Zephyr Hill

A Family Blog

How To Start Cloth Diapering for As Low As $20

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This post contains affiliate links.

Feel like you can’t afford to start using cloth diapers? Yes, you’ll save money in the long run, but do you balk at the up front cost? The average, no-frills starter collection may seem really daunting, even at just $100 or $200.

So I’ve gathered together some ideas from around the web, and from personal experience. Here three REALLY cheap ways to get started with cloth. Making these work will involve delayed gratification, so patience is key. You won’t find organic cottons or silky bamboo in these budget stashes!

These starter diapers are designed to get you through about 2 days, depending on the age/size of your baby.

The $20 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. If you don’t have any fleece or wool to repurpose, it can be bought by the yard at Wal-Mart for just $2.97. One yard measures 36×60 inches and that yields about 3 covers. Tip: roll in the sides of your fleece wrap for better poo containment. Double up covers for naps.

DIAPERS: Purchase flour sack towels (large, flat foldable squares of cotton) at Wal-Mart for $1 each. You can get 18 for $18 or less. Go even cheaper by using old t-shirts and receiving blankets (stuff you have on hand, or grab at yard sales for 25 to 50 cents). Even old cotton towels can serve as emergency diapers.

fleece

The $40 Plan

COVERS: Buy 4 Nicki’s brand pull-on diaper covers from Nicki’s (aff). Shipping is free.

 

DIAPERS: As above, use old t-shirts, towels or receiving blankets (free or 25 cents and up).

FASTENER:  Purchase a 3-pack of Snappi fasteners ($9.95) from Nicki’s.

The $50 Plan

COVERS: Buy 4 Nicki’s brand pull-on diaper covers from Nicki’s (aff) for $27.80. Shipping is free. OR, buy 4 Diaper Junction brand basic one-size covers for $31.80.

DIAPERS: Purchase flour sack towels (large foldable squares of cotton) at Wal-Mart for $1 each. You can get 18 for roughly $18 or less.

FASTENER: Purchase a Snappi ($3.95) or Boingo ($5.50) fastener. If you buy the Diaper Junction cover, you can “pad fold” your diapers and skip buying a fastener.

Erik in a Diaper Junction one-size cover:

The “I Don’t Have $20 Plan”

If you are truly counting every penny and even $20 is pushing it, there’s still hope! Buy just 2 waterproof pull-on Nicki’s brand covers. Shipping is free and it will cost about $13.90. For your diapers, use whatever free and absorbent items you can get your hands on. That includes old towels and faded/stained t-shirts, receiving blankets, worn sheets, etc. If you don’t have any, or can’t spare any money at yard sales, post your need on Facebook and Craigslist and I can almost 100% guarantee that you will have people willing to give you some old blankets and t-shirts for free. Your last step will be purchasing some of those old-school diaper pins at Wal-mart or the dollar store (probably a buck or two).

With these two diaper covers, you can cloth diaper for 1 day, and wash the next. See how it goes. And if you like the money you’re saving, start working on building up a better stash (PUL covers, prefolds, flats, etc.).

The “I Have No Money” Plan

If you’ve read this far and are thinking “I can’t even spend $13!” then check out these freebies:

1. My free diaper resource page shows you how to find cloth diapers at zero or little cost to you.
2. These diaper charities give or loan packages at little or no cost to you.
3. Add cloth diapers to your registry during pregnancy. Nothing fancy, just the basics (covers, prefolds, etc.). All styles can be found at Wal-Mart and Amazon.
4. Please enter my giveaways, and come back for the daily entries. If you are expecting, please sign up for my monthly drawing.

What About Folding?

All my budget plans include flats or things you need to fold. Here’s how to pad fold a flat (square) diaper for a newborn, and for an older baby. You can pad fold anything (t-shirts, blankets, towels, diapers, etc.)

If you have some SUPER CHEAP cloth diapering tips, please share them here!

 

Is It Worth It to Cloth Diaper Just One Child?

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Is cloth diapering worth the time and effort if you’ll only be using them for one child? Yes, I think so, and here’s why.

Even if you only diaper one child in cloth, you will keep thousands of dirty diapers out of landfills. And you will still reap big financial benefits. Enter your unique numbers into the Thirsties Calculator; you could realize up to $2,000 (or more) in savings.

You might ask, “What about the water and energy I’ll use washing the diapers?” I’ve got that question answered here.

And after your cloth diapers have served their purpose, you can still re-sell and get some money back. Can’t do that with disposables! One way you can maximize your money savings if only cloth diapering one child is to buy used. That way, you’ll save significantly on your start-up costs.

And there are still a few MORE reasons that most families are really happy they choose cloth, no matter what their family size:

  • Your cloth diapering experience can help other families who have questions or need support.
  • Cloth diapers are adorable, beautiful, stunning, (insert your adjective of choice) and just plain fun to collect purchase.
  • You will meet new friends and broaden your horizons by being a part of the cloth diapering community.
  • Cloth diapers have helped out a lot of babies who were sensitive, or allergic, to disposables.
  • Cloth diapering families help support other families and small businesses with their purchases.

So while it is true that the benefits multiply for each child that uses your diapers, never forget that even a single diaper change makes a positive impact!

What are some reasons that you’re happy you gave cloth a try?

 

 

 

 

 

This content was previously published at the Kelly Wels blog and has been updated.

Can Cloth Diapers Help Heal Rashes?

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You might be looking at me kind of funny if your baby has ever gotten a rash from wearing cloth diapers. It’s certainly possible, especially if their delicate skin is very sensitive to wetness or certain fibers. But it’s worth exploring other options since there are so many fabric choices now on the cloth diaper market. If baby is reacting to wetness, try stay-dry liners. If you suspect it’s detergent, do a thorough stripping or switch brands and make sure you add extra rinses. If synthetics are the culprit, switch to cotton or hemp – or one of my favorites: bamboo.

I saw this story at Lil Helper diapers the other day and had to share it with you. Not only are they an amazing company with amazing diapers, but their customer service goes above and beyond anything I’ve heard of in the cloth diapering world. Don’t believe me? Read on…..

“I got a call on my cell at 9.30 pm on Thursday from a mom whose 1 month-old was suffering from a nasty diaper rash that wouldn’t go away. She had never used cloth diapers before so I explained to her how it would all work. After which she asked us for a LilHelper.ca Charcoal Bamboo Diaper. We told her it will be hand delivered on the next day. To which she said something only a parent in distress would say, “What do I do for tonight?” So her hubby drove to our warehouse, where Nader met him and gave him the diapers at 10.30 pm so that mommy can start healing the baby’s rash immediately. Next time, you have a favor or special request to ask from us – demand it. We will, almost, do anything to make sure our customers are well taken care of. On a side note, mommy called back and reported that the Charcoal Bamboos are healing the rash better than any ointments she has used.” – Mohammed at Lil Helper Diapers

I love success stories like this! Even better, I love family-owned enterprises that deliver personal and heartfelt service.

What are your thoughts about cloth diapering and rashes? Is it seldom a problem? Or have you found something that is kind to your little one’s bottom? Or did you feel compelled to give up altogether when nothing worked?

Tell me in a comment below!