How To Start Cloth Diapering on a Budget
Many families choose to cloth diaper for financial reasons. Budgets can be so tight that startup costs are often overwhelming. However, there are ways to begin cloth diapering today on less than $125.
The least expensive route are prefolds and covers. My favorite prefolds have been the very first ones I purchased in 2005. I bought 2 dozen DSQ newborn/infant 4×8x4 Indian cotton prefolds from the Granitesmith ebay store. 1 dozen prefolds costs $18.99. If you buy 2 or more dozen you get free shipping on covers. Shipping for 2 dozen prefolds is $11.50. So far the total is up to $49.48.
For covers I purchased the proraps covers in size L. At the time my son was 15 months old. I have used proraps on a newborn and loved them. For a 4 pack of prorap covers it is $27.90. I started out with only 4 and washed them when 2 got wet or soiled. I never had a problem running out of covers. However, for a newborn or infant the chances are a lot higher that the cover will become soiled. In that case, I would order 8 covers.
I prefer proraps covers for children that can undo diapers because of the clasp. I’m sure there are some crafty kids out there that can undo it but I found it to be the only one my son kept on. The clasps are not on size Newborn and Small.
Okay, so with 2 dozen prefolds (+shipping) and covers (free ship) the total is $105.28. Granitesmith ships FedEx so you get them fast.
Now you need to purchase a diaper pail system. I use a Sterilite 20-Quart Touch-Top Wastebasket from Walmart for $4.97. For a pail liner I went to the camping section of Walmart and bought a waterproof bag. I paid $5.00 for mine. I have also used the $1 laundry bags from the Dollar Tree. They don’t last as long but they’re cheap.
Add $10.00 to our diaper total of $105.28 and you can start cloth diapering for $115.28. Keep in mind this is for NEW items. I always recommend for those on a very restrictive budget to buy used. This can knock your cost down to under $100.
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About Me
Autumn Beck is a 30 year old SAHM to 3 gorgeous children. She has been married for 10 years to a chiropractor and entrepreneur extraordinaire. Autumn began cloth diapering in 2005. Over this time she has made mistakes and learned the secrets and strategies to successful cloth diapering. When asked what her interests and hobbies are; homebirth, breastfeeding, and shopping top her list…shopping for cloth diapers that is!
I’ve been wanting to cloth diaper since before my son was born 9 months ago. But I never have been able to decide what I want and I’ve been hesitant to spend all that money up front, since you just don’t notice it as much when it comes out little by little with disposables. I think I’ve finally decided to get some BumGenius one size, but still can’t talk myself into spending the money.
I like your blog. Thanks for it.
Keen Bambino ( http://www.keenbambino.com ) has layaway!!!!
Great to work with, Mandi is great, SAHM with own business!
One of the reasons I started cloth diapering was to save money. I purchased a dozen bumgenius to start, but knew I was going to have to find something less expensive to have enough diapers. After reading your post about flats I decided to give prefolds and covers a try. I bought ALL of my 3 dozen prefolds used and almost all of my covers used. The only ones I bought new are my Dappi nylon covers which I LOVE. Its so old school, but they work great!
I saved so much money by buying used diapers, but that doesn’t even take into consideration the money I will get back when I sell my stash to someone else.
Bernice, I just started looking into cloth diapers about 5 months ago. I decided to go with the BumGenius one-size for ease. I LOVE THEM! I work full time and my sitter even uses them. I don’t have any problems with them. My husband even uses them. I bought a few at a time and now I haven’t used a disposible for almost 3 months. I have a 10 month old and another one on the way and I plan to start buying some more for the new little one.
Don’t forget people that can prove need can get diapers from companies like Miracle Diapers for just the cost of shipping. I have a friend who did this and is expecting her diapers from them in about a week! Also, on Diaper Swappers watch the FFS stuff. I have gotten a few used diapers for just the cost of shipping! I love http://www.momandbabynaturally.com for my big brand diapers, they have great prices and free shipping over $50.
Hey! I have a used/gifted stash & I have more than enough diapers for Med-Large & quite an impressive newborn stash too (I’ve never diapered a newborn!) and my only ammendment to your post, would be to go ahead and invest in at least 1 Snappi. They are only $2.50 & I couldn’t get into prefolds until I got one! Now I LOVE prefolds. They are all we use around the house!
Yes I love snappis. But I actually trifolded the prefolds in a cover with my son. With Paisley I have occassionally used a snappi and prefold and really loved the trimness.
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[...] presents How To Start Cloth Diapering on a Budget posted at All About Cloth Diapers, saying, “all about how to get started with cloth diapers [...]
Just wondering if you threw your Walmart pailliner or Dollar Tree laundry bags in the wash with your diapers? Did they bleed at all? I’ve been looking for a cheaper alternative for a pail liner.
I always throw my pail liners into the washer. No bleeding but after about 20 washes the Dollar Tree ones start to disintegrate!
have you considered making flannel shaped diapers or inserts? quilters’ flannel or outing flannel works well and turns out cheaper than diaper flannel. you also get colors, if you like. i did mine in a sort of hourglass shape and used the scraps along with old towels and other absorbent clothes as padding between the layers. as baby grew, i could use the old, smaller diapers as the insides of a larger one. i used a lot of remnants for the first diapers and put out the word to friends that i could use their sewing project leftovers. you can ease into cloths diapers bit by bit this way at almost no cost.