I have done a cloth diapering series with posts that cover what kinds of cloth to use, how to wash and strip the diapers, and how to keep them organized when storing them. Now it’s onto a big reason to use them – to save money and save the landfill from TONS and TONS of diapers.
How much will I save using cloth diapers?
It really depends on what kind you use, if you supplement with disposables, if you have an HE washer, and if you line dry or not. But, for comparisons sake let’s just say we compare the cost of using prefolds and covers from newborn to 2 1/2 years of age to the cost of using disposables…….
You will save…..
Approximately….
$2200! Yes, you read that right. TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS!
Statistics and many more were found here.
Will it save the Earth if I use cloth diapers?
This is a heated debate, but according to this site in 1988 (that’s quite awhile ago) over 18 billion disposable diapers were sold and essentially thrown into the Earth. In a household with a diapered infant who uses disposables, over 50% of their trash is just diapers! Disposable diapers are the third largest consumer item in landfills – now that’s a lot of poo!
But, when we use cloth we use water to wash them… disposables don’t use water, do they? According to the same site, the “manufacture and use of disposable diapers amounts to 2.3 times more water wasted than cloth.” Wow!
This series is not over yet, be sure to check back for another post or two about why I love cloth and how I can help you love the fluff too! 
If I haven’t convinced you to use cloth yet, what questions do you still have?
And for more Frugal Friday ideas, please visit Life as Mom.
I used both cloth and disposables on both kids, and I’ve got to say that the financial argument just doesn’t hold weight with me. I am able to get disposable diapers significantly cheaper than the site you linked to by stocking up at drugstore sales and using coupons. I’ve rarely paid more than $4 for a package of 40 diapers, making them $.10 each or less (sometimes free.) I also never used the most expensive disposable training pants, which cuts the cost.
On the other hand, I’ve spent quite a bit on cute fluffy diapers, and on the laundering of those diapers. (Or electric bill went down by a third when I stopped CDing my older child!!) I had both pocket and prefolds with covers, and their estimate is $.18 per change. I probably spent less since I reused them between my two kids and bought the prefolds second hand, but I doubt it was significantly less than disposables.
There are lots of reasons why cloth is good – the environmental argument is a good one – and for some people with strong willpower against buying cute cloth, who stick with the first, inexpensive system they buy and use them for multiple kids, it is certainly cheaper. But I don’t think money is always saved by cloth diapering.
I’ll tell you what’s saving me the most on diapering: early potty training!! My son was in diapers until he was 3.5. My daughter turns 2 next week and is learning to use the potty now. That year and a half will save plenty of diapers, cloth or disposable!!
I can see where you are coming from.
I know when I buy disposables, I don’t like buying the cheapest ones because of all of the chemicals/perfumes in them. I usually buy the Organic Cotton ones and they are more pricey. But yes buying them on sale and with coupons would help cut costs.
Also, there are ways of making the up front cost much cheaper when using cloth such as putting it on your shower registry or buying used. I have bought a few cute diapers, but they were used. All of my other diapers except the new Flips, I received as gifts and they will last me more than one child (or I can re-sell them). I will be writing up a post about this this coming week, I think.
I have heard of a lot of people having success with EC (elimination communication). Imagine the savings there if you cut your diaper use in half or more!
Thanks for reading!!