10 Best Flat Diapers for Easy Folding (2024)

I was intimidated the first time venturing into the flatland, mainly because of mastering the folds.

Once I got the hang of the origami fold, I started enjoying the process. 

Best flat diapers are trim, super absorbent, and dry so fast that they have paid for themselves in dryer electricity cost savings.

PS! Bamboo flats are ideal for nighttime, but they can shrink with hot water.

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Best Flat Diapers

1. Osocozy Organic Birdsye Flat Cloth Diapers

The Osocosy organic birdseye cloth diapers are the perfect environmentally friendly choice. 

Made from 100% organic cotton they make for the best flat diapers for newborns and toddlers. With no additional chemicals or bleach, they are gentle and delicate against the newest of skin. 

With a flat square design, you can choose the folding technique to ensure the additional absorbency is located where needed. Although not waterproof they should be worn under a waterproof outer to keep your child’s outer clothes dry. 

The notable disadvantage of these diaper flats is they will shrink in size when hot washed. Meaning you’ll need to be mindful of your washing cycle.

What We Liked

• Versatile and can be used as a pocket diaper insert.
• Folded in many ways to support absorbency needs for both boys and girls. 
• One size making them the best flat diapers for toddlers and newborns.
• Raised woven structure ensures they are a highly absorbent diaper.
• Quick to dry as single layered birdseye cotton.

Baby Fit: Newborn to toddler.
Flat Size: 27×30.5 inch
Bleached: No
Material: 100% Organic Birdseye Cotton
Absorbency: Super absorbent making them perfect for heavy wetters and naptime.

2. Nicki’s Diapers Print Flat Cloth Diapers Diapers

Sold in packs of 6, Nicki’s Print flat diapers offer the best cheapest flat diapers. Making them the best budget flat cloth diapers. 

As you are likely to go through anywhere between 6-12 diapers per day, you will want between 22-24 in your stash. This will enable you to wash every 2-3 days. 

Made from cotton, they are ideal for everyday use. Extremely soft and gentle, they won’t irritate your child’s skin, and are ideal at keeping diaper rash at bay. 

Ideal for average wetters, the disadvantage of this diaper is that it is unlikely to be absorbent enough to handle nighttime and heavy wetters.

What We Liked

• The fun design makes these flat cloth diapers attractive for both kids and parents. 
• They don’t require as many pre-washes to boost their absorbency. 
• They absorb quickly, preventing your child’s bottom from irritation. 
• You can fold them in a variety of ways to ensure the absorbency is where needed. 
• They offer a cheap way to use cloth diapers for your baby.

Baby Fit: Perfect fit for all babies, from newborn to toddler.
Flat Size: 27×27 inch
Bleached: No
Material: 100% Cotton
Absorbency: Regular absorbency, perfect for daytime use.

3. Imagine Stretchy Bamboo Flat Cloth Diapers

The Imagine Stretchy bamboo diaper flats require pre-washing 3-5 times before use to boost their absorbency levels. As you continue to wash and use them, their natural absorbency levels will continue to increase. 

Made with stretchy bamboo, they are easier to ensure the perfect fit for your baby. 

With highly absorbent bamboo, these are one of the best rated flat cloth diapers and can be used for day or night use. 

For the average diaper stash you will want 22-24 in total. The only notable disadvantage is that it does take practice to get the fit right for your baby.

What We Liked

• Stretchy material makes it easier to get the perfect fit for your baby. 
• Made with bamboo viscose they are highly absorbent.
• Superior absorbency can cope with heavy wetters and nighttime use. 
• Soft fabric to be worn against your baby’s delicate skin.
• One size so they will see your baby through from newborn to toddler.

Baby Fit: One size to offer a trim fit for newborn to toddler.
Flat Size: 27.5×27.5 inch
Bleached: No
Material: Bamboo viscose
Absorbency: Super absorbency to support heavy wetters and nighttime use.

4. Imagine Baby Bamboo Flat Cloth Diapers

Made with a combination of bamboo and cotton, the Imagine cloth diaper flats are chemical free. Made from natural ingredients, they not only absorb quickly and efficiently, but they are gentle for your baby to wear. 

As they are not waterproof, when cloth diapering with flats they will need to be worn with a diaper cover. 

Simple to use, start by folding flat diapers to ensure the absorbency is where required. Fasten and cover, and your baby is good to go. 

The only disadvantage is they aren’t stretchy and it can require more attention and technique to get the perfect fit for your baby.

What We Liked

• Extremely soft and gentle material making it comfy against your child’s bottom. 
• Flexible diaper uses, worn as a flat diaper as a pocket diaper insert.
• Offers high absorbency capacity for heavy wetters.
• One size to provide diapers from newborn to potty training. 
• Cost effective way to use cloth diapers when on a budget.

Baby Fit: For babies from newborn to potty
Flat Size:32×32 inch
Bleached: No
Material: 55% bamboo and 45% cotton
Absorbency: Highly absorbent ideal for heavy wetters.

5. Imagine Baby Printed Flat Cloth Diapers

With fun patterns the Imagine Baby Printed Cloth Diapers make them a popular choice when looking for different types of flats. The print not only makes these unfolded cloth diapers cute but will become a favorite option for your child. 

Their one size ensures that they are a perfect newborn flat diaper folds as well as being able to support your child as they grow into a toddler. 

To allow easy washing of your diaper stash every 2-3 years, you will want between 22-24 diapers. In addition to the best flat cloth diapers, you will want diapers covers and fasteners. 

The only disadvantage is this diaper may not be sufficient if your child is a heavy wetter, due to their regular absorbency levels.

What We Liked

• Fun pattern makes them attractive and engaging to children. 
• Stretchy material helps ensure the perfect fit for your baby. 
• Being a generous size square they comfortably fit up to toddler size. 
• Made from single layered cotton, they are quick to dry after each wash. 
• Super soft material to ensure they are gentle against little bottoms.

Baby Fit: One size to support children, newborn to toddler.
Flat Size: 27×27 inch
Bleached: No
Material: 100% Cotton
Absorbency: Regular absorbency making them perfect for daytime use.

6. Nicki’s Diapers Bamboo Flat Cloth Diapers

Sold in two sizes, Nicki’s Bamboo flat cloth diapers are lint free and made from 100% natural fibers. Although the majority of flat diapers are sold as one-sized, Nicki’s offers two sizes. Making them the perfect solution for parents with bigger babies. 

Made primarily with bamboo, these diapers are highly absorbent and capable to handle the biggest of wees and handle the heaviest of wetters. 

As they are not waterproof they will need to be worn with a waterproof outer to prevent your baby’s outer clothes getting wet. 

Easy to use they can be worn and secured with pins or fasteners, or folded under fitters outers.

What We Liked

• Sold in packs of 6 make it easy to build up your stash. 
• As a single layered diaper, they are easy to wash and quick drying. 
• Lightweight design ensures they are trim fitting for your baby. 
• Can be folded and used as inserts for maximum absorbency at nighttime. 
• Versatile diaper that can be worn with a cover or as an insert.

Baby Fit: Designed to support newborn to toddler.
Flat Size: 28×30 inch and 31×35 inch
Bleached: No
Material: 55% bamboo and 45% cotton
Absorbency: Suitable for heavy wetters.

7. Nicki’s Diapers Cotton Muslin Flat Cloth Diapers

Offering an economical way to use cloth diapers, Nicki’s diapers muslin flat diapers are absorbent and soft for delicate bums. 

Sold in two sizes, they are able to see your little one through from newborn through to when they ditch diapers and embrace potty training. 

Made from natural fibers these diapers need to be washed and dried 3-5 times before use to maximize their natural absorbency levels. 

Not naturally waterproof, you will need to pair these diapers with a waterproof outer and pins to hold the diaper securely. 

The only disadvantage is that you will need to buy both sizes to ensure the ideal fit as your child grows.

What We Liked

• Capable of handling heavy wetters due to superior absorbency capabilities. 
• Fast drying natures making them perfect for continued use.
• Trim material makes them less bulky looking than other cloth diapers. 
• Material is easily folded to ensure that you get the fit needed.
• Extremely soft, making them gentle for your baby’s little bottom.

Baby Fit: Trim fit, sold in two sizes. Perfect to see your baby from newborn to potty training.
Flat Size: Two sizes, 28×30 and 31×35 inch.
Bleached: No
Material: 100% Cotton
Absorbency: Heavy absorbency levels, suitable for naps and nighttime use.

8. OsoCozy Bamboo Terry Stretchy Flat Diapers

Depending on how you fold, the OsoCozy Bamboo Terry Stretchy flat cloth diapers will see you through until potty training. As one-sized you just need to stock up and your stash will see you through from newborn to pants.

Due to containing bamboo these best bamboo flat cloth diapers, are extremely absorbent and won’t shrink much. 

Simple to use, these osocozy flats are stretchy to ensure the fit is perfect for your baby. Simply fold, pin and pair with a waterproof cover. 

To get the most out of these old fashioned cloth diapers, you’ll need to wash them before use to boost their absorbency. 

The only disadvantage is it takes some practice to get the perfect fit.

What We Liked

• They are trim fitting and do not look bulky like other cloth diapers.
• As a flat square, they are quick to wash and dry.
• The stretchy material ensures a better fit for your baby. 
• Made with bamboo they are highly absorbent.
• French terry styled they are extremely gentle against your baby’s delicate skin.

Baby Fit: 7-30lbs
Flat Size: 26×26 inch
Bleached: No
Material: 56% rayon from bamboo, 24% cotton and 20% polyester
Absorbency: Super absorbency, perfect for daytime, naps and nighttime.

9. OsoCozy Bamboo Organic Cotton Flat Diapers

The OsoCozy organic flat diapers are made out of a combination of bamboo and cotton, making them extra soft and durable. 

As you are likely to go through 5-10 diapers per day, you will be looking to invest in approx 22-24. This will allow you to have a wash routine of every 2-3 days. In addition to the best reusable flat diapers you will need fasteners and waterproof covers. 

Sold in multipacks, they are not only the best absorbent flat diapers, they are an economical choice. 

The only disadvantage is they do require between 5-10 pre-washes to reach their maximum absorbency capacity.

What We Liked

• Containing 70% bamboo they can handle the heaviest of wetters. 
• Versatile as can be used within pocket diaper covers as an insert. 
• They are extremely durable and long lasting diaper options. 
• One size covers your baby from a newborn to toddler. 
• They dry quickly due to being a one-layered diaper.

Baby Fit: 7 x 30 lbs
Flat Size: 32”x35”
Bleached: No
Material: 70% bamboo and 30% certified organic cotton
Absorbency: Superior absorbency making them ideal for nighttime.

10. OsoCozy Dyed Birdseye Flat Cloth Diapers

Vibrantly colored, the Osocuzy dyed cotton flats provide a fun and child engaging flat diaper. 

With a variety of uses they are one of the best flats and can be used as folded diapers, inserts for pocket diapers or around the house. 

Sold in one size they are easy to use and highly absorbent. Pre-washing is essential to ensure the maximum absorbency benefits. 

With varying fold fits, as a parent you can ensure that you are providing the absorbency where it is needed the most. 

The only disadvantage is they will need washing separately to begin with, as the colors will run.

What We Liked

• A variety of colors making them fun flat fold cloth diapers. 
• Sold in packs of 4, they work out a lot cheaper than other cloth diapers. 
• Can be used as burp cloths, cleaning rags and diapers.
• 100% cotton makes them soft and comfortable for your child to wear.
• Fast drying nature due to being a single layer of absorbent cotton.

Baby Fit: One size to fit newborn to potty training.
Flat Size: 27×27 inch
Bleached: No
Material: 100% Cotton
Absorbency: Highly absorbent

How to Fold Flat Cloth Diapers?

There are many ways to fold cloth diapers. 

Pad Fold

• Fold into a square. 
• Fold a third over. 
• Fold the other third over making an oblong. 
• Pull the front up and cover your baby. 
• Cover with a diaper cover.

Origami Fold

• Fold into a square.
• Take the top layer corner and pull it over to create a triangle. 
• Flip it over. 
• Fold the square one-third over. 
• Fold the other side of the square one-third over. 
• Place your baby on the diaper. Pull the front up and fold the wings over. Fasten with pins or a fastener. 

There are also kite folds, happy anteaters and newspaper folds.

FAQ

What are flat cloth diapers?

A traditional cloth diapering option. Flat cloth diapers are a large single-layered absorbent material that can be folded in a variety of ways to provide an absorbent cloth diaper. 

Why flat diapers are the best?

Lasting the test of time, flat diapers are an inexpensive and highly effective cloth diaper. Being versatile to be folded in a variety of ways, they provide absorbency where needed. 

How many flat diapers do I need?

For an effective stash, it is recommended to have between 22-24 flat diapers, as you will use 5-8 per day. This will allow you to wash every 2-3 days.

How to use flat cloth diapers?

Pre-wash 3-5 times before use. Simple, take your flat diaper and fold based on your preferred method. Secure and cover with a waterproof diaper cover.

How to fold flat cloth diapers? 

There are a variety of ways to fold your flat cloth diaper. The most popular folds are the kite, mini kite, happy anteater and newspaper fold.

What’s the difference between prefolds and flats?

Prefolds contain a central section that contains additional layers of absorbent material. Flat diapers are made of a single absorbent layer and require folding to provide increased absorbance for the wet zone. 

Are flats more absorbent than Prefolds?

Flats can become more absorbent than prefolds depending on the materials used, such as best hemp flat cloth diapers. You can fold and increase their absorbency depending on your needs.

Can I use flats in pocket diapers?

Yes. You can fold your flats into oblong shapes and stuff them into the pocket of your pocket diapers to provide a highly absorbent insert. 

Do flat diapers need covers?

Flat diapers are not waterproof. They do require being used with waterproof diaper covers to ensure that your child’s outer clothes remain dry and their wee does not soak through.

Do you save money with flat cloth diapers?

Being one of the least expensive cloth diapers, you can build your stash up for a low cost. This makes them one of the best options for saving money.

What are flatfold diapers?

Flatfold diapers are another name for flat diapers. They are a square piece of single-layered absorbent material that’s folded in a variety of ways to offer absorbency as a diaper.