dollars and cents: cloth vs. disposable

Many of you know how much of a fan I am of cloth diapers. I talk about them enough, you get the picture. Without trying to "sell" you on using them (it's up to you and your fam!) I did want to write a post about them, simply because I can't tell you how many times I've been asked about what brands I use and the most popular question "HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?"
So here's the break down, from my experience:
 $25 each (I use a one-size-fits-all style called "Easy-Fits" by Tots Bots, a company from Scotland, sold at the local Bummis stores) and I have 17 of them. Random number, I know. I'll probably end up having a full 20 some day (recommended, especially if you're using them on more than 1 child. With 20, I could probably wash every third day (she uses approx 7/day), currently I wash every-other-day.)

So, $25 x 17 = $425 
+ detergent (I use Rockin' Green detergent for cloth diapers, 1 bag lasts 2 months) at $7/month x 24 months
= $168 + $425
= $593

$12/week (I've used lots of Brands, but have ended up liking Pampers the best. I know they're among the most expensive, but I found Huggies didn't fit Lily's body well and often leaked, and the sticky tabs on the Life brand ones weren't very sticky, therefore not very tight-fitting)

So, $12/week x 104 (weeks in 2 years)
= $1,248

Now, here's the trick. If you have one child, you're saving about $500 bucks. Not a bad deal, you could put it towards this or this or this with the gorgeous money you saved. But I know for a fact most people reading this, thinking about using cloth diapers, plan to have at least two children, if not three, four, etc.

Every subsequent child, using cloth diapers, adds $456
Every subsequent child, using disposable diapers, adds $1,248.

If I were using disposable diapers, it would cost:

Cloth Diapers, saving approximately $2,000-$4,000. 
The End.

*please LORD let Lily be potty trained 
(or close to it) by 2 years of age


  1. Hey Emily,

    I like your math, but what about the additional electricity cost for the washing machine and dryer you are running every-other-day?

  2. I don't know that exact cost, but it's currently an extra load of laundry every 3 days. Not huge...

  3. Hi Angelic Engineer

    very good question, and since we have a house i can help answer your question.

    I don't know where you live but in Ontario we have the time of day usage costs. I try and do all my laundry at mid or off peak hours and not on peak. Our bill every TWO months with that is $45...so really its not that much. it can be if you do laundry at on peak hours.

  4. i'm sold on cloth diapers :D
    thankfully i've changed enough in my lifetime in watching livs

  5. Em, for serious you are a great resource friend. You are more than that of course but I appreciate all your hard work that I can benefit from!! :)

  6. @Karen, what are peak hours?

  7. I agree with Amanda!
    Cloth diapers it is! (not to mention eco-friendly, woo!)