Cloth Diapers

How much does it cost to use cloth diapers?

For parents that do not like disposable diapers, cloth diapers are another option. Although cloth diapers were once considered the lesser of the two, they have come a long way and make the perfect choice for many families.

Because cloth diapers do not contain any dyes or chemicals, the likelihood of your baby developing a rash or allergic reaction from the additives is decreased. However, if you are not changing your baby's diaper as often as you should, your baby will be more prone to diaper rash from the ammonia. Babies that wear cloth diapers will need to be changed more frequently becuase the absorbency is less than disposable diapers.

Many families that choose to use cloth diapers do so because of the environment. Research shows that in the United States, it takes approximately 80,000 pounds of plastic and 200,000 trees to make disposable diapers each year! Once the diapers make it to the landfill, it can take hundreds of years for them to completely decompose.

Cost is a major factor for families when deciding which kind of diaper to use. Disposable diapers cost most families approximately $40 to $90 a month, depending on which brand they use and how often their child needs to be changed. Cloth diapers that are laundered through a diaper service cost most families approximately $$50 to $80 a month. However, if you wash the cloth diapers at home, the costs will decrease to approximately $30 a month. The price depends on which type of cloth diaper you purchase and how expensive the diaper service in your area is.

While disposable diapers are known for their convenience, cloth diapers are right behind them. Manufacturers now make liners that can be placed in the cloth diaper to catch waste. The liners can then be flushed away with the waste. However, you will then need to carry the soiled diaper around with you if you are in public. Many types of cloth diapers also have velcro on them now so that diaper pins are not necessary.

Comments: Cloth Diapers

Comments 1 to 24 of about 45.
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military~mommy - 16 days ago.
OH and I use cloth wipes too and make my own wipes solution, so that is another big cost saver!

military~mommy - 16 days ago.
Full time working mom here too, and I CD full time. The time it takes to shake out a poopy diaper and put it in the pail, then dump the pail in the washer every couple days, is far less than using a diaper genie and emptying out that thing! I love cloth, and I love bum genuis, fuzzibunz, and rumparoos! They are all OS, so yes, you need to buy 20 or so inthe begining, at $18 a piece. But they last through multiple children from birth to potty training. So much cheaper!

Suzm - 31 days ago.
Sammygirl -- I am a full time working mom as well, but I do have cloth diapers and use them as much as I can... if I am really busy, and know I can't keep up with the laundry I don't -but, using them sometimes still has its benefits for the environment and my wallet. You use such a tiny amount of soap to wash them, it is barely an expense. I do use bumgenius, which were expensive, but I bought a 2-pack per pay for a while to stock up, and I was able to register for them on target.com and receive some for gifts.

mommalynch - 31 days ago.
If you can get through a whole month on one box, that's fine, but I know none of my sisters could. With cloth, your investment is rather large up front, but they last forever. You can use them from newborn to potty training, and keep for next child. Also, when old and ratty they make great cleaning cloths. To clean them, you don't need special baby soap. Water is a renewable resource, and the energy to wash a load is nothing compared to what resources are used to make the disposable. The landfill effect of disposables is huge as well. In the end, there is no question that cloth is a million times more environmentally friendly. For washing, regular soap, cup of bleach, then a second rinse cycle with a cup of white vinegar. No big deal. I am the oldest of 8 children. We were all raised with cloth. I have been changing babies with cloth diapers and doing laundry of cloth diapers since I was 5 years old. The cost is WAY lower in the end, the work is really not much more, but the environmental effect is huge. You can add the diapers to a baby registry, too. A few people buying a pack or two makes a big dent in the cost. I will be doing cloth on my baby, no question.

Sammygirl2 - 32 days ago.
I wanted to use cloth with my 1st, but due to the immediate cost we couldnt' afford. I figure $40 for a box of disposable pampers from Sam's club once a month for 12 mos, costs $480 while I averaged about $500 for the costs of enough cloth diapers to last about 3-4 days before having to wash. Plus, I'm a full time working mom so I don't know if saving the planet justifies spending less time with my baby doing more than the usual laundry (it's not that I don't care, I do recycle regularly). Am I really saving more money AND the planet if I'm running the washing machine more thus using more water, energy and expensive baby soap? I do want to try to use cloth at least for a short time while I am on maternity leave to save money and energy. Any pro comments for cloth are wanted and appreciated as I genuinely would like to try it. What cloth dipes are cheapest yet work effectively? The cheapest ones I found were on walmart.com so i think i'm going to pick up a pack or two to try em out. The bummie dipes were practical as they allow you to use one size fits all.

xena2009 - 50 days ago.
anyone tried the bambino mio nappies? im thinking of using cloth diapers for my newborn to save some money - but have no idea which ones are best- iv seend these which are cheap and look ok? any opinions??

judi - 50 days ago.
I use just the toweling squares and fold them myself, so they are thin and line dry quickly. No smell worries at all and I don't use hot water (expensive) or bleach. I rinse out the dirty ones and soak in a nappy soak solution for an hour or overnight then rinse and wash in a normal cycle with the wet ones, using ordinary detergent and fabric softener.

secondchance - 51 days ago.
MILITARY~MOMMY - cool. i was just talking to my husband about needing a few more diapers...I think I'm going to try the AIO...I deal with the dirty and clean diapers (my husband will change diapers, but won't do any part of laundering). AIO sound great...the pockets aren't that big of a deal, but I'm thinking i wouldn't mind one less step. I'm ok with longer drying time...I think.

secondchance - 51 days ago.
xanthe - you could go to a fabric store (or prob walmart) and buy one of those electric pill shavers that people used to have for sweaters.

xanthe - 52 days ago.
help CD moms! i have pills on my prefolds, they come off onto my daughter's bottom. is there a way to get them off?

military~mommy - 56 days ago.
Now that I am expecting baby #2 I am doubly happy to be using cloth, I will not have to spend any money on diapers for the new baby!

heather12 - 81 days ago.
I always wanted to try cloth diapers to save on money. But was always afraid to spend the money and not like them. She is 14 months now.

MILITARY~MOMMY - 81 days ago.
And since I am on this page, I stayed away from bum genius because I bought a few and the vercro was such a freaking hassle. But I just tried the new organic one size all in one because they came with snaps... My DH loves OS AIO, super absorbant, trim fit, and so easy! They take awhile to dry, but we are picking up a couple more of these 'daddy friendly' diapers since he now refuses to stuff diapers and just wants to use these... Silly man, now I think I will give away some of our pockets since they are just taking up space...

MILITARY~MOMMY - 81 days ago.
Here, is a link to the site I found on stripping diapers. I kinda figured out my own way to do it, but this is where I started out. http://www.zany-zebra.com/stripping-cloth-diapers.shtml

MILITARY~MOMMY - 81 days ago.
Chute~ In your next load of laundry, wash the diapers in as hot a cycle as you can, with no soap and a 1/4 cup of white vinegar. Then wash on a second hot cycle with no soap or vinegar, and line dry them. Also, if you have hard water in your area, add a water softener (I use Calgon). This is refered to as 'stripping' your diapers. I found a really good site with several ways of doing this, but this is what works for us.

chute - 82 days ago.
just wondering if any mom that is using cloth diapers could give me some advice on getting rid of the smell. i use pocket diapers and they dont smell like pee or poop but they smell like a towel thats been wet. ive been washing the diapers and the liners seperate, i've bleached the liners only and washed the diapers with baking soda and a lil soap. ive even put them in the sun to 'bleach' the smell out. nothing seems to be working. i love my cloth diapers but lately theyve been a hastle :) thanks for any replys

manda-may - 82 days ago.
Hi tonysmommy ....maybe it could be a fungal infection. One of my twins had a nappy rash we just couldn't shake. Took him to the doctors and she gave us an antifungal cream which worked a treat. Cleared up after a couple of days but could see it working after two applications. We also stopped using baby wipes for a while and just used a damp warm cloth or cotton pads to wipe his bottom, etc. We were/are also using cloth nappies, but his twin brother did not have any of the same symptoms and has no problems at all. Also, maybe it could be ecema of some description. The doctor could be your best bet. Hope it clears up soon... poor little mite. :-)

nikki3kids - 83 days ago.
do you let him have diaper free time if so you may want to watch him this may sound weird but he could be pulling on his pee pee and then in turn making it sore by pulling the fornskin back 'thats if he isnt cirmcumsised.' anyho i think he might need to see the doc just to be on the safe side and rule out infections. im a mummy of 3 and all use cloth. also my 2 year old was toilet trained by 17mths mainly because i let her have lots of nappy free time

tonysmommy - 88 days ago.
I'm hoping someone here can give me some advice! My son is almost 17 months...we have been using cloth for well over a year now. All has been well up until about a month or so ago, he developed a redness around his parts, he really fights us to wash him up during changes and bath time. Says 'pee pee owie', etc. I use All free and clear detergent, baby soap still, powder and fragrance free wipes. We are using Happy Heiny diapers..like I said, we haven't had any issues until just recently. Any ideas?

tonysmommy - 140 days ago.
I love GADs (green acre designs) and Happy Heinys. Both are pockets, not AIOs, but they are awesome! My son is 15 months and we've been using them for 11 months.

military~mommy - 182 days ago.
I love fuzzi bunz!

kungfu-ronin - 184 days ago.
I just bought madelyn( due june 28th) fuzzi bunz nb diapers they are soooooooooooo cute!

MILITARY~MOMMY - 185 days ago.
Lol, after my mom came to visit she has been asking me all kinds of questions about the diapers i use because she thinks they are so cute! I suspect she will be buying me a bunch that I don't precisely need.... But I do have a couple friends who would like to CD but feel they cannot afford the start-up cost, so maybe a few given as gifts will help them out....

iamjustmeforme - 196 days ago.
If anyone wants to order from diapers.com, use Referral Code BLIN2774 on the check out page for your first order and get $10 off!! (YES, they have cloth diapers too!)

MILITARY~MOMMY - 201 days ago.
I use a combination of different diapers, as I started out buying a couple to see what worked for us. I like the Mothercare smart nappies (same as the G Diaper in the states) but as noted, when my daughter was soley BF they leaked runny poo, I LOVE swaddlebees I use their pocket and AIO diapers and they are for going out as they are very slim fitting, I like the blueberry minkys for summer as they are just adorable and are cuter than shorts, I really like the Magic Alls AIO but the sizes do run small. The only real dud I have come across (for us) is the Real Easy and it was just so bulky my daughter couldn't walk wearing it. As for liners, I like fleece liners, reduces waste and prevents staining of the diaper. Well, there is my 2 cents on cloth diapers, they are easy, cheaper in the long run, much cuter, and definately not our grandmothers cloth diapers!