Debating switching to cloth

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I'm debating going cloth. My biggest drawback right now is that our washer (which is not very good) is down in our very creepy 1940's basement that I try to avoid whenever possible. There's a new diaper washing service in our area that will come twice a week and wash/dry/fold your diapers for you then return them (not someone else's, yours are washed and kept separate). They also only use green cleaners (Charlie's and bacout) and won't use bleach or borax or anything on them. It's only $20/week and I think it may be worth it even though right now I only spend about $12-13 on sposies.

But, it's a big initial investment for us to buy all the dipes. I would need a full week's worth. So, how many diapers do I need? Right now with sposies she goes through about 6 a day. Would it be more than that if she was in cloth?

And, if you didn't have to worry about washing and drying them yourself and made the decision on best type solely on how they wear, absorb, etc. what type would you pick?

[sunnymw]

If it were *me*

I would get fitteds and prefolds for her to wash. 8 per day (10 if you're feeling liberal), plus half a dozen prefolds as backup (they are waaay cheap).

I would get 7 overnight diapers (Bagshot Row Bamboo makes one called Tucked In All Night (TIAN), then there's the Very Baby Simply Nights (VBSN)).

2 snappis (for the TIANs and prefolds)

I would get 3-4 wool covers. They need to be hand-washed about every 2-3 weeks, which you can do upstairs. It literally only takes a few minutes to do--less time than unloading a dishwasher and you can do it with one hand.