The Most Comprehensive Guide to Cloth Diapering

Introduction: Why Choose Cloth?

Cloth diapering is starting to make a huge comeback these days and many parents are finding themselves getting more curious about them. “Why” is the most common question when it comes to getting started or switching from using disposables. As a mother, switching to cloth diapers was, hands down, the best choice that I could have ever made for my son. How is that?
Let’s start with the facts:
COST The biggest reason why most parents are choosing to go cloth is due to the outrageous amount that disposable diapers cost over the year. Take a look at the chart below and prepare to be amazed at the total costs.
Depending on the brand of disposable diaper that you choose, you can be spending anywhere from $1,500 to almost $5,000 on each child for diapers alone. That is a huge and unnecessary investment over a course of 3 years! The truth is that we do not see those figures since it slowly accrues over time. With cloth diapering, you spend a one-time investment, which is more costly up front, and that is why many parents shy away from the idea. But to compare $1,000 or less to up to $5,000 for disposables? Come on now! Personally, I have spent $500 on my cloth diapers and wipes and have not had to spend any more money on my 3 month old son so far. If you take great care of your cloth diapers, they may last to the next child!

Health Benefits Sadly, a lot of mothers out there have no idea that disposables are FILLED with chemicals. They contain one poison called TBT which is a toxic pollutant that is known to cause hormonal issues in humans and animals. Disposables also contain a chemical called Dioxin which is carcinogenic and extremely toxic. Not to scare you, but disposables contain yet ANOTHER toxic chemical called sodium polyacrylate which turns into a gel substance when wet (such as after urination). It increases the risk of TSS-toxic shock syndrome. The same exact thing is found in tampons! There is a recent story of a mother who’s son was wearing Huggies brand diapers and the diaper broke and the gel substance ran down his leg causing chemical burns which landed him in the hospital. This also helped make my choice a lot easier!
Babies who are cloth diapered have been shown to have a huge decreased chance of diaper rash which means no need for expensive creams. My son has only gotten a rash in disposable diapers when he was newborn. I was trying to use up some of the diapers that were given to me at my shower, but after seeing his terrible rashes, I threw them all away and started him on cloth at two weeks. The result? No more diaper rashes!


Environmental Benefits Think of how many disposable diapers your baby will go through before he or she is potty trained. Now, imagine all the babies in the world who are in disposable diapers. Got that idea? Okay, now, imagine all of those diapers sitting in a landfill among daily trash from every home in America? Can’t fathom it, can you? Statistics show that each child who wears disposables will send 1-2 tons of waste to the landfills every two years. Another fact? It will take anywhere between 250-500 years for one diaper to break down in that landfill. How long does it take for cloth to break down? Less than a year! Why? Because most cloth diapers are made from cotton, bamboo, or hemp. In your average household, disposable diapers make up 50% of all household waste! So cloth diapering obviously benefits the environment by cutting down on unnecessary wastes and helping to make the world a better place for our future generations.


Faster Potty Training Studies have shown that babies who are cloth diapered have potty trained faster than children who wore disposable diapers. Disposable diapers are so absorbent that often times, the child cannot feel how wet he or she actually is. But with cloth diapering, the feeling and sensation is totally different. They feel that they are wet or dirty-they don’t like it-therefore they are more likely to use their training potty. in 1957-back in the day where disposables did not exist-children were potty trained by age 11 months and were dry for most of the day by age 2. Amazing statistics!
These are just a few of the basic reasons why I have chosen cloth diapering. Besides, they are soooo cute! I know that cloth diapering is not as convenient as a disposable diaper; however, based on the benefits, it is definitely worth it!
But does cloth diapering take a lot of time? A lot of parents wonder. One of the primary concerns that most new parents have when considering cloth diapering is the amount of time that it will take up in a day. I will be blunt with you-it does take some extra time. After all, you aren’t just taking a diaper off and tossing it in the trash anymore-you are reusing or recycling it. However, the benefits totally outweigh the extra time because that extra time saves you extra cash!
Here is a peek inside my daily cloth diaper changing & spraying ritual: My son, at 5 months, goes through about 8 diapers on average per day. With each diaper change, I like to rinse the diapers off with my sprayer. This is optional if the diaper is only soiled with urine or if you are breastfeeding since breastfed poop is water soluble. However, me being the OCD mommy that I am, I like to spray each time to keep my diapers extra fresh! It takes about a minute to wash each diaper off usually. So let’s round that up to ten minutes of rinsing per day. In any given week, that means that I spend about an hour rinsing my diapers off with the sprayer. You can eliminate this hour if you choose to not spray your diapers-your choice!
Now, let’s take a look at my washing ritual:
I wash my cloth diapers every 3rd day. Luckily, as my son is getting older, he goes through less and less diapers! To get my diapers are clean as possible, I follow the basic cold rinse, hot wash, cold rinse routine that most parents use. The rinses take about 15 minutes each time and the hot wash is usually 80 minutes since I like to use the bulky setting on my washer. So that is a total of 110 minutes of washing right there. However, all you are really doing is pushing a button so you may or may not want to count this as your “time” in.
For drying, I like to lay my diaper covers out on the line outside or on top of my washer & dryer. I tumble dry all of my inserts on low for about 40 minutes. For my entire washing and drying routine, I spend about 150 minutes, twice a week: a grand total of 300 minutes or 5 hours.
Lastly, depending on what brand & type of diapers you own, you will have to stuff the pockets with the inserts or snap the inserts on:
My husband and I usually tag team putting the diapers together back when my son was a newborn because he would go through all 40-ish diapers! But now, since the volume is less, I usually do them myself and it takes me about 30 minutes usually. This is mainly due to the fact that I like to separate all of my inserts into little neat rows and separate my diaper covers into stacks of the same brands before I begin to stuff them. Then, lastly, I stuff the pockets with the inserts! So 30 minutes, twice per week equals up to an hour weekly.
Alrighty! So the grand amount of hours that I spend cloth diapering on a weekly basis is: 7 hours roughly. I KNOW, it sounds like a lot. But, I promise you, over a week’s period-it is not that bad at all! It is so worth all of the benefits! I hope that this gives you an idea of what to expect when it comes to time management during your day while cloth diapering.
You will get the hang of it pretty quickly!

What All Do I Need to Begin?

When it comes to the first thought of cloth diapering, many mamas become overwhelmed at where to even begin! “What all do I need?” you may ask yourself over and over. Here is our comprehensive list on everything you need, the basics, to start cloth diapering:
Cloth Diapers: How many diapers to buy depends on how often you want to go without washing them. Personally, I HATE doing laundry so I made sure to get enough cloth diapers to last me to every 3rd day. I probably had at least 36-42 diapers to START with! (Now, I have about 60, but that’s another story of my cloth diaper addiction). However, some parents want to wash every other day. In this case, it is a good idea to buy at least 24 cloth diapers if this is your goal.

The number of diapers you need will depend on the age of your baby and how often you do laundry. A newborn will go through more diapers than a toddler. Most people choose to do laundry about every other day. If you can afford to buy more diapers you may wish to do laundry every 3 days. You won't want to let them go much longer than that or odor will be a problem.
Age
Wash Daily
Every 2 Days
Every 3 days
Up to 6 Mos.
10-12
20-24
30-36
6-12 Mos.
8-10
16-20
24-30
12-24 Mos.
6-8
12-16
18-24
Potty Learning
2-4
4-8
6-12
Bamboo Cloth Wipes: If you are doing cloth diapers, you will usually want cloth wipes too. You will need at least 24 of these as well-if not way more. Wipes are available in all sorts of different fabrics but my personal favorite are the ever so soft bamboo wipes! Wipe solutions can get expensive from time to time; however, I have a simple and easy DIY cloth diaper wipe solution to share with you all! I have researched many different homemade wipe solutions and this is the best one that I have come across.

What you will need for the solution:
• 2 cups of warm distilled or purified water (this inhibits bacteria growth) • 2 tbsp coconut oil; melted • 2 tbsp baby wash (any kind will do) • essential oils (optional-i chose not to use any, but most choose Tea Tree Oil)
What to do:
1. In a bowl, mix together oil and soap. 2. Next, pour in warm water and stir together till blended. If you have a wipe warmer, pour the solution over wipes. If you would prefer to use a spray bottle, you can store the solution in the bottle and spray during changing instead. Everyone has their own way of doing things! Our disposable bamboo cloth diaper liners go great with this solution to make the perfect wipe!
Diaper Pail: You can buy a pail made specifically for diapers or do what I do-I use a plastic laundry basket with a large wetbag inside. That’s all!
Travel Size WetBag: Travel wetbags are perfect for when you are on vacation or even the usual trip to the grocery store! I never leave home without one! They make cloth diapering while out and about a breeze!
Large Wetbag: This is useful for your diaper pail at home. It is antimicrobial like the travel sized and can hold a ton of diapers! We love our large wetbags!
Cloth Diaper Friendly Detergent: We love Charlie’s Soap. It is made specifically for cloth diapers, without any harsh additives, dyes, or scents that can ultimately ruin those expensive diapers!
Extra Inserts: Extra inserts are a great idea if your baby is a heavy wetter or if you lose an insert! You never want to be in a bind while cloth diapering. To be safe, keep 12 extra inserts on hand!
Disposable Liners: Liners are great for when your baby’s poop becomes more solids. The liners are laid on the diaper and helps to protect and preserve them to last longer. We love organic bamboo liners!
Diaper Sprayer: Skip this and buy an extendable shower head to spray your diapers off in the toilet!

The Lowdown on Cloth Diapering Lingo
If you are new to cloth diapering, then I am sure you have done your research and have encountered plenty of terms that you clearly do not understand!
These are not your grandmother’s diapers. Cloth diapers have come a long way in the past 10 years. If you haven’t seen the new long way from nylon pull on pants. Covers now come in all sorts of styles, fabrics and colors. Wrap style covers use Velcro and elastics and have eliminated the need for pinning diapers on baby!

The following diapers require a waterproof cover:
Flats - Flat diapers are a single layer of fabric that must be folded to become a diaper. These diapers can be hard to find, but some people actually still prefer them. Click here to see a flat diaper in action.
Prefolds - These diapers are flat, but they are not flats. They are rectangular and generally have two seams down the middle, dividing the diaper into thirds. The fabric is prefolded and sewn together. The middle panel has 6-8 layers of fabric and the outer two panels have 4. When folded into thirds these diapers can have up to 16 layers of fabric to absorb. Prefolds are the most versitle and economic way to cloth diaper. Prefolds can be pinned, snappied or just folded and laid into a cover. Click here to see prefolds in action.
These are the diapers used by diaper services and are true work horses that can last for multiple children and then become awesome rags. These babies may never have to see a landfill and if they do, they break down in about 6 month. Compared to the estimated 200-500 years disposable diapers will take to decompose, prefolds should be in every household.
Contours – These diapers are like prefolds but are cut in an hour glass shape to fit baby. They can be closed with a snappi or a snug fitting cover.
Fitteds – Like contours, these are cut to fit baby and fashioned with snaps or Velcro. They have elastic at the legs and back which makes them great at containing messes. Fitteds also require a cover. They are a great choice for newborns because of their great fit.
A note about one sized diapers:
One Size Diapers – Most one size diapers start at around 8 lbs and go up to 35 lbs. We recommend starting off with prefolds or fitteds for the first few months because we find these options to fit newborns better. At around 3 months one size diapers will fit better and last until potty training. One size diapers come in many different styles: covers, fitteds, prefolds, pockets and all in ones. If you do not choose to use prefolds and covers, you can still save money with one size diapers. In fact, even the most expensive cloth diapers will still save you money over disposables.
Covers:
PUL Covers – Polyurethane Laminate is used to coat fabric to create the waterproofing effect. The laminate is usually on the inside of the cover, the part that touches the diaper. Covers have elastic in the legs and back and the elastic is lined with soft fabric where it touches baby’s skin. Cover can close with Velcro or snaps, making them more of a wrap style, or covers can pull on.
Wool Covers – Wool is a natural and sustainable way to cover up baby’s bum. Wool can hold up to 30% of its weight in liquid and still not feel wet. The lanolin in wool, a natural oil, makes it waterproof. It wicks moisture away from your baby. Wool is naturally antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial. Because of the antibacterial qualities the wool does not need to be washed that much, wool actually neutralizes urine. When it begins to soak through or starts to smell, its time to wash it (this is generally only once every week or two depending on use). Warm in winter and cool in summer because it breathes. That means less likelihood of diaper rash. These diaper covers are durable. With care they will last through several children. Wool can be expensive, but you only need 3 or 4 of them. Wool also retains its value very well and can be resold when you are done with them.
Fleece Covers – These work a lot like wool, except they are basically synthetics. Fleece is super absorbent and wicks moisture away from your baby’s skin. They are also breathable and come in tons of cute prints and patterns.
Inserts: Inserts are used to stuff inside of pocket diapers or as doublers in any diaper you use to add extra layers of absorbency for heavy wetters, nap time and overnight. Microfiber inserts – This is what comes with most pocket diapers for stuffing inside. Microfiber is a synthetic, man-made fabric that is super absorbent. Hemp Inserts – Hemp is another wonderful, natural fabric, perfect for cloth diapering. Hemp is environmentally friendly, sustainable and biodegradable. Hemp is a high yield plant producing the strongest natural fiber known to man. It can be grown pesticide free and has no known insect enemies. Hemp has inherent antifungal, antibacterial properties, is breathable, recyclable and non-allergenic; making it the ultimate cloth diaper fabric. Hemp is always blended with cotton, since on its own it is a hard fiber and the cotton softens the feel for diapering.

Liners: Liners are used to protect your diaper from poop and diaper rash creams. There are disposable and reusable liners:
Flushable Liners – Many cloth diaper users find that they make cleanup easier. Use in any kind of diaper. Simply lay the liner on top of the diaper surface that touches baby’s skin. When you change the diaper the liner can be dropped into the toilet and flushed. They are designed to catch solids and allow liquid to pass through. They are not absorbent. These are also known as rice paper diaper liners, although they are actually a paper product. Flushable diaper liners are safer, much softer and more biodegradable than polypropylene liners. Some liners can survive the washing machine for a couple of cycles, and can be re-used if they are only peed on. They provide a layer between the diaper and baby and can protect your diaper from diaper rash creams.
Washable liners – Just like a flushable liner but reusable. Made of raw silk or fleece, these liners are designed to wick moisture away from baby’s skin and protect the diaper from diaper rash creams.
Closures: Pins – Choose pins that don’t bend when you push them, they are easier to use. Also look for slide-lock baby-safe heads and sharp points. Slide pins into a bar of soft Ivory Bar Soap to help them slide. Keep the paper on the bar to help keep the bar from drying out too quickly. You can also run the pin through your hair and some oils from your hair can help the pin slide, but the bar soap works better. If a pin gets dull, they can be sharpened, but it’s not very easy and most will choose to purchase new pins.
Snappi – Snappis are a new invention that replaced the need for pins. Snappis are a single piece of streatchy plastic with three heads that have teeth to grab the fabric. Always use a cover when using snappis and follow instructions on the packaging. Note that they need to be stretched a few times prior to use to break them in.
Fabric choices:
Cotton – Cotton is a natural fiber. When wet it feels wet which can help children to potty train faster. It has been used for cloth diapering forever and it works. Quality of cotton can vary, there are organic options out there in diapers. Most cotton comes from China or India, thus Chinese prefolds or Indian prefolds. Experts differ on which is best.
Hemp – As stated before, hemp is environmentally friendly, sustainable and biodegradable; has inherent antifungal, antibacterial properties, is breathable, recyclable and non-allergenic. Hemp is usually blended with cotton, as it can be harsh alone and cotton give the fabric a softer feel.
Bamboo – Bamboo has been marketed as a sustainable option in textiles. However, the Federal Trade Commission released a statement in a press release, saying the “bamboo-based textiles, actually made of rayon, are not antimicrobial, made in an environmentally friendly manner, or biodegradable.” Due to the manufacturing process of Bamboo the bamboo is converted into a rayon material and it loses its antimicrobial and biodegradable properties and its sustainability.
Fleeces – Fleece functions much like wool, in that it is breathable and it wicks, but it does not have the added bulk, weightiness, is easier to care for and clean and is much more soft and comfy for baby. Fleece is basically a synthetic, 100% polyester fabric with an altered ‘structure.’ This altered ‘structure’ facilitates moisture transfer through the fabric. Polyester fabric, in and of itself, does not absorb moisture at all. Instead fleece wicks moisture away from the skin to its outer surface where it can spread out and evaporate if exposed to air, or absorb into another fabric-usually a cotton ‘soaker’ of some sort. Fleece is highly breathable, lightweight (though it can be purchased in mid weight), pill-resistant, hardy and can withstand industrial washing/drying, virtually stain-proof, easy to care for and clean, great for color retention, a fast drying fabric, chlorine-resistant and very soft and comfy.
Choosing the Right Cloth Diaper For Your Baby

When I first began my cloth diapering adventure, I was lost at not only the many different brands there were out there, but the TYPES of them! It was very overwhelming, being new to cloth diapering, and so I decided to do my research! Eventually, I figured which types of diapers were best for my baby and I and, with the right information, so will you! Here’s to making your life a lot easier!

Let’s start with the many different styles of cloth diapers:
Types of Cloth Diapers Diaper covers come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. They use different types of closures, like snaps or Velcro, and some simply pull on. Diaper covers are often made of wool, fleece, or PUL (polyurethane laminate). The cloth diaper used under a diaper cover can be a prefold or a flat diaper that you fold yourself, or it can be a contour or fitted diaper that doesn’t require folding.
The prefold diaper is a rectangular cloth with a thick, padded center section. It needs folding before you put it on your baby. So does the flat diaper, which is a large square cloth that’s equally thick throughout.
Contour diapers are shaped like an hourglass. They usually need to be secured with fasteners or pins, though there are a few variations available with built-in snaps or elastic.
Fitted diapers are the most like disposables in their design (except that they require a cover). They’re shaped like an hourglass, have elastic around the legs and waist, and fasten with built-in snaps or tabs.


An “All in One” diaper, or AIO This diaper consists of a waterproof outer layer, an absorbent “soaker,” and an inner layer. It fastens with snaps or tabs and has elastic around the legs and waist, similar to a disposable diaper. AIO diapers come in two forms – either with all the pieces sewn together as one complete unit or with pieces that partially detach with snaps (for faster drying). An AIO is used once, then washed.
An “All in Two” diaper, or AI2 An AI2 diaper consists of an outer waterproof shell (similar to a diaper cover) and an insert that gets put into the shell and lies directly against your baby’s skin. Some inserts attach with snaps or Velcro, and some get tucked under flaps in the cover. The shell has elastic around the legs and waist and fastens with snaps or tabs. The insert is made of absorbent material. Some inserts are topped with a stay-dry fabric for your baby’s comfort.
Hybrid diaper A hybrid is similar to an AI2 diaper, with two parts making up the whole. The difference is that a hybrid diaper’s insert can be either cloth or disposable.
Pocket diaper A pocket diaper consists of a waterproof outer layer and an inner layer of fabric that has a pocket opening. An insert is stuffed into the pocket opening before wearing and then taken out for washing. Pocket diapers’ absorbency can be adjusted by using more or fewer absorbent inserts. The inner layer of fabric is sometimes made with stay-dry material to keep your baby comfortable. Pocket diapers have elastic around the legs and waist and fasten with snaps or tabs. Because the insert and pocket will both get dirty when your baby pees or poops, pocket diapers are used once, then washed.
So, how do I know which one is right for me & my baby? This is strongly an opinion that only you can figure out for yourself. Personally, I have tried them all and I love the pocket diapers because it gives me the ability to control the absorbency or “stuffing” I place into the diaper. For example, at night, I can stuff the diaper more so that my son will not leak through his diaper; whereas during the day, lighter stuffing is needed.
My biggest piece of advice? Try a few different types and see what works best for you and your family!

How to Prep Your New Cloth Diapers


If you are new to cloth diapering, then the most important thing to know is that before the initial use, you MUST prep your diapers. By prepping, I simply mean washing them. Some diapers, however, require more than one wash. Read on to find out how to prep your brand new cloth diapers! If you use microfiber or microfleece, you may only need to wash 2-3 times before they are good to know. For natural fibers such as bamboo, organic cotton, or hemp, you may need to wash them up to 5 times due to the natural oils in them. The more you wash, the more absorbent the diapers become which is better for you and baby.
Here is a standard and easy prepping routine: 1. Separate pastel colors from dark colors into two piles (this prevents dye transfer). 2. Wash separately on hot with no detergent. 3. Rinse cycle cold. 4. Repeat the number amount of times needed. Each company out there will have their own magic number. Honestly, you cannot go wrong with 3 wash cycles.
And that’s it! Please note, everyone has their own honor system and washing once may or may not be enough for you and your baby since we all develop our own routines.
What Laundry Detergents Are Cloth Diapering Safe?

When it comes to cloth diapering, there are only a handful of detergents that are safe to us. The problem is finding out which works best for your diapers. Luckily, you do not have to try all of them to know-there are helpful lists out there with detergents that have been tried and true.
The detergents listed in BOLD are safe for cloth. The others either are not or might be-with the reasoning!
PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED WHY NOT
Ace Powder NO Enzymes
AJAX All-Purpose NO Brighteners
All Free and Clear NO Anti-allergens/brighteners
All Baby, BabyCare Plus NO Brighteners
All Small & Mighty NO Fabric Softeners, Brighteners, Dyes
All w/staibn lifters NO Full of extra ingredients
Allen’s Naturally liquid/powder YES
Arm & Hammer MAYBE There are natural oils. Should be fine if used in moderation.
Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin, Perfume Free and Dye Free NO Brighteners
Astra NO Brighteners
Attitude Fragrance Free MAYBE Complete ingredient list unavailable.
Bi-O-Kleen All Temperature liquid/powder MAYBE Reports of repellency issues with pocket diapers – perhaps caused by natural extracts or degreasers.
Bi-O-Kleen laundry liquid MAYBE Reports of repellency issues with pocket diapers – perhaps caused by natural extracts or degreasers.
Bi-O-Kleen Premium Plus All Temperature Powder NO Enzymes
Biovert Detergent NO Some reports of residue
Biovert Stain Remover YES Low additive oxygen bleach
Bold 2 in 1 liquid/powder NO Softener, Brighteners, Fragrance, Dyes
bumGenius Diaper Detergent YES Specifically made for all cloth diapers
Caldrea Laundry Detergent NO natural oils
Charlie’s Soap YES Specifically for cloth diapers.
Cheer NO Enzymes, Fragrance, Dyes
Cheer Free and Gentle Liquid NO Enzymes
Claudia’s Choice YES Zero residue
Country Save Liquid MAYBE Has not been tested for use with diapers
Country Save Powder YES Certified non residue by manufacturer
Dreft NO Enzymes, brighteners, fragrance
Dropps Fresh Scent NO Fragrance
Dropps Scent Dye Free/ Baby Soy Softener
Earth Friendly Products Baby Hypoallergenic NO Soy Softener
Eco-Max MAYBE
Ecos Free & Clear MAYBE Some reports of residue in hard water conditions
Ecos w/ soy softener NO Fabric softener
Ecover NO Natural oils for fragrance. Reports of residue.
EnviroRite NO Complete ingredient list unavailable
Era, Era Ultra Free3 NO Enzymes, Brighteners, Fragrance
Fab NO Complete ingredient list unavailable
Fresh Start NO Complete ingredient list unavailable
GAIN NO Enzymes, Brighteners, Fragrances, Softeners
Ivory Snow liquid/powder NO Enzymes, Brighteners
Jewel Ultra Original NO Enzymes
Hydrox YES Safe bleach alternative if used in moderation
Kirlands Signature NO Enzymes
Lemieux NO Oily softeners could leave residue
Lifekind MAYBE
Melaleuca MelaPower Scent Free NO Enzymes, Brighteners
Method Baby/Free and Clear NO Enzymes, Brighteners
Mountain Green Ultra, Skin Sensitive, Baby MAYBE Contains natural oils
Mountain Green Baby Free & Clear YES
Mrs. Meyer’s NO Enzymes, Fragrance
Nature Clean Regular YES Powder and liquid are OK
Nature Clean 3X Concentrate MAYBE Contains bicarbonate of soda which may not be suitable for some delicate fiber products (ex. Bamboozle fitted cloth diaper)
Natural Value MAYBE Contain coconut diethanolamide which may cause irritation with prolonged exposure
Nellie’s MAYBE Contains coconut oil based ingredients
Omaiki MAYBE Complete ingredient list unavailable
OXY-PRIME MAYBE Has oxygenated bleach in formula
Oxyboost YES Oxygenated bleach with no other additives
Oxi-clean YES
Parisienne NO Complete ingredient list unavailable
Penquin MAYBE
Planet Delicate Laundry Wash, Hypoallergenic MAYBE Recommended by many but no evidence as to zero residue
Planet Ultra, Powdered Hypoallergenic MAYBE Recommended by many but no evidence as to zero residue
Presidents Choice 2x Ultra NO Enzymes
Purex, Purex Free & Clear, Purex Baby NO Brighteners, Fragrance
SA8 NO Brighteners, Enzymes, Fragrance
Sears Ultra Concentrated, Powder, Ultra Plus NO Enzymes
Sensi-Clean (Sportwash) YES Confirmed zero residue by the manufacturer
7th Generation liquid, Baby NO Enzymes
7th Generation Powder, Free & Clear NO Enzymes
7th Generation Delicate Care YES
Shaklee liquid, Fragrance Free NO Enzymes, Brighteners
Soap Nuts MAYBE 100% natural detergent from trees.
Souris Verte MAYBE Complete ingredient list unavailable
Sport-Wash MAYBE Residue Free
Sun, Sun Free NO Brighteners, Enzymes
Sun and Earth MAYBE Reports of residue problems
Sunlight Sensitive NO Brighteners
Surf NO Enzymes, Dyes, Fragrance
Target Baby, Powder NO Enzymes
Tide, Tide Free (Tide Nature), Tide Powder NO Brighteners, Enzymes
Tiny Bubbles YES Specifically formulated for cloth diapers
Thirsties Super Wash, Pre Wash YES Specifically formulated for cloth diapers
Trader Joe’s Cleanliness Next to Godliness NO Brighteners, Enzymes
Wisk, Wisk Free Clear NO Brighteners
Wonder Wash YES
XTRA NO Brighteners


How to Wash Cloth Diapers

When it comes to cloth diapering, parents tend to stress about a routine when it comes to washing & drying. When I was new to cloth diapering, I was so nervous that if I had washed them the wrong way, it would ruin my whole stash! However, as I learned a simple routine, I stuck with it and everything has been simple and fabulous ever since. The main thing to know when washing and drying cloth diapers is to treat them with lots of care. If you treat them well, they could possible last to your next child!
Caring for cloth diapers also means washing them with the right detergent. Unfortunately, when it comes to cloth diapering, not all detergents are made equally. Some detergents can clog the pores on your diaper’s inserts which could potentially ruin the diapers, if not decrease the lifespan of them. Who wants to risk that? Luckily, there are specially made laundry detergents out there for cloth diapers! We sell Charlie’s soap, which can be found on our website and that you may purchase here. It is gentle, chemical free, and all natural. Do not use bleach or fabric softeners on your diapers during the wash.
Here is the easiest & most widely used method to washing your cloth diapers after each use:
1. Cold rinse without detergent. 2. Hot wash with detergent. NO BLEACH or FABRIC SOFTENERS. 3. Second cold rinse after wash. 4. After wash, tumble dry on LOW in the dryer or hang them outside to dry.

How to Dry Cloth Diapers

When it comes to drying your cloth diapers, there are generally two ways to do so: indoors or outdoors and with a machine or without a machine . I actually do both ways! My personal favorite way to dry my cloth diapers are in the dryer, tumbled dry on the lowest setting. However, I only do this for the diaper inserts-not the actual cloth diaper cover as this can cause wear and tear on the diaper cover itself. Instead of throwing the covers in the dryer, I lay them out on my washer and dryer and they are dry within a few hours!
Here are a few other ways to dry your diapers indoors:
Use an indoor drying rack. There are a few drying racks out on the market that work well for this! Some are even 3 or 4 tiered! However, if space is at a premium in your home, I've been told the 2 tier version fits nicely in most bathtubs. Hang your cloth diapers to dry during the day or overnight and collapse the rack and store it for bath time.
Toss them over a shower rod. This is another great way to keep clean diapers up and away from toddler hands while drying. Maximize your space by using plastic clothes hangers along the shower rod if you have a larger cloth diaper collection.
String a line indoors. If you have a basement or other area, you can install a retractible clothesline. They are found at many home improvement stores. Just be sure to follow all safety recommendations and find a safe place that is away from little hands.
To dry your cloth diapers outside, you don't need a traditional clothesline and clothespins. You can use a folding drying rack or set your diapers over a deck rail (we do not recommend this if there are high winds in your area). You can even just lay your diapers across an outdoor chair or table if you can't find a place to hang a clothesline or don't have enough space for a drying rack.

When air drying your cloth diapers, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind:
· Don't leave your cloth diapers outside for too long. High temperatures can be just as harmful to your cloth diapers as dryer heat. · We only recommend keeping your diapers outside until they are dry. There is no need to keep your diapers out any longer. · Check your diapers frequently because you never know when a bird may want to try out your baby's diapers!

What to Do When Your Diapers Get Smelly
Got smelly diapers, but you are afraid to strip them using the bleach method? Don’t worry I feel your pain! Having spent hundreds of dollars on cloth diapers, I am sometimes afraid to strip mine, too. Bleach can be so harsh and should only be used in bad cases of odor, staining, and build up.
One of the most common questions that we receive is how to prevent odor from cloth diapers within your home. I have been in homes of friends who use disposable diapers and I can honestly tell you one thing: disposable diapers smell a whole lot worse than cloth diapers-especially when it comes to odor within the baby’s room or your entire home! Even Glade & Febreeze cannot hide the smell of day old urine or poop!
“Why does cloth smell a lot less than disposable?” you may wonder. Because you get to spray the diapers off, for one reason! Instead of wrapping up the diaper and throwing it in a pail, you have the option to spray your diapers off before throwing them in the dirty laundry. However, you absolutely can go without spraying them off first.
“So, if I do not spray them off, can I still prevent any smells?” Absolutely! The oldest and best kept secret: baking soda! Personally, I always pour a little bit in my diaper pail and after a few diapers are thrown in, I sprinkle some more on top! It works like a charm and is a cheap odor remedy.

Here is a better and less invasive way to sanitize your diapers! I like to sanitize mine every season-so about every 3 months or so. I use baking soda and vinegar! Here’s how: 1. Do a cold rinse. 2. Use your regular amount of detergent. 3. Add 1/2 cup baking soda and a Downy ball filled to the top with distilled white vinegar. Start your washer’s hot cycle. 4. After the diapers have agitated, but before the hot water has drained, stop the cycle (this can be done on some washers by leaving the lid up). 5. Let the diapers soak overnight.
“Do I need a special pail to prevent smells?” Nope. I honestly use a laundry basket with holes in the sides, lined with a large wetbag.
“What?? You use a laundry basket? That does not even have a top to it!” No top is needed. Honestly, pails that are not well ventilated stink up a home more than a pail that is left open to air! A closed container harbors smells and bacteria and as soon as you open it-out the odor goes and into your entire home.
“So what is your foolproof method for avoiding smells after diaper changes until your next washing day?”
1. Spray off each cloth diaper well-no matter if its urine or poop. (I never skip this!) 2. Wring out the water in the inserts and diaper cover. (If you leave too much water in the diapers, it will aid in the funk.) 3. Toss diaper in an open pail, bucket, or basket lined with a large antimicrobial wetbag with baking soda sprinkled on the bottom. 4. After a few diapers, sprinkle some more baking soda-as needed. 5. Wash at least every 3rd day to prevent funk by adding 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of distilled white vinegar to your usual wash.
As a bonus, here is a DIY recipe for all you mommies (and daddies) out there to make baking soda discs for your diaper pail!

For baking soda disks, you will need: · distilled or boiled water · 2 cups of baking soda · your choice of essential oils · a muffin pan · paper muffin cups


What to do:
1. Add a few drops of essential oil to a small amount of water. 2. Mix the water with the baking soda. 3. Gradually add and mix more water until you have a thick paste. 4. Press about ½” of paste into each muffin paper and let dry 24 hours. 5. Tear the paper off. 6. After you’ve used each disk for a month or so (however long you find it effective), crumble the disk into the diaper wash.
Baking soda deodorizes and softens the diapers. This recipe makes a one year supply!
What to Do About Stains

When I bought my first stash of cloth diapers, I was determined to keep them looking as new as ever. As time went on, stains happened. Of course, stains would happen. The diapers are constantly being soiled over and over again. But in my mind, I thought that by carefully washing them and spraying them off after each use, they would look their best. It did help-some. However, the stains were still somewhat visible!
I had a solution, thanks to another cloth diapering mama for the advice: the sun!
The sun acts as a natural bleach for your whites and does not damage them like chlorine bleach does. I simply hang mine out on the line after each wash and it not only bleaches them back to their original snowy white state, it air dries them as well-reducing the risk of damage that a dryer normally would cause. As a bonus, I also save energy and money! Within 3 hours or so, all of my stains disappeared-even the old, pesky ones! If you do not have a line to hang them on, do not worry! You can throw a big blanket over the lawn and line them up on the blanket instead. As long as the sun is hitting your diaper covers and inserts, you are good to go!
Another tip for brightening your diaper covers and inserts is Oxiclean! I use one scoop in my wash for every other wash-to boost the stain fighting action. Its a safe bleach alternative and works rather well.

Another important thing to remember is that the detergent you use will determine how clean your diapers get. Not all detergents are made equally. You must use laundry detergents specifically made for cloth diapers only. If you fail to do so, you risk clogging your inserts and diaper cover fabrics which leads to more leaks, build up, a nasty smell, and more stains. We recommend Charlie’s Soap.
My last tip for fighting stains is to spray your diapers after each use and try to get off as much of the poop as you can. Keeping the diaper and inserts damp, wring out most of the water, and throw into your diaper pail. This also has been known to prevent future stains and make washing a whole lot easier!

What to Do With Poopy Diapers
One of the most common questions that I get asked when it comes to cloth diapering is “What do I do about my baby’s poop?”
Well, let me first begin by saying that it does depend on whether or not you are breastfeeding or formula feeding your infant. When you breastfeed, your baby’s poop is actually water soluble-this is good news because you actually do NOT have to do anything with it prior to washing. Just throw it all in the washer and you are ready to go! However, even though I breastfeed, I am still a little OCD about keeping my diapers fresh as possible so I always spray mine beforehand-no matter if its poop or pee.
Formula fed babies’ poop needs to be sprayed, on the other hand because they typically have firmer stools than breastfed babies. The firmer the stool, the harder it is to get off of the diaper because it tends to smear more.
Now, with older babies and those who are transitioning to solids-always spray! Because around 4-6 months when your baby starts eating solids or cereals, the transition stool will resemble a consistency of peanut butter (yayyyyy) so it’s best to try to get it off as much as possible!

Since we have all of that settled, let’s talk about your options when it comes to getting rid of the poop:
Diaper Sprayer-you can buy these online or you can buy a kitchen sprayer and easily install it in your bathroom. I personally bought a powerful shower head sprayer to use since my shower is right next to my toilet. Easy and simple.
Wet Pail-some parents decide to soak their cloth diapers in a pail filled with water. This is totally fine-till your baby gets old enough to crawl and explore; then this poses a drowning hazard or a mess on your floor. I personally put mine in a dry pail after spraying them, but leaving them a little damp. Flushable Disposable Liners-These are a LIFESAVER. All you have to do is lay the liner inside the diaper and remove once your baby has a bowel movement and simply toss and flush! We sell ours for $9.99-one of the best prices around! Wanna know something else about liners? They can double as disposable diaper wipes!!

All About Stripping

Over time, your cloth diapers will steadily accumulate build up after being subjected to so many changes. This is only natural! There is certainly nothing wrong with your cloth diapers; however, it is important to fix this problem as soon as you notice it in order to help extend your cloth diaper’s lifespan of usage.
How do you know if your cloth diapers need stripping? Here are a few clues I have learned:
· “Barnyard smell”: Your diapers start smelling like a wet dog pretty much-or worse! Even after they come out of the wash. · Leaks: Your diapers will start leaking regularly if the pores become too clogged. · Discoloration: Discoloration will happen more often as your diapers are unable to clean as well as they once did while in the washer.
So, now we know what to look for, why do these things happen? Some common causes are:
· Using too much detergent: Causes detergent to build up in the diaper. · Using too little detergent: Causes poop and pee to build up in the diaper. · You’re using the wrong detergent. · You’ve used diaper cream not specifically made for cloth diapers. · Not using hot water for the wash. · Not using the rinse cycle before and after your hot wash.
Now, here is what to do about it. Proper stripping instructions will vary from site to site, but there is one clear method that is the most popular to use. You will need:
1. 1 tablespoon Dawn liquid dish detergent (the BLUE kind) for regular or top loading machines OR 1 teaspoon Dawn liquid dish detergent (the BLUE kind) for high efficiency or front loading machines. 2. 1/2 cup of bleach
**Note: You do NOT want to strip your diapers too often as it will wear them down. Bleach is abrasive and should only be used for bad cases of buildup and barnyard stink!**
Now that you have your ingredients, wash your cloth diapers on a hot wash using the Dawn and bleach. After that wash, wash for TWO more times on hot with no detergent or Dawn or anything at all! Dry as you normally would and there you have it! When in doubt, please check with the manufacturer of your brand cloth diapers
Cloth Diapering No-No’s
1. Extreme washing -I was very guilty of this for the first few months of my cloth diapering journey. I washed all the diapers I had on hot water, used way to much detergent and dried them all way to long. My AIOs starting to stink and for the life of me what was going on. Then I did some reading and realized what I was doing wrong. It took some time but I got the wash routine down and we have not had any more stink issues.
2. Bleaching Excessively One of the biggest misconceptions about cloth diapers is that you can't wash your stash with bleach. We're here to set the record straight and tell you that you can! We recommend bleaching with a very diluted amount only when you are stripping your smelly or stained diapers! We suggest adding 1/4 cup of regular liquid chlorine bleach to your warm wash cycle no more than once a month. Make sure you have a washing machine that dilutes it accordingly! There are several reasons why you will want to do this like cloth diaper stink, ammonia, detergent build up or yeast. Using 1/4 cup of regular liquid chlorine bleach once a month will also help sanitize your diapers and remove stains. So, if you're dealing with any of the issues mentioned above, bleach will not only combat it, but also make your cloth diapers look and smell brand new. Always be sure to rinse out your diapers thoroughly after using bleach. Washing your diapers 1-2 times with just cold water will ensure that all of the bleach has been removed. If you don't want to use bleach, you don't have to! Sunningyour cloth diapers is another way to sanitize and remove stains. However, if your little one has recently battled a yeast infection, we do recommend using bleach to ensure that all the microbes are removed.
3. Underestimating stash size When I first started cloth diapering I only had enough diapers to cloth diaper my two kids for two days without washing. It was a pain and my diapers wore out quickly because I had to wash them often. Now I have enough diapers to go about a week without washing ( not that I do ). My diapers are holding up wonderfully because the same diaper is not getting used day after day.
4. Waiting to wash Just because you have enough diapers to wait to wash for several days, does not mean you should. I do not leave a dirty diaper to sit longer then two days. I have heard horror stories about mold, maggots and even mushrooms after leaving diapers soiled for too many days.
5. Not changing enough This was not a personal lesson I learned ( I have been the type that changes the diaper whenever they are wet from the start ) but something I learned from other people. Someone else I knew switched from disposable to cloth and she did not change her child until the diaper was saggy. She could not figure out why her little one was soaking through all the diapers she had. We had a long chat about it and she finally saw she just needed to change her little one more often and all her problems were solved.
6. Using Fabric Softeners or Diaper Creams Never use fabric softeners of any kind on diapers. Liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets both leave a waxy residue on diapers which causes diapers to repel, decreasing the absorbency. Diaper rash creams can also have the same effect. If you do use a diaper rash cream, either place a small wash cloth on top of the fleece next to your baby's bum, use a flushable liner or a fleece liner.

Chapter 14: Help! My Cloth Diapers Are Leaking!

When it comes to cloth diapering, a common problem is leaking-especially with parents new to using cloth. Do not worry! It is a very trial and error sort of thing and something that can absolutely be fixed right away. However, you must figure out why your diapers are leaking-and sometimes that can be the main issue!
Here are 5 reasons why cloth diapers leak and how to fix them:
1. Size is incorrect/Doesn’t fit properly: This tends to be an issue with mostly one sized diapers because parents do not understand what setting is best for the weight of their baby. To figure this out, play around! Take the diaper on and off. Snap it differently each time and see what fits the best. Once you figure it out, it will be a cinch! It took my husband and I a couple of times to get it right and we have not had an issue since! We love our one sized cloth diapers. 2. Not put on properly: Incorrect snapping of the diaper can lead to leaks. My husband and I had this issue when we were new to cloth. We did not understand all of the different snaps and it felt so overwhelming at times. As with the incorrect size issue above-play around! See what works best for your baby and learn how to master the snaps to make the diaper work properly. All cloth diapers are so very different! 3. Not using enough inserts/Baby is a heavy wetter: Our diapers come with two inserts-one microfiber and one hemp for extra absorption. As your baby grows, he or she will begin urinating in larger quantities so one insert only might not work for you anymore. In this case, use both of the inserts! You can also try switching to just hemp only inserts as these provide for absorbency. 4. Your inserts’ fibers are clogged and no longer absorbing: This is commonly due to residue build up and could be caused by many factors such as using too much detergent, using too little detergent, not using the right detergent, using diapers creams not specified for cloth, etc! In this case, you must strip your diapers to get them back into tip top shape. Here is how to strip your cloth diapers! 5. No prepping prior to first use was done: Prepping is a MUST before putting that new diaper on your baby’s bottom. Click here on steps to fully prepping your diapers to set them up for success!

Chapter 15: Keeping Your Washing Machine Clean

From time to time, your washing machine-the machine responsible for cleaning not only your cloth diapers, but your entire family’s laundering needs-can be subject to build up. After all, you are putting soiled and dirty things into it to be cleaned on a regular basis. Why and how does buildup happen? Residue from laundry detergents and fabric softeners can cling to the inside of your washer, causing mildew and even mold at times! Scary! To clean your washer and remove build-up, you will need two magical ingredients: Baking Soda & Vinegar!
Directions on cleaning your washer: First, run a cycle of hot water along with two cups of vinegar and add 1 cup of baking soda to loosen up the soap and grime. Remove the fabric softener receptacle and soak it in hot water and detergent. Clean the bleach dispenser with a spray cleaner, paper towels, and Q-tips. Don't forget to clean the top rim of the wash bucket which is up and under where it can't usually be seen easily. Run the washer empty on a hot cycle one more time. While this is going on, check all your hoses for leaks. Over time, the water hoses that came with your washing machine may start to leak or even burst. It is good preventive maintenance to check these hoses from time to time for any sign of wear or weakness. Most manufacturers recommend replacing hoses every 5 years. Make sure your hoses are not a disaster waiting to happen!
Once you've soaked the fabric softener receptacle, replace it and polish up the outside of your washing machine with vinegar and a cloth towel. Your washing machine now looks better and will run better as well! Please remember to do this every couple of months to prevent build up from happening over time. If you have a front loader, make sure that you leave the washer door open to ventilate and to dry out after each and every wash-this helps keep buildup at bay as well! Another tip for preventing buildup and residue is to take your clothes out immediately following the wash. I know, I know! This can be so hard to remember! As a mom, I tend to forget things-including THIS, but it is vital in keeping your machine clean! If you take good care of your washer, it will take good care of you.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You are ready to start your cloth diapering journey! We are so excited that you are curious about cloth diapering your baby and could not be happier for you. As you can see, cloth diapering not only saves you money and improves your baby’s skin, it is also helping the environment as well. You can’t beat that!