How I Built a Complete Cloth Diaper System for Just $130 - or start small for only $70!(Includes Inserts, Wipes, Covers & Wet Bags!)

I created a simple, no-fuss complete cloth diapering system for just $130. I will share everything from what to buy, how to fold, and how to wash them! Cloth diapering the cheap and simple way!

My third baby arrived nine years after my last son—and in those nine years, I had changed a lot as a person. One of the biggest shifts was my desire to return to the basics with baby essentials, including diapers. I knew I wanted to use cloth diapers—not just because they’re more natural and sustainable, but also because they’re significantly more affordable in the long run.

But the moment I started researching, I was hit with sticker shock. The upfront cost that most people were spending on cloth diaper systems was overwhelming—and honestly, a huge turnoff. I kept thinking, There has to be a more affordable way! After all, the world has been cloth diapering babies for centuries—long before disposable diapers became the norm. Surely there’s a simple, effective method that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Eventually, I found it. And I’ve been using this method successfully for over a year now. I wanted something that worked better than what my mom had to use for my older brother back before disposables were mainstream and accessible (she had quite a few horror stories to share!). I was determined not to spend hundreds of dollars on the popular cloth systems out there—but I also didn’t want to sacrifice ease or quality.

My stubbornness paid off, and now I’m excited to share exactly what worked for me!

In this post, I’ll break down exactly what I bought, how I prep and clean everything, and how you can start cloth diapering for under $70 if you're on a tighter budget.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See full disclosure here.

Cloth Diapers Didn’t Work at First

We didn’t start cloth diapering right away. My daughter was born with skinny little legs (I tend to have little babies), and the cloth diapers leaked no matter what fancy folds I tried that were supposed to work for newborns. I just couldn't get them to fit right around her little thighs! I could've ordered special expensive newborn cloth diapers, but I decided to just let her grow a bit and until then we used Costco Kirkland diapers and wipes. They are free from synthetic fragrances and unnecessary ingredients, and they’re much cleaner than most disposables while still being affordable. Honestly this was a great choice for me because having a new born while managing a home and business is hard enough without worrying about washing diapers!

Once her legs filled out, I transitioned fully to this cloth diaper system—and I haven’t looked back since!

Don't have Costco? Amazon also has affordable cleaner disposable diapers like these. I used them for a while but my daughter is extra sensitive so she got rashes a bit easier from this brand versus the Kirkland ones, but they are still a great option if you want a disposable healthier diaper without breaking the bank. They never leaked!

My $130 Complete Cloth Diaper System (What You Actually Need)

Here’s what I use:

• 24 OsoCozy Birdseye Unbleached Flats (buy 2 of these 12 pack sets)– [Amazon link]

• 12 Waterproof Adjustable Diaper Covers with wet bags (buy 2 of these 6 pack sets) – [Amazon link]

• Baby Washcloths as Cloth Wipes – [Amazon link]

  
  

Want to start smaller? You can begin with just 12 flats, 6 covers, and some cloth wipes for about $70 and build from there! This is also a great way to try it out before fully committing to make sure cloth diapering is something you really want to do!

The OsoCozy flats do require some easy pre-use wash prep to get the fabric ready for absorbing all of that baby pee, so do not skip that step! They suggest washing them 3-5 times in hot water (I did 6 times in hot water), dry them between washes. This helps to remove manufacturing oils and increases absorbency. The more you wash these flats, the better they absorb! So overtime the more you use them, the better they get! How cool is that?!

Simple Folding Method That Actually Works

No need to learn complicated folds! I tried all that origami stuff first, I was post-partum, exhausted, and wrestling with a squirmy baby... I may or may not have cried lol. Thankfully, I eventually learned that simply folding the flat diaper like you see in my video below worked best. I place the loose ends in the back fold of the diaper cover and it's good to go! This pad-style insert fits perfectly into the cover and stays in place. I leave the front part of the pad out of the cover flap to absorb more. It is WAY faster and easier for those wild babies who want to roll and flee because you can have the diaper prepped and ready to go before you grab the baby! It is also leaves a lot more fabric ready to absorb versus the folds that go around their whole body! Here is the video of what that fold looks like:

If your baby is a heavy wetter and leaker, try slightly separating the layers of the insert once placed in the cover. Shift the top layer to the left and the bottom to the right like the picture below. It helps prevent leaks! Just make sure no part of the insert is sticking out beyond the cover. Once it's secure on the baby you can easily tuck in any fabric that is sticking out.

Cloth Wipe Routine: Easy, No Fuss

I use baby washcloths as wipes. I don’t make a special solution. Right before use I just wet it under the faucet, wring it out, and use. That’s it! I tried other methods like making solutions ahead of times etc but it was a pain in the butt and because I run my own natural products business, I am very aware of how quickly water based products grow bacteria without a preservative. So unless those pre-made wet wipes were getting quickly, I never felt confident that they were actually clean. What's funny is when us grown ups wipe, we just use dry toilet paper, so I realized it was silly to think I needed some kind of special soap solution to wipe my little one!

Diaper Changes: When to Swap Inserts vs. Covers

If the diaper is just a bit wet, simply change the insert and reuse the outer cover another time. If it is super wet or has already been reused, toss the insert in the wet bag and do a quick rinse with a little soap on the cover and set out to dry for tomorrow... this just helps you to not have to wash all the diapers daily and to stretch out your covers if you don't want to invest in more!

I've learned that my daughter needs to stay completely clean and dry to stay rash-free (her skin is so sensitive!) so eventually I got my hands on some more covers for free from someone who no longer needed them so that she can get a fresh cover and insert with every change. But it's not necessary if you're on a tight budget, are just getting started, or have a baby who's skin doesn't mind!

How I Wash My Cloth Diapers ...PS It's SO easy - and No Sprayer Required!

This is for a top loading washing machine:

1. Poopy diaper? If baby is exclusively breast feed, her poop is water soluble and can go straight in the wash as is! For my food eating baby, I just dip and slosh it in the toilet and flush (Hold on tight so you don't accidentally flush it down the toilet! ) - repeat until most of the solids are off the of diaper, squeeze out the excess water by pressing against the side of the toilet bowl, and toss it into the wet bag.

2. For wet diapers they just go directly into the wet bag until wash day. Cloth wipes always go straight into the wet bag. I usually wipe most of the poop off her with the diaper insert so the cloth wipe usually doesn't have much on it. If they do end up extra poopy, I give them a quick slosh in the toilet before putting them in the wet bag.

3. On wash day, I turn the wet bags inside out and throw everything in the washer including the bags.

4. Do a rinse cycle on cold to prep for the wash. I always set my washer to “super load” even though it's usually a medium load. The extra water gives more room for those diapers to get rinsed and cleaned.

5. Wash on warm with my DIY homemade natural laundry soap and vinegar if you'd like, vinegar instructions are also in that post! I always set my washer to “super load” even though it's usually a medium load. Smell test time! If the inserts still smell a bit, an additional warm wash with laundry soap does the trick. Though I don't need to do a second wash regularly.

6. Dry on low heat or hang in the sun for extra freshness.

   
   

   Skip the dryer sheets! They reduce absorbency. I use these wool dryer balls with a few drops of clothing safe essential oil like this brand that I love for it's purity AND affordability to add a clean, fresh scent. I usually do lavender or peppermint, or both! This dryer system is not only way cheaper than dryer sheets, as the wool balls and essential oil bottle lasts years, but it's a lot healthier for your family than dryer sheets!

   
   

   *For front loading washing machines. - I recently had to use a front loading machine at an Air BnB for the diapers and honestly, it was a nightmare. Idk if it was the brand (LG) or the setup, but it can not clean clothes or diapers that well as it does not have a high enough water level for them to get the proper sloshing they need to fully unfold and clean everything deeply. You may need to do some experimenting with your machine to figure out what works best.

   
   

*DO NOT let your soiled diapers sit for anymore than 3 days before washing* No one wants moldy, stained diapers.

Cheaper Diapers Sometimes Work Better

I was gifted some secondhand cloth diaper covers that were much more expensive—but honestly, the cheap Amazon covers work better! They fit better, stay on better, and rarely leak! So don't think that because this diaper system is a lot cheaper, that it is inferior, that's just not true! I still love my hand-me-down covers because it lets me extend time between washes, but I have to change them much more frequently or they soak through.

DIY Baby Powder for Sensitive Skin

If your baby gets rashes like mine, check out my DIY homemade baby powder with healing, natural ingredients.

Final Thoughts

Cloth diapering doesn’t have to be a huge investment or overly complicated. With just a few essentials and a simplified routine, you can make it work on a budget—without sacrificing your baby’s health or your sanity.

Every diaper change saves money, protects your baby’s skin, and reduces toxins in your home. You’ve got this, mama!

If this resonated with you, be sure to check out my other parenting posts for more real-life encouragement, practical tips, and heart-centered insights from our family to yours.

With love,

Tej'a