Cloth nappies are reusable nappies that follow your child from the newborn period all the way to the potty. The size is adjusted with snaps at the front, so you don't need to buy new ones as your child grows — and the same nappies can be used for several children. Whether you're curious about whether cloth nappies suit your family, or you've already started and want to understand more, you'll find everything here.
This is our most complete guide: what a cloth nappy is, which models we have, how to adjust the fit, how to wash, how to solve leaks and odour, and what you actually save. It works as a hub — we summarize each part and link onward to the in-depth guides when you want to dig deeper. Read from the beginning or jump straight to what you're wondering about.
Would you rather shop right away? See all our cloth nappies.
From Emelie: This guide is thorough — but don't let that scare you. When I started with cloth nappies, I read for hours and nearly got put off by all the information. In reality it was so much simpler. Most people who try it are surprised by how easy it actually was. Read what you need, skip the rest — there's no "right way" you have to follow. With us, it should be easy to make a good choice.
What is a cloth nappy?
A cloth nappy works just like a disposable nappy — you put it on, change it when it's time, and put the nappy in the laundry instead of the rubbish. That's the whole difference in practice.
What makes cloth nappies a little different is that they're adjustable. Instead of buying a new size as your child grows, you adjust the nappy with snaps at the front. The same nappy fits a child from about 3–5 kg all the way up to potty-training age — that's what we mean by "one size." So one and the same nappy covers almost the entire nappy changing period, and can then be passed on to a sibling.
The materials are chosen with care: the absorbent insert is made of bamboo (a natural material that breathes and keeps the temperature comfortable), and the outer shell has a thin waterproof layer of TPU — the same technology as in performance clothing, free from BPA and phthalates. All materials in the main range are OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certified. More on the materials shortly.
The materials — what absorbs what?
One thing that often confuses people at the start is all the materials you hear about. Here's what you need to know, short and honest — and what we've chosen ourselves and why.
Bamboo is what we use in our inserts (blended with polyester for durability). Bamboo is a soft natural material that absorbs well, breathes and feels gentle against the skin. One detail worth knowing: natural materials like bamboo reach their full absorbency only after 3–5 washes — so the first few times the inserts absorb a little less than they will later. That's completely normal and nothing wrong with the nappy.
Other materials you may come across: hemp absorbs a lot and trims slim, and is often used as a booster for nighttime. Microfibre (polyester) absorbs fastest but should never lie directly against the skin because it dries it out — it's always hidden inside or under another layer. Cotton is gentle but holds less. We've landed on bamboo precisely because it gives a good balance between absorbency, comfort and durability in everyday life.
The shell (the outside) in our main range is made of recycled polyester (rPET) — material that was previously PET bottles and has been given new life as a cloth nappy — coated with TPU, a thin waterproof layer that prevents leaks without trapping air. More on certifications further down.
Cloth nappies — which model suits you?
There are a few different types of cloth nappies, and they suit different families depending on how you want things in everyday life. Here are the most common ones we offer:
Cover / All-in-One
The cover (or "all-in-one") is the most flexible option. It comes in two sizes — Comfort (5–17 kg) and Slim (3–15 kg, for the smallest) — and works in two ways:
- As a cover: you only change the insert at each nappy change and reuse the cover if it's clean. Perfect for reducing laundry.
- As a full nappy: the whole nappy is washed after each change — convenient if you prefer that.
The inserts for the Cover/All-in-One have two surfaces — bamboo on one side and stay-dry on the other. You choose which side lies against your child's skin:
- Bamboo — when you want your child to feel wet against the skin. Good for helping your child understand their own signals, especially as potty training starts to approach.
- Stay-dry — when the nappy will be worn for longer stretches and you want your child to feel dry even as it fills up. The material wicks moisture away from the skin (a bit like a sports T-shirt).
The same insert, two options throughout the day — you simply flip it depending on the situation and need. It's a popular detail that makes our Cover/All-in-One system easy to use in everyday life.
Want to know more about all-in-ones specifically? See our complete guide to all-in-one nappies.
Pocket nappy
The pocket nappy has a pocket inside where the absorbent insert is stuffed. When it's dirty, you take out the insert and wash everything. Because the insert is already inside the nappy, it becomes a ready-packed solution with no loose parts — popular for preschool or a babysitter where the change needs to be quick. It's handled just like a disposable nappy: open, change, close.
Our main variant is the Pocket Nappy Comfort (5–17 kg) — part of our main range (more on materials and certifications further down).
For those looking for a lower-priced entry point, there's also the Pocket Nappy Basic with hook-and-loop closure (4–16 kg).
Newborn nappy — for the very smallest
For the very smallest there's the Newborn Nappy (2–6 kg) — designed for a perfect fit from birth. It has a permanently sewn-in insert with an included extra insert, and fits snugly from as little as 2 kg.
If you want to start with cloth nappies right from birth, there are two paths:
- The Newborn Nappy if you want an optimal fit from the very first day. It does, however, have a shorter usage time since the child grows out of it at about 6 kg — which for most children corresponds to somewhere around 2–4 months.
- Cover/All-in-One Slim (3–15 kg) — many use it right from birth, others wait a week or a few until the child has found its shape. A good option for you who want longer use out of the same nappy and all the way to the end of the nappy changing period.
Both work excellently at the start. More on choices for newborns can be found in our guide to cloth nappies for newborns.
Materials — what touches your child's skin
What sits closest to the skin matters. Cloth nappies don't have the same plastic-against-skin feel as disposable nappies — the material breathes in a different way.
The insert (the absorbent part) is made of bamboo blended with polyester. Bamboo is a natural material that holds moisture in, breathes and maintains an even temperature. The material blend is deliberately chosen to combine absorption with durability — the inserts withstand many washes and last across several children. It's not only about economy: if the inserts wear out too quickly, more products get consumed, and then cloth nappies lose both the savings and the resource benefit. It's gentle on sensitive skin and a natural choice for parents who avoid unnecessary chemicals.
The shell (the outside) in our main range is made of recycled polyester (rPET) — material that was previously PET bottles and has been given new life as a cloth nappy. It's coated with TPU, a thin waterproof layer that prevents leaks without trapping air. TPU is free from harmful substances and is included in the OEKO-Tex certification.
All materials in the main range (Cover/All-in-One, Pocket Nappy Comfort, Night Nappy, and our inserts) are OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certified — one of the textile industry's strictest standards for safety regarding chemicals and dyes.
The Basic series (Pocket Nappy Basic, Insert Basic, Wet Bag Basic) comes from a different supplier and has SGS-certified materials — internationally tested and controlled according to a recognised standard. That's why Basic can be offered at a lower price.
Fit — how to adjust the cloth nappy correctly
The most common question from parents who have just started is: how should the nappy fit? The answer is simpler than you might think.
The cloth nappies are adjusted with snaps — along the waist and in height. You never need to change size; you just re-snap as your child grows.
Height adjustment (the size in height): the row of snaps at the front determines how high the nappy sits. Newborn → snap it at the lowest setting. Older child → build up step by step.
The two-finger rule (applies to both waist and legs): A simple rule of thumb that works for all ages. You should easily be able to fit two fingers between the nappy and your child's skin — both along the waist and at the leg openings. Not tight, and not so loose that it gaps.
We've written a whole guide about fit with step-by-step pictures: How should the cloth nappy fit?
Washing and care
Washing cloth nappies is simpler than its reputation suggests — once the routine is in place, it becomes part of everyday life.
The most important things in brief:
- Solid stool is tipped into the toilet. Before the baby eats solids, the stool is loose and water-soluble (most of all when breastfed) and disappears in the wash — there you don't need to do anything.
- Store used nappies airily in a wet bag or an open bucket with a towel over it. Not tightly sealed — the air needs to get to them.
- Wash at 60 °C with fragrance-free detergent. No fabric softener, no bleach.
- Air-dry the covers if you can; the inserts can also handle the dryer.
The right amount of detergent. Always dose according to the instructions on the detergent packaging — it's based on the wash load and how dirty the laundry is. Too little detergent doesn't clean properly and can cause odour; too much leaves residue in the fabric that can both smell and irritate sensitive skin. Just right is the goal, and an extra rinse helps get out any residue.
Need to wait longer than 4–5 days before washing? Hang the nappies to dry first — then they handle the storage better. For longer intervals, a cover with extra inserts is often easiest: you just change the insert and let the cover air out between uses.
If you want the whole routine — what you do with different stool, which detergent works best, how to adapt to your wash interval — we have a separate guide that goes through everything:
→ Washing cloth nappies — how simple it really is
Troubleshooting — leaks, odour and nappies that have stopped absorbing
This section is mostly for looking up when needed — you probably won't need most of it, so feel free to skip it until a question actually comes up. And if something does go wrong, there's almost always a simple explanation and an equally simple solution. Here are the three most common ones, in order.
Leaks
Check in this order, and you'll usually find the answer quickly:
- Absorbency first. The most common cause is a full nappy — if it leaks after longer stretches or overnight, change more often or add an extra insert (booster).
- Fit next. If it leaks right after a change, check the fit — it's forgiving, but make sure no insert fabric is sticking out and use the two-finger rule. Usually a small adjustment is all it takes.
- Repelling last. If liquid beads on the surface instead of soaking in, the fabric may have built up a residue (see below).
Want to dig deeper into leaks specifically? See why the cloth nappy leaks and how to fix it.
Odour
Here comes an honest founder's experience worth sharing: at home I noticed that the ammonia smell got worse when the detergent wasn't rinsed out of the fabrics properly — it was the detergent residue that smelled more, not too little detergent. The conclusion I draw from that is that you need the right amount of detergent (dose according to the packaging) and to rinse it out properly (ideally an extra rinse). Two sides of the same coin: too little detergent means dirt stays behind and smells, and poorly rinsed-out residue also makes it smell — and can additionally irritate sensitive skin. Aim for the balance, and the odour usually disappears.
Nappies that have stopped absorbing (repelling)
If a nappy suddenly leaks despite a good fit, the fabric may have gotten a film that repels liquid. The most common culprits are fabric softener, greasy barrier creams that have ended up directly in the fabric, and sometimes residue from the wrong detergent. Here's how to avoid and fix it:
- Never use fabric softener on cloth nappies — it settles like a film and reduces absorption. If it has happened anyway, it's no big deal: the film washes out after a few normal washes without fabric softener.
- Use a disposable liner if you apply barrier cream, so the cream doesn't go straight into the insert.
- Prewash new nappies a couple of times before putting them into use — natural materials, as mentioned, reach full absorbency after 3–5 washes.
- If a film has already built up: a few washes with the right amount of detergent and an extra rinse usually does the trick. More extensive "stripping" is only needed in exceptional cases.
If your child's skin becomes red or irritated, that's a different question — you'll find help in our guide on red bottom and nappy rash.
Cloth nappies in different situations
A cloth nappy is rarely just "a nappy" — everyday life looks different at night, at preschool and on the go. Here's the short version, with links onward to the in-depth guides.
At night. Many children get through the night with a regular nappy and an extra insert. If your child sleeps longer and pees more per stretch, a dedicated night nappy may be needed. Everything about dry nights is in our complete guide to night nappies.
At preschool. The pocket nappy is usually easiest for the staff — it's ready-packed and put on just like a disposable nappy. Send along enough of them and a wet bag for the used ones.
On the go and travelling. A wet bag keeps used nappies odour-free until you're home again. Easy to toss in your bag.
For newborns. The very smallest have their own tricks around fit, umbilical stump and quantity — we've gathered it all in the guide on cloth nappies for newborns.
How many cloth nappies do you need?
The most common answer: 20–25 nappies if you want to cover full-time and wash roughly every three days.
The newborn period is an exception — newborns are changed more often (8–12 times per day), so count more on a 2-day interval at the start unless you want an enormous stash.
| Nappy type | For full-time (wash every 3rd day) |
|---|---|
| Cover (Comfort) | 6–8 covers + 20–25 inserts |
| Pocket nappy | 20–25 nappies |
| Combination | Adapt to how you prefer it |
With a cover you often only change the insert — the cover is used again if it's clean. That's why you need fewer covers but more inserts. With a pocket nappy the whole nappy is always changed, so you need more in total.
Want to get started without buying a whole stash right away? A starter kit is built exactly for that — you get the right number of nappies, inserts and a wet bag in one package.
What do you save with cloth nappies?
For many, economy is a reason to start with cloth nappies — and it's an honest reason. Here's what the numbers say.
Disposable nappies over a nappy changing period (about 3 years): a child uses roughly 5,700 disposable nappies from birth to potty training. With standard-priced disposable nappies, that comes to about 15,000 kr for one child. Premium nappies can climb towards 20,000 kr.
Cloth nappies over the same period: a basic complete set (8 covers, 24 inserts, wet bags, cloth wipes) costs around 4,000–5,000 kr to buy. Add the washing — roughly 7 kr per wash (electricity, water, detergent included) — and you land at around 8,000 kr in total over the entire nappy changing period. If you sell the nappies on afterward, you get some of that back.
The difference: You can save up to 10,000 kr on one child compared to disposable nappies. That's not a marketing figure — it's what the calculation shows with actual prices from 2026.
And the siblings? This is where it gets really interesting. The same nappies can be used for the next child — you only need a new washing budget and possibly to top up a little. For two children, the savings land at over 15,000 kr compared to disposable nappies.
The resale value: Cloth nappies have an active second-hand market — mainly on Tradera and in buy-and-sell groups on Facebook. How much you get back varies depending on condition: as a rule around a quarter of the new price, and up to half if the nappies are in very good condition. You have to have a little luck — but the active market means the products retain a value. Our nappies are designed in a slow fashion spirit — we don't constantly release new collections that make older patterns passé, which means they retain a lasting value over time.
What about the investment? It's more honest than an even monthly cost: you lay out a few thousand up front, and after that the biggest ongoing cost is just the washing. Break-even against disposable nappies comes roughly after 8–10 months — after that you profit from it every month going forward.
If you want to read the whole breakdown with all the line items, it's here: cloth nappies vs disposable nappies.
→ See the starter kits — packaged to get started right
What's included in a starter kit — and what do you need?
The easiest way to get started is with one of our starter kits. They contain nappies, inserts and a wet bag — everything you need to begin. We have starter kits for different situations across our entire main range — from the Newborn Nappy (2–6 kg) for the very smallest, via Slim (3–15 kg) and Comfort (5–17 kg) through the entire nappy changing period, to Night Nappy & Cover for nighttime use.
You also choose a pattern — everyone in our main range has custom-designed Nordic-inspired patterns: Skogsvrå, Dalablomster, Ängsving, Skogssvamp, Dalaräv and several others.
Pocket Nappy Basic is available at a lower price — a separate collection, for those who want to try cloth nappies without a bigger investment.
→ See the whole range of cloth nappies and accessories.
Frequently asked questions about cloth nappies
What does it mean that a cloth nappy is OEKO-Tex certified?
OEKO-Tex Standard 100 means that every component – fabric, thread and snaps – has been tested and approved as free from a long list of health-harmful substances; it's one of the textile industry's strictest standards for chemical safety. Our main range is OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certified, with bamboo closest to the skin and covers free from PFAS.
How do you start using cloth nappies for the first time?
The easiest way is to start with a starter kit – nappies, inserts and a wet bag in one package – and run cloth nappies during the day first until the routine is in place, usually after about a week. Choose the fit by weight (Slim 3–15 kg or Comfort 5–17 kg), adjust with the snaps (the two-finger rule) and wash at 60° without fabric softener.
What's included in a starter kit for cloth nappies?
A starter kit gathers a ready basic set: nappies (usually 3–4), matching inserts and a wet bag – everything you need to begin without figuring out quantities yourself. We have starter kits for the entire nappy changing period: Newborn (2–6 kg), Slim (3–15 kg), Comfort (5–17 kg) and Night & cover.
How much money do you save with cloth nappies?
Over an entire nappy changing period, cloth nappies can save up to 10,000 kr per child compared to disposable nappies – and over 15,000 kr for two children, since the same nappies are reused. Break-even against disposables comes after about 8–10 months.
What environmental impact do cloth nappies have compared to disposable nappies?
A child uses roughly 5,700 disposable nappies from birth to potty, all of which are thrown away; the same cloth nappies are reused hundreds of times and can be passed on to siblings. Our covers are made of recycled polyester (rPET), and the biggest ongoing factor is the washing – wash full machines at 60° and air-dry for the lowest impact.
Are cloth nappies difficult to use?
No — most parents who start describe it as the routine being in place after a week. It's mostly about learning the washing rhythm.
Can you combine cloth nappies with disposable nappies?
Absolutely. Many families run cloth nappies at home and disposables on outings or at nursery. The combination works well and is a good way to start without changing everything all at once.
Do cloth nappies leak more than disposable nappies?
If the fit is right, no. On the contrary — loose baby stool (what's often called "blowouts") actually often stays better in a cloth nappy, thanks to the adjustable fit that follows your child's body more closely than a disposable nappy does. If, on the other hand, it leaks wetness — check the fit with the two-finger rule, both at the waist and at the leg openings. Adjust the height snaps or the width snaps as needed. More in the troubleshooting section above.
Why do my nappies smell even though I wash them?
Usually it's about dosing or rinsing. Dose according to the detergent packaging — too little doesn't clean properly, too much leaves residue that can smell and irritate the skin — and feel free to add an extra rinse. See the odour section above.
Tip for the 6–8-month age: When your child starts eating real food, it often drinks larger amounts of liquid via the food, and some children pee more than usual for a period. Then an extra insert may be needed for a while — fold a thin insert lengthwise and place it where the pee comes first.
Do cloth nappies work at night?
It depends on the child. Many children sleep fine in a cloth nappy. If it leaks, you need extra absorbent inserts — see our guide on night nappies for concrete tips.
Can you start with cloth nappies when the child is older?
Yes. You can start at any time during the nappy changing period. The earlier, the more you save, but there are no downsides to starting at one year old.
What do you do with the cloth nappies afterward?
Sell them on, give them to the next child or donate. Cloth nappies in good condition are sought after on the second-hand market.
How long do cloth nappies last?
With the right care they last for the entire nappy changing period and often for 2–3 children. Avoid fabric softener and tumble-drying the covers.
Can children with sensitive skin use cloth nappies?
Yes, cloth nappies can be a good option for sensitive skin and nappy rash — the natural materials breathe and are free from fragrance and additives. Choose bamboo closest to the skin for extra softness. For medical concerns with your child, always consult your child health centre or a doctor.
Ready to start?
It should be easy to make a good choice. Take a look at the starter kits — they're built to give you exactly what you need to get started, without guesswork. Or browse freely among all cloth nappies and find the patterns you like.
If you have questions, you're always welcome to get in touch.
By Emelie, founder of Time Ahead Sweden — mum of three, curious about how we as parents can make thoughtful choices in everyday life.