✋ Don’t hold back from giving cloth-diapering a try just because you’re not ready to go all-in full-time. Cloth diapering doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing! Part-time cloth diapering is a great fit for so many families, and every time you reach for a cloth diaper, you’re keeping disposables out of landfills and saving a little extra money, too.

✋ Don’t forget to check out this blog post if you want to learn more about the benefits and routine of part-time cloth diapering.

👉 Make sure to use both the Inner (the organic cotton fitted diaper) and the Outer (the diaper cover) when cloth diapering your baby. Esembly diapers are a two-part system, so both are needed to ensure things will stay leak-free and blowout proof!

👉 Choose the right size for the best fit. Esembly diapers come in two sizes: Size 1 fits babies around 7-17 lbs, and Size 2 fits approximately 18 lbs through potty training (about 35-37 lbs). Since every baby’s build is different, these ranges are more guidelines than hard rules – we talk more about when to size up in this blog post.

👉 Need some examples for a fit-check? Check out this blog post for a quick and easy visual guide on how to get the perfect fit with your cloth diapers.

👉 Wash your diapers every 2 - 3 days – just two simple cycles:

1. Warm “Normal” with 1 scoop of Washing Powder

2. Hot “Heavy Duty” with 2 scoops of Washing Powder

👉 Explore The Complete Guide on How to Wash Your Cloth Diapers: The Esembly Way

👉 Make sure whatever detergent you use is suitable for cloth diapers. Our Washing Powder is specially formulated for cloth diapers (and now EWG Verified!) after years of testing through our NYC diaper service. While it’s our top recommendation, there is no mandate. You can use any detergent that’s free of fragrance, fabric softeners, and optical brighteners and powerful enough for heavily soiled laundry. (Think something like Tide Free & Gentle.)

👉 If you think you might have very hard water, be sure to check out this blog post.

✋ Try not to go longer than 3, maybe 4, days between washes to avoid issues like ammonia build-up, mold, or mildew.

✋ Don’t use fabric softener or dryer sheets – they will coat fabric with residue that blocks absorption… not something you want for a diaper!

✋ Don’t use cold-only or sanitize/extra hot cycles. Cold water is sadly not ideal for washing cloth diapers (so you’ll likely be left with lingering soil) and Sanitize/Extra Hot cycles are too intense and will likely damage the elastics, natural fibers, or waterproofing on your Outers and storage bags.

✋ Don’t soak!! Leaving your diapers soaking (or sitting wetted until laundry day with practices like rinsing/spraying) can weaken the natural fibers (leaving you with rips and tears) or result in issues like mold and mildew growth. Check out this blog post for what to do instead!

👉 Use a breathable bag for dirty diapers. Our Pail Pouch (hung on a hook or used as a liner inside a pail) is perfect for holding used diapers until laundry day.

👉 Pack smart when you’re out and about. Bring a Ditty Bag or Day Bag to store used diapers on the go – both are waterproof, washable, and designed to lock in leaks (and smells!) until you’re back home and can transfer diapers to the wash or your Pail Pouch.

👉 Try our Pail Deodorant to keep things fresh until laundry day!

👉 Find more storage tips and tricks (including how to store your cloth diapers for future babies!) in this blog post.

✋ No Plastic! Do not ever store your dirty diapers in plastic bags (ziplocks, grocery bags, garbage bags, etc.). Plastic does not allow for any air circulation and is a surefire way to grow mold.

✋ Do not overstuff the bag or pail with diapers. Cramming too many diapers into a pail or bag is another common reason we see mold growth and one that can be easily avoided! Even the perfect bag or pail can be problematic when overstuffed.

✋ Do not put away diapers that are not 100% dry. Your diapers need to be fully dry before putting them away to avoid issues like mold and mildew.

👉 Use cloth-friendly creams and balms that wash out completely (like our Everyday Balm for daily use and Rash Relief Cream for treating irritation).

👉 Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin and really work it in, just like lotion.

👉 Explore our complete guide on Understanding Cloth Friendly Skincare here.

👉 Remember that cloth wipes are part of the magic! Our Wipe Ups and Wipe Up Wash are gentle, reusable, and made with organic ingredients that care for your baby and the planet. (read more about all the benefits and savings with cloth wipes in this blog post)

👉 When baby starts sleeping 6+ hour stretches, add an Overnighter (or two) for extra absorbency. (And be sure to check out this blog post for everything you need to know about night time cloth diapering.)

👉 When solids are introduced, do remove the poop from the diaper prior to laundering. (When your baby is still on a milk-only diet, this step is not necessary!) You can use our Tossers or Stay-Dry Liners to make removing the poo super simple. No rinsing or spraying required!

👉 Lean on all the Esembly resources we’ve created to make your cloth diapering journey easy – from our How It Works page to our blog and Cloth Diapering 101 class, we’ve got you covered!

👉 Turn diapering into a small moment of mindfulness. Life with babies moves fast, but diaper changes can be a sweet pause in the day – a chance to take a breath and feel good about the sustainable choices you’re making for your family! Of course, no pressure to make every change magical, just a little presence when you can.

✋ Don’t stress about being perfect! As mentioned, cloth diapering isn’t all-or-nothing. Every cloth diaper change counts! 🌎💚

✋ Don’t overthink it – once you find your rhythm, it’s as simple as a few extra loads of laundry a week.

✋ Don’t forget to celebrate the little wins – fewer blowouts, soft organic cotton against your baby’s skin, and one less bag of diapers headed to the landfill!