The Complete Cloth Diapering Shopping List (Everything You Actually Need — No Fluff… Except the Diapers)

If you’re thinking about cloth diapering but feel slightly overwhelmed by all the different types, inserts, covers, snaps, washing routines, and adorable prints you suddenly want to buy at 2 a.m…

Congrats.

You’re officially one of us now.

But let’s slow down before you accidentally buy 42 diapers “just to try.” You really only need a handful of basics to cloth diaper full-time without losing your sanity. This guide breaks down exactly what to buy, why you need it, and how much of each thing makes life easier.

Grab a coffee (or reheat the same one from this morning), and let’s dive in.

First: How Many Diapers Do You Even Need?

Short answer: 18–24 diapers for full-time cloth diapering if you plan to wash every 2–3 days.

Long answer: See above.

Really, that’s it.

The Complete Cloth Diapering Shopping List

Below is the “no-fluff” version — as in, no overbuying, no unnecessary gadgets, no $80 diaper that claims to be “life-changing.” (Spoiler: It is not.)

1. Your Diapers (Pick One System – Your Sanity Will Thank You)

There are three main types that are beginner-friendly:

Option A: Pocket Diapers

• 18–24 pocket diapers

• 18–24 inserts (microfiber, cotton, bamboo, or hemp)

Pocket diapers are the minivan of the cloth world: practical, affordable, and they get the job done without complaining.

I personally used prefolds with my baby, but after researching cloth diapers endlessly, these are the ones I would have picked: Pocket Diaper. These are great because they grow with baby, meaning you don't need to buy a bigger size as baby grows, and they use all-natural fabric where the diaper touches baby.

Option B: All-In-One (AIO) Diapers

• 18–24 AIO diapers

Closest to disposables. No stuffing, no pieces to keep track of. They’re a little slower to dry and the most expensive in cloth diapers, but are great for beginners who want the least to fuss with. I love these, again, because they are one-size and use natural fabric where the diaper touches baby. There are also synthetic fiber options that are less expensive.

Option C: Covers + Inserts/Prefolds

• 6–8 waterproof covers

• 18–24 inserts or prefolds

• 6–12 fitted nighttime diapers (optional but amazing)

This is the budget-friendly setup. Think “mix-and-match,” but for baby bums.

The brand above is my trusted go-to, which I used on my baby. I cannot say enough good things: they are all-natural; no synthetic fibers touching baby's skin, and there are options of bleached or unbleached cotton.

Pro Tip:

Don’t mix and match diaper types until you know what you like.

2. Nighttime Essentials (AKA: Operation Don’t-Wake-the-Baby)

Night diapers need more absorbency, because babies have the magical ability to pee an entire lake’s worth of liquid between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

• 2–4 hemp inserts (these are the heavy-duty champs)

• 2 fitted nighttime diapers (optional, but worth their weight in sleep)

3. Storage & Laundry Gear

Don’t worry — there’s nothing weird here. Most of this is basic household stuff.

• 1–2 hanging wet bags

Perfect for storing dirty diapers on the go or in small spaces.

• 2 large pail liners

Goes inside your laundry bin. Keeps things hygienic.

• 1 open laundry bin or diaper pail

Open is ideal — airflow helps prevent stink. I know. Counterintuitive. (But trust me.)

4. Wipes & Wipe Accessories

Yes, you can use cloth wipes.

Yes, they are shockingly easy.

Yes, they save absurd amounts of money.

• 24–48 reusable cloth wipes

• Spray bottle with water or wipe solution

• Cloth-safe rash cream

(Skip zinc oxide unless you use liners. It builds up and annoys your diapers.)

5. Helpful (But Totally Optional) Extras

These aren’t required, but almost every cloth-using parent ends up grabbing a few eventually:

• Diaper sprayer (great once baby starts solids)

• Flushable or reusable liners

• Drying rack

• Extra inserts for heavy wetters

Think of this as the “treat yourself” section of the list.

So… How Much Does All This Cost?

A complete cloth diaper setup usually lands around $300–$600.

Which sounds like a lot until you realize disposables cost $2,000–$3,000 per child.

Cloth diapering:

✔ Saves money

✔ Saves the planet

✔ Saves you from late-night “Oh no we’re out of diapers” emergencies

Win-win-win.

Short on Time? Here’s the Fast Version

Buy this:

✔ 18–24 diapers (pockets, AIOs, or covers + inserts)

✔ 6–8 covers (if using a cover system)

✔ 24–48 wipes

✔ 1–2 wet bags

✔ 2 pail liners

✔ Diaper-safe cream

✔ A detergent that doesn’t have fabric softener

✔ Maybe a sprayer, if you’re feeling fancy

Boom. Ready to cloth diaper.

Final Thoughts (From One Tired Parent to Another)

Cloth diapering can feel intimidating at first, but once you start, you’ll realize it’s way simpler than the internet sometimes makes it seem. The trick is having the right gear — not ALL the gear.

Whether you’re cloth diapering to save money, reduce waste, avoid blowouts (cloth is amazing at this), or because baby bums in cute prints are basically irresistible… you’ve got this.

And if you need help figuring out which system fits your life, I’m just a message away!