Cloth diaper accessories each solve one specific problem, so you only need the ones that match problems you actually have. This guide sorts them by job and says plainly which are optional. Use the priority table near the end to build your kit in order.
Storing used diapers: pail liners and wet bags
This is the one group to settle before the first change. Used diapers need a container that keeps odours in and can be washed along with the diapers. There are two common options:
- A pail liner sits inside a lidded bin at home. Look for one the maker says is washable.
- A wet bag hangs on a door handle or travels in the diaper bag. Many families own two, so one is in the wash while the other is in use.
Whichever you choose, have a spare. One option is Voccos Waterproof Wet Dry Bags, Black and Grey, 2 Pack, which lists two bags in the pack.
Dealing with solids: sprayers and liners
For many families, dealing with solids becomes a bigger job once their baby starts solid food. Your diaper maker's instructions say what to do with solids before washing, and two common tools help:
- Disposable liners are thin sheets that sit inside the diaper, so solids can be lifted out more easily. One option is ALVABABY Disposable Cloth Diaper Liners, 4 Rolls (400 Sheets). Check the pack before flushing, since sewer and septic systems differ.
- A handheld sprayer connects to the water supply at the toilet and rinses solids off a diaper into the bowl before the wash. Some listings are for a sprayer head only, so check what is included, such as the hose, valve and holder, and whether the fittings suit your toilet's water connection. Ask a plumber if you are unsure. A splatter shield made for cloth diaper sprayers is a separate item.
Fastening: clips and pins
Not every diaper needs a fastener. Pocket diapers, all-in-ones and covers close with snaps or hook-and-loop tabs. Flats and prefolds are plain fabric. They are either fastened around your baby with a waterproof cover over the top, or folded into a pad and laid inside the cover, which needs no fastener.
- Snappi-style fasteners are made for prefolds and flats. One option is Snappi Cloth Diaper Fasteners for Prefolds and Flats, 5 Pack. Follow the pack's instructions for placing them.
- Locking pins come in stainless steel and in plastic-headed versions. Keep pins closed and out of children's reach when they are not in use, and read the instructions on the pack. Ordinary safety pins are a different item, so look for the words diaper pins and locking in the title.
Boosting absorbency
Boosters and extra inserts add absorbency for naps, nights and heavy wetters. Add one when a diaper comes off wet right through. If it leaks while parts of the insert are still dry, look at fit first, because more layers mean more bulk, and a bulky diaper may not sit close at the legs. Check your maker's guidance on how much a diaper can hold.
The cloth diaper inserts and liners collection shows what is listed. Some booster pads are listed with adhesive, so read each listing to see which kind of diaper a pad is meant for.
Cloth wipes
Cloth wipes are soft, washable squares, and any soft cotton cloth can do the job. Wet them with plain water or a solution, and follow the label on any solution you use. Used wipes can go in the same wet bag or pail as the diapers and be washed with them, if your diaper maker's guidance allows. Disposable wipes work too, so this one is a preference, not a requirement.
If your baby's skin looks irritated, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Nice to have, not needed
- A splatter shield for a sprayer. It is a convenience, not a requirement.
- A fourth or fifth wet bag. Two cover the basics, and a third helps if you are out most days.
- Several types of fastener. One type is enough.
- A laundry detergent made for diapers. Check your diaper maker's care label before buying one, since the label says what to use.
Building your kit in order of priority
Buy in this order, and skip the rows that do not apply to your style.
| Priority | Problem | What helps | Need or optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Storing used diapers | Wet bag or pail liner, plus a spare | Needed |
| 2 | Fastening | Snappi-style fastener or pins | Only for flats and prefolds |
| 3 | Solids | Disposable liners, then a sprayer if you want one | Decide when solid food starts |
| 4 | Absorbency | Boosters or extra inserts | Add when diapers come off soaked |
| 5 | Wiping | Cloth wipes or disposable wipes | Optional |
Browse the cloth diaper accessories collection to see what is currently listed.
Shop this guide
- ALVABABY Baby Boy Pee Covers, 3.5 x 4 in (ships via Amazon)
- FOMIYESReusable Cotton Diaper Inserts for Baby Cloth Diapers Soft Washable Nappy Liners Size S 5 Pieces (ships via Amazon)
- Diaper Dekor Classic Refill Bags, 4 Count, Unscented (ships via Amazon)
- Babygoal Wet Dry Bag for Cloth Diapers, Small, 2 Zippered Pockets, 2-Pack (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Cloth Diaper Accessories
- See all: Cloth Diaper Inserts & Liners
- See all: Diaper Pails & Refills
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Common questions
Do I need a diaper sprayer?
Not to start. Disposable liners, or the method in your diaper maker's instructions, may be all you need. A sprayer is a convenience you can add later if rinsing becomes a chore.
Can I flush disposable liners?
Check the pack. If it does not say the liners can be flushed, do not flush them, and follow your local rules.
Are diaper pins safe?
Locking pins close with a lock, but you should follow the instructions on the pack and keep them away from children. If pins worry you, a fastener or a diaper that closes with snaps is an alternative.
How many wet bags do I need?
At least two, so one is in the wash while the other is in use. A third is handy if you take a bag out most days.
If you are not sure which accessories suit your diaper style, send us a message through the contact page and we will help you pick.