Are Cloth Diapers Worth It? 6 Reasons I’d Choose Cloth Again

During one of my sister’s weekly visits, she brought along my nephew and a few of her new-to-her pocket cloth diapers.

Until that moment, cloth diapers were not something I had seriously considered. The selection in baby stores was limited back then, and I didn’t really know modern cloth diapering was an option.

My sister showed me how the diapers worked and explained how she washed them. I was intrigued. Although I was a little skeptical about how convenient they would be, I wanted to give them a try.

What began with a handful of preloved pocket diapers eventually grew into a full cloth diaper stash.

Every family’s reasons for choosing cloth will be different. For us, it was a combination of reducing waste, saving money and simply enjoying the experience.

My daughter Maeve in 2009, wearing one of the first cloth diapers given to us by her aunty Hayley.

1. Cloth diapers create less garbage

One of the things I found most satisfying was seeing how much less diaper garbage our family produced.

A baby can use thousands of diapers between birth and potty learning. With cloth, the same diapers are washed and used repeatedly rather than being thrown away after every change.

Cloth diapers still have an environmental footprint. They require water and energy for washing and drying, and the fabrics must be manufactured. However, they can significantly reduce the number of diapers your family sends to the landfill—especially when they are reused for more than one child, purchased preloved and line-dried when possible.

2. Cloth diapers can save money

Cloth diapering requires an upfront investment, but it can save money over time—particularly when the diapers are used for more than one child.

The total savings will depend on the diapers you choose, how many you buy and the cost of laundering them. You also don’t need an enormous stash to begin.

I built most of my original stash with second-hand diapers. Buying preloved was an affordable way to experiment with different styles and discover what worked for our family.

You can also begin with only enough diapers for part-time use and gradually add more if you enjoy it.

3. You have more choice over the materials you use

Cloth diapers are available in many different materials, including cotton, bamboo blends, polyester stay-dry fabrics and waterproof TPU or PUL.

Not every cloth diaper is made entirely from natural fibres, but cloth gives you more control over the materials you place against your baby’s skin. Some families prefer natural-fibre fitted diapers, while others appreciate the convenience of stay-dry linings or wipe-clean covers.

No diaper can guarantee that a baby will never experience irritation. Moisture, friction, fit, wash products and how frequently a diaper is changed can all affect a baby’s skin. The benefit of cloth is having different fabric and diaper-style options to try.

4. Modern cloth diapers are easier to use than many people expect

There is a learning curve, as there is with anything new, but modern cloth diapers are generally quite simple once you understand the basics.

Today’s options include all-in-two diapers, pocket diapers, fitted diapers, flats and many other styles. Adjustable snaps allow many diapers to grow with your baby, while removable inserts make it easier to customize absorbency.

You will need to establish a washing routine and learn how to get a comfortable fit, but you do not have to master everything before you begin. Most families quickly find a simple routine that works with their schedule.

5. Cloth diapering doesn’t have to be all or nothing

I did not begin by cloth diapering full-time.

Over the next six years, our cloth diapering journey moved between part-time and full-time use. Sometimes we used cloth only at home or during the day. At other stages, we used it almost exclusively.

You get to decide what cloth diapering looks like for your family. You might use one cloth diaper a day, cloth diaper only on weekends or build a complete full-time stash. Using cloth part-time still counts.

There is no rule saying you must give up disposable diapers completely for cloth diapering to be worthwhile. 

By the time my son arrived, cloth diapering had become a familiar part of our everyday family life—but we still used disposables too. Cloth diapering can look different for every family, and the way you use it may ebb and flow over time.

My son wearing one of his cloth diapers.

6. Cloth diapers are incredibly cute—and they can contain messes remarkably well

I’ll be honest: the prints and colours were part of the fun for me.

Modern cloth diapers come in so many beautiful designs, and choosing what my babies would wear became something I genuinely enjoyed.

We also experienced far fewer blowouts in cloth than we did with disposable diapers. A well-fitting cloth diaper with secure leg and back elastics can do an excellent job of keeping messes contained.

My third child, Autumn, wearing a fitted diaper in 2013.

So, are cloth diapers worth it?

By the time our third baby arrived, I brought my newborn fitted diapers to the hospital so I could use cloth from her very first day.

At that point in our lives, we were cloth diapering full-time with fitted diapers and wool covers, and we loved it.

I have so many fond memories of my babies in their cloth diapers. It became something I truly cherished from the years when they were small.

Cloth diapering will not be the right choice for every family, and it doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. But for us, it was a journey we thoroughly enjoyed.

If I had the chance to do it all again, I would choose cloth again.

Curious about getting started? Begin with a few diapers, learn what works for your baby and build from there. You don’t need a perfect routine or a complete stash on day one.