Cloth diapers are becoming increasingly popular due to their low cost, environmental friendliness and, of course, their cuteness!

 Here are some common questions people have when thinking about cloth diapering.

• Why use cloth diapers?
• Is cloth really cheaper?
• How many do you actually need?
• What kind should I get?
• What else do I need?
• How much extra work is it?
• How do I care for my cloth diapers?
• How yucky is it?
• What kind do you like best?

Why use cloth diapers? TOP
There are so many reasons! Cloth is more environmentally friendly, it costs significantly less than disposables, and they’re much cuter than disposables. And . . . it's much easier than you think!

Is cloth really cheaper? TOP

Yes!  AppleCheeks estimates that a family will save $1500 by using cloth diapers.  If you have a second child and use cloth on him or her, you save even more!  And don't forget that you can also sell your diapers when you are finished with them!

Here is a cost calculator for you to see the savings for yourself!

How many do you actually need? TOP
It depends on how often you’d want to wash your diapers. A brand new baby will need around 10 a day, while an older baby will need 6 or 7. Anywhere from 20-30 is a good number to start with, buying more for a younger baby, and less for an older baby or toddler.

What kind should I get? TOP

Prefolds:  The most economical option.  These diapers are sewn with an absorbent middle layer, so all you need to do is one or two simple folds and you’re ready to diaper your baby!  You will need a cover to make the little bum watertight, but if you use covers that “wrap” around your baby, you won’t need pins!

Pockets: Pocket diapers have a waterproof cover and stay-dry lining, with an open “pocket” to stuff in absorbent material. This makes the diapers customizable to your absorbency needs, easy to wash and quick to dry. They fasten with snaps or aplix (Velcro) More pricey than prefolds.

Fitteds: fitteds are simpler to use than prefolds, but more economical than pockets or all-in-ones. Fitted diapers are shaped (like a disposable) and then a cover is put over to prevent leaks. They can be used without a cover if you don’t need a waterproof system

All-in-ones: These diapers are most like a disposable. No inserts or separate cover needed. They are the easiest and most convenient, though they do take longer to dry.

What else do I need? TOP
Most people prefer to buy a wet bag to keep soiled diapers. An ordinary garbage can with a lid will work too. If you are using prefolds or fitteds you will need 4 - 6 covers. Most people who use cloth diapers find it easier to use cloth wipes, so it’s nice to have a few dozen wipes – baby washcloths work just fine and people get lots as baby gifts!  Liners are also popular, to make clean-up a bit easier, and to help keep baby feeling dry when using fitted or pre-fold diapers.

How much extra work is it? TOP

It's not a lot of extra work.  Honestly!  I do 2 maybe 3 loads of diapers a week. For me, it's really convenient because I never have to worry about running out, or going to buy diapers in bad weather, or shopping if I haven't showered (which happens more often than I’d like!) I also find the disposables leak a lot more than the cloth, which means washing poopy clothes anyway.

How do I care for my cloth diapers? TOP
Cloth diapers do need a little special care to keep them at their best. Different manufacturers have different recommendations, but in general:
- Store your soiled diapers in a "dry bag" or a pail. Do not leave them soaking in water.
- On wash day, dump the diapers into your washing machine on a cold cycle with no detergent. This rinses the diapers out.
- Next, do run a hot cycle with a diaper-safe detergent. The Diaper Jungle has a great list of detergents that you might want to try.

How yucky is it? TOP
It can be a little yucky sometimes, especially when babies are just starting solids. It isn’t nearly as bad as you might think, though.  Put all the dirty diapers in a bag and then throw everything in on wash day, so there's no stinky diaper pail filled with water to deal with. Some people just use a pail with a tight fitting lid.  Breastfed diapers don’t need to be rinsed at all, and once your baby is eating solids, the poop just falls off the diaper into the toilet!

An option is to buy a diaper sprayer - a cool little device that attaches easily to your toilet.  It will spray the poop right off, into the toilet.  No touching!

What kind do you like best? TOP
Oooooo, it's so hard to choose!

• At night I like bumGenius! stuffed with 2 inserts (2 microfibre or a microfibre and a hemp) or a GroVia with the booster, OR AppleCheeks with a 3-ply insert.
  
• In the car seat I like Fuzzi Bunz or AppleCheeks, particularly for tiny babies that still sit all curled up in their carrier - the snaps seem wasier on the tummy somehow.
  
• Out for the day I like AppleCheeks or GroVia, as you only have to carry the extra inserts in your diaper bag.
• For a rashy bum or a hot day I like Bamboozles without a cover.