Cloth diapers have come a long way in recent years. Gone are the pins and oversized plastic pants, replaced by a dizzying array of styles and designs. In fact, they are now as easy to put on your child as their disposable counterparts and are arguably much more stylish. Cloth diapers do need to be washed, so they are without a doubt more work for parents than tossing a disposable.
So why choose cloth diapers?
First, they save money. According to the National Diaper Bank Network, disposable diapers cost about $70-$80 a month, or $840 - $960 a year. Cloth diapers are a one-time cost of $500 - $700 on average, but can be much cheaper if purchased used. (Neither cost includes disposal or washing.) Cloth diapers can be used for multiple children, so a family can easily save hundreds of dollars by switching to cloth.
Second, they are low-waste. Babies use between 6-10 diapers per day. For families with kids using disposable diapers, about 50 percent of their weekly trash consists of disposable diapers. Additionally, cloth diapers have resale value, so many people regain part of their investment by selling them when they are no longer needed.
And while cloth diapering is more involved than diapering with disposables, you won’t be spending all of your time in the laundry room. With a 3-4 day supply of diapers, an additional two loads of laundry per week can be expected, most of which will be work your laundry machine is doing, rather than you. Or, if you’d rather not be involved in the washing, try a diaper service. For a monthly fee, they supply the diapers, deliver, pick-up and wash them. The cost will be higher, diaper service costs are comparable to disposable diapers.
Where to buy cloth diapers
Moss Envy – retail store in Minneapolis.
All Things Diapers – retail store in Ham Lake and online sales of new and used cloth diapers. Website has lots of information on getting started and troubleshooting.
My Sweet Pickles – online retailer based in SD with MN roots. They sell new and used and offer rental for infant diapers.
Twin Cities Metro Area Cloth Diaper Buy Sell Trade Facebook Group (closed) – a group for Twin-Cities area parents to buy, sell and trade their cloth diapers locally.
Diaper services
Pacifier Kids
Do Good Diaper Service – offers delivery service.
Additional resources
Twin Cities Teeny Greenies – a free diaper lending service not currently lending diapers but available for phone consultations and donation drop-offs
MN Cloth Diapering Moms Facebook Group (open) – cloth diapering discussion group
Minnesota Cloth Diapering Mommies Facebook Group (closed) – cloth diapering discussion group.
An eco-friendly choice for modern parents
While they may require a bit more effort than their disposable counterparts, cloth diapering in the 21st century is more convenient and stylish than before. The financial savings are significant, with an initial investment that pays off in the long run, especially when considering their reuse potential for multiple children.
Additionally, cloth diapers significantly reduce waste and can even be resold once they've served their purpose. With options like diaper services for added convenience, choosing cloth diapers has become a practical and eco-friendly choice that aligns with budget-conscious and environmentally-conscious values.