Cloth Diapering Supplies

There are several options for cloth diapers nowadays that make them extra convenient and a lot like disposable diapers. However, my viewpoint is that simple is best and price was a main criteria in my decision to cloth diaper in the first place. I tried to do this as inexpensively as possible. The cloth diapering supplies below were chosen to yield a good balance of convenience and cost, in my opinion. I haven’t regretted my decisions.

Cloth Diapers – You want something high quality and super absorbent. It’s best to find something labeled diaper service quality (DSQ). We use prefolds, but some people prefer flats or fitted diapers. Somebody gave us a couple dozen newborn size diapers, which was really handy for the first couple months if you can afford it. Those get used for such a short period of time that they would last for many kids. The diapers we bought shrunk to about 13” x 18” and I still have to fold them over in the back for our 22 lb baby, but they work fine. I started out with 3 dozen, which I think was a good amount, and am down to about 2 dozen, which is still plenty given that I don’t use them 24 hours a day. While they are not the same brand, I think they are equivalent to size “Regular 4x6x4” of the OsoCozy Indian Cotton Prefold Cloth Diapers sold on Amazon.


Snappis – These are so much easier than diaper pins for keeping the diaper closed, it’s ridiculous that someone didn’t invent these sooner.


Diaper Covers – There are all sorts of fancy diaper covers nowadays, but I wanted something straightforward that was like the rubber pants my siblings used 20 years ago, but easier. We went with Thirsties Duo-Wraps (3 in the smaller size since leaks were more common then and 2 in the bigger size). They get washed every time we wash diapers and are still holding up after 2 kids.


Diaper Pail Liner – You need something to hold all your diapers. Pee diapers go straight in here. Poop diapers we usually let air dry after being sprayed before tossing them in. The bag gets washed with the diapers. I bought two of this one by Planet Wise so I could let one air dry and still have one to use right away, but I packed one away somewhere and don’t miss it. Note that there are TONS of colors available.


Diaper Sprayer – There was a time when we didn’t have a diaper sprayer, and life is so much better now that we do. Whenever you have a poopy diaper, you just carry it to the toilet, fold it in half so the mess is on the outside and spray both sides. We bought this one by The Potty Pail and are extremely satisfied with its performance.


Oxiclean – Note that you really don’t need anything other than the sun’s rays for an exclusively breastfed baby. (See the second item in the list of lessons I’ve learned cloth diapering.) Also, with the more solid poop that falls out of the diaper, I frequently just wash diapers after they’ve been sprayed and don’t worry about very slight discoloring. However, every once in a while something will have been eaten (like blueberries) that leaves a particularly dark stain. I usually mix a little bit of Oxiclean (about a tablespoon) into about 1/2 to 1 cup of warm water, then pour it onto the stain. I usually leave the solution on overnight and then rinse it in the morning. Oxiclean is definitely my go-to stain remover.


That’s it. I just use my regular laundry detergent to wash the diapers: One cycle cold water, followed by one cycle hot, with an extra rinse, then into the dryer for a normal cotton cycle. Our babies have yet to complain. No rashes or irritation (though that may be because we need to change their diaper slightly more frequently than with disposable). I don’t think I really even need the cold cycle and extra rinse, but I read it somewhere, so I keep using it.

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