Rumparooz Diaper Sale

This is a very rare sale for Rumparooz One Size Cloth Diapers! While supplies last, you can save $6 a diaper on available Rumparooz Aplix OS Diapers. Plus, you'll receive free shipping on US orders placed at Country Drawers. Hurry and take advantage of this great deal while it lasts! 

How Much Will I Really Save??

Back in January 2012, I published a blog post titled, Will I Really Save Money With Cloth?. Since then, I've had a lot of people ask me about the cost comparison when buying diapers with a service like Amazon's Subscribe & Save and Amazon Mom. Many moms have told me that they can save even more buying diapers that way than buying the generic store brands. So, I wanted to update my figures using the Amazon prices.

I also changed the way I figured the amount of diapers. Since most babies use less diapers between 12-24 months, I used a lower amount for the second year.

These figures are based on 10 diaper changes a day for the first 10 weeks and 6 diaper changes a day for the rest of the baby's first year (42 weeks). After the first year, I based our figures on 5 diaper changes a day. Remember, this is the minimum amount. If you've ever had a baby or toddler with a stomach bug, you know there will be days with many more diaper changes.

So, that's a total of at least 2,464 diaper changes the first year and 1,820 diaper changes the second year. Many children aren't potty trained by their 2nd birthday, so you might still have at least another 1,000 diaper/trainer changes before they are three. Keep in mind that trainers cost more and I haven't figured that into our costs. I've also included laundry costs for just cloth diapers, but I know we had a lot more blow outs (so more clothing washed) with disposable diapers than cloth diapers.

Don't forget about the wipes! I estimated about 6 wipes a day. Unless you're my husband, than you'll probably use at least 10 for each poopy diaper.

Even though I included wipes in the cost, I'm not including other accessories for disposable or cloth diapers, such as the Diaper Genie, wet bags, pail liners, diaper sprayer, etc.

The average cost of Pampers Swaddlers Diapers using Amazon Mom and Subscribe & Save was around 20 cents per diaper. The Sensitive wipes are around 3 cents per wipe. If your baby grows out of the Pampers Swaddlers, the Pampers Baby Dry diapers are a little more expensive and those are not included in these costs.

Cost of using Pampers Swaddlers for the first year: $492.80
Cost of using Pampers Swaddlers the second year: $364.00
Cost of using Pampers Sensitive Wipes for two years: $65.52

Total cost after two years: $922.32

But, what if your baby has really sensitive skin? Seventh Generation diapers were the only disposables that didn't make our son break out in a rash. The average cost of those using Amazon Mom and Subscribe & Save is around 25 cents a diaper (the cost is as high as 32 cents a diaper). The Seventh Generation Free & Clear Wipes are around 4 cents per wipe.

Cost of using Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers for the first year: $689.92
Cost of using Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers the second year: $455.00
Cost of using Seventh Generation Free & Clear Wipes for two years: $87.36 

Total cost after two years: $1232.28

And now for the cloth diapers:

You can generally expect to spend around $500 to start cloth diapering for enough cloth diapers to last 2-3 days (around 30 diapers).  If you stick with prefolds & covers, your costs will be a lot less. We used cloth wipes that I made myself with old t-shirts, receiving blankets and scraps of flannel. For a wipes solution, you can just use water. Yes, there is the cost of detergent & washing your diapers. The detergent we use costs around $15 and it lasts for at least 45 loads. That's around 33 cents every 2-3 days. If you have an HE machine, that cost is cut in half. Our water & energy bills combined maybe went up $5 but I'm also doing more regular laundry because I have a very messy little boy. :)

If you use cloth diapers longer than 2 years or for more than one child, you'll save even more! Disposable diaper costs will double each year and for each child. But, if you take good care of your cloth diapers, you can use them for multiple children over many years. The only extra costs you'll have with cloth diapers are the laundry costs. And, you can also resell used cloth diapers that are in good condition for around 50% of the retail price!

Enough Cloth Diapers to wash every 2-3 days: Approx $500

Cloth Wipes (use old t-shirts & receiving blankets with water) :$0

Laundry Costs for two years: Approx $100

Total for two years: $600

I made up some handy little charts that make it easier to compare the cost of disposable diapers to some of the more popular cloth diaper brands that we carry. Each cloth diaper cost includes enough for 30 diaper changes. 

*Quick note - Rumparooz OS Aplix diapers are on sale right now for $17.95, so a full stash of 30 would only cost you $538.50! 

Costs for one child over 2 years.
*Prefolds & Cover costs include 12 Covers and 30 Prefolds; GroVia Hybrid and Sweet Pea AI3 costs include 12 Shells and 30 Soaker Pads

Diaper costs for 2 children, each wearing diapers for 2 years.

If you want to compare the costs for other cloth diapers, or for multiple brands, try the calculator over at Diaper Pin. - http://www.diaperpin.com/calculator/calculator.asp

Cloth Diapers and the Environment

This seems to be one of the most controversial subjects on cloth diapering. There is almost always someone that likes to point out the amount of energy and water it takes to wash cloth diapers. However, many of those people don't think about how the disposable diapers ended up at their house:

• The fuel that it took to cut down the trees that make the wood pulp that goes in the diapers. (Over 250,000 trees are used annually for disposable diapers.)
• The transportation & fuel costs to ship materials to the manufacturing plants and to ship the finished products around the world.
• The amount of water it takes to manufacture the disposable diapers.
• And the list goes on...

Many naysayers are quick to point out a study done a few years ago. This study stated there really wasn't a difference between the environmental impact of cloth diapers and disposable diapers. However, that study was severely flawed. First, they used the extremely low number of 4.16 average diaper changes per child and their study only accounted for the diapers being used up to 2.5 years. Many families will sell their cloth diapers or use them for other children, getting even more use out of them. For even more reasons this study was flawed, read the RDA's response.   

This comparison chart by AppleCheeks really helps illustrate the actual impact of disposable and cloth diapers.

There are ways to reduce the impact of cloth diapers even further according to the RDA:

• Use Energy Star rated machines.
• Wash diapers at 140 degrees.
• Air dry.
• Use washable wipes and liners.
• Use low-impact detergent.
• Use organic products.
• Reuse diapers for the next child, then give them away or sell them to another family.

So, which one would you rather use?

Source credit: http://www.scribd.com/doc/24011925/Disposable-Diapers

http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/pressrelease_uk-diaperstudy.php

The Basics of Cloth Diapering

It's Real Diaper Week! People around the world are celebrating cloth diapers starting today and ending on the 21st with The Great Cloth Diaper Change! We'll be posting about different cloth diaper related topics throughout the week to help spread the cloth love.

I thought we'd kick the week off by going back to the basics of cloth diapering. Especially since I almost always hear, "I'm so overwhelmed!" by new cloth diaper users.


Types of Cloth Diapers

Simplex OS AIO

All-in-Ones (AIO)

The outer shell, insert, and inside lining are all sewn together. These are very simple to use and are good for people that might be intimidated by cloth diapers. Some AIOs feature pockets so the user can add extra inserts for more absorbency.

GroVia Hybrid Shell

All-in-Twos (AI2) or Hybrid Diapers

These are basically a cross between an AIO and a Pocket Diaper. Usually an AI2 consists of a waterproof outer shell and an absorbent insert that snaps or lays in the shell. The shell can be reused by snapping or laying in a new insert when the other insert become soiled.

Charlie Banana Pocket Diaper

Pocket Diapers

Pocket Diapers feature a pocket in the back or front of the diaper between the waterproof outer shell and inner lining. This pocket allows the user to stuff the diaper with an absorbent insert. Pocket diapers are so popular because they allow the user to customize the amount of absorbency by adding additional inserts.

EcoPosh Recycled Organic Fitted

Fitted Diapers

These diapers are not waterproof and require a cover. Although, many babies are able to use fitteds for 1-2 hours without leaks. These diapers come in a variety of styles with some featuring snap-in inserts or pockets.

Sweet Pea Prefolds

 Prefolds/Flats

These are the traditional diapers that many people are familiar with. Flats are large square pieces of fabric, usually on layer of birdseye. Prefolds are made of multiple layers of fabric with extra layers sewn in the center. These diapers are the most economical choice and require some type of fastener like a Snappi or diaper pins and a diaper cover.

Blueberry Coveralls

Diaper Covers

Diaper covers are made with a variety of materials.

• PUL diaper covers are made of the same type of material used as the waterproof layer in Pockets, AIOs and Hybrid Diapers.
• Fleece and wool diaper covers provide a breathable cover option that is water resistant.

PUL and Fleece covers can be washed with your regular diaper laundry while Wool covers need to be hand washed and lanolized.


Sized vs One Sized (OS) Cloth Diapers

• Sized diapers usually come in X Small (Newborn), Small, Medium and Large sizes with a few brands also offering X Large or larger sizes. These diapers have less bulk than OS diapers, but you will need to purchase larger sizes as your child grows.
• One Sized (OS) Cloth Diapers usually fit from 10lbs to 35lbs. OS diapers are usually adjusted by snaps on the front of the diaper or by adjustable leg elastics. These diapers are bulkier on smaller babies than sized diapers, but are more economical as you usually do not have to buy larger sizes.

Getting Started
Depending on your baby's age, we recommend at least the following diaper changes per day:

• Up to 8 weeks: 12-14 diapers per day
• 8 weeks - 3 months: 10-12 diapers per day
• 3 months - 6 months: 8-10 diapers per day
• 6 months - 1 year: 6-8 diapers per day
• Over 1 year: 5-7 diapers per day

So, to wash diapers every 2-3 days, you would need at least:

• Up to 8 weeks: 26-40 diapers
• 8 weeks - 3 months: 22-36 diapers
• 3 months - 6 months: 18-30 diapers
• 6 months - 1 year: 15 - 24 diapers
• Over 1 year: 12-21 diapers

If you're using prefolds, flats or fitteds you will also need one cover for every 2-4 diapers.

Accessories you may need:

• Wet bag or pail liner to store your dirty diapers
• Cloth friendly diaper cream
• Diaper Sprayer
• Cloth wipes & wipes solution

Because it can be so overwhelming when making the decision to use cloth diapers, we offer trial packages that allow you to try a variety of diapers and return the ones you don't like. This is a great way to step into cloth diapering without making a big commitment.

3.7 Million Tons of Disposables in One Year!

According to the 2010 EPA Municipal Waste Facts and Figures Fact Sheet:

In 1970, 350 thousand tons of disposable diapers went to landfills

In 2010, 3,740,000 tons went to landfills

The 2010 number is actually down from 3.8 million tons in 2009 but that's still a staggering number. Here's hoping 2011's number will be even lower!



Cost Comparison of Disposable Diapers and Cloth Diapers

Cloth Diapers vs Disposable Diapers

Sometimes, it just helps to see the comparison.

Some disposable companies state that their diapers can last up to 12 hours. But, I can't imagine that would be very comfortable for a baby. Babies need to be changed more often than that.

Here are our minimum recommendations:
Up to 6 weeks - at least 12-14 diaper changes per day = 504-588 diapers
6 weeks - 6 months - at least 8-10 diaper changes per day = 1008-1260 diapers
6 months - 1 year - at least 6-8 diaper changes per day = 1176-1568 diapers.
After one year that equals 2688 - 3416 diaper changes.

Will I Really Save Money With Cloth?

*I originally wrote this article for the I Heart Fluff blog.
Most of us have heard that you will save thousands of dollars if you switch to cloth diapers. But, I have a lot of moms ask me if they will really save that much. They don't buy the more expensive brand name diapers. They stick with store brands or buy them on Amazon. They say there is no way they will save that much money.

 

Trust me, you will!



You will use more disposable diapers than this in 3 days!

You could spend around $1000 a year per kid on disposable diapers & wipes. Even if you use the generic store brand, you're going to spend at least $700 per kid per year. Don't forget to add gas and/or shipping costs to that! C'mon, you know that moment when you pull the last disposable diaper out of the bag and realize you don't have any more? I don't know how many trips I had to make to the store for just diapers.

 

Around the same amount of cloth diapers will last for years!

 

 

We were able to buy a full stash of cloth diapers for around $500. But, you could spend less or more than that. If you stick with prefolds & covers, your costs will be a lot less. We use cloth wipes that I made myself with old t-shirts, receiving blankets and scraps of flannel. For a wipes solution, you can just use water. Yes, there is the cost of detergent & washing your diapers. The detergent we use costs around $15 and it lasts for at least 45 loads. That's around 33 cents every 2-3 days. Our water & energy bills combined maybe went up $5 but I'm also doing more regular laundry because I have a very messy little boy. :)

 

If you take good care of your cloth diapers, you can use the same ones for other children you'll have. And, you can also resell used cloth diapers that are in good condition for around 50% of the retail price!

 

So, here is a quick breakdown on costs:

(I am figuring very low costs on the disposable diapers and high costs on cloth diapers. More than likely, you will spend more on disposables and less on cloth. I'm also not including costs of diaper creams.)

*I'm averaging 10 diapers/day for the first 2 months and 6 diapers/day for the next 10 months. Although, it is generally recommended you change diapers more often than that. :)

 

 

Generic Disposable Diapers: Approx $550

Generic Disposable Wipes: Approx $120

Total for one year: $670

 

 

Enough Cloth Diapers to wash every 2-3 days: Approx $500

Cloth Wipes (use old t-shirts & receiving blankets with water) :$0

Laundry Costs: Approx $50

Total for one year: $550

 

 

Disposable Costs after 2 years: $1340

Disposable Costs after 3 years: $2010

Disposable Costs after diapering a 2nd child for another 3 years: $4020

 

 

Cloth Costs after 2 years: $600

Cloth Costs after 3 years: $650

Cloth Costs after diapering a 2nd child for another 3 years: $800

So, after 6 years of diapering, you will spend over $4000 using generic, store brand disposables and only $800 or less using cloth diapers! If you use brand name disposable diapers, you will spend much more than that.

 

How much money do you think you've saved since switching to cloth?