Cost Comparison: Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers
Cloth diapers are often expensive upfront, due to the amount of cloth necessary to be purchased at one time. These are often made of industrial cotton, bamboo, wool, or unbleached hemp. However, this mom calculated the cost of one year’s worth of reusable and Huggies disposable diapers. She found that the reusable diapers saved $216.
But because of recent changes to the commodity prices, parents are paying an average of $1,000 per child for diapers a year. The cost of these disposable diapers adds up over that time and can be a burden for many families.
Why do cloth diapers cost that much? The first cost to consider is the cost of materials used for cloth diapers. Commonly used are natural fabrics and synthetic materials. PUL (a synthetic waterproof material) and natural fibers, such as cotton, bamboo, wool, and hemp, are more expensive than synthetic materials like microfiber and fleece.
Inflation Impact and Eco-Friendly Options
The recent spike in inflation has made diapers even more expensive, and demand at diaper banks has surged since the start of the pandemic. Disposable diaper prices have jumped 20% over the past year. Cloth diaper prices increased 13%.
Bamboo diaper brand Eco Pea offers a luxury, eco-friendly diaper made from biodegradable bamboo sheets and a bamboo core. Their shipping process is carbon neutral. Eco Pea’s cost per diaper is the highest on this list, with prices ranging from $0.54 for newborn diapers to $0.97 for size 6 diapers.
Long-Term Savings and Benefits of Cloth Diapering
Are cloth diapers actually cheaper? In the long run, cloth diapers are cheaper. Some brands run $15-$24 each. A typical family spends $2,000-$3,000 on disposables in two years per baby, while cloth diapers and accessories cost $800-$1,000 washing them yourself.
Cloth diapers rarely cause diaper rash issues and some varieties are structured and fasten like disposables, but with velcro or snaps. Estimates suggest that disposable diapers cost 25 to 30 cents each, while cloth diaper inserts run about 7 cents a diaper. Using about seven diapers a day, that is a $1.50 to $2 a day savings using cloth.
Three popular types of cloth diapers are described by price, from least expensive to most expensive:
- Diaper covers with flats
- Pockets
- Covers with inserts
The average cost of disposable diapers is $1,500 to $2,500 over the years, while most cloth diaper systems cost $400 to $600. Cloth diapers also biodegrade faster than disposables.
Potty Training and Environmental Factors
Cloth diaper users often begin potty training earlier. Cloth diapers allow babies to feel when they are wet, and children learn to use the toilet about three months sooner wearing cloth diapers. Cons include more hands-on poop time and extra laundry. The cost to wash a load of cloth diapers at home is a little less than $1, including detergent.
The Ultimate Question: Are Cloth Diapers Worth It?
Cloth diapers are a significant initial investment, but they save you considerable money over the years that you use and reuse them. According to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the total cost for cloth diapers is $250, significantly lower than the cost of disposables monthly.
There are also lots of parents who tried cloth diapers and gave up a few months in. Dealing with cloth can be time-consuming, and a lot more trouble than it’s worth if the fit isn’t quite right. Still, if you stick with it, cloth diapering can save you money. Boudreaux says her family spent about $220 on cloth diapers, which they used exclusively on their oldest son for the two-some years before he was potty trained. Yet each cloth diaper can be washed and reused many times, compared to the single use of a disposable diaper. Cloth is easily the cheaper option overall.
When it comes to the question of worth, money isn’t the only factor. Both cloth and disposable diapers use significant amounts of energy and water. The first disposable diapers appeared in the 1950s and soon became a popular choice. Fast forward to the twenty-first century and washable diapers are making a comeback. This isn’t surprising given our concern for the environment and the convenience cloth now offers.