Cloth Diapering Math

I like numbers and I like to reduce waste to improve our environment so I decided to do some math of my own comparing cloth diaper use vs. disposable diapers.

Cloth Diapers

To diaper one child you need at least 2 dozen diapers. There are many different diaper systems with a wide range in pricing. In my example I decided to use the very popular bumGenious! one-size pocket diapers. This diaper will fit nicely from about 10lb on to 30lb+. Cloth diapers need to be washed but with less detergent. In my example I am using the Nelli's Laundry Soda.

24 diapers: about $400
Detergent: 20 cents/3 times a week for 3 years = about $100
Water: $50-100 depending on your washer
Dryer: At 4.4 KhW for 60 minutes of drying time per load at 11 cents/khw = about $230

Total cloth diapering costs: $830

The dryer cost may be completely eliminated if you line dry your diapers.

There are some other factors that may increase this cost, such as purchasing more than 24 diapers and the extra wear and tear on your washer and dryer. However, the real advantage of using cloth diapers is that you may either reuse them for your next child OR sell them used therefore getting some of your money back from the initial $400. There is a danger in cloth diapers though. There are so many variations and types of cloth diapers that it is very easy to get addicted to trying new diapers therefore increasing the cost considerably.

Disposable Diapers

A child goes through 6000-10000 diapers until potty training. By using 8000 diapers as an example and 20 cents a diaper as average it comes out to be $1600. This amount may also be more if you use brand name diapers.

The Bottom Line

I think it's obvious that cloth diapers are a far better deal. Not only they are cheaper on the long run but easier on the landfills.

The Real Diaper Association has a page with more details if you need more to convince you to use cloth diapers. They mention 6 dozen diapers but I think that's an overkill unless you are diapering 2 or more kids.

Green factor: reduce landfills by not throwing away diapers after each use.

Deal factor: the numbers calculated above tell all.