Well this one might be one of the most not necessarily asked but thought about questions when it comes to choosing to reuse or not to reuse.
Do cloth nappies actually save you money?
It's a common concern among parents who are considering using reusable nappies for their little ones. After all, cloth nappies have a higher upfront cost than disposable nappies, so it's natural to wonder if they are really worth the investment.
Well, the answer is: Yes, Reusable Nappies are cheaper than disposable nappies. While reuseabale nappies do have a higher initial cost than disposables, they will save you money in the long run.
Let's do some math shall we?
Disposables:
The average newborn baby goes through around 2,500 to 3,000 nappies in their first year alone. If you assume a cost of around $0.45 per disposable nappy, that's a total cost of $1125 to $1350 for the first year. Over 3 years this works out to approximately 6500 disposable nappies per child (taking into account reduced nappy changes as they get older) at a whopping $3000! Forget the premium nappies or even nappy pants! Then you are looking at closer to $5000....flipping heck. You may also have an increase cost due the need for a larger wheelie bin or more trash bags due to the increase in rubbish created.
Reusables:
Now, let's compare that to the cost of cloth nappies. While the initial cost of cloth nappies can vary depending on the brand and type you choose, the average cost is around $800 for a full set of good quality reusable nappies. That includes 30 day nappies and 7 night time nappies.
Assuming you wash your cloth nappies yourself (which is relatively simple and cost-effective), the only ongoing cost is the power, detergent, and water used to wash them. This typically works out to around $300 to $500 per year, depending on how you wash your nappies (I.e front or top loader, premium or average detergent, daily pre wash, every 2 or 3 days main wash etc). And don't forget you are doing this washing anyway. Babies and toddlers make a crap tonne of washing, so use those clothes to bulk your nappy loads and win win. So over 3 years we are looking at $800 for your initial set up that will last you the 3 years and several children as well as $1500 for 3 years of washing for a grand total of $2300.
So, while cloth nappies do have a higher upfront cost than disposable nappies, they can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars in the long run. Plus, by using cloth nappies, you're also reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfills, which is better for the environment. (Don't get us started on the environmental cost to even MAKE the disposables vs cloth nappies...it's insane and yet another massive reason to give cloth a go.) In conclusion, if you're looking to save money in the long run and do your bit for the environment, cloth nappies can be a great investment. While the upfront cost may be higher than disposable nappies, the ongoing cost is much lower, and you can use them for multiple children. So go ahead and give cloth nappies a try – your wallet (and the planet) will thank you!
