This page provides an overview of cloth diapering. If you'd like to learn more about cloth diapers by attending a free cloth diapering workshop, please see our workshop schedule and sign-up page here.
Types of cloth diapers
Gone are the days when cloth diapers simply meant a rectangular piece of cotton folded and pinned around the baby's bottom and covered by plastic or nylon pants. While such traditional cloth diapering methods are still used, cloth diapering has changed dramatically over the last 20 years, evolving into a dizzying array of choices and materials. However, between all of the options, the basics are still the same — each diapering system comprises an absorbent material (typically made of cotton, bamboo, hemp, microterry, or a combination thereof), and a waterproof outer layer (such as PUL — polyurethane laminate, fleece or wool).
Flats and prefolds
The traditional method of diapering involves a rectangular piece of absorbent material, either a flat or a prefold, which is wrapped around baby's bum, and fastened in place using pins or other fasteners. While a "flat" is simply a rectangular piece of material that is folded prior to placing on baby's bum, a "prefold" has already been folded, and is layered and sewed so that the center strip has more layers for increased absorbency where it is needed. After putting on a flat or prefold diaper, a waterproof diaper cover is placed over top. The old school method of diapering is generally the most economical method of diapering, since flats and prefolds are generally inexpensive, and the inside of the diaper cover can generally be wiped down, allowing it to be used for multiple diaper changes.
The traditional method of diapering involves a rectangular piece of absorbent material, either a flat or a prefold, which is wrapped around baby's bum, and fastened in place using pins or other fasteners. While a "flat" is simply a rectangular piece of material that is folded prior to placing on baby's bum, a "prefold" has already been folded, and is layered and sewed so that the center strip has more layers for increased absorbency where it is needed. After putting on a flat or prefold diaper, a waterproof diaper cover is placed over top. The old school method of diapering is generally the most economical method of diapering, since flats and prefolds are generally inexpensive, and the inside of the diaper cover can generally be wiped down, allowing it to be used for multiple diaper changes.
Fitted
Fitted diapers are made of multiple layers of absorbent layer cut in a contoured shape and sewn together. Fitted diapers have elastics sewn around the leg openings, and closures (hook and loop fasteners or snap fasteners) for securing the diaper. Once the fitted diaper is placed and secured on the baby, a waterproof diaper cover is placed over the fitted diaper. The inside of the diaper cover can generally be wiped down for reuse over multiple changes.
Fitted diapers are made of multiple layers of absorbent layer cut in a contoured shape and sewn together. Fitted diapers have elastics sewn around the leg openings, and closures (hook and loop fasteners or snap fasteners) for securing the diaper. Once the fitted diaper is placed and secured on the baby, a waterproof diaper cover is placed over the fitted diaper. The inside of the diaper cover can generally be wiped down for reuse over multiple changes.
Pocket diapers
Pocket diapers are cut in a contoured shape and have an outer waterproof layer (typically PUL) and an inner wicking or absorbent layer (e.g. microfleece, suedecloth, athletic wicking material, cotton or bamboo velour) that is in contact with the baby's skin. The space between the outer and inner layers provides a pocket, accessible through an opening either at the back or front of the diaper. The pocket is stuffed with one or more absorbent diaper inserts, such as bamboo, hemp, cotton, or microfibre inserts. The pocket diaper includes closures (hook and loop fasteners or snap fasteners) to secure the diaper in place around the baby's bum, and elastics around the leg openings.
Pocket diapers are cut in a contoured shape and have an outer waterproof layer (typically PUL) and an inner wicking or absorbent layer (e.g. microfleece, suedecloth, athletic wicking material, cotton or bamboo velour) that is in contact with the baby's skin. The space between the outer and inner layers provides a pocket, accessible through an opening either at the back or front of the diaper. The pocket is stuffed with one or more absorbent diaper inserts, such as bamboo, hemp, cotton, or microfibre inserts. The pocket diaper includes closures (hook and loop fasteners or snap fasteners) to secure the diaper in place around the baby's bum, and elastics around the leg openings.
All-in-ones
All-in-ones (AIOs) are a one-piece diapering system featuring a diaper with an external waterproof layer attached to absorbent layers of fabric, and closures and elastics around the leg openings. AIOs are similar in some respects to pocket diapers, except that for AIOs the absorbent materials are sewn into the diaper and cannot be removed. While AIOs may be easier to use than pocket diapers because they do not require the step of stuffing a pocket with an insert, AIOs take longer to dry then pocket diapers because the absorbent materials cannot be removed. AIOs and pocket diapers (pre-stuffed) are as easy to put on as a disposable diaper, and for this reason, are generally the most daycare or babysitter-friendly cloth diapering option.
All-in-ones (AIOs) are a one-piece diapering system featuring a diaper with an external waterproof layer attached to absorbent layers of fabric, and closures and elastics around the leg openings. AIOs are similar in some respects to pocket diapers, except that for AIOs the absorbent materials are sewn into the diaper and cannot be removed. While AIOs may be easier to use than pocket diapers because they do not require the step of stuffing a pocket with an insert, AIOs take longer to dry then pocket diapers because the absorbent materials cannot be removed. AIOs and pocket diapers (pre-stuffed) are as easy to put on as a disposable diaper, and for this reason, are generally the most daycare or babysitter-friendly cloth diapering option.
All-in-twos
All-in-twos (AI2) are a hybrid between two styles of diapering. Typically they can either be used as a pocket diaper, wherein a pocket is stuffed with an absorbent insert, or as a diaper cover, wherein an absorbent insert is snapped or laid on top of the diaper cover and can be swapped for a new insert once wet, while reusing the diaper cover.
All-in-twos (AI2) are a hybrid between two styles of diapering. Typically they can either be used as a pocket diaper, wherein a pocket is stuffed with an absorbent insert, or as a diaper cover, wherein an absorbent insert is snapped or laid on top of the diaper cover and can be swapped for a new insert once wet, while reusing the diaper cover.
Cloth diaper sizing
Commercially available cloth diapers are often one-size diapering systems which feature diapers in a single size that accommodates a baby from approximately 8 lbs (newborn) to 35 lbs in weight. A one-size diaper typically has rows of snaps on the front panel so that you can adjust the rise of the diapers as the baby grows. However, one-size diapers may not really fit small babies or larger toddlers, so in some cases a multi-size diaper system (e.g. a smaller size for newborns and a larger size for babies/toddlers) may be preferable.
Cleaning diapers
After changing a diaper, place the wet diaper in a dry diaper pail (that may be lined with a wetbag) or in a wetbag (i.e a waterproof cloth bag). If the baby is eating solids then you will need to dump or spray any poop into the toilet prior to placing the diaper in the pail or wetbag. You can get a diaper sprayer or bidet sprayer that connects to your toilet to make this task easier. This and other options for transferring poop into the toilet are discussed in our blog post here.
To wash, dump the wetbag and its contents into your washing machine. Pull any diaper inserts out of diaper pockets prior to washing. To avoid bacteria build-up, you should not go more than 2 or 3 days before laundering soiled cloth diapers.
The basic recommended wash routine is as follows:
1. Run a pre-wash cold or warm rinse, optionally with a little bit of detergent.
2. Run a long hot water wash cycle. Start by using the amount of detergent that is recommended on the detergent packaging for your type of machine, and adjust as needed for your routine. For example, high efficiency front loaders will generally require less detergent than top loaders. If you are using a mainstream detergent, you may need to use less detergent as compared to a more natural detergent. Potentially useful additives to your wash routine include small amounts of oxygenated (non-chlorine) bleach, vinegar and/or baking soda.
3. Run two cold or warm rinses.
4. Line dry or tumble dry the diapers, inserts and wetbag.
Have any questions? Need cloth diapering support or troubleshooting? Our circle is here to help achieve success in your family's cloth diapering initiatives. You can see our schedule and sign up here to attend one of our upcoming cloth diaper circle meetings or cloth diapering workshops held at various locations within metro Vancouver.
To wash, dump the wetbag and its contents into your washing machine. Pull any diaper inserts out of diaper pockets prior to washing. To avoid bacteria build-up, you should not go more than 2 or 3 days before laundering soiled cloth diapers.
The basic recommended wash routine is as follows:
1. Run a pre-wash cold or warm rinse, optionally with a little bit of detergent.
2. Run a long hot water wash cycle. Start by using the amount of detergent that is recommended on the detergent packaging for your type of machine, and adjust as needed for your routine. For example, high efficiency front loaders will generally require less detergent than top loaders. If you are using a mainstream detergent, you may need to use less detergent as compared to a more natural detergent. Potentially useful additives to your wash routine include small amounts of oxygenated (non-chlorine) bleach, vinegar and/or baking soda.
3. Run two cold or warm rinses.
4. Line dry or tumble dry the diapers, inserts and wetbag.
Have any questions? Need cloth diapering support or troubleshooting? Our circle is here to help achieve success in your family's cloth diapering initiatives. You can see our schedule and sign up here to attend one of our upcoming cloth diaper circle meetings or cloth diapering workshops held at various locations within metro Vancouver.
