Cloth Diapering can get messy, no pun intended. This is a newbies guide to help you understand the necessities to start Cloth Diapering!

Starting to Cloth Diaper, comes with a learning curve for sure. My prayer for you is that you leave this post and you understand what items you need to start cloth diapering.

This site may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

The Necessities to start Cloth Diapering?

• Diapers (14+)
• Inserts (20+)
• Wet Bag (3)
• Laundry Detergent
• Diaper Sprayer or Kitchen Gloves
• Clothes Hanger or Clothesline
• Storage Tote

WHAT CLOTH DIAPERS SHOULD I USE?

When I started cloth diapering I was super blessed and had a friend give to me about 5 different types of cloth diapers. First off, I had ZERO idea that there were even different kinds of cloth diapers. However, this was super helpful. It gave me the opportunity to find what type of diapers I prefer. It really comes down to preference, I personally prefer these two types of diapers: Grovia Hybrid and Charlie Banana Pocket.

The different types of Cloth Diapers:

• Flat Cloth Diapers
• Pre-fold Cloth Diapers
• Fitted Cloth Diapers (These are used over flat or pre-folds)
• Pocket Cloth Diapers Charlie Banana or Nora’s Nursery
• All in One Cloth Diapers: Grovia AIO Diapers
• Hybrid Cloth Diapers: Grovia Hybrid Diapers

REASONS I LOVE GROVIA HYBRID CLOTH DIAPERS: I enjoy the simplicity and easy maintenance. They are designed to wash once without soaking and you can just change the insert instead of the entire diaper. The con, they tend to be a touch more bulky.

REASONS I LOVE CHARLIE BANANA POCKET DIAPERS: These diapers are less bulky and absorb super, super well. They are easy to stuff the inserts and take less room in the diaper bag. The con, I do not always love to take the time to stuff the diapers.

DIFFERENCES IN INSERTS

When you purchase cloth diapers, most of the time they will come with the inserts that work best with the diaper you purchase. I 90% of the time use the inserts that come with the diapers. However, there are different reasons to use different materials in your cloth diapering journey.

• Cotton– It is affordable and absorbent.
• Bamboo– Super soft, wicks moisture away from your baby to keep them comfortable for longer.
• Microfiber– Absorbent, light weight and fast drying. To be used in pocket diapers so there is a barrier between your babies skin. If there isn’t a barrier, it can be super drying.
• Hemp- Durable and super absorbent.
• Disposable– Super easy to clean a poop-y accident. Made to be thrown away. Great if you are out and about and you don’t want to carry around a smelly diaper.

WET BAGS

Wet bags are a necessity, this is where you will store your wet diapers. I like to have three wet bags to place in the areas I will be changing diapers. I like to stash one wet bag in the nursery, one in my diaper bag and one in the bathroom. There are some SUPER cute wet bags! I ordered these off of Amazon and they work super well.

HOW TO CARE FOR CLOTH DIAPERS

STEP BY STEP WASHING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. If your baby is drinking formula or eating solids make sure to have the diaper as clean from hard(er) poop as possible.
2. Make sure to separate the insert from the cloth diaper before throwing it in the wash.
3. Wash twice, once with cold water with no detergent and then the second time with hot water and detergent. DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENERS.
4. Hang dry the diapers. DO NOT PUT THE COVERS IN THE DRYER.
5. If you are in a pinch, you can dry your inserts, just make sure to dry them on low heat.

HAND SPRAYER OR KITCHEN GLOVES

Okay, listen up y’all, I use the Kitchen Glove method to clean poop-y diapers…. not because it is preferred but because we have three older boys running around the house under the age of 8 and I rather not flood the bathroom. With that being said, I do not want to be touching poop. I love my babies but using my bare hand to scrape poop off of a cloth diaper is not my preference.. so some big ol’ kitchen gloves come in handy.

• Kitchen Gloves
• Diaper Sprayer

DETERGENT

I’ve been making my own laundry detergent for about two years now, because it is free from all of the things that cause build up on cloth diapers, I just use it. However, not everyone wants to buy special laundry detergent. Here are a couple of detergents I have heard great things about!

NEVER EVER use fabric softeners on your cloth diapers, it creates build up and makes your cloth diapers less absorbent.

• Grovia Mighty Bubbles
• Tide Free and Gentle
• Homemade Detergent (recipe here)

HANGERS OR CLOTHESLINE

My all time favorite way to dry cloth diapers is on the clothesline, but in Nebraska the clothesline is not always an option. Which is why I use the hanger method six-months of the year, gotta love Nebraska. Fun fact, drying cloth diaper covers and inserts are super duper hard on them. It affects the absorbency and the length of time the diapers will hold up which is why I hang dry them.

STORAGE TOTE

Mommas, I just want to know if you have this unrealistic expectation that everything in your home will have a place? Because I totally do! I am in the midst of trying to let go of that control and realize with kids, things are SUPPOSED to be messy. Their little minds are creating, and imaginations are being used and a perfect organized home will happen some day… just not today. However, to keep everything easily accessible for diaper changes, I keep everything in a little storage container. I keep the stuffed cloth diapers, wipes, and a wet bag in the container so it is ready to grab and change a diaper. I have found this to be super helpful and gives the cloth diapers a place in our home. This is the storage tote I use.

I hope this has helped you understand what you need to get started and remember, you dont have to go 100%! Start by getting six cloth diapers and a wet bag and build your stash as you go!

xoxo-Mikala Mae