The simplest and most old-school way of cloth diapering your baby is using a square or flat diaper. There are many benefits to using flat cloth diapers:
- cheap
- easy to wash and dry
- trim
- less buildup and stink problems
- travel easy
Here is a video demonstrating how to fold a flat cloth diaper using the origami fold. The origami fold provides you with a built-in liner and a tightness at the legs.
Because of the trimness make sure to pay attention to cover size. If using a one-sized cover you will probably be able to shorten the rise. For sized covers, a smaller size may be needed.
June 19, 2012 at 11:44 am
So I went to watch this, and Youtube deleted it because it violates their terms of service.
June 1, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Just an FYI: The video has been removed from youtube
June 1, 2012 at 4:34 pm
Video removed because its content violated Youtube’s TOS. o.O What the deuce?
June 1, 2012 at 5:53 pm
hmmm…i still show it playing. refresh and try again.
August 24, 2012 at 5:50 pm
I’m getting the same message.
March 25, 2011 at 10:57 am
It seems like this would the ideal product to provide for people who live in apts. and are struggling with poverty. They can be washed in a pot of boiling water on the stove and hung to dry, thus avoiding the laundromat diaper washing scenario. I’m thankful that we have a washer and dryer now but I used disposables the whole time we were in apts. because it was actually cheaper (I bought the store brand and only used 3-4 a day) then the laundromat. I’m sad that I didn’t know about this option as we were soooo poor and had to compromise a lot just to make ends meet. My baby’s bottom would have been much healthier if I’d done this and it would have been even cheaper then the $15 a month we spent on disposables.
February 24, 2011 at 8:54 pm
We use this fold for our 10 month old and also for our almost-3-year-old for his naptime. Gotta love a dipe you can use from birth to potty time! My little guys wears wool covers and the big guy wears Thirsties Duos. Plus, you can’t beat a cloth diaper that only costs about a buck!
February 12, 2011 at 11:18 pm
Love this fold! We used it on our son until he got to be a bit too big to get the sides wrapped around him! It worked great when he was under 15lbs or so! I used Thirsties duo wrap covers with the flat.
February 12, 2011 at 6:41 pm
Great video! I have never used flats, and now I know how too!
What a sweet little model too.
February 12, 2011 at 12:58 am
This site has helped me MASSIVELY in figuring out cloth diapering!
This video just sold me on flats vs. prefolds for our backups. My mama will be so proud, as this is exactly what she used to diaper me in.
February 4, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Wow. What a Pro! It is truely inspiring to see the different ways people cloth diaper. It sure keeps the fire going for me.
February 3, 2011 at 3:58 pm
LOVE THIS!! I’ve wondered how to use my flats! I’ve wanted to use flats to cut down on stink/build up issues with my dipes, but couldn’t figure out how to fold them properly. Thanks!!
January 31, 2011 at 9:51 pm
I don’t have any flats but after watching this fold and how trim it is I really want to try them! We use prefolds at night and they are pretty bulky.
January 31, 2011 at 9:30 pm
super cute video! i’ve never tried using flats, but now i think i might purchase some for my second child.
January 31, 2011 at 2:10 pm
I love flats and I remember a post I saw once I can’t remember if it was here or on DS but it talked about stripping receiving blankets and using them as prefolds which is an extreamly cost effective way to cloth diaper! You can find receiving blankets at thrift shops for a quarter!!! I did not try this with my dd since she is now PL’ing but I plan to try it with the next one for sure
January 31, 2011 at 9:02 am
I used this fold back when I first started CD, but my flats were cheapo kushies from WalMart and I couldn’t use the snappi at all. Now I’m thinking I should get proper flats for the one on the way…
January 30, 2011 at 10:44 pm
Where do you buy the flat diapers? I haven’t found any in my searching online for cloth diapers. They also look really easy to make out of cloth sheets or something would that work?
February 4, 2011 at 10:21 am
They can be made out of receiving blankets. I’ve found organic flat gerber diapers at Target. Banana Peels carries Tiny Tush.
February 12, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Many mommas also have a lot of luck using the floursack towels from Walmart. I just picked up a pack of 5 for $5 to try. I hear they tie dye beautifully also!
January 30, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Great video Autumn! I’ve never tried flats, but I know lots of mommies love them. They just don’t look as absorbent as prefolds to me. I swore by prefolds when LO was too small for pockets. The flats in the video definitely look like they offer a trimmer fit though.
January 30, 2011 at 11:36 am
Now that brings back wonderful memories. That is exactly what I used on my babies back in the late 70′s, minus the wonderful snappi and wool covers. Which only proves that a cloth diapering stands the test of time. And imagine how fun it will be to watch your cloth diaper babies grow up and teach their children how to cloth diaper their babies.
January 30, 2011 at 9:19 pm
I love you, Mom <3
January 30, 2011 at 11:00 am
This is the fold I am using for my 8 week old son. I love how trim it is. You do have to watch the cover you use…I am using a Bummis original now. The prefolds I have are too bulky for now, so the flats are working well.
January 30, 2011 at 9:33 am
I love it! I was just thinking last night it that I needed to see about finding directions for folding flat diapers… I have some idea, but figure more ideas never hurt and give me some options. Hubby tends to be folding-challenged (*everything* goes on a hanger) so I will find something simpler that he can use (or he can use fitteds or somesuch).
Thank you Autumn, you have been such a wonderful resource!
January 30, 2011 at 12:39 am
LOVE this vid. Love the whole thing! Music etc. Love the name Eowyn too
How do you make flats work for older babies??? I used them on my newborn but they weren’t absorbant enough after a while. Now I use them for doublers in my fitteds…..
Update….I just used that fold with two flats layered together. It’s late so I left it folded on the changing table…see what happens in the morning
January 30, 2011 at 12:29 am
That is the cutest little diapering method ever!!! I’m not sure I’d have the patience to do it every time, but watching that makes me want to try!!!
January 30, 2011 at 12:23 am
Hi Autumn, do you have any suggestions for what type of cloth would work best with this Origami fold?
January 30, 2011 at 9:20 pm
birdseye cotton flat diaper…is that what you mean?
January 30, 2011 at 12:18 am
I actually use this fold quite often for my 5 week old. I didn’t like the flats at first until I learned this. I now prefer the flats to the prefolds until she’s bigger since the prefolds are so bulky. We use Kawaii covers with prefolds/flats in the day and the Sunbaby pockets at night. So far this is working for my hubby and I with our first child together. Thankfully my hubby was not scared to use flats/prefolds because he used prefolds and pins with his first daughter who is now 18!
February 9, 2011 at 10:54 pm
How many covers are you using? and how many flats do you
have?