When I first began using cloth diapers, I only had the bare minimum to get us started. That consisted of twelve Sunbaby pocket diapers and a small dog food container to cram the dirty ones in until I washed them. I didn’t want to spend the extra money on cloth diaper accessories.

So, for me, the bare minimum was diapers and something to put them in. I got by with that for about two years, before I started spending a little on accessories. Someone else (like a daddy) might not think they could cloth diaper without these accessories that definitely make it easier. It would have saved me time and frustration if I had these from the get-go. Here is a list of cloth diaper accessories I wish I had from the start.

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11 Cloth Diaper Accessories I Wish I Had From The Start

1. Diaper Pail

A proper sized diaper pail would have been nice. I didn’t know what people used to store the dirty diapers in until wash, so I just made a quick trip to Wal-Mart and bought a way-too-small dog food container. I now own a kitchen trash can that we use for our diaper pail. It sits next to the washing machine so I can just dump it in when it’s full.

2. Diaper Pail Liner

Pail liners are great because you can just pull it out and pour the diapers in the washer, then toss it in there with them to wash. Some even have zippers on the bottom to just drop all the diapers out so you don’t have to dump it over. Dirty diapers can get heavy! It’s good to have two liners so you can put one in the pail while the other is washing. If your pail is small enough, you can also save money and use pillowcases as liners!

3. Deodorizer

I’ve always had this in my pantry, but only found out about it recently. Sprinkle some baking soda in the diaper pail to help with the smell. Ours never smelled until you open it to put a diaper in. And, boy it could knock you out! This helps a lot!

4. Wetbag

A wetbag is a waterproof bag that’s made with PUL, the same material as the outside of pocket diapers. I use mine to store dirty diapers when we’re out and about. For a long time, I just used grocery bags. I didn’t even know what a wetbag was until I miraculously found a large one at a Goodwill!

5. Cloth Wipes

Cloth wipes aren’t really any extra work if you’re already using cloth diapers. You can make a cloth wipe solution or simply spray before using. Just toss them in the pail to wash. I made my own with some old receiving blankets!

6. Diaper Sprayer

Cloth diapers are totally doable without a sprayer. I managed for almost three years without one. But, let me tell you, they are so worth the money! If I would have known how much time and messes I could have saved, I would’ve bought one from the start! I don’t even have one that hooks up to the toilet. All I use is a detachable shower head with a powerful jet setting! It was way cheaper than all the diaper sprayers at the time and it works amazing for us! The showers are great, too! Not bad for $18!

7. Cloth Diaper Liners

I make my own liners with fleece that just lay in the diapers and make it way easier to spray or scrape off. You can also buy them. Or disposable ones that you can just flush down the toilet! How easy is that?!

8. Spray Pal Or DIY Version

When you use a powerful diaper sprayer, dirty droplets tend to spray everywhere. The Spray Pal is a splatter shield that keeps everything contained in the toilet, though. You just open it up, snap, and clip the diaper on there. When you’re done spraying, you unsnap, close, and kind of squeegee out the leftover water from the diaper. Toss the diaper in the pail and spray off anything left on the Spray Pal. If you love DIY projects, you can make something similar, like I did, with duck tape, a couple plastic folders and a clip!

9. Snappi Or Boingos

Snappis and Boingos are perfect if you are currently or are planning on using flats and prefolds at any time. They’re fasteners that hook onto the material to be used instead of old fashioned diaper pins! I decided to buy some Snappis after poking Garreth one too many times. I also use them exclusively with our homemade t-shirt fitteds.

10.  Diaper Clip Hanger

I use my clip hanger for our fitted diapers, pockets, and covers. Pretty much anything with PUL or elastic. I decided to buy this after ruining the elastic in all of our first set of diapers in the dryer. I didn’t follow wash/dry instructions. So, I figured I would rather preserve the life of all our new and homemade ones by hanging them to dry. I also use it to hang up delicates, breast pads, and other things!

11.  Baby Leg Warmers

Fluff butts do not like to fit in normal size pants! Stock up on baby legs! They pair up perfect with onesies! I did not own any baby leg warmers our first time with cloth diapering Garreth. I now own them in many colors for Ronen and they are just too adorable with those chunky baby thighs! I’ve found a few pairs at thrift stores, but for the most part, I make them myself out of women’s knee-high socks.

Again, cloth diaper accessories are definitely not necessary, but they make it a lot easier and more enjoyable!

Are there any cloth diaper accessories you can’t live without? How long did it take you to buy them?

Related Posts:

Cloth Diapers – 16 Reasons You’ll Love Them

Cheap Cloth Diapers – 10 Tips To Getting Them Free Or Cheap

Cloth Diaper Wash Routine – Free Printable

Finished With Cloth Diapers? What To Do With Them

How to Make DIY Cloth Baby Wipes

Why You Should Use a Shower Head as a Cloth Diaper Sprayer