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We have been cloth diapering for 3 years now and I wouldn`t go back to disposeables if they were free! It took me awhile to glean the cloth diapering information I needed, so I`m going to share with you what works for me.
The most inexpensive cloth diapers that work are Chinese prefolds. These are better than your basic discount store prefolds and are worth the extra money. I prefer prefolds over flat diapers any day. They also make great burp cloths and cleaning rags. If money is an object choose these over expensive fitted snapping diapers. Use pins or the "snappi" pinless diaper fastener. The snappi works well, but older children can remove it and it is sharp! Also it will not work on flannel and it will snag your diapers.
If you have a little money to spend on diapers, the Mother-ease one size are my favorites. I love their air flow covers too. It took us 4 months of cloth diapering 2 children for these expensive but nice luxuries to pay for themselves.
I`m now transitioning to all wool covers. Wool really does work and keeps the bedding and clothing dry. I am crocheting my own covers from the free Tickle Turdle pattern http://web.archive.org/web/20071107021905/www.tickleturdle.com/wrappattern.html. I`m using Lyon brand Fisherman`s wool from Hobby Lobby that I buy with the 40% off your choice coupon that comes out twice a month. I love that the wool covers are so inexpensive to make and that they are fully breathable and natural. I use pins to fasten them over my mother-ease one-size diapers.
I try to stay away from hook and loop tape closures. No matter how I try to stop it, they always snag together in the washer. Snaps or pins are my top choice.
When looking for diaper covers, I look for something that will open up like the diaper instead of pulling up and down. This helps prevent messy smears.
You can make your own diapers, but I opted against this because I didn`t have the money for a nice snap press. When I calculated the cost for the nice fabric I wanted, plus notions etc I was going to save less than $1 a diaper to make my own. I know many people have made their own diapers out of recycled materials and like them fine, so if money is scarce search out these options.
I have small trash cans in each bathroom and at each diaper changing station to use as diaper pails. I don`t soak my diapers in water, but put them in the pails dry. Once a day (since I have 2 in diapers) I pour all the pails in to the washer. I rinse once on cold, and then wash normally. I use my downy ball with white vinegar in it in the wash cycle and my diapers come out smelling fresh. I dry my diapers in the dryer when I want them soft. On nice days I line dry the diapers and the sun fades the stains. My 5 year old is great at folding diapers and wipes.
Some mothers prefer all-in-one diapers. These are diapers with the covers attached to them, and are as simple to use as disposeables. I chose not to use these because the waterproof covers need to be washed more delicately than the diapers to keep their waterproof quality. But since they are attached, you can`t treat them separately. I like to reuse my covers several times before washing them which extends their life. But again, I can`t with AIOs because they are attached. And AIOs take a lot longer to dry than regular diapers.
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