Quick Answer
Yes, it is generally cheaper to use reusable cloth diapers than disposable diapers over the course of a child’s diapering years. Cloth diapers have higher upfront costs, but can be reused for multiple children, making them less expensive in the long run. Disposable diapers are convenient but generate a lot of waste and expense over time.
Cost Comparison
Here is a breakdown of the costs associated with cloth vs. disposable diapers:
Cloth Diapers
- Initial investment of $300-$800 for a stash of 20-30 diapers and inserts/boosters
- $0-50 for a diaper pail and liners for storing soiled diapers
- $50-150 for additional inserts/boosters as baby gets bigger
- $100-300 for replacement diapers
- $30-60 per year for laundry detergent and energy costs
Total cost for 1 child = $480-$1360
Cost for 2nd child (reusing diapers) = $130-$410
Disposable Diapers
- Newborn diapers (6-10 diapers/day x $0.20-0.30 each x 30 days) = $36-$90 per month
- Infant diapers (6-8 diapers/day x $0.20-$0.25 each x ~24 months) = $288-$480 per year
- Toddler diapers (4-6 diapers/day x $0.20-$0.22 each x ~12 months) = $288-$396 per year
Total cost for 1 child = $1,728-$2,268
Cost for 2nd child = $1,728-$2,268
Other Cost Considerations
Cloth Diapers
- Can be used for multiple children, saving money in the long run
- Require washing and drying which uses water and energy
- May need to purchase different sizes as baby grows
- Can resell diapers to recoup costs when finished
Disposable Diapers
- Ongoing expense for each child
- May need to buy different sizes as baby grows
- No resell value
- Generate significant waste and landfill contributions
Convenience and Lifestyle Factors
When deciding between cloth and disposable diapers, it’s not just about cost – convenience and lifestyle factors also come into play.
Cloth Diaper Convenience
- Require laundering which takes time and effort
- Can’t just throw away when soiled
- Need to carry wet bag when out and about
- Stash takes up space at home
- Some public restrooms lack changing stations
Disposable Diaper Convenience
- Easy to use – just throw away when soiled
- Portable for on-the-go
- Available at most major retailers
- No laundering required
- Can use specialized disposal systems like Diaper Genie
When it comes to the environmental impact, cloth diapers are generally considered the more eco-friendly choice because they don’t end up in landfills. However, the water and energy used in laundering must also be factored in.
Ultimately, the decision between cloth and disposable comes down to your budget, lifestyle, time commitment, environmental priorities and personal preferences. Try out both options if you are unsure of what will work best for your family.
Cloth Diapering 101
For those new to cloth diapers, here is a quick overview of how they work:
Types of Cloth Diapers
- Pockets: Outer layer of water-resistant fabric with inner absorbent layer. Insert absorbent pads into pocket.
- All-in-Ones: Absorbent core is attached to waterproof cover. No stuffing required.
- All-in-Twos: Two part system with cover and removable absorbent pads.
- Fitteds: Absorbent fabric that requires a waterproof cover.
- Prefolds/Flats: Rectangles of absorbent fabric that must be folded and fastened.
Steps for Cloth Diapering
- When baby soils a diaper, remove the insert/pads from covers.
- If bowel movement, rinse or spray solid waste into toilet.
- Store soiled inserts/diapers in wet bag or pail.
- Reuse covers if not soiled.
- Wash inserts/diapers every 2-3 days.
- Dry inserts/diapers and reuse.
Many parents find it easiest to have a diaper sprayer for rinsing off solid waste. You’ll also need about 20-30 diapers in rotation to reduce laundry frequency.
Setting Up Your Cloth Stash
Building your cloth diaper stash takes some planning and trial and error to find what works best for your baby. Here are some tips:
- Start with about 24-36 absorbent inserts/prefolds and 6-10 covers in newborn size
- Get all-in-one styles for convenience when out and about
- Have inserts in different absorbencies forcustomize at night vs day
- Buy more inserts than covers since the covers can be reused
- Slowly build stash as you find preferences – buy used to save money
- Have at least 20 inserts so you can go 2-3 days between washes
- Size up your stash as baby grows – plan for about 30 diapers total
Expect to tweak your stash and routines during the first months. Don’t invest in full stash right away in case certain styles don’t work for you.
Cloth Diaper Detergents and Laundering
Washing cloth diapers takes some special consideration:
- Use detergent made for cloth diapers or sensitive skin
- Avoid detergents with dyes, fragrances, enzymes, etc.
- Wash every 2-3 days
- Rinse diapers before washing
- Use hot water for washing, cold for rinsing
- Extra rinse cycle recommended
- Dry diapers completely – sun drying ideal
- Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets
Hard water can impact absorbency and lead to buildup on diapers. Add water softener or do occasional strip washes to remove residue.
Invest in a good cloth diaper detergent. Many mainstream brands contain ingredients that can damage diapers over time. Tide Original Powder and Rockin’ Green are popular choices.
Disposable Diaper Options
While cloth diapers are economical and eco-friendly, disposables offer convenience that many parents prefer:
Standard Disposable Diapers
These are the most common disposable diapers, featuring absorbent padding between plastic backing and soft liner. Leading brands include Huggies, Pampers, Luvs, Up & Up, etc.
Biodegradable Disposables
Made from plant-based materials like bamboo fiber, these diapers break down more readily than conventional plastic diapers. Brands include Andy Pandy, Broody Chick, Coterie.
Hybrid Disposable Systems
Use reusable cloth covers with disposable absorbent pads. Allows some reuse of covers to reduce waste. Popular brands are Flip and GroVia.
Specialty Disposable Diapers
Designed for specific needs like overnight absorbency, swim diapers, or organic materials. Brands like Honest and Seventh Generation.
Subscription Services
Get regular diaper deliveries customized to your needs from companies like Hello Bello, The Honest Company, and Parasol.
Disposable diapers offer a sense of ease and convenience for many families. However, the ongoing purchases and waste output may be drawbacks for some parents.
Making Cloth Diapers Work for Your Lifestyle
While cloth diapering takes more time and effort, there are ways to make it work for busy lifestyles:
- Simplify your stash – Find versatile diapers that don’t require stuffing.
- Use diaper service – Let them handle the laundering and supplies.
- Line dry – Air drying reduces energy usage.
- Streamline laundry – Wash every 2-3 days to batch.
- Automate – Invest in a front loading washer that does bulk.
- Go mobile – Use all-in-one diapers for on-the-go ease.
- Buy used – Resell sites like Facebook Marketplace offer deals.
- Use disposables – Have some disposables handy for caregiving help or trips.
It may take some creativity and flexibility to make cloth diapering work with your lifestyle. But many parents find the cost savings worth the extra effort.
Making Disposables Work for Your Budget
You can use some strategies to make disposable diapers more affordable:
- Buy in bulk or subscribe and save
- Choose store brand diapers instead of premium brands
- Use rewards programs and coupons for deals
- Sign up for discounts from diaper manufacturers
- Buy larger sizes in advance when baby is smaller
- Shop sales and stock up
- Swap unused diaper sizes with other parents
- Use cloth diapers part-time to offset disposable costs
- Pair with hybrid reusable covers to reduce waste
While disposables will never be as cheap as cloth reusables, you can defray the costs by shopping strategically and maximizing deals. But the ongoing purchases will continue to add up over time.
Making an Informed Decision
Choosing between cloth and disposable diapers has pros and cons to weigh for your family:
Consider cloth diapers if you want:
- Significant cost savings over time
- Reuse across multiple children
- An eco-friendly option with less waste
- Control over materials and ingredients
- Fun colors, prints and styles
Consider disposables if you want:
- Convenience of throwing away when soiled
- Minimal laundry and hands-on cleaning
- Portability for on-the-go changing
- Overnight diapering solutions
- Backups for babysitters, travel or holidays
Try out both options if you are on the fence – many parents end up doing a mix of cloth and disposable depending on the circumstances. And your preferences may change as your baby gets older.
Conclusion
In summary, reusable cloth diapers offer clear cost savings over disposables, despite the higher upfront investment. But convenience and lifestyle factors also come into play when deciding which option is right for your family. Here are some final tips when comparing the two:
- Calculate total diapering costs based on how long you plan to diaper.
- Consider your laundry facilities and detergent options if cloth diapering.
- Make an honest assessment of how much laundry you are willing to handle.
- Try some of each type of diaper to gauge baby’s fit and preferences.
- Buy cloth diaper inserts used and resell to maximize savings.
- Don’t feel locked in – mix and match cloth and disposable as needed.
While cloth diapers save money in the big picture, ease and convenience may win out for time-strapped parents. Try out both options and choose the system that best fits your family’s budget, lifestyle and eco-values. Either way, enjoy this precious phase of diapering your little one!
