What is the best cloth diaper? Finding the best cloth diaper for you

The best cloth diaper for you is

• Easy for you to use & understand
• Fits well
• Easy for you to clean & dry
• Within your price range

You as an individual will have certain likes and dislikes so make sure that you only use this list as a place to start.

Also if you think a particular cloth diaper is the ugliest thing you’ve every seen, don’t buy that one, one of the biggest bonuses of using cloth diapers is how cute they are.

Which cloth diaper should I buy first?

First step for finding the right cloth diaper for you

First think about why you are wanting to cloth diaper.

Do you want to save money?

If you are mainly wanting to save money than starting out with an entire stash of $30-$50 cloth diapers probably isn’t the right move, unless you are very sure that they are the right brand/style for you.

Starting off with something closer to $7-$15 per cloth diaper or DIY cloth diapers would most likely be a bit better.

Are you wanting to reduce your carbon footprint?

If you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint then cloth diapers that are made in your country, from materials made in your country, and that are high quality therefore would last longer is more what your looking for.

You could also consider buying used cloth diapers for both of these reasons.

Are you trying to avoid plastics or harsh chemicals?

If your main goal is to avoid plastics and harsh chemicals then there are are tons of organic fabric cloth diapers and wool covers that are 100% natural to choose from.

While wool cloth diaper covers can be quite expensive, there are ways to to lower the cost such as buying used and making your own by either cutting up old wool sweaters/blankets or you could get 100% wool yarn and knit/crochet wool covers.

Other things to consider when looking for the right cloth diaper

How much folding are you willing to do?

If you don’t mind folding then flats and prefolds are definitely a good way to go, they are also very easy to care for and can be extremely inexpensive.

How large of a cloth diaper stash do you want to buy?

If you don’t mind buying more cloth diapers than all-in-ones or pocket diapers might be something you are interested in, when an all-in-one or a pocket diaper gets dirty the entire diaper must be changed, therefore you need more diapers.

If you want a very minimal stash then cloth diaper covers with inserts of some kind would probably be more your style.

With cloth diaper covers and inserts you only have to change the insert each time as long as the cover isn’t dirty, then after the cover is used about 3 times you switch it out for a new one.

1 cloth diaper cover + 3 inserts = 3 diaper changes!

Cloth diaper covers and inserts (especially if the insert is a flat) are also quicker to wash and dry, so once again you don’t need as many because they can be ready to use again very fast.

How much trial and error are you willing to deal with for a wash routine?

The thicker materials and inserts and synthetic fibers are harder to wash, so your wash routine needs to be more dialed in if your stash is mostly microfiber all-in-ones or even natural fiber fitted cloth diapers.

On the other hand, if your stash is mostly natural fiber flats which are one single layer of fabric that is very easy for detergent to work in and out of then you have a lot more wiggle room with your wash routine.

If you want to learn more about washing cloth diapers check out my article ” How to wash cloth diapers: Tips from a cloth diaper laundry veteran”

Which cloth diaper is easiest to use?

I would say that the pocket style cloth diaper is the easiest to use, with one flat surface to deal with during diaper changes pocket cloth diapers are very easy to maneuver.

Since pocket cloth diapers don’t have inserts flopping all over the place they can be dropped, or kicked at by older babies and toddlers and not need to be refolded.

Pocket cloth diapers having one flat surface and them being able to take some mistreatment without coming apart makes them very easy for babysitters to understand.

If you would like to learn more about the best cloth diapers for babysitters check out my article ” Easiest cloth diapers for babysitters : Options for dad, grandma & more”

Which cloth diaper is easiest to wash?

Without a doubt flat cloth diapers are the easiest to wash, since flat cloth diapers are one single layer of fabric they take less detergent, less agitation in the washing machine and less time to dry.

If you would like to learn more about flat cloth diapers check out my article on flat cloth diapers

Flat cloth diapers are also a great choice if you are handwashing your cloth diapers which makes them awesome for those who rely on laundromats or other shared laundry facilities.

If you have an interest in handwashing cloth diapers check out my YouTube playlists from the few Flats & Handwashing challenges that I participated in.

Resources

Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) from qualifying purchases made through those links. * Indicates an affiliate link

Flat cloth diapers at greenmountaindiapers.com

Cloth-eez prefolds at greenmountaindiapers.com

Flat cloth diapers at clothdiaper.com*

Walmart flour sack towels at Walmart.com

Target flour sack towels at Target.com

Green mountain diapers Workhorse fitted at greenmountaindiapers.com

Fitted cloth diapers at clothdiaper.com*

Barnyard Bums pocket diaper on barnyardbums.com