Loading ...Cloth vs. Disposable - the real answers to your questions.
You have thought about it. One of your friends does it. So what is the difference? Why use cloth? There are many advantages and even some disadvantages to using cloth diapers. Here is a brief look at what it takes to make the switch.
The Lingo
- AIO - All-in-one: meaning that the cover for the diaper is sewn into the diaper itself and there is only one piece.
- Fitted - fitted diapers: the other alternative the diaper itself is separate from a cover that is required to go over top of the diaper.
- Doubler - an extra thick liner that is stuffed in or folded into the diaper often at night for extra apsorption.
- PUL - Poly Urathane Liner the water resistant material that most AIO’s and some covers use to prevent wicking.
- Wicking - the action of mositure from the diaper soaking or transferring onto baby’s clothes or bedding
- Wet/Dry Pail Method - You can soak your diapers in a solution of vinegar, soap and water until you wash them or as most AIO’s suggest you can leave them dry in a pail until you soak them in the washer then wash.
The Gear
- The first thing you will need is a bigger diaper bag. Cloth diapers are bulkier and take up more space.
- You will need roughly 3 dozen size small diapers. Once you move up to larger sizes you often will need less, say around 2 dozen.
- If you are using wraps or covers you are going to want 2-4 of them in each size.
- Diaper pail - For a wet pail method you will want about 3 small ones. If you are doing dry pail then one q large one will suffice. Cheap tupperware or rubbermaid type bins work great.
- Cloth Wipes, because there isn’t much point in doing cloth if you are just going to throw away wipes! Two dozen double layered flannel ones will do just fine and save you a small fortune.
- A line to dry your diapers on is optional but not having to put diapers in the dryer every other day or every week will again save you $$$
The Difference
Purchasing a collection of cloth diapers upfront is going to cost you more initially. Most moms either buy them second hand or buy new and then sell them if they are only having one child or use them for two or three children. A good set of diapers will easily last 3 children. In the long run you are going to save money. Depending on which method you choose (AIO or Fitted - New or Used) you are going to save more or less. Personally I bought homemade fitteds second hand for $1-2 each. I bought 3 fleece covers for $12 each and I do laundry once a week. So I have saved a ton. Most moms buy diapers for anywhere from $5-15 each.
Your time is precious and most moms do not want to have to do anymore laundry which is why they say…no way. And truth be told it is another load of laundry. When your babe is little it is a 2-3 loads a week depending on your stash. When they are bigger it is one load every week or two depending again on your stash. So is it that much more laundry? The most time consuming part is hanging them which takes maybe 15 minutes for a large load of diapers.
At the change table not much difference except in the amount of diaper rash cream you will have to use if your baby is in cloth. I still have the same container after two kids and it is barely half gone. This is a clincher for moms who have had nothing but problems with rashes in disposables or those of us who have looked up the chemical make up of that ‘gelly’ stuff inside of them. You will find it takes the same amount of time to change a baby regardless of what diaper you are putting them in.
And finally your garbage bag. Between cloth diapering and recycling we put out a very small bag of garbage every week. Actually we tend to frequently miss garbage day so it is more like once a month we make it and our can is finally full!
And essentially that is that. Cloth was an easy choice for me and I have seen many other moms make the switch if you think about it historically it almost makes perfect sense! Ha! So now you have the facts required to make an informed descison. Hope it helped! Have fun changing diapers!
- Krystal Williams
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