First off, forget the pins and use diaper wraps which make cloth diapers just as fast as disposables to get on and off.

Consider using a diaper service for at least the first few months if you can afford it. The cost and convenience are comparable to disposables and the benefits far outweigh disposables. Though we were on a very tight budget, we had diaper service for about 6 months. Want to know our budgeting secret? When friends and relatives ask what you need for the baby, tell them that a months worth of diaper service would really help. That can add up!

When you are ready to purchase your own diapers don't buy the cheapest ones you can find. A good thick cotton diaper is worth spending a little more money. For an inexpensive source of good diapers call a local diaper service and inquire if they sell "out of service" or "worn" diapers. We bought several dozen diapers from our diaper service that were slightly frayed around the edges....for one dollar apiece. They cost no more than the very cheapest store brands but we got very high quality diapers.

You don't have to rinse out or pail-soak your cloth diapers.

For diapering older babies and toddlers, just shake the poop into the toilet. We use flushable diaper liners, we lift them off and drop them into the toilet. Even if you don't have liners, you can just dump older baby's solids into the toilet.

For younger babies, at least for breastfed babies, you can just put the diaper (poop and all) into the diaper pail. We tried soaking in the pail but it didn't seem to help and seemed to create more odor and mess. When you are ready to wash, just dump the diapers into the washer and run a quick rinse and spin cycle before you proceeded to the actual washing.

There are many ways to wash cloth diapers. You'll eventually work out your own favorite system. The brand you choose may have particular recommendations.

This is how we wash:
When it is time to wash a load , we put all of the dirty diapers in the washer which is filled with hot water, detergent and a cup or so of Borax (20 Mule Team) We let the washer swish them around for 5 minutes or so then turn it off. We let the whole mess soak at least a few hours or overnight. Then we rinse and spin them and do a complete hot wash cycle with just a bit of detergent. Some people like to do an extra rinse. If you like, you can add a cup or so of white vinegar (it has antibacterial properties and helps remove odors) or baking soda in your soak or rinse cycle.

When washing your cloth diapers, do not use bleach. It breaks down the cotton fibers and the residue is bad for baby's skin. If you feel you really need it for whitening do all of your diapers in a bleach load every 6-8 weeks and rinse at least twice.

For bleach free white diapers try drying your diapers on a clothesline on sunny days....sun acts as a natural bleach.

Do NOT use fabric softeners on your diapers. They will lower the absorbancy as well as leave a residue which may irritate baby's bottom.