Are you wondering what the best option is out of cloth and disposable nappies?
The use of cloth, or reusable, nappies has risen dramatically as parents look to make more sustainable choices.
In the UK there are also incentive campaigns aimed at driving up use of reusable nappies in order to reduce the number of disposable nappies going to landfill.
But while some people are coming around to the idea of trying reusable nappies, there is still a lingering doubt among many parents about giving them a try.
Much of this stems from the old cloth nappies from decades ago that were a nightmare to clean and had to be wrapped and pinned in place.
Today’s cloth nappies are leagues ahead of the ones your granny and grandpa used with their little ones. They are convenient to put on – with poppers and velcro – plus they look so pretty.
Yes you do have to wash them, which is an extra hassle compared to disposables that just go in the bin. But if you can wrap your head around the washing process, which is easier than you may think, then there are a lot of advantages to them.
In this post we are going to look at the advantages and disadvantages of both options so that you can make an informed choice between the two!
But before we go on, I just want to add that if you want to buy just one reusable nappy and give it a try that’s OK. It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing approach.
We’ve also got some tips for mamas who have used cloth nappies so you can get the very best advice from fellow parents on their own experiences!
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What’s the difference between cloth and disposable nappies?
Cloth nappies are made of fabric and are washed after being soiled by your baby then used again once dry. Disposable nappies must be binned after use.
Both types of nappy follow very similar principles in that they are fastened onto your baby by either poppers or velcro for reusable nappies or by sticky tabs for disposable nappies.
There are a variety of types of cloth nappies, including some that use disposable nappy liners that work to catch baby’s poo and allow the wee to soak down to the absorbent fabric underneath.
You don’t have to use a disposable liner with all cloth nappies. But many parents find it easier to do so.
You can also buy reusable nappy liners that help to boost absorbency of your reusable nappy.
The basic principles of a reusable nappy are that they have an absorbent inner layer – where you may have a washable or disposable liner – and then a waterproof outer layer. This bit is sometimes called the wrap.
There are a few different types of cloth nappy out there so you may want to consider trying out different types to find out which suits you best. Baba + Boo is a popular brand which mainly sells pocket nappies – these come with absorbent liners you place inside the nappy. The nappy itself is waterproof so no need for an extra wrap on the outside.
The different types of cloth nappy, as explained by long-time cloth nappy user Emma Reed, include:
- Pocket nappies. This have a pocket at the back where you put separate absorbent inserts.
- All-in-ones. As the name suggests these come with a water-resistant outside layer sewn together with an absorbent inner layer. They are fastened with poppers, velcro or clips.
- All-in-twos. This type has an insert that you attach inside the nappy.
- Two-part system. One part of the nappy absorbs the wee and mess, but it needs a waterproof outer shell, or cover, to keep the wetness in.
- Reusable nappies can be changed at the same rate of disposable ones – so every two to four hours or so.
How to wash cloth nappies
One of the key practical differences with cloth nappies is you will need to wash them.
But this is actually less of a faff than it may initially seem. You can keep the dirty nappies in a bucket until you’re ready to pop a load on, then simply wash in the machine according to instructions and air dry.
You will find cloth nappies dry much easier outside. Turning them inside out so the sun can bleach the inside helps to keep stains under control too.
If you are using two-part nappies then the outer part only needs to be washed every 12 hours unless it has got dirty.
The pros and cons of cloth nappies vs disposable nappies
Advantages of cloth nappies
- Saves money over time. To go full-time with cloth nappies you will need to pay £200 to get kitted out with enough nappies. But if you were to buy all disposable nappies you will need for your baby as soon as they’re born it will cost you hundreds of pounds more. Money Advice Service reckons you can save £1,475 by going reusable! You save even more money if you use your cloth nappies for subsequent children.
- Better for the environment because you are throwing away less.
- The designs and colours on reusable nappies are seriously cute.
- Cloth nappies may be better for babies with sensitive skin.
- You can sell cloth nappies second hand to recoup some of your costs. There’s a great online market for them!
- Fewer leaks. Some parents report they found cloth nappies were actually better at preventing leaks, especially if they use booster liners for extra absorbency.
Disadvantages of cloth nappies
- A larger one-off cost at the start of using reusable nappies is needed to get you stocked up with nappies. You need around 20 nappies so that you’re not constantly washing them.
- Washing the nappies takes extra time and uses more electricity than disposable ones, which means it could potentially have a worse impact on the environment, according to Which?. But you can get around this by making sure you wash nappies with other clothes so you aren’t wasting a load. Line drying the nappies also helps save on their carbon footprint.
- Going away on holiday can be a bit trickier with cloth nappies if you don’t have access to a washing machine.
Advantages of disposable nappies
- Convenient.
- Available to buy widely with a range of different brands.
- Cheap upfront cost.
- Many parents find disposable nappies to be more absorbent.
- One-off use means you don’t have to handle dirty nappies too much. Just remove them and put them in the bin.
Disadvantages of disposable nappies
- More expensive over time.
- Adding lots of extra waste to landfill.
- Poo left in disposable nappies lets off methane gas over time that can contribute to climate change.
Should you use disposable or reusable nappies?
Switching to reusable nappies does not have to be an all or nothing decision!
You can buy a handful or less of reusable nappies and use them occasionally. This will allow you to see how you get on with them.
If you prefer to keep using a mixture, then you can do so. You don’t have to swear off disposable nappies forever and fully commit to reusable.
Even if you only use one reusable nappy per day, you will still be saving one nappy from going into landfill on a daily basis which is worth it.
If you are on the fence about trying out reusable nappies then it’s worth finding cloth nappy groups on Facebook. These are full of parents who have used them and can answer all of the questions you may have.
You could try using cloth nappies at home and disposable nappies when out and about which is a middle ground many parents find works for them.
Although choosing reusable nappies may feel daunting at first, it’s like any system where you will eventually get into habits and a routine that makes it feel easy.
If the upfront cost of reusable nappies puts you off then consider buying secondhand nappies as there are lots on Facebook groups for cloth nappy users.
You could also check if your local council has an incentive scheme for cloth nappies. Some provide vouchers to parents towards the cost of cloth nappies.
Whatever you choose to do, go with the solution that suits you best in terms of practicality, price and your own preference.
Top tips from reusable nappy users
These tips for reusable nappies have been gathered from parents who are keen cloth nappy users!
Here are their best tips for getting to grips with cloth nappies.
I first used cloth almost 10 years ago, there wasn’t quite as much choice as it wasn’t as popular as it is now. I loved Blueberry nappies for both of my boys (5 years apart). The prints were (and still are) super cute, washed well with minimal fade and fitted my boys until they were potty trained.
Erica at the Incidental Parent.
My top tip is to not listen to the older generation who have awful memories of dealing with cloth nappies with their own children. We have super efficient washing machines in our homes now and things like heated airers and central heating for drying them plus modern cloth nappies are a world away from terry squares! My older family members were all horrified when they found out I was planning on using cloth nappies and it was hard not to be put off!
Me Them and Others.
I used Tots Bots with my little girl. But I wasn’t totally happy with the fit or carrying dirty nappies around with me. In fact, I wish I’d researched other brands or tried a bit harder with them. I only found them useful on days when we stayed close to home. Having said that, I’ve now got the bug for reusable cloth, and it has stood me in good stand for reusable sanitary wear!
A Rose Tinted World.
Our little one was getting a reaction / bad nappy rash from wearing disposables. We switched to reusables with a bamboo nappy liner and her rash disappeared.
Teamstein Blog.
I first started using cloth 4 years ago with my daughter. It was quite emotional packing her cloth nappies away once she was potty trained! I now have a newborn son and have started my cloth journey with him. My top tip is to take advantage of sunny days! I love seeing all the fresh nappies looking pretty on the line and they dry quicker. However, the biggest advantage is that the sun bleaches out discolouration. It works wonders at getting rid of poop stains!
I’ve tried out quite a few brands of cloth nappies, but my top 3 are Baba + Boo, Tots Bots and Close Parent. I used a combination of all 3 for my daughter with bamboo boosters at night when she was older and am currently using Close newborn nappies.
Autumn’s Mummy Blog.
I loved Little Lamb cloth nappies with wraps for overnight when my daughter was tiny. We also used Tots Bots in the daytime, I love all the different patterns and designs you can get. We found the cloth nappies weren’t lasting overnight for us when she got bigger and slept longer so started using disposables for night time. The best thing is the money you save, they cost a bit upfront but over time you definitely spend less especially if you reuse for siblings – plus we were able to give them away to a friend after potty training, so the savings can carry on for multiple babies! Best tip would be to invest in a good wet bag for used nappies when you’re out and about.
Miss Many Pennies.
We used Tots Bots cloth nappies for my boys and my top tip would be to think about the child who will be using them – boys tend to have wee in nappies in a different spot to girls so the liner needs to be positioned differently. Also we found that for one of the boys they were hard work as he seemed to do fewer enormous wees so we would have lots of leakage but for the other he went little and often so we could keep on top of it and change him avoiding leaks.
I would also recommend having a really good quality nappy bucket with a secure lid!
All in all I think they are a brilliant idea but I must say I abandoned ship once I had four under four; 3 in nappies and all wearing a nappy at night. I could not keep up with the washing!
Navigating Baby.
Bare + Boho do the prettiest cloth nappies! If you like that boho kinda style they’re the best.
Tips wise I’d say to join the preloved Facebook groups and turn your notifications on for them. It’s a really cheap way to build up your stash but cloth nappies are like hot cakes. The best ones sell fast!
Georgina Clarke.
I’d recommend getting a mixture of Velcro and popper fastening nappies – Velcro gives a really adjustable fit but are easier for the child to take off themselves than poppers. They are supposed to be more absorbent the more they are washed too which is another reason, as well as financial and environmental, to consider buying pre-loved cloth nappies.
The Minimal Pi.
