My Obligatory Cloth Diaper Post: Part 2

I mentioned in my last cloth diapering post that making the decision to cloth diaper hasn't been nearly as painful or messy as I thought it would be. But, it does require a certain amount of organization and planning, as well as a variety of cloth diapering accessories. Everyone has their own wash routine, method of organization, and list of essentials that they can't live without. Here's mine:

The Stash 


My cloth diaper stash consists of the following:

3  Thirsties covers (size small)

12 Bummis prefolds (size medium)

2 Flip covers (one size)

12 Flip inserts (one size)

3 Little Monsters pocket diapers with microfiber inserts (one size)

6 BumGenius all in one organic diapers (one size)

After taking a cloth diapering class, I quickly realized that there are pluses and minuses to every type of cloth diaper, so I decided to get a few of each and decide which I like best. 

The prefolds with covers are definitely the least expensive, but also the most difficult to use. They have to be folded and pinned, which takes some getting used to, and can be quite challenging on a wiggly baby. 

The Flip covers and inserts are probably my favorite. These inserts require no folding or pinning, but the cover can be reused several times, which makes them very cost effective. The inserts are labeled with small, medium, and large to show where to fold according to the size of your baby. This reduces leakage and means the same liner can be used as your baby grows. Another thing I like about the Flip diapers is the variety of inserts available. Besides the regular stay-dry inserts, they also offer disposable inserts, which are great for traveling or when you're out and about, as well as extra absorbent night-time inserts. 

I haven't had any problems with my pocket diapers, but honestly I don't really see the point. They have to be stuffed before use and the insert must be removed before washing. (Removing the insert after a poop explosion without actually touching any of the poop should be made into a Minute to Win it game.) So, just like the Flips and the prefolds, there are two parts, but the shell isn't reusable. The good think about pocket diapers is that you can increase their absorbency by adding additional inserts. This is especially useful if you use cloth diapers at night. I also love the embroidered detail on the butt of these diapers. 

The Bumgenius all in one diapers are my go-to diapers. They are the closest to disposables, so if you are still on the fence about cloth diapering, I recommend stocking up on these. They are very easy to use and there are no inserts involved. However, these are also the bulkiest and the most expensive.

The Essentials

BumGenius Diaper Sprayer



This thing has been a life saver. It's easy to install and does the job. It makes washing CD that much easier. (Warning: There is a learning curve. Make sure you practice using it, or you could end up spraying yourself with poop. Or so I've been told.)


Snappis



These are used to "pin" prefolds together without having to use actual pins. They are made of super stretchy rubber and are easy to use. No sharp pins means no blood, which is good because I'm not sure I could deal with poop and blood.


Diaper Pail


This is a fancy term for plastic trashcan. Our is a simple white one from Target, but I've heard good things about the Diaper Dekor pail, which comes in several fun colors.


Pail Liner



This is essentially a huge wet bag that goes into your diaper pail and makes it easy to transfer diapers from pail to washer. These do a great job blocking out the smell and can be thrown right into the washer with the cloth diapers. Mine is the Kanga Care brand, and it has a small tab on the inside that you can use to put a drop of essential oil. I haven't tried this yet because I haven't had any problems with smell, but it was definitely a selling factor for me. I'm such a sucker.


Travel Wet Bags




I freakin' love these things. I have several different sizes and use them for all sorts of things. I keep one in my diaper bag to hold wet/soiled clothes and diapers, and there is also one hanging on the door in Rory's nursery. I throw disposable diapers, diaper liners, and dirty wipes in there and empty it every few days. Bummis and Planet Wise make great wetbags, but try Alva for a cheaper option. Rory hasn't been to our local pool yet, but these will be great for holding wet swimsuits this summer.


Diaper Liners



These aren't a necessity, but they sure do make cloth diapering a little easier (and less messy). Mine come in a roll and look a lot like dryer sheets. I just stick one in her diaper before putting it on and it does a great job catching the solids. These can the flushed or tossed in the trashcan. I usually just toss them because I get nervous about backing up the septic system. I'm sure these will be even more useful once she starts solids.


Ecos Free and Clear Laundry Detergent



This was one of my hardest CD decisions. I read blogs, message boards, and interrogated spoke to fellow CD moms before finally deciding on Ecos detergent. There are several detergents made especially for cloth diapers, but they are expensive and must be ordered online. I also wanted a detergent I could use for both regular laundry and CD, rather than having to switch back and forth. Ecos Free and Clear is free and clear of dyes, scents, and chemicals that could harm your cloth diapers or irritate baby's skin. So far, I haven't had any issues with ammonia or stink, but we're still early in the game.


BioKleen Bacout 



I love this stuff! It's made of natural enzymes and lime and does a great job eliminating stains and smells. I use it for everything. (I'm like the dad on My Big Fat Greek Wedding who was obsessed with Windex.) We literally have four bottles around the house right now. I keep one right next to the diaper pail, and before I toss a dirty diaper in the pail, I give it a quick spray to help prevent staining and ammonia buildup. I also use it on our clothing, carpet, and furniture. I'm telling you, I would bathe in it if it were socially acceptable.


Buncha Farmers Stain Stick


Just when I thought I couldn't love anything more than Bacout, a friend told me about Buncha Farmers all natural stain stick. This thing is magic. I rub a little on any left over stains, and they literally disappear. I read somewhere that you can cut off a small chunk and throw it in the wash with your CD, but I haven't tried that yet. I just placed this on automatic order on my Amazon prime account. So yeah, I guess you could say I'm slightly obsessed.


Oxiclean Baby



I was skeptical of this at first because I was worried that the chemicals would ruin the diapers or irritate Rory's skin, but Oxiclean Baby is free of harmful dyes and fragrances, and I haven't had any problems so far. I put a small scoop in with the detergent, and I think the "grit-factor" (Yes, I do believe I just made that phrase up.) helps clean the diapers and keep them nice and white.

Drying Rack 

I bought this drying contraption at Ikea for super cheap. It's perfect for drying cloth diaper clovers that can't go in the dryer, and it doesn't take up a lot of space.