This has probably been done to death but I haven’t found anything that really laid it out practically and simply to understand, so I am doing a post (mostly for me).
ASSUMPTIONS:
- 8 Diapers used per day on average, therefore 2920 diaper changes per year on average (newborns use more then it tapers off)
- Using the same quality of cloth diapers versus disposables (e.g. biodegradable & unbleached disposables versus organic cotton)
- Taking into account diapering accessories required like soap, electricity, detergent etc
They’re cute but they sure do make a lot of waste.
2920 DIAPER CHANGES IN A YEAR
I should mention that wearing cloth diapers apparently makes children want to potty-train sooner. If that does not convince you to try cloth diapering over disposables, I do not know what will.
The grandchildren currently in my family wore diapers up until 3 years old…. so if you can imagine having to deal with THAT for 3 years, good luck.
(That fact alone was enough to convince me to use cloth diapers, never mind hippie environmental impact stuff or the savings!)
CLOTH DIAPERS (THE INITIAL YEAR)
| CLOTH DIAPERS (FIRST YEAR) | Per Item | Total Cost | ON taxes (13%) | NOTES |
| Biodegradable Liners (1) | $4.99 | $149.70 | $169.16 | 100% Biodegradable — You put these liners inside the diapers and only flush them if they’re soiled |
| Prefold Inserts (2) | $27.49 | $164.94 | $186.38 | 100% Organic Cotton Padding — Kind of like padding for a diaper |
| Diapers Covers (3) | $16.95 | $84.75 | $95.77 | 100% Organic Cotton Cover for the diaper |
| Diaper Wash Board | $25.00 | $25.00 | $28.25 | We had to buy a wash board to pre-wash the diapers before putting them in the laundry |
| Diaper Pail | $10.00 | $10.00 | $11.30 | Need to put dirty diapers somewhere!! |
| Diaper Carrying Bag | $40.00 | $40.00 | $45.20 | Aquapac Scuba Diving Bag (to carry the soiled diapers when we are out) |
| Laundry Costs (4) | $3.00 | $366.00 | $366.00 | $3 for a wash and a dry |
| Baking Soda |
$1.00 | $24.00 | $24.00 | Assuming 2 boxes of baking soda used a month to deodorize stinky diapers |
| Savon de Marseilles Soap | $4.99 | $59.88 | $67.66 | Assuming 1 Savon de Marseilles (soap) bar a month (we will be pre-cleaning before throwing it in the wash) |
| Soap Nuts (Detergent) | $25.99 | $25.99 | $29.37 | 1 bag of these soap nuts will last about 200 washes a year so I’m overestimating just in case |
| TOTAL | $1,023.09 | FIRST YEAR / INITIAL COST |
(1) to (4) CALCULATIONS / NOTES:
- 100 in each pack assuming 8 changes a day x 365 days = 30 packs needed
- 6 prefolds in each pack, assuming we need 36 (3 days worth) = 6 packs needed
- 1 diaper cover costs $16.95, we bought 5 because we’re changing the prefolds more than the cover = 5 needed
- We’re in an apartment where it costs $3 for a wash and dry, wash every 3 days or 122 times a year
CLOTH DIAPERS (THE SUBSEQUENT YEARS)
| RECURRING YEARLY COSTS | |
| Biodegradable Liners | $169.16 |
| Laundry Costs | $366.00 |
| Baking Soda | $24.00 |
| Soap (Pre-Cleaning) | $67.66 |
| Soap Nuts (Detergent) | $29.37 |
| TOTAL | $656.19 |
This isn’t so bad after the initial cost of buying the cloth diapers and so on.
DISPOSABLE DIAPERS (COST PER YEAR)
| DISPOSABLE DIAPERS | Per Item | Total Cost | ON taxes (13%) | NOTES |
| 7th Generation Diapers(40 come in a pack) | $19.99 | $1,459.27 | $1,648.98 | These are unbleached, biodegradable and the top of the top when it comes to buying hippie diapers |
| TOTAL | $1,648.98 |
Poo machine
DISPOSABLES VERSUS CLOTH DIAPERS
Now for the good stuff!
I optimistically want at least 3 children.
| PER CHILD | DISPOSABLE | CLOTH | DIFFERENCE |
| Child One (Year 1) | $1,648.98 | $1,023.09 | $(625.88) |
| Child One (Year 2) | $1,648.98 | $656.19 | $(992.78) |
| SUBTOTAL | $3,297.95 | $1,679.29 | $(1,618.66) |
| Child Two (Year 1) | $1,648.98 | $656.19 | $(992.78) |
| Child Two (Year 2) | $1,648.98 | $656.19 | $(992.78) |
| SUBTOTAL | $3,297.95 | $1,312.39 | $(1,985.56) |
| Child Three (Year 1) | $1,648.98 | $656.19 | $(992.78) |
| Child Three (Year 2) | $1,648.98 | $656.19 | $(992.78) |
| SUBTOTAL | $3,297.95 | $1,312.39 | $(1,985.56) |
| TOTAL | $9,893.85 | $4,304.06 | $(5,589.79) |
Basically what this is telling me is that if I have 3 children I can save about $5600 over the next 6 years of diapering if I just use cloth diapers.
If you can’t find a use for $5600, I sure can.
