Most parents are switching to cloth diapers to save the environment and their pockets. For many people, cloth diapers feel like the money-saving alternative.
But do you really save money, or is it just a myth?
Find out how much money you could be saving, and how many diapers you need to get you started. All the answers are here waiting for you!
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What To Look For When Buying Reusable Diapers
When you are buying reusable diapers, there are so many things to look out for; it feels like a never-ending battle.
Here are a few things I’d look out when buying a cloth diaper:
Price
Setting yourself up with some cloth diapers can be an expensive in-defer. Try and find a happy medium between the cost and the quality of the diaper.
Absorbency
To prevent diaper rash, you need to get a diaper with high absorbency; you need to wick away any moisture in the diapers.
Size
All cloth diaper brands come in different sizes. If your cloth diaper doesn’t fit your baby, you can be in a world of trouble with leaky diapers.
Multi-pack
A newborn baby will go through a lot of diapers, which means you need a big stash. Finding a big multi-pack can help save you money.
Material
A cloth diaper can vary in materials; if your baby has sensitive skin, an organic cotton diaper with bamboo might be the perfect option for you.
Leak-proof
Overnight leaking isn’t an option, it can create nightmare situations in the morning. Find diapers with leak-proof qualities.
Adjustable
As your baby grows, so does the size of the diaper; adaptable baby products stop you from having to purchase them again when they outgrow it.
Colors
Manufacturers use a variety of colorful diaper covers; find a cloth diaper with some funky diaper covers to add some style to your baby.
If you’re not sure about switching to a cloth diaper, look out for the warranty, it gives you a chance to return them if you don’t like the baby products.
Which Are The Best Reusable Diapers
If you’re still unsure about which direction to go, then check out some of my favorite cloth diapers. You might find the right diapers to add to your collection.
Fasoar Cloth Diapers
The tightly woven gauze produces no lint,so you can rest assured you’ll find no lint stuck to your baby.
They also use no toxic materials when making the reusable nappy for your babies comfort.
All of the above means the cloth diapers are incredibly gentle on your baby’s bottom. They also come pre-folded to make your life easier.
Each diaper is 20″ x 14″ inches and can be fully adjusted to fit your baby perfectly.
The manufacturer recommends you wash the diapers before use.
Key Features
- Made with cotton
- Pre-folded
- Pack of 12 diapers
- 20″ x 14″ inches
- Three layers
The pack of 12 diapers works very nicely; they hold urine well and can be adjusted to fit your baby. The prefolds make it easy to fit, and the folding instructions are straightforward to follow. I was concerned about the bleaching; they seem to white to unbleached.
Pros
- Very absorbent
- Breathable
- Gentle on skin
Cons
- Might be bleached
Fasoar 6 Ply Cloth Diapers
The six-ply cloth diapers come in a pack of 12. Each cloth diaper is incredibly durable while remaining soft on your child’s bottom.
The middle layer is triple the thickness for extra protection.
Their prefolds can be used with infants or toddlers, with a few minor adjustments.
The super soft and absorbent material means you can use the cloth diapers for burping or catching food.
Fasoar claims that their cloth diapers are the best chemical-free nappies on the market.
Key Feature
- 100% cotton
- Pack of 12
- Pre-folded
- 19.5″ x 14″ inches
These diapers are great for anyone looking to start cloth diapering. The fitted diaper is easy to adjust and very absorbent in the middle section. No one had any complaints about leaking, so it seems all good in that area. Again these could be bleached.
Pros
- Six ply
- Super absorbant
- Very soft
Cons
- A small amount of shrinkage
Simple Being Reusable Cloth Diapers
On the outside, the material is waterproofed to help stop wet patches.
Their diapers come in a pack of six, with each diaper having four layers for extra absorbency.
Their cloth diaper uses secure snaps to hold it in place; while adding a couple of extra snaps for adjustments.
The reusable nappies have a light grey interior to help hide any staining, and it comes with a wash bag to help you store dirty diapers.
You have seven unisex designs to choose from, all of which contain no harsh chemicals.
Key Feature
- Pack of six diapers
- seven designs
- Fully adjustable
- Cloth inside polyester outside
- Comes with a wash bag
The cloth diapers seem to work very well at providing absorbency. It also comes with a great variety of color choices, which are sure to suit anyone. Simple Beings baby products come with a 100% money-back guarantee, so if your not happy, you can return it.
Pros
- Comes with a wash bag
- No harsh chemicals
- Very adjustable
Cons
- Leaking issue
Mama Koala One Size
The outer layer is made with a breathable outer TPU material. On the inside, it features dry suede, which helps protect your baby from moisture.
Their fitted diaper grows with your child due to the adjustable design.
They come with six unisex designs, all of which are lightweight and highly absorbent.
The cloth diapers come in a pack of six and have a three-layer microfiber insert.
Mama Koala offers a happiness guarantee if you’re having any problems, you can get in contact with them.
Key Features
- Pack of six diapers
- Fits babies 8-35lbs
- Happiness guarantee
- Six colors
- Adjustable
The designs on the cloth diapers are adorable, and the snaps make it great for potty training. The suede inner helps wick away moisture from your baby. A few people have been having trouble with the snaps popping open, which is something to think about before purchasing.
Pros
- Soft
- Adjustable
- Three-layer micro inserts
Cons
- Weak snaps
ALVABABY Baby Cloth Pocket Diapers
You have the choice of 16 different colorful diaper covers, which comes with six cloth diapers and twelve inserts.
The inner layer is made with suede to pull moisture away, while the outside is made with a waterproof polyester.
ALVABABY cloth diapers are perfect for the toddler, starting potty training.
The snaps make it easy to take on and off. Around the legs, the diapers are elastic to stop any leaking.
Their breathable cloth diapers are washable to save you money on disposable diapers.
Key Features
- 16 different designs
- Polyester and suede material
- Pack of 6 diapers
- One size fits all
- 6.6 lbs to 33 lbs
I love the design of the diapers; they look very stylish and has a great selection. The material works well at wicking away moisture and prevents diaper rash. I’d check out the sizes before purchasing.
Pros
- Great selection of designs
- One-year guarantee
- Adjustable
Cons
- Didn’t fit well
Do You Really Save Money Using Cloth Diapers?
People have been arguing about the money-saving abilities of cloth diapers; on one side, you have people cheering them on.
But on the other side people are cursing them for being too expensive.
So, what’s the truth? Do you save money?
The truth is, in the first year, it’s unlikely that you’ll save any money; I won’t go into the numbers, but the start-up cost could be anywhere from $200 to $500.
And then you have to take into account the cost of washing the diaper, which let’s say comes to $10 per week. This means in the first year you could have spent anywhere between $600 to $1000.
It works out to the equivalent cost of using disposable diapers. But the second year is when you’ll start to see savings of around $2 per day. This might not seem like a lot, but over a year is over $600, and the savings can continue with your second child.
How Do You Clean Reusable Diapers?
It’s the part all parents fear the most; cleaning them might sound like a nightmare, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow my easy instructions, and you’ll be a pro before you know it.
- When the diaper has been soiled, dispose of the poop down the toilet
- Rinse any leftovers with warm water
- To decrease the chances of staining keep the diaper moist
- Wait until you have a pile of no more than 12 diapers
- Wash on the highest water level setting
- Pre-rinse with cold water
- Then wash on a warm cycle with cloth friendly fabric cleaner
I quick word of warning don’t try to wash too many cloth diapers in one go. They don’t get a good clean; 12 is perfect. You should never wash less than six; they don’t get enough contact to wash correctly.
It might not seem as convenient as disposable diapers, but it will save you money and the planet!
How Many Reusable Diapers Do I Need?
Switching to cloth diapering is confusing; how many diapers do you need to get started?
At least with disposable diapers, you know where you stand.
Well, it all depends on your child, how old are they? How many times do they go to the toilet? And how often do you plan on doing a wash?
I’m going to give you some numbers, but they’re an average; your baby might poop more than I suggest. If you’re in a rush, check out the table below.
Age | Diapers Per Day | 2-Day Wash Cycle | 3-Day Wash Cycle |
---|---|---|---|
New Born | 10-15 | 25-35 | 40-50 |
Infant | 6-10 | 15-25 | 22-35 |
Toddler | 4-7 | 12-20 | 17-27 |