Are cloth nappies really all they are cracked up to be?

confusedmummy

Ok, well first of all, this is a genuine query and I'm not out to upset anyone, just don't think the figures are altogether correct.

I am expecting my second child soon and my local council offers vouchers to buy reusuable nappies in order to encourage new mums to use them instead of disposables. All well and good and who wouldn't jump at a free offer. Most councils apparently run these incentive schemes.

So I went and had a talk with a woman who runs a resuable nappy service which gives advice about cloth nappies. Was interesting but I don't understand several things.

Firstly, I was told that the cost was cheaper than buying disposable nappies. I would dispute this. The reusable nappy industry is a multi-million dollar industry and most of the brand name nappies are not cheap (Bumgenius, Itti Bitti etc) and you have to fork out on average £200-£300 for a birth to nappy kit. On the surface this looks cheaper than disposables but factor in the extra cost of washing and drying and I don't think it is that much cheaper. Also, it is so easy to buy disposable nappies in bulk, on offer and store-own brands (which are often as good and much cheaper than Pampers or Huggies) and you get incentive schemes whereby you get extra points when you buy baby items (Boots parenting club, Tesco's parenting club etc), so you save money that way and you don't need to wash and dry disposables obviously.

The second issue is ecological/environmental factors. Yes, I agree that disposable nappies are terrible in terms of landfill and take hundreds of years to degrade but if the problem is really so severe and damaging to the environment, then why doesn't the government put a levy on environmentally unfriendly disposable nappies or give tax cuts to disposable nappies that are more environmentally friendly. At the moment thos that want to use ecological disposables have to pay so much more for brands like Moltex and Nature Babycare and most new parents don't have loads of money to spend on ecological products, especially as newborns go through so many nappies.

I also think that washing and drying reusable nappies probably uses enough energy to cancel out any energy and environment saving benefits that reusable nappies are supposed to offer.

I just think that like many things the whole cloth nappy industry has a vested interest and they know mums especially love buying cute and colourful nappies (which I don't dispute most of them are) and are more likely to shell out on them if they sell them as being money saving/environmentally friendly etc etc. But I think the whole emphasis on the environment and saving money is a bit false and I'd say from my experience of using disposables for my first child (and I didn't spend anything like the amount of money cloth nappy specialists quote), that if at all, disposables are only a little bit more expensive but far more practical (for me anyway).

LittleTinker

Cloth nappies are much cheaper.......although Im talking the cloth nappies that I used. We had a square of cloth and a pin. We could then buy a box of thin liners as opitionsl, to put in the cloth.....a bit like a dry baby wipe and of course, we then had a plastic pair of pants to cover the cloth.

These days cloth nappies are so blooming fancy!! A lot more expensive too.

However, once you have them, they are there for EACH baby you have.......so yes, it might seem a lot if you only have one child but for those people who have 3 children it works out much much cheaper.

You also do not need to use a tumble drier. I wouldnt now and never did then. My nappies were hung out or over the bath on a drier.

As for the washing costs......who notices a few extra washes each week? But its not that much money.

The environmental costs must be massive! And I do think that the government ought to put a massive tax on disposables.......Mums always managed before with cloth so they would manage again no problems.

gizmodo_2

The cost factor has a greater impact if you plan and have 2 children and can reuse the reusables for the second child.

Also the difference saved will depend on the type of reusable nappy you buy and what disposable nappy you would have bought. Say terrys squares vs the most expensive eco disposable nappy then the savings would be greater. But if you get hooked on the likes of bumgenius and all the cute designs/colours then yeah, it might end up costing more.

Environment wise, obviously air drying is better than a tumble dryer. If the environment is the persons reason for choosing which to use, then they can choose what's more important, filling up the land fill, or the effects of a washing machine on the environment

bexta

I use cloth nappies most of the time on my little girl. She pees like a race horse, so has disposables at night, or if we're going out for a while.

In terms of cost, yes, initially reusables are dear. However, they are generally used for more than one baby, either your own, or someone else's. The 'preloved' market for them is very good, and you can make up quite a lot of the outlay there. I bought many of mine this way, and intend to sell them on too. In this respect particularly they are more environmentally friendly. By their nature, you use them more than once.

Washing, to be honest, I bung them in with other items, and we've suffered no ill effects so far. The nappies don't need soaking or boil washing as in previous generations, and come out perfectly clean. We haven't got a dryer, so they go on the washing line or clothes airer. In winter, they'll go on the radiator - as the rest of the washing frequently does anyway.

It would be nice to think that the more 'ethical' of disposable nappy makers could get some sort of tax break or something. However, there is a lot of brand loyalty, especially when it comes to baby things, and I think parents may be reluctant to try eco brands for this reason as well as the cost factor. Like you say, there are also points incentives for parents when buying disposables, something many of us like to look out for.

I wouldn't say the cloth nappy industry is as powerful as you suggest. I'm the only person I know in real life who uses them. Everyone I know regards them as an oddity, and most tell me I'll 'fail' at using them - something you wouldn't hear in regards to disposables. Like all parenting decisions though, it's about what works for us, so I'll keep doing it.

Chakani

I think the problem is that you will never get a neutral and unbiased report of the costs and benefits, all the reports are weighted one way or the other. For example, a report I read that claimed that the environmental impact was the same for both types, assumed that nappies were washed every day at 90 degrees and tumble-dried. Equally, many reports favouring washables will use the higher estimate for how many nappies will be used for each child, to sway the evidence their way.

I use washables (Gizmodo has encountered my slightly evangelical views on this already, sorry Giz), so I am biased in that direction. I have spent about £175 on my set-up, including buckets etc. This will take both my toddler and unborn baby through to potty training, and the number of washes I do depends on the age of the child (and therefore how many nappies they go through). At most it was every other day, at 40 degrees, usually air-dried, although I sometimes finish them off in the drier if it's raining and I run out of hanging space in our tiny house. Now I just have a toddler who is on the verge of being ready for potty training, I wash every 3 days, and always air-dry as there are fewer nappies to find room for. I use cheap value washing powder as my family don't have sensitive skin, and I use Napisan in the nappy washes.

To me, that makes it significantly cheaper than buying disposables, partly because I don't buy cute nappies, partly because I am using the same nappies for two children. I will also be able to sell them or pass them on when we finish with them, as there is a healthy market for second hand washables, which could reduce the overall cost to me, as well as reducing someone else's start-up costs.

My reason for choosing them was environmental, and so I do my best to make sure our house is as energy-efficient as possible, and we don't use energy when it's not needed to minimise our consumption, although I am very aware that there is an energy impact from using washables. To me though, it is far smaller than the impact of 5000 or so disposable nappies per child. That would be 10,000 just for my two, that would be hanging around for many, many generations after we are gone. I live in hope that we will find some more eco-friendly ways of using energy in the meantime, and will support and use them as they become available.

onlyroz

It's difficult to determine the full cost of cloth nappies. I put my son into Kooshies, which were about 8gpb each back in 2005. Then there was the wrapper which was another few pounds. Also bear in mind that you'll have to buy various sizes and you'll need *at least* 10 in each size. Then there is the cost of washing them (your machine will be on continuously, and I don't think the nappy soak does the machine's innards much good), and having to dry them. It probably is cheaper, but I decided to put my daughter into disposables as I couldn't bear the thought of having to go through it all again with her.

Madmel

Then there is the cost of washing them (your machine will be on continuously, and I don't think the nappy soak does the machine's innards much good),

Sorry but this seems a bit OTT. It's some years now since the DDs were in nappies (now 11 & 9) but with 2 kids in nappies, I did 4 extra loads per week. You can put other clothes in with them, and you wash at 40 degrees, not the 90 that the disposable nappy companies seem to presume. I also disagree with the nappy soak comment; hardly anyone uses it now. Most people dry pail, and then do a rinse before the main wash. My machine managed fine, it was probably better because I used white vinegar in the rinse cycle which gets rid of washing powder residues.

At the end of the day, each has good or bad points. I advised & sold cloth nappies for a number of years, but used disposables to begin with on DD1. The points I used were that disposables were convenient and slim fitting, cloth was a softer bum and definitely more padding when babies started to cruise round furniture. I could also colour co-ordinate my wraps to the girls' clothes in summer if I wished, unlike with disposables. You pay your money, you take your choice.

fernliebee

For me they ar emuch cheaper!! I have spent £60 with my first DD, £40 of which we got refunded from cashback scheme, then this time round with DD2 I spent £60 and got £40 refunded. This has bought decent wraps (waterproof outer layer) and loads of flat nappies. I got on fine with the flat nappies, but got given a load of brand new shaped nappies and realised how much better they are So trawled freecycle and the like and picked up loads more. My nappies have been used for DD1, My friends little girl, then my nephew, and now DD2 and they are still in fine shape, velcro still in tact the lot.

I wash them at 60 and when they are newborn they just go in with other baby stuff, when they get a bit smellier (and they use less nappies) I tend to do a separate wash a couple of times a week. I line dry/ airdry them except for once or twice when they started to get a bit 'crunchy' so I ran them through my mums tumble dryer to soften them up.

I don't think you need to try and justify your choices as a parent, but for me personally disposables weren't an option full time (I use them at night.) Mainly my reasons were the chemicals in disposable, I am very sensitive and didn't want to risk it with DD's. Cost, they do work out much cheaper, and for every child who uses them you save and save! Environmental reasons were a happy side effect. It wasn't my motivation but I am glad we haven't put as many nappies into landfill as we would have.

fernliebee

onlyroz wrote: »

It's difficult to determine the full cost of cloth nappies. I put my son into Kooshies, which were about 8gpb each back in 2005. Then there was the wrapper which was another few pounds. Also bear in mind that you'll have to buy various sizes and you'll need *at least* 10 in each size. Then there is the cost of washing them (your machine will be on continuously, and I don't think the nappy soak does the machine's innards much good), and having to dry them. It probably is cheaper, but I decided to put my daughter into disposables as I couldn't bear the thought of having to go through it all again with her.

It's not really difficult, it's just a case of knowing the right figures to use, and you don't need nappies in each size, it depends on which type you go for. I use one size nappies (I have about 25, but only need 15), and use small, medium and large wraps, 4 in each size.

initial outlay of real nappies- £50 (I spent £40 as outlined in my PP and a max of £10 on extras such as fleece blanket to cut up for liners)
cost of 2 extra 60 degree washes per week- 21p x 2= 42p
yearly cost of washing- 42x52= 21.84 x2 (I'm rounding up as DD1 was potty trained at 20 months) =£43.68 x2 (for both my DDs) £87.36
cost of detergent-1 box does 16 washes, just inc nappy washes that would last 2 months so for 1 year would be £2.86x 6= £17.16

£87.36
£17.16
£50.00= £154.52.

As you can see for me it has been a hell of a lot cheaper to use cloth. It is like everything though each situation is different, maybe if you compare buying tesco value disposables to buying bumgenius or similar it may be a closer margin, but even without the cost saving I would still use cloth as there are no yukky chemicals in them. I don't think people should have to justify why they choose to use disposables though. It's not a bad thing to do it is the norm in this country.

ETA- Sorry onlyroz, just read that back and I sound like I'm trying to be a right smart!!!!!! I wasn't picking on you, it's just your comment inspired me to actually work out what it has cost me so far! Thank you.

rach

I've not had my baby yet but have decided on washables. For me it has definitely been cheaper, as I've been given, or bought second hand, all my nappies. I think in all with new wraps, liners, wet bag etc I've spent about £40 of my own cash, and used another £30 from a voucher scheme - and I could've got more of this cheaper...I bought ready cut fleece liners as too lazy to cut up my own etc.

I understand from a friend who worked in the field that the report saying the costs are similar was done by expensive consultants who not only assumed daily washing at 90 and tumble drying, but also ironing too... :rotfl::rotfl:

troubrs

I tried disposables with my second, & did a sad l;ittle spreadsheet which came out estimating I was about £230 better off! If I had used them for both it would have been a bigger saving. So quite a lot of effort for a not large saving, but this wasn't my only reason for using cloth nappies.

Personally I preferred the re-useables (after using disposables for child no.1) & even persuaded nursery to use them when I went back to work - I simply dropped off clean ones in the morning & picked up the dirty ones in the evening! I always line dried, even in winter so they always stayed lovely & clean. I bought a few secondhand ones from e-bay, sadly e-bay no longer allow secondhand ones to be sold as it contravenes their 'used underwear' policy so I can't now sell the few I have left! The outer wraps were lovely, I used a combination of Tots Bots & Modern Baby. They were shaped nappies with velcro & I found I had less leaks & accidents than with disposables. I'm not sure if it was co-incidence or not by child no 2 was out of nappies in an instant once we went without, not sure if this has anything to do with feeling the wet nappies in re-useables?

If I had another (which I won't!) I think having done both I would go for re-useables again.