How to Save Money by Cloth Diapering Your Baby

Let's assume that you can get a generic brand of diapers for $14.99 for 84 diapers (Source: Diaper Pin-Cloth Diaper Savings Calculator). On an average you would use 10 disposable diapers per day. The price for Diaper Genie Refills is an average of $4.99 and will hold about 140 diapers. (This calculation does not include the cost of going back and forth to the store, the initial purchase of a Diaper Genie, or the cost of disposable wipes.) The average time a child will be in diapers is estimated to be 3 years (1080 days).

Disposables:

Here is a breakdown of costs using diaposable diapers using 10 diapers per day:
Disposable Diapers: 1080 days x $1.70 Per Day ($0.17 per use) = $1836.00
Diaper Genie Refills: 1080 Days x$0.30 Per Day ($0.03 per use) = $324.00
Totals: $1836.00 + $324.00 =$2160.00 to diaper 1 child

Cloth Diapers:

Example #1
Prefold Diapers 18 x $2.00 = $36.00
Covers (3 XS, 3 Small, 3 Medium,3 Large) 12 x $11.25 =$135.00
Wool or fleece covers for nighttime(1 Small, 1 Medium, 1 Large) 3 x $25.00 =$75.00
Wipes and Wipe Solution $35.00
Energy Useage and Laundry Detergent ($0.031 per diaper x 12 diapers per day x 1080 days) $334.80
Total: $36.00 + $135.00 + $75.00 + $35.00 + $334.80 = $615.80

Example #2
Prefold Diapers: 12 x $2.00 = $24.00
Newborn Covers: 3 x $11.25 = $33.75
bumGenius 1 Size Pocket Diapers with inserts: 18 x $16.95 =$305.10
Wipes and Wipe Solution: $35.00
Energy Useage and Laundry Detergent ($0.031 per diaper x 12 diapers per day x 1080 days) $334.80
Total: $24.00 + $305.10 + $35.00 + $334.80 = $732.65

When you consider the fact that you can reuse your cloth diapers for multiple children, the savings just continue to multiply. If you are not going to be using your diapers for several children, there are several locations online in which you can resll your used diapers ane recover some of your initial investment, making your purchase even more economical.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Kara Piper is an attached mother of four children, doula and La Leche League Leader who is passionate about cloth diapering and babywearing. She's also the owner of Mom & Baby Naturally, an online boutique. For more expert advice visit her website at www.momandbabynaturally.com/articles.php

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