Cloth Diapers

Here is a post I wrote for my friend's site www.thankfullythrifty.com during her online baby shower. Its a brief overview of cloth diapering. I'll probably write more on this topic once the baby comes.

Cloth diapers, cloth wipes, make your own wipes?!? There are so many ways to save when you’re having a baby!

Cloth diapers: Are they worth the price? If you like to be thrifty, they are very economical and definitely an easy way to save money. I was going to write out some facts and figures but when I went to Bum Genius’s website (my favorite cloth diaper brand) I found that they had already done some research. Here is what I found on their site: You can save up to $1,200 a year by using cloth. Translate that into the approximate two or three years your child is in diapers times the number of children you wind up having which equals a LOT of money saved! I also discovered on their site that they’re having a sale – buy 5 get 1 free. Super good deal. I would recommend 12-18 diapers which may seem like a lot, but when your child needs a new diaper after each feeding during the first few months, you’ll be doing laundry constantly if you don’t invest in enough diapers. To be even savvier, hang your diapers outside instead of drying them in the dryer. The sun will naturally bleach them and help sanitize them as well. Approx total cost for 15 diapers: $225, one time investment vs $1200 plus (according to BumGenius’ site) if you use disposables.

Cloth wipes: I plan on going this route when my new little one comes along in a few weeks. If you’re already using cloth diapers, using cloth wipes isn’t going to create anymore hassle or laundry for you. You can use anything from baby washcloths to hemmed flannel squares. Again, you will want to really stock up on these, but you can use them over and over again. Use the recipe for make your own wipes below for these. Approx total cost for 50 wipes $100, one time investment.

Make your own wipes: This is a good option if you’re out and about or if you don’t want to use cloth diapers but want to cut your expenses somewhere. This is super easy to do and costs almost nothing. You’ll need a serrated knife, a roll of paper towels, a Tupperware or like container that’ll fit half a roll of paper towels, baby oil, baby wash, and water.

First, get a roll of paper towels. I like to use the slightly more expensive ones so they’re a bit softer. Using a serrated knife, saw the roll in half so you now have two equal sized rolls. Grab the cardboard tube and pry it out of the middle of the tube.

In a pot, boil 2 cups of water, let cool and then add 2 tbsp baby wash and 1 tbsp baby oil.

Put one of the rolls into your container and pour the solution over the paper towels. Close the lid. I usually flip the container upside down after awhile to make sure every inch of the paper towel roll gets soaked.

Depending upon how absorbent your paper towels are, you may have to adjust the water amount.

Approx cost per roll of wipes: $1.00 vs. at least double for the same amount of store bought wipes.