Buying Guides

Buying guides

Cloth diapers and merino wool can feel like a lot to sort through at first. These guides walk you through what actually matters for your situation — which styles fit which ages, how absorbency works, what wool does that cotton doesn't, and which pieces to start with so you don't over-buy.


Pick the guide that matches your situation

Each guide is self-contained — you don't need to read them in order. If you're between two, the quiz will point you to a starting kit in about a minute.

Baby – 5 years
Baby cloth diaper guide
Covers newborn through preschool sizing, the difference between prefolds, fitteds, all-in-ones, and covers, and how many diapers you actually need to get started. Best if you're new to cloth or building a stash from scratch.
Read the baby guide →
6 – 16 years
Big kids diapers guide
For older children and teens still in diapers — bedwetting, autism, special needs, or developmental conditions where overnight or daytime support is needed. Covers sizing past toddler, the three-piece nighttime system, and discreet daytime options. Backed by deep guides on bedwetting, autism, and special-needs teens.
Read the big kids guide →
Teens and adults
Adult cloth diapers guide
A full walkthrough of adult cloth diapering — incontinence levels, shell and insert pairings, overnight capacity, and how to build a rotation that holds up to daily use. The most detailed guide on the site.
Read the adult guide →
Insurance reimbursement
FSA & HSA eligibility guide
Cloth diapers used for diagnosed incontinence, enuresis, or special-needs care may qualify for FSA and HSA reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity. Includes a free LMN template, which products typically qualify, and how to handle FSA debit cards at checkout.
Read the FSA/HSA guide →
Not sure? 1 minute
Take the diaper quiz
Answer a few questions about who you're shopping for and how you'll use the diapers. You'll get a recommended style, absorbency level, and starter kit — no account needed.
Start the quiz →
Final sale — while stock lasts
Discontinued adult styles guide
Our original adult Pocket Diaper and Diaper Cover are on final sale at 30% off. This guide compares the discontinued styles to the current 2.0 line, explains the old Youth/Regular/Extended sizing, and helps you decide whether the old or new style is the right fit.
Read the discontinued guide →

Thinking about wool?

Merino wool is a separate product line from our diapers — we sell base layers, sleep sacks, and everyday pieces for babies, kids, and adults. It regulates temperature, resists odor between washes, and works across a surprising range of climates. If you've never owned wool or you've only tried itchy wool, start with the overview below — then dig into the specific guides when you're ready to buy.

Start here
Is merino wool right for you?
What merino is, how it compares to cotton and synthetics, what it costs to care for, and the pieces most people start with. Honest about where wool makes sense and where it doesn't.
Read the wool overview →

Choosing wool

Five guides to help you pick the right wool for your situation — from understanding fabric weights to decoding European sizing to comparing wool against synthetic alternatives.

Comfort & skin
Is merino wool itchy?
An honest answer for sensitive skin. What makes merino different from traditional wool, when it can still feel uncomfortable, and what to do about it — including wool-silk blends for the most sensitive wearers.
Read the guide →
Fabric types
Merino wool weights explained
Interlock, wool fleece, boiled wool, and terry — the four main wool fabric types explained with GSM equivalents. Which weight to choose for base layers, outerwear, and baby clothing.
Read the guide →
Certifications
Organic wool certifications
GOTS, IVN BEST, mulesing-free, and kbT — what each certification actually guarantees, how they differ, and which brands use which. Understand what organic wool really means.
Read the guide →
Sizing
European wool sizing guide
European children's sizes are based on height in centimeters, not age. Full EU-to-US conversion chart, how to measure correctly, and why brand-specific charts always win over generic conversions.
Read the guide →
Wool vs. synthetic
Wool vs. synthetic base layers
An honest comparison between organic merino and synthetic polyester. Where each wins, where synthetics are genuinely better, and why organic wool is the right choice for everyday wear, babies, and sensitive skin.
Read the guide →

Caring for wool

Wool needs less washing than you'd think, but the washing that does happen matters. Follow these and quality merino lasts for years.

Care instructions
How to wash wool clothes and socks
Step-by-step hand-wash method, machine-wash rules, drying without stretching, and how to fix common problems like pilling and shrinkage. The complete care guide for wool clothing.
Read the guide →
Diaper covers
How to wash and lanolize wool diaper covers
Wool diaper covers need periodic lanolizing to stay waterproof. Step-by-step washing and lanolizing instructions, what products to use, and how to fix common problems like leaking or greasy spots.
Read the guide →

Common questions

I'm shopping for more than one age — which guide should I read?

Read the guide for the older user first. Sizing, absorbency needs, and style options narrow as kids grow, so the older-age guide usually covers the harder decisions. Then skim the younger guide for starter stash sizing.

Is the quiz only for diapers?

Yes. The quiz recommends a diaper style and starter kit based on the wearer's age, absorbency needs, and how you plan to wash. For merino wool, the wool overview is the right starting point — it's a shorter read than the quiz would be.

How long does each guide take to read?

The baby and big kids diaper guides run about 8–12 minutes. The adult diaper guide is the longest at roughly 20 minutes because it covers the widest range of needs. The FSA/HSA guide takes about 10 minutes and includes a Letter of Medical Necessity template you can print. Wool guides run about 6–10 minutes each. All have tables of contents so you can skip to the section you need.

Do I need to read a guide before I buy?

No — product pages have everything you need to make a single purchase. The guides are for people building a full stash or rotation, switching from disposables, weighing two styles against each other, learning about wool as a new fiber, or planning to use FSA/HSA reimbursement. If you already know what you want, go straight to the product.

Can I use my FSA or HSA card to pay for cloth diapers?

For cloth diapers used to manage diagnosed incontinence, enuresis, or special-needs care — usually yes, with a Letter of Medical Necessity from your healthcare provider. Most plans treat cloth diapers similarly to disposable incontinence supplies, which are widely accepted. Baby cloth diapers used for typically developing infants are generally not eligible. See the FSA & HSA guide for the full eligibility framework, an LMN template, and how to handle FSA debit cards at checkout.

Which wool guide should I read first?

Start with "Is merino wool right for you?" if you're new to wool — it's the broadest overview. If you already own some wool and are looking for something specific, skip to the guide that matches your question: itchiness, weight, certifications, sizing, or care.