Hi there, We cloth diaper.
there are several cloth diapering stores online that offer trial packages with several different diapering options to try out. One such is http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&...
If you are anywhere near Ann Arbor http://www.treecitydiapers.com/store/ has an actual storefront the Owner is very knowlagable and I believe she has cloth diapering info classes.
Washing, I wash my diapers every other day, or every second day (works out to 3-4loads a week I guess) I wash in Hot water (you only use about a tablespoon of detergent per load, any more than that and your dipes won't work very well, also NO fabric softner at all it makes the diapers unable to absorb!) and Dry in the Dryer (some people hang their covers to dry, but I generaly don't) There are diaper sprayers available that you just hook up to your toilet's water line so you can spray yuck off right into the toilet, or you can do the dunk and swirl method :-) I don't have a problem with poo in the washer if I get the chunks off first.
I would have 18diapers on hand per child.
I prefer pocket style diapers with inserts, inserts can be anything from cut down prefold diapers, to microfiber towels.
I do use prefolds and Bummis Super Whisper Wraps as well, which are really easy for beginners. I hook the diaper with a Snappi so no pins to poke baby, or I'll fold the dipe into thirds and just lay it in the Wrap cover no pins required!
I figure by using cloth I save roughly $100 per month on diapers.