Get Started with Cloth Diapers for $40
About 8 years ago I published an article called “Three Cheap Diaper Stashes,” with the option of getting started with cloth diapers for as low as $20. Sadly, that price has gone with the wind, but does that mean using cloth has become expensive?
Nope. The investment will still save you a lot of money. Thankfully, some things just don’t change. Here are my three diaper start-up plans, updated for 2026.
The $40 Plan
COVERS: Use scraps of fleece, a large fleece blanket or yardage to make no-sew diaper covers. All you need is a pair of scissors. Here’s my tutorial with photos. You can make your own pattern by simply tracing over a diaper laid out completely flat, making your pattern a little bigger to allow for coverage. Your no-sew covers can be tied closed. Fleece blankets cost about $3-$4 at Walmart and come in a lot of fun patterns and colors.
One yard measures 36×60 inches and that yields about 3-4 covers. Tip: roll in the sides of the fleece wrap for better poo containment. Double up covers for naps.
DIAPERS: Purchase two dozen flour sack towels (large foldable squares of cotton) at just $1.17 each. Go even cheaper by repurposing old cotton and flannel “receiving blankets” that you already have (or find them at yard sales for 10 to 25 cents apiece). You can even use old t-shirts or cotton towels as emergency diapers. NOTE: This plan does not include diaper fasteners, but if you want to secure them better than just folding up inside a fleece cover, this pack of Osocozy diaper pins is just $6.
The $60 Plan
COVERS: Did you know that Alva Baby is still going strong? We first tried their covers in 2010! Right now, you can get a pack of 6 waterproof diaper covers for $30. There are over ten bundles to choose from with a wide array of colors. A screenshot is below! And guess what? Shipping is just ONE DOLLAR.
DIAPERS: Purchase two dozen flour sack towels (large foldable squares of cotton) for about $28 with free shipping. There are many different ways to fold flat diapers before you lay them in the waterproof covers and wrap around your baby.
The $90 Plan
DIAPERS: This plan is the easiest, but you pay more for the convenience. It includes 10 “pocket” diapers, which are covers with inserts that slip inside. They are trim and very customizable (you can double on inserts overnight). Right now, Kinder Diapers has a mystery diaper 5-pack; if you buy two that comes out to about $90 total.
There’s no need to buy anything else with this starter plan; pocket diapers are an “all in one” option.
Tell me in the comments how much your initial cloth investment was, or share any money-saving tips that you have!
