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Cloth diapers can be easy to use and even enjoyable. One way to make life a bit simpler is to implement some cloth diaper hacks into your routine. If you haven’t started cloth diapering yet, you can use these hacks right from the get-go. Each of these hacks is a wonderful way to streamline your cloth diapering game.
1. Cloth Diaper Stay Dry Blanket Liner
First, I’m sharing this hack as it’s just so simple and works wonders. Also, it’s the hack that took me from experimental cloth diapering to never-looking-back cloth diapering. When I first tried cloth diapering, after about a day or two, my daughter developed a bad rash. I really wanted to continue with cloth diapers, so I was very disappointed. The moisture being on her skin was just too much despite changing her frequently.
I had heard about using a stay dry liner, and that a fleece blanket could be used as a DIY liner. Not thinking it would actually solve our problem, I gave it a go anyways. Miraculously, the DIY stay dry liner did the trick. And Little Miss became completely rash free in a couple days, and stayed that way. (She had been battling rashes since a couple weeks old.)
To make these, all you need is a cheap fleece blanket. We got ours from Walmart. Just cut pieces the size of an insert, and voila! If you would like a pattern to cut around, I have a simple one you can download (use the form below to get it for free). But, a plain rectangle will do the trick just fine.
If you are using pocket diapers or all-in-one diapers, they are usually made with a layer of fleece on the inside, so you can probably skip this hack.
2. Cloth Diaper Sprayer + Splatter Guard
From the start, I knew I wanted a sprayer if I was going to cloth diaper. The dunk and swish in the toilet method isn’t my thing. This isn’t so much a hack as it is simply an amazing tool to make life way easier. I applaud past generations and modern mamas who can dunk and swish. You are amazing!
I definitely have found the cloth diaper sprayer to be worth the price. We did part-time elimination communication, so the sprayer was great for cleaning her little potty, too. The sprayer can also double as a handheld bidet. (Never worry about toilet paper shortages again.)
Here’s where the hack part comes in.
DIY Splatter Guard
Messy diapers can be a sticky mess to clean up. Having a diaper sprayer is a total life saver. The only problem is, the spray has a tendency to fly off of the diaper and all around the room. Not very sanitary. Spraying the diapers can be done carefully with minimal mess, but a splatter guard is an inexpensive way to make cleaning up messy diapers a whole lot easier and faster. Anything to make your life less stressful as a mom is the way to go. I waited for almost two months before making a splatter guard. Oh, why did I wait so long? Don’t follow in my footsteps. You need this :).
To make your own splatter guard, you just need two small, cheap trash cans and a razor (the knife kind). Carefully, cut the bottom off of one of the trash cans (it takes about 30 seconds). Leave the other trash can whole.
To use your splatter guard, hold the bottomless trash can and the messy diaper in one hand over the toilet. With your other hand, use your sprayer to spray off the mess straight into the toilet. After you have finished spraying, you can roll the diaper down to squeeze out excess water and set aside to dry. Use your sprayer to rinse out the splatter guard, and place the splatter guard into the other trash can. That way, it doesn’t drip water all over your bathroom. Easy enough, right?
3. Onesie Extenders
If you’re baby wears a lot of onesies, this hack is just what you need.
Cloth diapers usually give babies a bit of a fluff bum. This is all fine and dandy until you realize that his or her onesies don’t fit quite as well as they used to.
When a baby wears a snug onesie, the tight crotch can cause a compression leak. A compression leak is simply a diaper leak when too much pressure is placed onto the diaper. It’s like if your holding a a wet rag and you squeeze it. The water has to go somewhere. In this case, your little one’s wee will probably leak out the leg gussets of your baby’s cloth diaper cover.
A simple solution that may help is using onesie extenders. These just snap onto your baby’s existing onesies to lengthen them to fit around that little fluff bum.
I haven’t tried these yet, but I’ve heard good things.
4. Flour Sack Towels as Cloth Diapers
I feel that everyone who is expecting or has a child in diapers should be told this. Flour sack towels can be used as diapers. They are cheap and work perfectly as a diaper.
Learning this is what encouraged me to try out cloth diapers. I didn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on cloth diapers only to discover I didn’t like them. Once I found out that flour sack towels could be used as diapers, I was all in. This can make cloth diapering a low startup cost, and perhaps, make it more affordable for everyone.
We use and love our flour sack towels everyday. I can’t recommend them enough. If you decide you don’t like them, you won’t be out much, and you can repurpose the towels.
You can use flour sack towels just as you would use a diaper flat. Flour sack towels are almost the same size as a standard diaper flat, so all of the folds you can do with a flat should work well with flour sack towels too.
Getting Started with Cloth Diapers
Thinking about trying cloth diapers, but have no clue where to begin? Check out my tips for getting started for cheap. Cloth diapering doesn’t have to be complicated. Learning a few hacks along the way makes it even simpler. Don’t forget that cloth diapering doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can use cloth and disposable diapers. Or, if cloth diapering is too overwhelming at some point, you can switch back to disposable diapers at any point. The diapers are there to serve you, not add stress. Let me know if you have any questions about cloth diapering. I’m not a pro, but I’ll do my best to help you out.
Do you have any cloth diaper hacks that you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you!
