Cost of Cloth Diapers
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 come from www.TheStorkWearhouse.com. Prices for Bummis covers come from Abby's Lane
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 Bummies covers come from www.AbbysLane.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 $11.00 = $66.00 Total = $461.64
|
Medium |
9 months |
8-10 |
30 fitted diapers and 6 covers
Average changes: 2430 |
$0.16 |
30 x $10.99 = 329.70
6 x $11.00 = $66.00
Total = $399.70
|
Large |
18 months |
6-8 |
24 fitted diapers and 6 covers
Average changes: 3780 |
$0.09 |
24 x $10.99 = $263.76
6 x $11.00 = $66.00
Total = $329.76
|
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: $1262.84
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 |
8 packages x $22.88= $183.04 |
Size 2 |
12 weeks |
10-12 |
88 in package
924 used
11 packages |
$0.27 |
11 packages x $22.88= $251.68 |
Size 3 |
12 weeks |
8-10 |
96 in package
756 used
8 packages |
$0.33 |
8 packages x $30.72= $245.76 |
Size 4 |
12 weeks |
6-8 changes |
64 in package
588 used
9 packages |
$0.36 |
9 packages x $23.68= $213.12 |
Size 5 |
24 weeks |
6-8 changes |
58 in package
1176 used
20 packages |
$0.40 |
20 packages x $23.78= $475.60 |
Size 6
Training pants |
48 weeks |
6-8 changes |
48 in package
2352 used
49 packages |
$0.48 |
49 packages x $23.00= $1127.00 |
Grand Total: $2577.35
Average cost per change: $0.36
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