been using wool covers exclusively for a couple of months, and I can honestly say—I'll never go back to PUL!
One of the things that scared me most was that wool isn't completely waterproof. I thought it would leak all over the place, and the idea of not having that full-on, guaranteed protection made me nervous. I quickly learned that wool’s natural properties actually make it perfect for me. Wool is super absorbent and water-resistant, meaning it handles moisture surprisingly well, without needing to be fully waterproof.
Another huge benefit is that wool works well even when my baby’s diaper is overdue for a
change. If I forget (which, let’s be real, happens often), her wool cover might get a little damp, but it won’t leak onto her clothes. I never have to worry about a soaking mess. If you’re quick with your diaper changes, you’ll probably never even see the dampness, but for a type B mom like me, it’s a lifesaver.
Washing with wool
The amazing thing about wool is the lack of washing require. Wool contains lanolin, a natural oil that reacts with the ammonia in urine, breaking it down into salt and water. This process leaves the cover clean and fresh, and you don’t have to wash it after every use.
You will need to wash your wool, but you can wait until it no longer seems to be staying fresh and becomes stinky when it's dry. I have only washed my wool covers once (besides when they have a bit of poo).
If your wool becomes soiled with poo
take the wool to your bathroom sink and run the soiled section under lukewarm water
very gently rub a bar of soap over the soiled area (or a dab of castile soap/wool soap)
very gently rinse out the soap (be careful not to agitate the wool too much or it will shrink/felt in that section)
gently squeeze some water out (do not wring it out)
Then hang it to dry and that's it! You can also roll it in a towel before hanging it up to get some extra water out.
For a full wash when your wool is stinky even when dry
fill a sink or tub with lukewarm water (not too hot or too cold)
add some gentle soap (this can be a wool wash or just castile soap like Dr. Bronners. Do not use anything with fragrance)
submerge the wool in the water and squeeze gently to incorporate soap and water through the fibers
let sit for a while to get fully soaked (at least 15 min)
dump out/drain water and gently squeeze some water out of the wool
if it is super soapy you can gently rinse it out in a refilled basin of water
roll it up in a towel to dry as much as possible before hanging it out to dry.
When your wool is seeming to lose its waterproof capabilities and needs to be lanolized (if you use wool soap for your wash that contains lanolin, you probably won't need to do this)
take 1 tsp of lanolin and put it in a cup of boiling water
stir it around to melt the lanolin
add 1 tsp of your gentle soap
stir until the soap emulsifies the lanolin
add this mixture into a basin of warm water (not too hot or too cold) and stir it up until it's all incorporated
add in your wool, submerge it and swirl it around
let soak for at least 15 minutes, up to a day
roll it up in a towel to dry as much as possible before hanging it out to dry.
My Step-By-Step Diapering Routine
For dirty diapers - make sure to have a diaper pale, or wet bag (I just use a large enamel bowl)
I put my diaper of choice on baby. This Workhorse diaper is my go-to pick (if we are going out of the house I will add a couple of these wool liners between her diaper and the wool cover - they are very thin and can be layered up)
I then add a wool cover over the top
When I change the diaper I drape the cover over something to air out and dry and put the potty diaper into my pail (unless it's poopy then I spray it off in the toilet before putting it into the pail)
After a couple days or when I'm running out of diapers, I do my wash routine
For night time I put a fitted diaper with a newborn sized prefold inside, then a couple wool liners before adding the cover. For the NB prefold, I fold it into thirds and treat it like doublers just because I already have them and they work just the same.
Conclusion + Additional Resources
This was so much fun to write and share with you! I hope you are feeling encouraged by the excess of information and not overwhelmed.
Please remember that cloth diapering does not have to be an immediate all-in thing. It can be a slow process if that feels more doable.
Something I would like to add is how much of a gift diapering has felt to me since switching fully to cloth and wool. It feels intentional and beautiful, like we were meant to enjoy even the mundane task of changing our baby's diaper.
My MIL read this to me when my first born was a baby and I think about it so often:
From Every Moment Holy Volume I by Douglas McKelvey 2017
A Liturgy For Changing Diapers I
"Heavenly Father, in such menial moments as this- the changing of a diaper- I would remember this truth:
My unseen labors are not lost, for it is these reppeated acts of small sacrifice that- like bright, ragged patches- are slowly being sewn into a quilt of lovingkindness that swaddles this child.
I am not just changing a diaper. By love and service I am tending and budding heart that, rooted early in such grace filled devotion, might one day be more readily-inclined to bow to your compassionate conviction- knowing itself then as both a receptacle l and a reservoir of heavenly grace.
So this little act of diapering- though in form sometimes felt as base drudgery- might be better described as one of ten thousand acts by which I am actively creating a culture of compassionate service and selfless love to shape the life of this family and this beloved child.
So take this unremarkable act of necessary service, O Christ, and in Your economy let it be multiplied into that greater outworking of worship and of faith, a true investment in the incremental advance of Your kingdom across generations.
Open my eyes that I might see this act for what it is from the fixed vantage of eternity, O Lord-
how the changing of a diaper might sit upstream of the changing of a heart; how the changing of a heart might sit upstream of the changing of the world.
Amen."
Additional resources from others
If you have questions feel free to comment - no judgement!
Wow, that’s quite an extensive & wonderful list!