What are the advantages of cloth nappies?
Wondering if it is worth using cloth nappies when you weigh up the cost, effort and environmental impact?
We summarise the pros and cons of reusable nappies to help you decide what is best for you and your family.

Wondering about the benefits?
You may have noticed that the use of cloth nappies has surged in recent years – perhaps it has come up in your parent group discussions or you have seen some of those cute nappy patterns pop up in your Instagram feed.
Parents often have a variety of motivations for considering the use of reusable nappies for their child. For many, the environmental concerns of disposable nappies are a major factor. For some, the appeal of cloth nappies may be economic. Others might just be curious about all the hype but hesitant about whether they will be able to stick to the cloth lifestyle.
Even the most eco-conscious of parents can be concerned about whether it is really worth using cloth nappies when weighed up against the perceived effort and time involved with washing reusable nappies. If you are still asking yourself, “should I use reusable nappies?”, then read on for a rundown of the benefits to help decide if cloth nappies is right for you.
Reusable nappies are better for the environment
If you are concerned about the environmental impacts of all those disposable nappies going into landfill, then research indicates reusable nappies are an eco-friendlier option. In general, each child will go through approximately 4000 – 6000 disposable nappies by the time they are fully toilet trained. In comparison, with a stash of around 20 – 25 reusable nappies, you could successfully use cloth on your child full-time.
Given the fact that good quality reusable nappies also last a long time if taken care of, and can be used for multiple children (i.e. passed onto siblings or sold second-hand), that same set of 25 nappies could easily replace well over 10,000 disposables going to landfill. This would easily be the case in my household where we have used cloth for two children, some of which we originally bought second-hand.
If you would like further detail on the environmental impact of reusable nappies versus disposables, check out this article.
Reusable nappies are cheaper over the long term
Despite the upfront cost of purchasing reusable nappies, that investment will most certainly pay off over the long term against the use of disposable nappies. Although dependent upon variables such as the type and price of nappies you buy, our calculations show that you can set up a decent full-time cloth nappy stash for around 25 – 50% of the price you’d pay for disposables, saving somewhere between $500 – $1500 per child until they are toilet trained. Our article on the cost of reusable nappies versus disposables provides a detailed breakdown and cost comparison between the two options.
Those savings are amplified if you are using them for more than one child, or even selling your good quality nappies second-hand once your children outgrow them. While you might initially balk at the idea of buying or selling secondhand nappies, there is a relatively sizeable market of parents doing just that. Once you get a good wash routine going, you will see there is nothing to worry about from a hygiene perspective!
Cloth nappies do not contain harsh chemicals or plastics
A common question parents have is whether cloth nappies are better for their baby’s skin. Disposable nappies are manufactured predominantly using various types of synthetic polymers. They generally constitute a non-woven plastic outer layer that sits against the skin; a polyester-based layer in between; and an absorbent inner layer that blends cellulose fibres and a chemical called sodium polyacrylate to solidify liquids and draw moisture away from your baby’s skin.
Over the years there have been various reports raising alarms about the potential long-term consequences of exposure to these chemicals. While to date there is no firm evidence indicating these are harmful to your baby, many parents still prefer the idea of natural fibres such as cotton or bamboo – commonly used as inserts in cloth nappies – against their baby’s delicate skin. As these fabrics are more breathable, you may find skin irritation is less likely.
While modern cloth nappies are highly absorbent, the absence of the chemicals contained in disposable nappies to wick any moisture away from your baby’s skin will mean that the inserts will feel wet to touch when they need changing. However, this can be an upside that helps with toilet training down the track, as the child will be more aware of the feel of a wet nappy which can prompt a trip to the toilet.
In theory, reusable nappies shouldn’t need changing any more often than disposables. Frequent nappy changing is important to maintain hygiene and avoid nappy rash which can occur regardless of which type of nappy you are using.
The final word
In summary, there are a number of environmental, financial and health benefits to using cloth nappies over disposable nappies and many families quickly find themselves to be cloth converts! However it’s completely normal to still have a few hesitations. If you are still on the fence, our article addressing common concerns may help alleviate some of your worries.
You could also consider cloth nappy hire or test the waters with a trial pack before you decide whether to go all in and purchase a full stash.