Let’s talk about this notion that cloth diapering is “cheap.” In our previous post we talked about how cloth diapering is affordable, if you think of it as an investment that pays you back over time.
While cloth diapers are reasonably priced for the average, middle class family – between $15 – $25 per diaper – beware of going into cloth diapering having a “cheap” mentality.
First, cloth diapers do require an invest upfront. You have to spend about $200 if you want to buy a stash of cloth diapers to last you a couple of days between washings as well as a few diapering accessories like a reusable diaper pail and diaper sprayer. These costs are difficult, given that the first year of baby’s life can cost a family $7,000+ more! (According to “Baby Bargains” by Alan and Denise Fields).
Second, cloth diapers often require some costs over time. It requires cloth diaper manufacturer approved laundry detergent as well as electricity to wash diapers every few days. This can create wear and tear on your washer and these are “costs” to consider as well.
Now, however, we’d like to address the notion about “cheap” diapers. Sure, there are “cheap” brands out there . Many moms who bought “cheap” brands and knock-off cloth diapers were burned. Why? Well, the quality of many “cheap” cloth diapers are unknown and the diapers may not have lasted for years and years like many of the leading brands do. Anecdotally, many of these moms ended up having to replace low quality diapers eventually, costing them even more!
Also, many “cheap” brands don’t offer a warranty (always check the manufacturer’s warranty – treat your cloth diapers like an investment!). However, even with a warranty, buyer beware. If the company goes out of business, your warranty is rendered useless! That’s why we recommend you work with long-time, trusted brands.
In the end, we believe cloth diapering is affordable, if viewed as an “investment” that will pay off over years and years of diapering several children. That said, it is not cheap to get started and we warn against moms buying “cheap” cloth diapering options that may end up costing them more in the long run. Remember, you always get what you pay for.
Note: We do recognize that some families may not be able to afford diapers to begin with and purchasing these “cheap” diapers are their only option. For families on extreme budgets we’d like to share a post from our friends at Cotton Babies with tips on how to diaper your baby when you can’t afford the initial investment. You may also find this post by The Eco Chic helpful as she shares tips on how to cloth diaper for $50.
To continue the conversation about “cheap” cloth diapers and how to cloth diaper your baby on a budget be sure to visit us on Facebook and Twitter. To save money on the purchase of your cloth diapers we are always offering sales and discounts on your favorite brands at our DiaperShops.com family of stores, including Kelly’s Closet.
