Our mission is simple: cut through the noise and make cloth diapering feel easy and approachable for real parents and caregivers. Cloth diapering should fit seamlessly into everyday life—and sometimes that means having clear, trustworthy answers at your fingertips.
This guide brings together our most helpful cloth diaper troubleshooting posts for common “What do I do if…?” moments, so you can find reassurance, quick fixes, or deeper guidance whenever you need it.
What to do if...
You’re not sure about the fit
So generally speaking, the fit should be cozy enough to contain everything on the inside, but not too tight that it starts to squeeze and leave marks on the skin. Think of it like wearing a pair of comfy leggings, or a well-fitted bra.
Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that the diaper is sitting high on your baby’s waist, the leg holes are sitting securely at the groin (not around the thighs) and that all of the cotton Inner is fully covered by the Outer. These are the small details that will go a long way in keeping things comfortable and mess-free!
Check out these blog posts:
How Do I Know If Cloth Diapers Will Fit My Baby Properly? A Step-By-Step Fit Guide
You experience a leak
If you ever notice a leak, the first thing to check is fit. Making sure the diaper is sitting high on the waist as we just mentioned, snug at the groin, and that all absorbent layers are fully tucked inside the waterproof Outer can often make a quick difference.
Leaks can also be a sign that it’s time to add a little extra absorbency – like when your little one may be getting ready to size up, or when they start clocking those long awaited longer sleep stretches!
And as a quick note: using cloth-friendly skincare helps keep diapers absorbent over time, while products that aren’t cloth-safe can lead to repelling, causing leaks! (You can read more about cloth-friendly skincare here.)
Check out these blog posts:
How Do I Prevent Leaks When Using Cloth Diapers?
Can I Use Cloth Diapers Overnight or Do I Need to Use Disposables
You’re having trouble with your cloth diaper wash routine
Our wash routine is designed to be simple, repeatable, and easy to do at home. And if something ever feels off or your diapers don’t come out quite clean, the good news is that laundry issues are generally very solvable with a bit of troubleshooting.
Making sure you’re using warm & hot water, getting enough agitation, and washing with a powerful cloth-friendly detergent – like our Washing Powder – goes a long way in keeping diapers truly clean. Often, small adjustments to load size, cycle selection, or wash frequency are all it takes to get things back on track.
Check out these blog posts:
The Complete Guide to Washing Your Cloth Diapers at Home: The Esembly Way
Four Key Factors For Getting Your Cloth Diapers Perfectly Clean
What Kind of Detergent Do I Need To Wash Cloth Diapers
(Or, be sure to check out this blog post if you think you might have hard water: https://esemblybaby.com/blogs/trash-talk/can-you-wash-cloth-diapers-in-hard-water)
Your Cloth Diapers Are Stained
While many babies leave behind pristine white diapers, some like to add a little “diaper art.” If you’re using cloth-friendly skincare and following our wash instructions, staining doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong with your laundering routine. In many cases, it’s linked to your baby’s unique biochemistry – or, for breastfed babies, sometimes supplements taken by the nursing parent. (more on this here!)
If stains appear, there are a few simple ways to address them. Running an “Optional Refresh” or laying freshly washed diapers in the sun to dry can be very effective at lifting stains from organic cotton.
All that being said, not all stains are the same, and some might require some additional troubleshooting. The blog below walks through the different types you might see – including what’s considered normal (and what isn’t!) and how to treat stains that need a little extra attention.
Check out this blog post: The Diaper Staining Guide
You’re transitioning from a milk-only diet to introducing solids
When solid foods are introduced, diapers need one extra step before washing: removing the bulk of the poop. Unlike the milk-only phase, solid waste shouldn’t go straight into the washing machine.
Many families choose to use a liner – like our Tossers or reusable Stay-Dry Liners – to make this step quick and easy. Others simply shake or wipe solids into the toilet before placing the diaper in the pail. Any of these options work well, and there’s no need to rinse or spray before laundering.
Check out these blog posts:
Starting Solids & Cloth Diapers: Here’s What You Need to KnowThe Truth About Removing Poop From Cloth Diapers: Is Diaper Spraying Really Necessary
Your baby is experiencing a rash
Thankfully, diaper rashes tend to be far less common with cloth (because only 100% organic cotton touches your baby’s skin!) So with fewer materials and ingredients in the mix, it’s often easier to understand what’s going on and make simple adjustments.
When a rash does pop up, starting with the basics usually goes a long way: ensuring diapers are getting fully clean, changing regularly, and using cloth-friendly skincare. With those pieces in place, most irritation resolves quickly.
Check out these blog posts:
How Do I Deal With Diaper Rash When Using Cloth Diapers
Final Thoughts
Cloth diapering with Esembly is designed to be simple, flexible, and easy to incorporate into your everyday routine. When questions come up, there’s usually a clear next step. 🙂
And if you ever want a second set of eyes or a little extra reassurance, we’re always here. You can reach our team anytime at hi@esemblybaby.com. We’re happy to help with troubleshooting, questions, or anything else along the way!
Cloth Diapering 101
Our co-founders host a free, virtual, Cloth Diapering 101 class every month to help cloth-curious parents get all the tools and information they need!
You'll leave with the confidence to Live Less Disposably and a 20% discount code to use on your first order. 🥳 We hope to see you there!
