Cloth diaper liners are one of those little cloth-diapering tools that parents hear about—but rarely get clear, practical guidance on. Some blogs simply say “lay the liner inside the diaper,” but in real day-to-day life, diaper liners can help with poop clean-up, rash protection, daycare routines, nighttime comfort, and even potty-training transitions.
This guide goes far beyond the basics to explain how to use cloth diaper liners correctly, when you actually need them, and how to avoid the common mistakes that cause leaks, bunching, and plumbing headaches.
Let’s make cloth diapering easier—one liner at a time.
What Are Cloth Diaper Liners?
Cloth diaper liners are thin sheets placed on top of your cloth diaper—right against your baby’s skin. They let liquid pass through but catch solids, making diaper changes and laundry simpler.
There are two main types:
1. Disposable Cloth Diaper Liners
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Usually bamboo or viscose fibers
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Sold in perforated rolls
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Designed to catch solids
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Toss after use
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Often labeled “biodegradable” or “flushable” (we’ll talk about flushing later!)
Disposable liners are popular for older babies who eat solids and make more formed poop.
2. Reusable Fleece / Stay-Dry Liners
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Made from soft polyester fleece
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Create a stay-dry layer that keeps baby’s skin feeling drier
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Great for nighttime, rash-prone babies, and heavy wetters
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Washed and reused with your regular cloth diaper laundry
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Very budget-friendly and long-lasting
Reusable liners are especially helpful if your baby often wakes up feeling damp or if you want a barrier between diaper rash cream and your absorbent inserts.
When Should You Use Cloth Diaper Liners?
Liners are optional, not mandatory—but they can make your cloth routine much easier.
Use liners when:
✔ Baby is eating solid foods (poop is more formed)
✔ Using diaper rash cream that may coat or damage absorbent fibers
✔ You want extra stay-dry comfort for nighttime
✔ Sending cloth diapers to daycare (liners make cleanup easier for caregivers)
✔ Traveling or using diapers outside the home
✔ Potty training (liners simplify cleanup when toddlers have occasional accidents)
You can skip liners when:
– Baby is exclusively breastfed (EBF poop rinses out easily and often saturates disposable liners)
– You already use a diaper sprayer or have no trouble rinsing
– You prefer fewer steps in your cloth routine
Liners are tools—not rules. Use them when they genuinely help.
How to Use Disposable Cloth Diaper Liners (Step-by-Step)
This is the simplest type to use. Here’s exactly how to do it:
1. Take one liner from the roll
Disposable liners aren’t absorbent—they just catch solids.
2. Lay it flat inside the diaper
Place it directly on top of the absorbent insert, with the soft side up if there is one.
3. Make sure the liner is fully inside the diaper
No edges sticking out of the legs or waistband—this can cause wicking leaks.
4. Put the diaper on baby
Check that the liner stays in place while fastening the diaper.
5. At diaper change:
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Pee only: discard liner (some parents reuse once if clean enough, but follow brand guidance).
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Poop: lift liner by its clean corners, drop solids into the toilet if possible, then throw the liner in the trash.
Tip: Disposable liners are great for babysitters, grandparents, or anyone who finds cloth diapers intimidating.
How to Use Reusable Fleece Cloth Diaper Liners
Reusable liners work differently since they’re meant to be washed.
1. Place a fleece liner directly on top of the diaper
Soft fleece against your baby’s skin.
2. Keep the liner fully inside the diaper shell
Ensure no fleece is hanging out—this prevents leaks.
3. Change diaper normally
Fleece tends to stay in place better than disposable liners.
4. After a diaper change:
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Pee: toss fleece liner into your diaper pail and wash as usual.
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Poop: shake or rinse solids off the liner, then wash.
Fleece liners make poop removal surprisingly easy, especially after your baby starts solids.
How to Keep Cloth Diaper Liners From Bunching or Sliding
If you’ve ever used liners and had them roll up or shift, you’re not alone. Here’s how to prevent it:
✔ Choose the right size
Liners that are too small or narrow will move more.
✔ Tuck the edges into the diaper’s gussets
This keeps the liner anchored in the “wet zone.”
✔ Use a snug but comfortable diaper fit
Loose diapers = more movement inside.
✔ For fleece liners, use slightly larger pieces
The extra surface area helps them stay put.
✔ For disposable liners, smooth them down before fastening
A simple swipe of your hand helps them lay flat.
Small tweaks make a huge difference in comfort and leak prevention.
Using Cloth Diaper Liners With Diaper Rash Cream
Not all diaper creams play nicely with cloth diapers. Zinc and petroleum-based creams can cause buildup on absorbent materials, reducing performance.
Liners act as a protective barrier.
Here’s how:
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Place a fleece or disposable liner between baby’s skin and the diaper
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Apply your preferred cream
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The liner prevents cream from coating inserts
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After the change, wash fleece liners with diapers or toss disposable ones
Pro tip:
Keep a small stash of “rash liners” for cream-heavy days to avoid coating your main liners.
Are Cloth Diaper Liners Actually Flushable?
Many brands claim their disposable liners are “flushable”—but plumbers and experienced cloth parents disagree.
Here’s the reality:
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Even biodegradable materials can block older pipes
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Septic systems may not break down bamboo fibers quickly
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Many cities warn against flushing anything except toilet paper
Safest disposal method:
Shake solids into toilet → throw liner in the trash
If your area composts human-waste-safe materials, check guidelines before composting.
This keeps your plumbing safe and your cloth routine stress-free.
How Liners Fit Into Your Cloth Diaper Routine (By Stage)
Newborns (0–3 months)
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Often no liner needed
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Fleece liners may help with rash prevention
Babies on solids
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Disposable liners make solid-poop cleanup much easier
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Fleece liners help with dryness for heavy wetters
Nighttime
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Fleece stay-dry liners keep baby’s skin drier
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Great for natural fiber diapers that hold moisture
Daycare & travel
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Liners make cloth feel more like disposables
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Caregivers can remove poop easily and toss liners
Potty training
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Liners help when toddlers are almost done with diapers but still have occasional poop accidents
DIY Cloth Diaper Liners (Easy No-Sew Option)
Want budget-friendly liners? Make your own!
Materials:
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Microfleece or anti-pill fleece
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Scissors or rotary cutter
How to make them:
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Cut fleece into rectangles:
4–5 inches wide x 10–12 inches long -
No sewing required—fleece doesn’t fray
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Prewash once before using
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Wash with your diapers every time
DIY liners cost pennies and last years.
Disposable vs Reusable Liners: Which Should You Choose?
Disposable liners are best for:
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Travel
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Daycare
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Solid-poop cleanup
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Parents who prefer convenience
Reusable liners are best for:
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Nighttime
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Rash-prone babies
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Eco-conscious families
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Saving money long-term
Most families use both at different times.
Special Situations: Heavy Wetters, Overnight, and Potty Training
Nighttime & heavy wetters
Use a fleece liner to keep the top layer dry while boosting absorbency underneath.
Potty training
Liners help toddlers transition more smoothly by preventing messy cloth cleanups during occasional accidents.
Teething poop
Liners are lifesavers during this stage when poop can get unpredictable.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Cloth Diaper Liners
✔ Letting liners stick out of diaper → leaks
✔ Using too many liners at once → shifting + bunching
✔ Flushing liners → pipe or septic issues
✔ Assuming EBF poop will always “plop off”
✔ Buying liners too small for your diaper brand
✔ Using liners as absorbency (they’re not!)
Avoiding these pitfalls makes cloth diapering much smoother.
Quick Cheat Sheet: How to Use Cloth Diaper Liners
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Lay one liner flat on top of the diaper
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Keep it fully inside the elastics
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Use liners for rashes, solids, nighttime, travel, daycare
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Disposable = toss in trash
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Fleece = wash and reuse
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Don’t flush disposable liners
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Choose the right size to prevent bunching
Final Thoughts
Cloth diaper liners aren’t essential—but they can make your cloth diaper routine dramatically easier. Whether you prefer disposable bamboo sheets for solid-poop cleanup or fleece liners for overnight comfort, the key is knowing when and how to use them.
Once you understand the differences, liners become one of the simplest ways to reduce laundry stress, protect your diapers, and keep your baby comfortable throughout the day.