The price differential between disposables and cloth nappies
One of the enduring myths of cloth nappies is that they cost as much, if not more, than disposable nappies.
The price information is from Coles, Woolworths, Target, and Greg’s Chemist in February and March 2010. The cheapest nappy brand is Snugglers at an average cost of 30c each. The most expensive brand is Nature Babycare at an average cost of 71c per nappy.
These calculations are based on the following conservative assumptions:
- There are 30 days in a month
- The child will toilet train at two and a half (30 months)
- Two wipes will be used per nappy change
- No swim nappies or pull ups are used
| Ave Nappies Used per Day | Number of Days | Total Nappies Used | |
| Infant (birth to 3m) – 10 to 12 nappies a day | 11 | 90 | 990 |
| Baby (3m to 6m) – 8 to 10 nappies a day | 9 | 90 | 810 |
| Baby (6m to 12m) – 6 to 8 nappies a day | 7 | 180 | 1260 |
| Toddler (12m to 30m) – 4 to 6 nappies a day | 5 | 540 | 2700 |
| 5,760 nappies used in three years | |||
| Cheapest | Average | Expensive | |||
| Nappies | Snugglers | $0.30 | $0.54 | Nature’s Child | $0.70 |
| Wipes | Dribots | $0.04 | $0.06 | Curash | $0.08 |
| Cost total | $2,243.16 | $4,183.06 | $5,070.34 | ||
| Cost per day | $2.49 | $4.65 | $5.63 | ||
| Cost per nappy change | $0.38 | $0.66 | $0.86 | ||
Cloth nappies will cost more initially, however you can get some for very little money, without compromising on quality. For example, for less than $530, you can get enough bamboo prefold nappies, covers and cloth wipes to last all the way to toilet training.
Booroi Prefolds
| Booroi | |
| 6 packs of 6 prefolds | $311.70 |
| 6 small covers (plain) | $77.70 |
| 6 medium covers (plain) | $77.70 |
| 4 large covers (plain) | $51.80 |
| Cloth wipes (20 cloths) | $10.00 |
| Total $528.90 | |
Using the cheapest disposables, you will have spent this much in seven months, with 23 months still to go, leaving you with another $1,714.26 to spend on disposables.
This is for the first child only.
Your subsequent children can also use the cloth nappies, with no extra cost to you. With disposables, each child will cost another $2,243.16
You will also make savings if you go with the ‘minimal fuss’ nappies.
| Nappy | Cost for 33 nappies |
| Blueberry Bamboo Deluxe ALL IN ONE – one size | $1,093.00 |
| Swaddlebees Econappi ALL IN ONE – one size | $1,162.85 |
| Itti Bitti ALL IN ONES – sized | $1,765.00 |
| Itti Bitti SNAP INS – sized | $1,893.20 |
Even having bought the Itti Bitti Snap Ins, you will save $349.96 on your first child, and then not have to spend any more on your subsequent children.
Contact us for further information.