Saving Money With Cloth Diapers

Whether or not cloth diapers are worth the investment is something parents debate. It depends on how much money you can save, what your environmental concerns are, and if your family is prepared to put in the time required to make the switch to reusable diapers.

The Cost Of Cloth Diapers

When considering whether to use cloth diapers or disposable diapers, the initial cost of diapers, inserts and accessories often weighs heavily against the overall savings. Depending on how many diapers you buy and the cost of washing each diaper, you may end up spending more initially than with disposables, but your overall costs will be significantly lower in the long run.

The cost of a diaper can vary between brands and packages, so it’s important to compare the unit price of each brand. This will help you stay within your budget and avoid spending more than you should.

You’ll save a lot more money with cloth diapers if you start using them on your baby’s first year, then continue to use them until they are potty trained. This can save you up to $144 in costs compared to buying store-brand disposables.

If you’re looking to cut costs, combining manufacturer coupons with sales at pharmacies like CVS or Duane Reade can help you save even more. Signing up for email alerts from these companies can also be helpful to know when the best sales are happening.

Using Secondhand Diapers

There are plenty of secondhand diapers out there made from hemp, bamboo or other natural materials that can reduce your carbon footprint significantly. Taking the extra step to wash your cloth diapers by hand and hang them to dry rather than drying them in an electric dryer can also help you reduce your overall impact on the environment.

Cloth Diapers Are More Sustainable Than Disposables

The manufacture, packaging and shipping of disposable diapers adds significantly to the environmental impact of a family. In fact, disposable diapers are the third largest contributor to landfills in the United States and account for 3.4 million tons of trash each year.

A study published in Nature Climate Change found that the average parent using cloth diapers can reduce their carbon emissions by as much as 40 percent. This can make a big difference in your eco-conscious efforts, especially if you’re already living off of a low-carbon diet.

Savings During Your Second Year With Cloth Diapers

You’ll realize your biggest savings in your second year of using cloth diapers, when most of the costs are just laundry expenses. This means that you will spend less on diapers in your second year than in your first, and that’s before you consider the costs of buying a new diaper stash or replacing worn out ones.

In the first year, you will likely spend a significant amount of time and energy getting the right diapers for your baby. This includes buying a few different diapers in different sizes, getting the right size inserts and stocking up on diaper liners to use when you don’t have access to a washer or a drying machine.