What are cloth diapers? How do they work?

Cloth diapers consist of two parts: a waterproof shell and an absorbent part. There are several different systems (e.g., pocket diapers, all-in-one, prefold diapers, etc.), but these two components must always be present. Everything on a cloth diaper can be washed in the washing machine (with the exception of some wool/silk products). Therefore, it is a diaper made of fabric, designed to be used over and over again. Read more here about different systems!

Is it complicated to use cloth diapers?

No! Today's cloth diapers are very similar to disposable diapers in their construction. There are complete diapers that you use and then take off in one piece. The difference from disposable diapers is that instead of throwing the used diaper in the trash, you put it in the laundry basket.

Do cloth diapers smell bad?

No! On the contrary, cloth diapers are very effective at containing the smell of urine and feces. With proper handling of the laundry, they actually don't smell at all, which is much less than disposable diapers.

Is it expensive to use cloth diapers?

Cloth diapers have a higher initial cost, but in the long run, you can save many, many thousands of currency units! Read more here about how much money you can save.

How many cloth diapers do you need for full-time use?

Det beror på hur ofta du vill tvätta, men tvättar man ungefär var tredje dag och byter åtta blöjor om dagen behöver du cirka 24 blöjor (pocketblöjor). Kanske ett par extra för tvättdagen, då det tar ett tag för blöjorna att torka. Vi kan även tycka att det är smidigt att ha några extra blöjor och rekommenderar därför 25-35 blöjor. Vill man använda vikblöjor med skal, så behövs det runt 30 vikblöjor och ungefär 3 PUL-skal. Vi kan dock rekommendera att även köpa några inlägg, för att kunna boosta vikblöjorna vid behov. 

Can you tumble dry cloth diapers?

Yes, all parts that do not contain PUL can be tumble dried on low heat. This means that inserts, prefold diapers, and fitted diapers can be tumble dried. However, it may wear out the products, so it is recommended to air dry them after washing. If you find that the inserts become stiff when air-dried, you can soften them by twisting them in their dry state or sitting on them. This is not necessary, as they work just as well even if they are stiff. 

How old should the baby be to start using cloth diapers?

You can use cloth diapers from birth, even directly at the hospital if you want! There is no age limit for when you should start or stop using cloth diapers. Today, there are so many different systems and sizes available that you will definitely find something that suits your baby. 

How long can a cloth diaper be used before it needs to be changed?

Depending on the type of insert you have, the diaper can stay on for different lengths of time. Of course, it also depends on whether the baby is breastfed/formula-fed, eating solid food, how often and how much the baby urinates. But with a combination of a cotton/bamboo insert plus a hemp insert from Green Poppy, the diaper can stay on for about 2-4 hours. 

How do you know when to change the diaper? Is there something like those indicator lines on disposable diapers?

No, there isn't. The easiest way to know if the baby has urinated is to feel inside the diaper with a finger. A cloth diaper doesn't expand in the same way as a disposable diaper does when the baby urinates, but it may feel a bit more "spongy" from the outside; you learn to recognize this over time.

How do you wash cloth diapers?

In the washing machine! Okay, jokes aside, but it's actually very simple. Everything on the cloth diaper can be washed; you separate any inserts from the shell and then wash them in the washing machine. You can wash all diapers separately or wash them occasionally with your regular laundry. Read more here about washing instructions..

Are cloth diapers better than disposables?

On that question, we have only one answer - YES! Read more here about why you should choose cloth diapers. 

What do you do with the poop when using cloth diapers?

The big poop question! Simplified: the poop should go where all poop should go – in the toilet! As long as the child is only breastfeeding or getting formula, the poop is water-soluble and dissolves in the washing machine, which means you can wash the diapers without doing anything about the poop. When the poop is more solid and the child starts eating food, you can either tip it off the diaper into the toilet or scrape it off. You can also use disposable liners to make changing easier. Read our comprehensive poop guide here!

Why are cloth diapers more environmentally friendly than disposable diapers?

Less plastic is used in the production of cloth diapers compared to disposable diapers. Cloth diapers and inserts are largely made of natural materials, such as cotton, bamboo, hemp, and wool. Reusing a product is more sustainable for the environment than products that are used once and then thrown away. Did you know that it takes 450 years for nature to break down a disposable diaper? Read more here about why you should choose to use cloth diapers!

Is it environmentally friendly to use the washing machine so often?

A modern washing machine is environmentally friendly enough that even if it's not entirely gentle on the environment, it's much kinder than the production of disposable diapers. The production of disposable diapers requires a lot of plastic and oil-based products, substances that we know are harmful to the environment.

The child gets a red rash from disposable diapers, what can I do?

Switch to cloth diapers! Many parents tell how they switch from plastic disposable diapers to cloth diapers and get rid of diaper rashes. Why? It's not entirely clear, but cloth diapers breathe more and contain fewer synthetic materials than disposable diapers do. If the child gets a red rash when using cloth diapers, please read our guide on diaper rashes.

How many inserts should you place in one diaper?

There's no simple answer to that question, it varies a bit. It depends on how often you want to change, how much the baby urinates, and what materials your inserts are made of. Our favorite combo is a quick-absorbing insert made of cotton/bamboo, with a hemp insert underneath (just like the ones included in our pocket diapers).