Price remains an important factor for families when it comes to choosing baby products. So what is the price difference of disposable diapers vs cloth diapers? We’ve whipped out the calculator to do the math. In short, cloth diapers will save you hundreds of dollars over the course of bubs’ diaper wearing years.

Your baby will go through approx. 2,200 diapers in their first year of life alone (wild right?!). If you use disposable diapers until your baby toilet trains (around two and a half years old), you’re looking at spending at least $1085 on the cheapest disposable diapers for those first 2.5 years. 

Cloth diapers on the other hand are reusable, so once you buy your stash you’ve got them for bubs’ entire diaper wearing life. Most families who use cloth diapers full-time will have around 18-24 diapers in their stash. So let’s assume you purchase 20 reusable cloth diapers, this will cost you $559 upfront. Cloth diapers are easily the most cost effective in the long run.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLOTH DIAPERS VS DISPOSABLE DIAPERS

Did you know that it will take up to 500 years for a disposable diaper to decompose? And some parts never disappear! With 450,000 tonnes of waste being dumped in Australian landfill each year as a result of disposable diapers, wipes, pads and tampons. By choosing cloth diapers over disposables, you are diverting over 2000 diapers from landfill and significantly reducing your single-use plastic consumption.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLOTH DIAPERS VS DISPOSABLE DIAPERS

Whether you want to start using cloth diapers part-time or full-time, here’s how many diapers you’ll need to begin. 

Part-time use: 8 to 10 cloth diapers is enough for part-time use of 2-3 per day.

Full-time day use: 12 to 18 cloth diapers is enough for full-time day use of 4-6 per day.

Full-time day and night use: 24 to 28 cloth diapers.

Having a selection of boosters and inserts will help you get the most from your diaper stash. We also recommend getting a few eco-friendly accessories to help you use cloth diapers at home and on the go including;

Wet bags: a waterproof zippable bag that makes transporting cloth nappies simple and smell-free.

Travel change mat: these create a soft and hygienic landing spot for cloth diaper changes anywhere.

Bamboo cloth wipes: super soft and the perfect compliment to cloth diapers for any eco-conscious parent.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLOTH DIAPER ACCESSORIES HERE

We have designed an adjustable one-size cloth diaper so you don’t need to worry about what size to choose. Our cloth diapers are made to fit from tiny newborn right through to energetic toddler, approx 3.5 to 16kg.

LEARN HOW TO SIZE CLOTH DIAPERS HERE

We recommend changing cloth diapers every 2-3 hours during the day. At night, you may require a little extra absorption to keep bubs dry and happy right through. Simply add additional Bamboo Boosters, or our Tri-Fold Bamboo Night Boosters for extra absorption.

Yes, it just takes a little trial and error to get the setup and absorption settings right for your baby. Our EcoNaps cloth diapers come with five diaper absorption settings, however if you do find you need a little extra support to last through the night, pick up a set of our Bamboo Boosters, or try our Tri-Fold Bamboo Night Boosters. You can also set up your nappy as a pocket diaper so the soft wicking suede layer sits next to bubs’ skin to keep them dry and comfy overnight.

Inserts and boosters are a great addition to your cloth diaper stash. Not only do they increase absorbency, they make your cloth diaper stash even more versatile. For example, you can reuse the cover if it’s still dry and simply change the inserts. If bubs’ diapers are leaking or not lasting through the night, boosters are your new best friend.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLOTH DIAPER BOOSTERS HERE

Oftentimes, diapers leak when the fit isn’t quite right. Go back and watch our diaper fitting video for instructions on how to achieve the perfect fit here. If it’s not a fit issue, diapers can leak when they haven’t been changed often enough, or if the absorption isn’t quite right. Find the remedy for your cloth diaper leaks.

LEARN HOW TO FIX CLOTH DIAPER LEAKS

While it may feel overwhelming at first, cleaning cloth diapers is easy—no soaking, scrubbing, or special detergents required. Follow our simple 4-step washing guide to achieve perfectly clean cloth diapers every time.

Step 1: Remove solids

Drop poo in the loo and store the used cloth diaper in a dry pail. 

Step 2: Pre-wash cycle

Run a pre-wash cycle 40-60 degrees with detergent every 1-2 days. This removes the majority of soiling and gets your diapers ready for the main-wash. Store diaper in a dry pail until the main wash.

Step 3: Main-wash cycle

Run a long main-wash cycle 40-60 degrees with detergent every 2-3 days.

Step 4: Hang to dry

Air dry diapers until they are completely dry.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLOTH DIAPER DRYING TIPS HERE

LEARN MORE ABOUT WASHING CLOTH DIAPERS HERE

Many daycare centres are happy to use cloth diapers on your little one. Just as you would at home, prepare each diaper as if you’re about to fit it to bubs, then pack enough for a days use (we recommend 6-8 for a day at daycare). You will also need to pack two large wet bags; one for clean and one for soiled diapers. It’s also a good idea to offer your childcare centre a demo or print out instructions for them.

LEARN MORE ABOUT USING CLOTH DIAPERS AT DAYCARE HERE

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE PRINTABLE DAYCARE INSTRUCTIONS HERE

Our covers can easily be reused for multiple diaper changes, provided they aren’t soiled or wet. Simply air the covers for 2-3 hours before using again. 

Why do some families reuse covers? Reusing covers can make cloth diapers more economical because you can buy fewer full diaper sets and instead buy additional boosters. Some babies have more sensitive skin than others, so if you notice any form of irritation on baby’s skin, return to using a fresh diaper cover at every change.