What are prefold diapers?
Prefolds are sometimes referred to as old-fashioned diapers, white rectangles of cotton, but today's prefolds are quite different than what your mom or grandmother will remember. You'll want to be sure to purchase Diaper Service Quality prefolds (DSQ), the best ones being the Chinese Prefolds (CPFs) or Indian Prefolds. These have 3 panels of varying absorbency, with the thickest part in the center. When you see them marked as 4x8x4, that means the two side panels are 4 layers thick, and the center is 8 layers thick. You fold them yourself and fasten them with pins, a "Snappi," or simply lay them in a snap or Velcro cover and close it. They are your most economical diapering choice. Click here for directions on folding CPF diapers.

What are flat diapers, or flats?
Flat diapers are generally made of one layer of birdseye weave cotton. They are large, thin, squares, that you fold to fit a wide range of babies. They are very versatile and quick drying. Great for any time you may have to do diaper laundry by hand - such as an extended camping trip. They are also useful as lap pads, burp rags, or cleaning cloths. They are what many people think of when they picture cloth diapers - large squares that require some fancy folding.

What are fitted diapers?
Fitted diapers are contoured diapers that don't require any pins or folding. Most have snaps or Velcro sewn into them, so they go on as quickly and easily as disposable diapers. They do require a cover to be put worn over them to prevent wetness from seeping through onto babies clothing.

What are All-In-Ones (AIOs)?
AIOs are like a fitted diaper and cover sewn together. They close using snaps or Velcro and go on in one easy step. They are the easiest type of cloth diaper to use. Many moms like to have some of these around for dads or babysitters to use. They go on just like disposables.

What are pocket diapers?
Pocket diapers are like AIOs, except instead of the absorbent center being sewn into the diaper, there is a pocket in the diaper and you adjust the absorbency by stuffing them with whatever you want. There are a variety of inserts you can stuff your diaper with, made from cotton, hemp and microfiber. You can put several inserts in for nighttime or heavy wetters, or put one insert in for a very trim fit during the daytime. They can also be stuffed with a prefold, so after your baby outgrows the infant CPFs, they can still be used as inserts in pocket diapers. Pocket diapers are also easy to clean because you remove the inserts before washing, for a thorough cleaning. Pocket diapers also have an inner layer of microfleece or suedecloth, which wicks moisture away from babies skin and into the absorbent insert, helping to prevent diaper rash.

What are Liners, Doublers, and Inserts?
Liners are a thin piece of fabric, or paper, which is laid inside the diaper, next to baby's skin. Disposable liners are used so that you can easily flush or throw away solid waste. When using flushable liners you'll want to read labels carefully to make sure they are okay to flush, especially if you have a septic system. Some people like to use disposable liners only when they are away from home. Another popular type of liner is the fleece liner. Fleece wicks moisture away from baby's skin, preventing diaper rash. Fleece also is stain resistant and allows solid waste to generally fall right off and into the toilet for easy cleanup.

A doubler is anything you lay inside the diaper in order to increase absorbency. You can use anything from a hemp/cotton fleece doubler, to a CPF or an old towel.

Inserts are what are used to stuff your pocket diapers. Like liners, you can use a wide variety of items as inserts for your pocket diapers. There are hemp/cotton inserts, micro-fiber inserts, or you can also use a prefold diaper or any other absorbent material you may have. You may want to use one micro-fiber insert for the daytime for a nice trim fit, and then use several inserts at nighttime for extra absorbency.

What do I need to get started?
See our Package Deals for a choice of starter packages in price ranges to fit every budget. Basically all you need to get started are 24-36 diapers (depending on how frequently you plan to wash). Plan on using 10-12 diapers a day for a newborn and 8-10 diapers a day for an older child. Then you will need at least four to six covers (unless you choose to use all pocket diapers or AIOs), a diaper pail with lid, and  2-3 dozen cloth wipes. This will get you started. Once you're on your way, you may want to try some different types of diapers and covers to see what works best for your family. You may also want a diaper tote (wetbag) for outings and a diaper pail liner for easy laundering.

Why use cloth wipes?
Some babies are sensitive to the ingredients in disposable wipes. They can be very drying and irritating to the skin. As long as you are using cloth diapers it is easy to use cloth wipes as well - and more economical. They get baby cleaner than the thin, disposable wipes and you can just toss them in the pail to be washed with the cloth diapers.

How do I wash cloth diapers?
Washing cloth diapers is really very simple. Once you do it a few times it's no big deal at all - and this is coming from someone who hates doing laundry. Washing is recommended at least every 2-3 days to prevent stains and odors from setting in. Do not overload the washer - no more then 3/4 full is best. First you can either soak the diapers in cold or do a cold wash with 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended amount of detergent. The cold wash is done first to prevent stains from setting. Then do a wash on hot, to kill germs. Use 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended amount of detergent and use the longest wash cycle. Finally you may want to do an extra rinse to be sure all the detergent is rinsed out. Check the water during the final rinse to make sure there are no suds. Then you can either dry them in the dryer or hang them to dry. Always be sure to check manufacturers' labels for any special washing instructions. Also note that washing instructions will need to be adjusted for front loading washing machines. For detailed washing instructions by diaper type click here.

What type of laundry detergent should I use?
Use any name brand or cheap store brand at ½ to ¼ strength. All Free and Clear is not recommended as it may leave a residue buildup on the diapers that lessens absorbency or causes odors. You may want to try a few different brands and see what works best for you. The main thing to do to avoid problems is to be sure the detergent gets rinsed out of the diapers completely. Some people also like to change brands occasionally to prevent buildup. You should not use Dreft, Ivory Snow or other "baby" detergents or natural soaps such as Dr. Bronners because they can leave a residue that effects absorbency. Do not use Fabric Softener, liquid or sheets, for the same reason.  Some babies are sensitive to detergents containing dyes, enzymes, optical brighteners and whiteners. If you find your baby is sensitive to some detergents, you may want to avoid detergents with those ingredients. Many store brands are just as good, or better, than name brand detergents because they do not contain “fancy” ingredients that may cause irritation. Some recommended detergents are: Tide, Tide Free, Cheer, Cheer Free, Allens Naturally, Purex Free & Clear, and Country Save.

Can I use bleach or other whiteners?
Bleach should not be used as it will cause the diapers to wear out much faster. The best thing for whitening and germ killing is sunlight. Just a few hours in the sunlight will do wonders in removing any stains from your diapers. Some people also use vinegar or tea tree oil to kill germs. Oxyclean can be used, but it may wear out your diapers more quickly than without it. You may want to use bleach on certain occasions - such as if you buy used diapers and want to bleach them before use. Just make sure to rinse the diapers really well afterwards and keep in mind that using bleach usually voids all manufacturers' warrantees.

What are Vinegar and Baking Soda used for?
Vinegar is used to adjust the pH of your wash water. If you have problems with odors you may want to try it to see of it helps. You can use a Downey ball filled with vinegar or put it in the fabric softener dispenser in your washer during the first wash. Baking Soda may be used to help detergent clean more effectively, especially if you have acidic water. It is really personal preference if you want to use these or not.

Detergent Buildup - Water Softener
If you have very hard water, you may experience problems getting the detergent rinsed completely out of your diapers. If you smell a strong ammonia smell when your child urinates, it may be due to detergent buildup. I have found getting a water softener, or adding Calgon Water Softener (found in a box in the laundry aisle) to your wash really helps prevent odors if you have very hard water. You will know you have hard water if you have a lot of buildup on sinks and shower heads. So, if you are battling odor problems, you may want to try water softener. Don't use too much detergent, and be sure to rinse well. You may want to try a few different detergents too, I have found heavily scented detergents make the problem worse. I have had good luck with Cheer Free or Tide Free.
 
Do I need to dunk my diapers?
In most cases, no. If the waste is solid just shake it into the toilet and let your washing machine take care of the rest. You may want to rinse off a particularly messy diaper. Use your own judgment. An exclusively breastfed baby's diaper should never need dunking. Many people like to use a diaper sprayer like the Mini Shower instead of having to dunk and swish messy diapers.

I heard of people washing diapers in the dishwasher???
Recently some cloth diaper users have been washing diapers in the dishwasher to help "strip' them. We do not recommend doing this as it could be dangerous and it also voids most manufacturers' warrentees. Please try one of the methods listed in our washing instructions for stripping diapers.

How often should I change my babies cloth diaper?
Whether using cloth or disposable diapers, all diapers should really be changed as soon as they become wet or soiled. This is the best method for preventing diaper rash.  Depending on how heavy of a wetter your child is, most children need to be changed every 2-4 hours. When your baby begins sleeping through the night, most parents prefer to not wake them to change a diaper (understandably so). In this case, you probably will need to add an extra insert or doubler to boost absorbency to your diapering system to get through the night without needing a change.

What is the best type of diaper cover?
Covers come in a wide variety of styles and fabrics. Most of the wrap style covers consist of a polyurethane laminate (PUL) inner, which makes them waterproof, and a polyester or cotton outer layer, which makes them nice and soft to the touch. They close with either snaps or Velcro. Wrap style covers are usually the trimmest fit, and when used over CPFs, the diapers do not require pinning or a Snappi. You can also get covers made of Wool. Wool is very breathable, so they are a good diaper cover to use at night time, when most babies go longer between diaper changes. Although wool is generally thought of as a winter fabric, wool covers are also a good cover to use in hot weather, since they do allow air to circulate and keep babies bottom from getting too hot. Fleece is similar to wool since it is a nice breathable fabric. Fleece is wicking though, so it may not be the best cover to use when baby will be sitting for a long period of time, like on a long car trip. It is an excellent alternative if your baby is sensitive to wool. All covers have there advantages and many people like to get some of each type.

How do I wash my wool covers?
Wool is naturally anti-bacterial and doesn't retain odors. It is very breathable, which is what makes it a great material for a cover. The wool is actually absorbent, but the lanolin makes it water resistant. The cover will get damp if the diaper inside it is soaked through. Just let your wool covers air-dry between uses and they will only need washing once every week or two. Some people wash them even less than that with no problems. Wash them if they smell when dry or if they get soiled. We recommend using Eucalan Wool Wash. It has lanolin built right in. Hand washing in lukewarm water is best for wool. Fill the sink, or a container, with lukewarm water and wool wash, add the cover and let is soak for about 10 minutes. Eucalan says it does not require rinsing. The Bumpy and Aristocrats manufacturer's directions do suggest adding a spoonful of vinegar to the last rinse though. What I do is let them soak, drain the water, refill the sink with clean water and vinegar and let them soak for awhile longer, and then remove them. I don't actually "rinse" them. Remove the cover and dry it by rolling it up in a thick towel. Do not wring it. Then let it dry in a warm dry place - not in direct heat or sunlight. You will want to occasionally lanolize your wool covers for best performance.

How do I lanolize my wool covers?
If wetness starts coming right through your cover and water no longer beads on it, it is time to re-lanolize it. In order to lanolize your covers all you do is add a small amount of Lansinoh (1/4-1/2 inch squeezed from tube) to a cup of very hot water. Stir it around until the Lansinoh dissolves. Then add the mixture to a sink full of lukewarm water. Mix it in and add your cover. Make sure the water is warm enough to keep the Lansinoh from getting goopy, but not too warm. Swirl the cover around to coat it with the Lanolin and then let is soak for about 15 minutes. Remove the cover and dry it by rolling it up in a thick towel. Do not wring it. Then let it dry in a warm dry place - not in direct heat or sunlight.

How do I wash my diaper covers?
Normally covers should be washed on warm and hung to dry. This will make them last the longest. If I get a really messy cover I will sometimes wash it with the diapers. But I always hang them to dry. They can also be washed by hand. They do not need to be washed after each use. Most people rotate covers throughout the day. Let one dry and use another one, then go back to the first one on the next diaper change. Of course wash them if they get soiled or start to smell. Otherwise, you can use them quite a few times before washing. Wash new covers before first use also.

What type of diaper pail should I use?
We recommend the dry pail method. A kitchen garbage can with a tight fitting lid is fine, preferably with a foot pedal to easily open the lid. You may use a pail liner to easily take them to the washer. I have a stainless steel garbage can, with a removable bucket inside, that I just remove and carry to the washer. Then I just rinse the bucket out using the shower sprayer - very simple. I sprinkle baking soda in the pail occasionally, but by doing laundry every 2-3 days I really don't notice any odor. A wet pail is not recommended as it poses a drowning risk.

Can I use cloth diapers when I'm away from home?
Absolutely! Today's cloth diapers are so absorbent and easy to use there is no reason you can't use them when you are away from home. It is just as easy to toss a few cloth diapers into the diaper bag as it is to grab disposables. Just bring along a waterproof tote, or plastic shopping bag to put the dirty diapers in and you can take care of the rest when you get back home. Some people do prefer to use disposables if they are going away for more than a few days and will be unable to do laundry.

Can I use cloth diapers if my child goes to daycare?
Yes, you can. Talk to your daycare provider, show her the cloth diapers you plan to use, and make it as easy as possible for her. AIOs or pocket diapers are especially nice for this situation. Just tell your daycare provider that instead of folding up a disposable diaper and tossing it in the trash, they can fold up your cloth diaper, put it in a waterproof tote and give it back to you. You can take care of the rest when you get home.

Don't cloth diapers look bulky under cloths?
All-In-Ones and pocket diapers are a nice trim fit. BumGenius AIOs or Fuzzi Bunz are a nice trim fit - about the same as disposables. Certain diapers or covers can look a bit bulky, but does it really matter that much? Personally, I think my daughter looks adorable at night when she has a little bubble butt, in her sleeper with her wool cover on underneath. For outfits where I do want a trimmer fit I stick with a CPF with a wrap style cover, a pocket diaper, or AIO. If you are just switching from disposables to cloth you may think it looks a little funny, but you quickly get used to it and then can't imagine it any other way.