If you’re looking for a comprehensive How to Use Cloth Diapers at Home guide, here it is! The ins, outs, and hows of using cloth diapers.
This post was inspired by a collaboration with Buttons Diapers. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
Congratulations on making one of the best decisions for your baby, your family, and your Earth by choosing to use cloth diapers! I was met with so much skepticism when I told friends and family that I was going to use cloth diapers that it almost got me down, almost. Everyone seemed to think that using cloth diapers would be way too hard, but it’s really not. That might be easy for me to say since I had 4 years of cloth diapering experience, but you’ll be saying it in no time too.
I still get emails weekly with questions about cloth diapering, which was the main inspiration for this post. Using cloth diapers is an extensive topic, so much so that I have dozens of blog posts dedicated to this very subject, but today I’m on task to write a comprehensive guide on how to use cloth diapers at home – a one post resource that will make the process easy to understand… and easy to use!
There are 3 main components to using cloth diapers at home:
- Choosing and Using Cloth Diapers
- Diaper Storage – Clean and Dirty Diapers
- Wash Routine
Buttons Cloth Diaper Cover LumberjackButtons Cloth Diapers Laundry Wet Bag
Buttons Cloth Diapers Inserts
Buttons Disposable Bamboo Diaper Liners (100 Count)
Let’s get started by examining these three subjects more closely so you can feel like cloth diapering at home will be a great success for you and your baby!
Choosing and Using Cloth Diapers
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make when you decide to cloth diaper is the type of diapers you’ll use, as well as the brand you choose. While there are many different brands and types out there, I usually recommend Buttons Cloth Diapers as the best cloth diapers for new parents. There’s a few reasons for that including: ease of use, lower start-up cost [because of the All-in-Two system and the fact that they are One Size Diapers], and the fact that they really work and absorb well for both day and night time.
Buttons Diapers recommend that you invest in 8-10 covers, 18-24 inserts, and 2-3 doublers. This amount will be enough to cloth diaper your child from birth to potty training, saving you thousands of dollars over using disposable diapers! You can read more about using the Buttons Cloth Diapers system and how they work here.
Using Cloth Wipes
Another great choice to make when you are using cloth diapers at home is choosing to use cloth wipes as well.
Cloth wipes are just as easy as disposables, really they are. I keep a basket of wipes on our changing table and a small spray bottle of my favorite cloth wipes solutions. I simply toss my wipes right into the diaper pail after a diaper change and wash them with my diapers so they really aren’t any extra work at all. Buttons Diapers Cloth Wipes are some of the softest cloth wipes we have!
Storing Clean Cloth Diapers
This is perhaps the fun part of cloth diapering and one that I take great pride in. When you see all of those cute, clean diaper covers lined up, you’ll get excited too! I’ve changed up my method for storing cloth diapers many times – from drawer totes, to cute baskets so our fluff could be displayed, to drawer systems.
I find the most important part of storing your clean diapers is… accessibility and ease. I like to stuff my cloth diapers right out of the dryer so they’re ready to go when I need them. I also like to have all my accessories on hand right at the changing table to make using cloth diapers easier and fast, which is exactly what you need when you’re changing a baby’s diaper!
Storing Dirty Cloth Diapers
This is where things get interesting because once cloth diapers are dirty, what do you do with them? There are 2 main ways to store dirty cloth diapers. The first is in a cloth diaper pail, like the one seen above. That’s my favorite diaper pail ever and it’s actually a trash can like this one with a Buttons Diapers pail liner. I definitely recommend having 2 pail liners so you always have a clean one because when you go to wash your cloth diapers, you simply empty the pail liner in your washing machine along with your diapers. You really can be pretty hands-off when it comes to dirty cloth diapers.
Buttons Cloth Diapers Laundry Wet Bag
If space doesn’t allow you to have a full diaper pail, you can always use a hanging wet/dry bag like this one. Even if you use a pail, I’d recommend having a large wet bag too because they make the perfect diaper pail when you’re traveling!
To avoid stains and get the best wash, you should always shake solids off the diaper insert into your toilet before placing them in either a wet bag or diaper pail.
Cloth Diaper Wash Routine
One great thing about the Buttons Cloth Diaper system is that it’s a cover and inserts system meaning you can reuse the covers a couple of times before they have to be washed, as long as they aren’t soiled. That means you’ll have less cloth laundry than you would with other diaper types.
While that may be true, you will find yourself washing cloth diapers at least every 3 days. I never went more than that because the longer your diapers stay dirty, the more likely you’ll have issues getting them clean. The main thing I want you to take from my cloth diaper washing routine is… don’t complicate things! Once I quit complicating things, I had clean diapers.
My front loader washing routine goes like this:
- Warm Rinse with no detergent, no spin.
- Warm/Warm Wash with Tide powder detergent [1 load size amount] with extra rinse.
- Cold Rinse.
Yes, I use Tide to wash my cloth diapers. There are a few different detergents that are made specifically for cloth diapers, but I found I had issues with smells after using them for a few weeks. Once I uncomplicated my wash routine and switched to Tide for my cloth diaper laundry, I had clean, good smelling diapers.
Cloth Diapers on the Go
While this post is all about how to use cloth diapers at home, there will be some point that you actually have to leave your house. While long day trips or even over night trips tend to need a lot more thought, a quick errand trip doesn’t.
This is another reason that Buttons Diapers make a great choice for cloth diapering systems. There’s no need to pack your diaper bag with 2-3 bulky cloth diapers just in case when you have to run out for just a bit. An extra cover [if you’re like me and like to prepare for the worst case scenario], an insert or 2, and a small wet bag is all you need!
While I know learning to use anything new can seem overwhelming at first, don’t let cloth diapers be! Learn how to use cloth diapers at home to make cloth diapering your baby a success.
Clarice A. says
We have a newly adopted 13 year old daughter whom we have had for two months now and we are using just the plain white,pin on cloth diapers on her with adult size plastic pants over them,24/7,due to her daytime wetting accidents and her bedwetting.Her diapers are the Gerber flat in the 24×27 inch size and i get the diaper pins at walmart.Her plastic pants are in pastels and nursery prints and fit her blousy over the diapers for comfort.It would be great if they made the diapers shown above in teen sizes,but so far i have not seen any on the market.
PAULA BROWN says
I love the ideal of using cloth diapers. They have really came a long wat to just the plain white cloth diapers.
Megan says
Love this post!! Can you please tell me which kind of Tide detergent you are using? Thanks in advance!
Cherise says
I would like to buy the trash can you recommended, but the link sends me to an Amazon listing for only the lid. Anyway, I’m curious if you use the 35 qt or 50 qt trash can? Also, any idea if the Planet Wise pail liners would fit the trash can properly? I have two already, from my first child, and I don’t want to buy others if I don’t have to. Thanks in advance.
Lindsey G. says
Hi Cherise! Thanks for your comments and questions. I didn’t realize I linked only to the lid – thanks for the heads up. I found a couple of similar ones on Amazon to what I have, but they’re way more expensive than Walmart. Here’s a very similar one on Walmart.com – http://bit.ly/2ot3SON. It looks like I have about a 50 quart and your Planet Wise pail liners should fit fine! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Breanne says
I would choose Picnic.
Danielle says
The Critter print is just adorable!
janie vezina says
enter another giveaway entry for 2/01 should be http://soeasybeinggreen-blog.com/2017/01/mommy-huge-giveaway.
Charla says
Afternoon Tea
Rachel says
I would choose Picnic!
Jessica Lodge says
I would choose Critter. I have one buttons diaper in green that I really love!
Jan Kam says
I’d love to try Diaper Cover – One Size – Afternoon Tea
Sarah Moreno says
I just LOVE the Charming print – so cute! And thank you for this amazing tutorial. As a first time mom expecting twins, my husband and I really want to do cloth diapers to save money and the environment and we can use all the tips we can get. This guide simplifies everything so much, it’s fantastic!
Dandi D says
They are all so cute, but I would probably pick the Santa Fe print.
Filesha says
Would love to win! All of the prints and solids are so cute! If I won I would probably pick sea breeze or tangerine.
andee fischer says
I love Meadow. My favorite print.
Daria Evans-Walker says
My little loves fire trucks (really all kinds of trucks) so Hero would be our choice.
Joy L says
Charming–cute for girl or boy
janie vezina says
i would choose maverick or charming
janie vezina says
i didnt realize my daughters pinterest account was on when i put the link. heres my link https://www.pinterest.com/rainbows2pandas/ for entry janie vezina
Amanda Lea says
I would choose the acres print!
Elesha Davidson says
It’s a tough decision but I would have to go with Acres.
Shelly says
I would choose critter.
Robijn Cain says
I would have to choose acres if I won, they’re all so cute though!
Ellisha DeWitt says
I would choose Marina <3
Linda says
I would choose the Ahoy for my trail colour.
Amanda A. says
I have one Buttons diaper and love it. Would love to win another. I would choose Hero if I win.
barbara parker says
I just bought some Buttons for my first grandchild and I love them. I only have solid colors so I would pick the critters print.
Jaime Raney says
They are so easy to get clean and super cute.
Darlene Carbajal says
I like the Charming print.
Valerie G says
I would choose rosebud!!
Kristin says
Ahoy… Plumage… Picnic… Sunshine… there are so many I’d love to add to my stash! (On a different note, in the link to your wipes solution, tea tree oil and lemongrass oil are not recommended for topical use on children under two… please ALWAYS be cautious when using essential oils, especially on children, natural does not equal safe.)
Wendy says
So many adorable prints! Love Acres, Critter and Midnight, among others.
Tiffany G says
I love the Acres print. Brings me back to my childhood 🙂
Kaela says
Would love the afternoon tea!
Anna says
The plaid would be great for this cozy winter we are having.
Jessie Hughes says
So many great prints! I think I’d choose Santa Fe
Dawn Jones says
I like the Courage Print.
KaySue says
I would choose the Courage print.
sherry blamer says
i would choose the acre print.
Jeannie Collins says
I live afternoon tea, but might pick a more neutral solid.
Marie Lowther says
If I won I would probably have my husband pick which one we would get. I would want to buy them all instead, so adorable!
hannah says
I’d probably pick the Ahoy! print, so blue!
Rachel Fuller says
I’d choose Critter or Noble or Meadow…..Hahaha! They are Adorable! Fingers crossed. Great post too! We are going to be newbies at this any day now so this was great!
Holly MacRitchie says
Your right, it is very hard to choose! I would pick the Plumage print
Calvin F. says
I’d choose the Thicket.
Amber Collier says
Acres is adorable! Having my first boy in May (after two girls!) and love the farming print!
Sarah Hayes says
Id like to have rosebud
Melissa A. says
I am in love with Acres. My Uncle has a farm and he would love seeing his great nephew in that print!
Dee Hadley says
I would like the strawberry.
Kelsey says
Either Thicket or Picnic…I can’t decide!
Bianca Munoz says
Kaleidoscope! Thank you!
Kara L. Menzel says
I have had my eye on Santa Fe for awhile – Sherwood is my favorite, can’t wait to get it OTB!!!
Kayla Nau says
I love the picnic print. We are team green with baby #3 due in 7 DAYS!!! I think the picnic print is totally my style and is pretty gender neutral. I’m not going to lie I’m pretty obsessed with that print!!
Danielle S says
We’re waiting to find out our baby’s sex until s/he’s born in June, so I’d probably choose something neutral like Sunshine or Sea Breeze!
Jessica Palomino says
I’d choose Plumage.
Amber Ludwig says
I love Kaleidoscope!! So super cute!!
Stella K says
If I won I’d choose the Courage print!
Ashley Chassereau Parks says
I would choose Santa Fe or Afternoon Tea!! Love Buttons Diapers prints & colors!
Hannah Avery says
I love the Marina! So cute!