How to Use Cloth Diapers on a Budget

While cloth diapering is a big money saver over disposable diapering over the long-haul, the up-front costs of cloth diapering can seem prohibitive to many newbies.  Did you know you can actually get started cloth diapering for not much more than $100?  This article will explain how.

Prefolds Are The Least Expensive

Your best bet to keep your initial expenses down is to go with prefold cloth diapers.  Prefolds are a tried and true cloth diaper.  They are a tri-folded, often quilted, piece of cloth.  The middle panel is usually thicker in order to add absorbency.  Simply fold the diaper in thirds.  In the past prefolds, or flats (prefold’s predecessor) would be used with a diaper pin.  Those days are over.   Now prefolds are used with a diaper cover.

Diaper Covers

For the sake of saving money, it is best to avoid wool covers.  They tend to be pricier, though of great quality.  Waterproof is the way to go.  These will work as a universal daytime and nighttime diaper system.  You can get by with about 4 of them, though with a newborn I would recommend 8.  Let’s assume 8 for our purposes.

You don’t go through covers like you do diapers.  Usually, you change out the prefold and reuse the cover until the cover begins to smell a bit.  Then swap it out for a fresh one, wash the old, and keep going through the rotation that way.

Price Of Prefolds

While you can get Cloth-Eez prefolds for $24/dozen for newborns (a good deal), the most economical deal I have seen is DSQ Newborn Infant 4x8x4 Indian Cotton Prefolds. These are about $19 a dozen.  Assume you are ordering them, and shipping will cost about $10.  That brings you to about $50.

Price Of Covers

Here’s a great deal: a 4 pack of Prorap Covers is $27.90.

Diaper Pail System

You’ll need a diaper pail and a pail liner.  We simply bought a pail from Ikea for about $6.  We bought two pail liners (again, use one while the other is being washed) costing about $5 each.  That’s $10 total.

Wipes

You’ll need wipes.  We bought really soft cotton wipes from Swaddlebees for about $1.50 a wipe.  While these are great wipes, if you really want to save, make your own.  It’s easy!  Buy or recycle some cloth of your choice (cotton is always a safe bet).  Cut them into 6×6 squares.  Sew two squares of fabric together with right sides facing out. Serge or zig-zag stitch the outer edges. Repeat for all wipes.  You can probably get this done for a total of $10.

The Numbers:

Prefolds: $50
Covers: $28
Diaper Pail System: $16
Home Made Wipes: $10
Total: $104

Throw in one of those reusable swim diapers for about $10 and that still brings you to only $114.  That’s a great deal for getting started with cloth diapers.