The lowdown on cloth diapering accessories

When you decide to cloth diaper, the basics are pretty simple; you need some type of cloth diaper. However, there are a lot of hidden extras that can add up. Some to me are necessary, but others just make life a whole lot easier.

Here is a list of accessories you might want to consider if deciding to cloth diaper:

My Planetwise small, medium, and hanging wetbags.

1. Wet bags: These handy bags are your way of transporting dirty diapers home when out in the real world. I have small, medium, and a large hanging wet bag. I would say my small wet bags are completely unnecessary. I never use them. The kind I have are pretty small and it is hard to stuff a diaper in them. However, if I ever decide to use cloth wipes on the go, small wet bags are perfect for this. You just need to wet a few wipes stuff them in the bag and you are good to go.

My medium bag is my everyday diaper bag companion. I would say that it would hold 5-6 of my pocket diapers easily with maybe being able to stuff a one or two more if needed. I would say that if you only get one wet bag get a medium size one. It will get you through most everything.

My large hanging wet bag is what we use when we travel. It will fit 2 or 3 days of diapers in it. I have heard of some people using a hanging wet bag as their daily dirty diaper pail, but I think that it is a little awkward to get the diaper in the bag. You have to unzip and zip the bag each time. Sometimes trying to do this one handed makes it quite the pain, but for traveling, it is great.

My best recommendation for wet bags is to buy ones that zip up. I have a cheap drawstring one I got for free that the drawstring actually came out in the wash. I use it though to transport diapers from the toilet back to the dirty diaper pail.

If wet bags are not in your budget a cheap alternative is to use Ziploc bags.

2. Laundry detergent: Cloth diapers are a little finicky about detergent types. You have to make sure what you are washing your diapers in is cloth diaper safe. There are a lot of options out there, but just make sure that yours works. Here is a video from Smartipants on some of the detergents that work:

I use a detergent she doesn't mention called Allen's Naturally. I use it on all of our clothes, including Calan's. And being from Michigan, it is a big perk to me that it is made in Novi. Rockin' Green detergent is probably the most talked about on blogs and forums that I follow. I have never tried it, but if you have hard water, I have heard the Hard Rock formula is great. (Hard water can make cloth diapers smell over time.)

3. Diaper Cream: When you cloth diaper, you can't just go the regular Destin or A&D diaper cream route. They can make your diapers repel, causing you leaks. There are a lot of cloth diaper safe options out there. We use Grandma El's Diaper Rash Remedy and Prevention. It can be pricey though. At my local cloth diaper shop it is $15 for 3.5 oz. container and that lasts me probably less then a month.

I was able to find online a recipe for your own cloth diapering safe cream. I might just have to try that soon!

4. Cloth Wipes and Wipe Solution: If you decide to cloth wipe, there are a lot of options out there. Basically you just need a wet cloth. Yes, some materials are better than others, but really they can be anything. I did buy these cheap flannel wipes and they work great, but I'll say it again, anything will work. Cut up an old t-shirt or receiving blanket (might have to stitch edges to reduce fraying) and you have plenty of free wipes.

With cloth wipes, you will need some way to wet them down. My mom used just water on me, so I am sure that will work, but if you are like me, you might want something that it is a little more soothing to your baby's behind. I use these honey chunks that I found at my local diaper store. I fill a 2-cup glass measuring cup, drop a cube in, toss it in the microwave for 3 minutes, let it cool, and poof instant solution that I pour into a plastic container that I have on Calan's changing table. The one $7 bag I bought before Calan was born is just now running out. I think I have 2 cubes left. There are a lot of homemade recipes online. Just do a quick google search and a ton come up.

5. Diaper Sprayer: I have mentioned this one before, but it really is a great accessory. Yes, you don't necessarily need it, but boy does it make life easier. I would not cloth diaper without my diaper sprayer.

6. Doublers, soakers, and liners: Doublers and soakers are just extra material to stuff in your diapers to make them more absorbent. If you use prefolds, these might be a necessity for you, but for me, I bought way too many before Calan was born. I have about six and I use 2 on a regular basis for night time. These are definitely just an accessory and I wouldn't buy any until you think you might need one.

Liners are usually flushable options to help with poop clean up. I have never used liners before, but I have heard that they can keep your cloth diapers safe if you have to use extra diaper cream that might cause some repelling issues later. There are also fleece liners out there. People might use these at night since the fleece wicks moisture away leaving the baby feeling dry overnight. I have never used liners and not sure if I ever will. I think this is another accessory to just buy on a need to use basis.