I never thought cloth diapers were for me. We used disposables with our firstborn until just at the end when we decided to try cloth to see if we'd even consider it for a future baby. It wasn't as terrible as I thought it would be (even my husband agrees.) We really liked the affordability as well as the benefits to that baby skin. Plus, living in the country where a person's trash is his own to deal with.... well, you get the idea.
I read that "If you launder cloth diapers at home, you can save as much as $1,500 over the entire diapering period. This includes all your diapers, covers, and wash products. In fact, each time you use a disposable, it costs you nearly a quarter. By contrast, home washing can cost as little as five cents per change."
With our firstborn we used Kushies brand all-in-ones with velcro and the wrong detergent (Dreft). They were a hassle to wash with the velcro, and were kind of smelly from the detergent. At least we learned what didn't work.
I did some more researching before our second was born. The choices out there can be overwhelming!
I did try sewing some newborn all-in-ones using recycled material from bedhseets, flannel shirts and bath towels. They worked fairly well, but he grew out of them fast, and I didn't have enough covers. I didn't like the wool soakers I made from sweaters. They took FOREVER to dry!
Here is what I use as far as Washing instructions and here's a little more of the science behind it all. I found it helpful to know.
This is also a wonderful thing to have to make the cleaning process easier!!
I have seen recipes for homemade solutions that I might try out in the future.
Some great friends of mine sewed me some cloth wipes out of flannel as a baby gift. Baby wash cloths work well too, and who doesn't get a zillion of those as baby gifts!
When my second was newborn we used disposables for about a month and a half. I was noticing his skin wasn't liking it. I asked a nurse about it and she said, "Oh it's just his skin getting used to the plastic." When we made the switch over, his skin was much happier. It stays that way as long as I change him promptly.
Lastly, I should add that we dry pail the diapers. We wash every other day and have 20 diapers total. The whole process works well for us. I still think if we lived in a city, I'd consider a diaper service!
I'd still like to try sewing my own pocket diapers similar to these using a pattern that was shared with me by an inspiring friend who has sewn quite a few for her little ones. It's been a while since I sat down to my sewing machine, though!