When you do use soap, rinse well. Keep a little wash cloth wet with water in a baggie in your diaper bag. Just like the rest of your baby, the bottom will be healthier for a good dose of sun light and fresh air. Let your baby be with out diapers as much as possible. Use every day products rather than commercial products that contain harsh and often toxic chemicals.
Corn starch makes a wonderful powder, and contains no talc.
Olive oil, almond oil, or cooking oil is as good as any baby oil, even better because it does not contain mineral oil which can deplete the skin of its natural moisture. If you insist on buying an official baby product, look at your local health food store for natural baby products. Links to Other Pages Even with the internet, there is precious little information on Cotton Diapers other than from people that are trying to sell you products. This page has some interesting fundamentals about using diapers, but has strong commercial undercurrents. Cost Effective Change when to change a diaper References about chemical hazards.