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The cost of cloth diapers

Updated July 2008

 

Cloth diapers seem like a huge investment! We have broken down how much each size of diapers will cost and how approximately how long you will be in each size. We have reviewed costs for prefolds and covers, fitted diapers and covers, AIO diapers, pocket diapers, a combo system and disposable diapers. We have used 36 diapers and 6 covers (if needed), washing 3 times a week, as our diapering system. Our energy costs are based on $.08/kWh for electric water heaters and $.60 per therm for gas water heaters. Using these figures 1 load of laundry washed on a hot/cold cycle will cost you $.34 and $.10 respectively. We have set potty training at 2 ½ years of age. Many cloth diaper stores offer package discounts that could save you 5% or more off the price of your cloth diapers. Don’t forget that your cloth diapers will last through several children. You can also sell your used diapers when you no longer need them.

 

Prefolds and covers

Prices for prefolds and covers come from www.TheStorkWearhouse.com

 

Size

Length of time in size

Changes per day

Total diapers/changes

Cost per change

Total cost

Infant

6 months

12-16 for the first 2 weeks and 10-12 for the next 2 months and 8-10 thereafter

36 infant prefolds, 6 small covers and 6 medium covers

Average changes: 1998

$0.10

12 prefolds package for $24.00 x 3 = $72.00
12 x $11.00 = $132.00
Total = $204.00

Premium

24 months

8-10 for 6 months and 6-8 thereafter

36 premium prefolds and 6 large covers

Average changes: 5400

$0.03

12 prefolds package for $37.00 x 3 = $111.00
6 x $11.00 = $66.00
Total = $177.00

Energy costs

30 months

3 times a week

Electric water heater: approx. $0.34/load

Gas water heater: approx. $0.10/load

Add approximately $0.01 to every change

Total washing costs = $36.00 - $122.40 depending on your water heater.

Grand Total: $381.00

Average cost per change (including washing): $0.06

 

 

Fitted Diapers and Covers

Prices for fitteds come from www.Wallypop.net. Prices for covers come from www.AngelDryDiapers.com.

 

Size

Length of time in size

Changes per day

Total diapers/changes

Average cost per change

Total cost

Small

3 months

12-16 during the first 2 weeks, 10-12 thereafter

36 fitted diapers and 6 covers

Average changes: 964

$0.48

36 x $10.99 = $395.64 6 x $11.25 = $67.50 Total = $463.14

 

Medium

9 months

8-10

30 fitted diapers and 6 covers

Average changes: 2430

$0.16

30 x $10.99 = 329.70
6 x $11.25 = $67.50
Total = $397.20

 

Large

18 months

6-8

24 fitted diapers and 6 covers

Average changes: 3780

$0.09

24 x $10.99 = $263.76
6 x $11.25 = $67.50
Total = $331.26

 

Energy costs

30 months

3 times a week

Electric water heater: approx. $0.34/load

Gas water heater: approx. $0.10/load

Add approximately $0.01 to every change

Total washing costs=$36.00-$122.40 depending on your water heater.

Grand Total: $1263.46

Average cost per change (including washing): $0.18

AIO diapers

Prices for BumGenius AIO diapers come from www.ADiaperChange.com

 

Size

Length of time in size

Changes per day

Total diapers/changes

Cost per change

Total cost

Small

3 months

12-16 for the first 2 weeks, 10-12 thereafter

36 AIO

Average changes: 964

$0.56

12 BumGenius AIO package for $179.40 x 3 = $538.20

Medium

9 months

8-10

30 AIO

Average changes: 2430

$0.19

12 BunGenius AIO package for $179.40 x 2 = $358.80
6 Bungenius AIO package = $92.50
Total=$451.30

Large

18 months

6-8

24 AIO

Average changes: 3780

$0.09

12 BunGenius AIO package for $179.40 x 2 = $358.80

Energy Costs

30 months

3 times a week

Electric water heater: approx. $0.34/load

Gas water heater: approx. $0.10/load

Add approximately $0.01 to every change

Total washing costs = $36.00 - $122.40 depending on your water heater.

Grand Total: $1413.48

Total cost per change (including washing): $0.20

 

Pocket Diapers

Prices for Knickernappies pocket diapers and inserts come from www.ClothDiaperOutlet.com

 

Size

Length of time in size

Changes per day

Total diapers/changes

Cost per change

Total cost

Small

3 months

12-16 for the first 2 weeks, 10-12 thereafter

36 pockets & 36 inserts

Average changes: 964

$0.68

24 Knickernappies with hemp inserts package = $426.00
12 Knickernappies with hemp inserts = $234.00
Total = $660.00

Medium

9 months

8-10

30 pocket diapers & 30 inserts

Average: changes 2430

$0.22

24 Knickernappies with hemp inserts package - $426.00
6 Knickernappies with hemp inserts package - $118.50
Total = $544.50

Large

18 months

6-8

24 AIO

Average changes: 3780

$0.11

24 Knickernappies with hemp inserts package = $426.00

Energy Costs

30 months

3 times a week

Electric water heater: approx. $0.34/load

Gas water heater: approx. $0.10/load

Add approximately $0.01 to every change

Total washing costs=$36.00-$122.40 depending on your water heater

 

Grand Total: $1677.66

Total cost per change (including washing): $0.23

 

Combo Cloth Diapers

Prices for prefolds come from www.StorkWearhouse.com. Prices for fitted diapers come from www.Wallypop.net. Prices for covers come from www.AngelDrydiapers.com. Prices for AIOs come from www.ADiaperChange.com. Prices for pocket diapers come from www.ClothDiaperOutlet.com

 

Time Frame:

Size

Type of diaper

length of time in size

changes per day

total diapers/changes

cost per day

total cost

Grand Total

Months 1-3

Infant

Prefold

6 months

12-16 for the first 2 weeks and 10-12 for the next 2 months and 8-10 thereafter

6 prefolds, 12 fitted, 12 AIO, 6 pockets and inserts, and 4 covers. Ave. changes for 3 months: 964

$0.51

6 x $3.25 = $19.50

$494.28

Small

Fitted

3 months

12 x $10.99 = $131.88

Small

Cover

3 months

4 x $11.25 = $45.00

Small

AIO

3 months

Package of 12 BumGenius AIO diapers = $179.40

Small

Pocket

3 months

Package of 6 Knickernappies with hemp inserts = $118.50

Months 4-6

already own

Prefold

-

8-10

6 prefolds, 12 fitted, 12 AIO, 6 pockets and inserts, and 4 covers. Ave. changes for 3 months: 756

$0.63

0

$474.78

Medium

Fitted

9 months

12 x $10.99 = $131.88

Medium

Cover

9 months

4 x 11.25 = $45.00

Medium

AIO

9 months

Package of 12 BumGenius AIO diapers = $179.40

Medium (buy in month 5)

Pocket

9 months

Package of 6 Knickernappies with hemp inserts = $118.50

Months 7-12

Premium

Prefold

18 months

8-10

6 prefolds, 12 fitted, 12 AIO, 6 pockets and inserts, and 4 covers. Ave. changes for 6 months: 1512

$0.01

6 x $4.15 = $24.90

$24.90

already own

fitted

-

0

already own

Cover

-

0

already own

AIO

-

0

already own

Pocket

-

0

Months 13-30

already own

Prefold

-

6-8

6 prefolds, 12 fitted, 12 AIO, 6 pockets and inserts, and 4 covers. Ave. changes for 18 months: 3780

$0.13

0

$474.78

Large

Fitted

18 months

12 x $10.99 = $131.88

Large

Cover

18 months

4 x $11.25 = $45.00

Large

AIO

18 months

Package of 12 BumGenius AIO diapers = $179.40

Large

Pocket

18 Months

Package of 6 Knickernappies with hemp inserts = $118.50

 

Energy Costs

 

30 months

3 times a week

Electric water heater: approx. $0.34/load
Gas water heater: approx. $0.10/load

Add approximately $0.01 to every change

Total washing costs=$36.00-$122.40 depending on your water heater

 

 

Grand Total: $1468.74

Total cost per change (including washing): $0.22

 

Disposable Diapers

Prices for disposable diapers come from the least expensive package of 2 popular brands from a discount chain store.

 

Size

Length of time in size

Changes per day

Diapers used

Cost per change

Total Cost

Newborn

2 weeks

12-16

48 in package

196 used

5 packages

$0.41

5 packages x $16.23= $81.15

Size 1

10 weeks

10-12

104 in package

770 used

8 packages

$0.24