The housewife of 1950 neatly folding her cloth diapers and counting diaper pins is a thing of the past!  Cloth diapers today are NOT what many parents expect.  They are comfortable, cute, absorbant, and easy to wash.  They are also a frugal alternative to disposables. 

Once you've decided to explore cloth diapering, the choices can be overwhelming.  Here is a quickie guide to get you started:

TYPES OF CLOTH DIAPERS:

Prefolds:  These are the kind of diapers that most diaper services offer.  Usually Indian or Chinese prefolds, they are the kind of diapers that need fasteners and MUST have a cover.  This is the cheapest of all cd methods.

Contoured diapers:  These are diapers that are, as the name says, contoured.  They fit much like a disposable diaper, and have Aplix/Velcro fasteners or snaps.  The edges are serged.  These diapers need a PUL cover (waterproof) to prevent leaking.  In terms of cost, these are more than prefolds, but still inexpensive.

Pocket diapers:  This is the diapering system I primarily use, so it's the one I know the most about.  A cloth diaper is a soft, microfleece diaper with a sewn on PUL covering.  There is a pocket that extends the length of the diaper, and inside this pocket, you use an insert.  Inserts can be made of mircoterry, cotton, hemp, or any other absorbent material.  You can use prefold diapers as inserts as well as inserts designed to fit inside the pocket diapers.  These diapers are fastened with snaps or Aplix/Velcro.  Cost per diaper, if you buy new, is around $14-16.  Many online diaper stores inclue free inserts, so be sure to shop around for the best deal.

AIOs:  (All-in-ones)  These are the Cadillac (or Lexus, if you don't like GM) of the cloth diapers.  They combine all the elements into one diaper.  AIOs have a sewn in insert, and a PUL cover.  They also use Aplix/Velcro or snaps.  These are the diapers that are most like disposables, in that you don't have to do anything to them except change them and wash them.

Which brings us to... washing!

Washing cd's is easy enough.  When you first get your diapers, you should wash them in HOT (before your baby wears them).  If they are pocket diapers, PUL covers, or AIOs, toss them in the dryer on HIGH heat for about 15 minutes.  This seals the holes and makes them truly leakproof.

To wash:  Soak your diapers on cold.  This is an important first step, as it sends all the icky stuff out to the sewer.  I have a toploader and I usually run an express wash with a cold soak.  Then, after the cold soak, wash them in HOT water with roughly 1/8 the amount of detergent you would normally use.  Beware of detergents with brighteners, softeners, or fragrances (I use a "free" detergent without brighteners).  These addititves can prevent absorption and lead to leaky diapers, and you don't want that!  If, after the hot wash (rinse on cold), there is still some discoloration, dry them on a line.  The sun will bleach out any discoloration and leave them looking new.  Also... NEVER use a fabric sheet if you are drying them.  This deters the natural fibers from being absorbant.

So that's it!  It's not hard, it's actually pretty fun, it's great for the environment and SO nice for your baby.