Do Reusable Nappies Really Save You Money?

Switching to reusable nappies is not just an eco-friendly choice—it’s also an economical one.

As more parents become conscious of the environmental impact of disposable nappies, the popularity of reusable options has skyrocketed. There is no such thing as an 'eco' disposable nappy.

The clue is in the name: Disposable = Not Sustainable

All disposable nappies are single use and use loads of resources and create mountains of waste! The only 'eco' nappy is a reusable one.

Reusable nappies come in various types, from all-in-ones to simple pocket styles, tailored to fit different needs and preferences.

While the initial cost of setting up a reusable nappy system might seem high compared to buying a pack of disposables, the long-term savings can be substantial. I used reusable nappies myself which lasted for all 4 of my children.  Although it was expensive upfront (around £200 back then), these nappies were used by all four of my children which actually saved me thousands of pounds.

Families can save significant amounts over the time a child is in nappies by choosing reusable options and these savings are only amplified if families use reusable wipes too.

How Much do Reusable Nappies Cost?

Reusable nappies cost an estimated £471 including washing and drying costs for one child. The cost per child drops as you reuse the nappies for further children, or sell on your reusable nappies to someone else.

The cost of reusable nappies varies widely, starting from as little as a few pounds to upwards of twenty pounds per nappy. The price depends on several factors, including the brand, the materials used, and the specific type of nappy.

For instance, organic cotton or bamboo nappies may carry a higher price tag due to the cost of sustainable materials.

Birth to Potty Training Nappies are a good way to save money. They have adjustable sizing, which can be used from newborn stages right up until potty training, offering even more savings over time.

For full time use, starting from the newborn stage, you're going to need around 20 to 25 reusable nappies.

We have a brilliant value starter pack (above) containing 10 Alva Baby nappies and 10 Cheeky pocket nappies which costs £165. These birth to potty nappies should take you right up to the potty training stage. It even includes a hanging nappy pail and wet / dry bag.

Alternatively, the Cheeky Ultimate Nappy Bundle pictured above is also great value for money. It includes 20 Cheeky pocket nappies for daytime use, plus 3 bamboo nappies and a wrap which are supersoakers for overnight.

It even includes a full Cheeky Wipes kit worth £50, plus hanging nappy pail and wet / dry bag.

How Much Do Reusable Nappies Cost to Wash & Dry?

Reusable nappies need to be washed and dried which is also costly. We estimate that reusable nappies cost approximately £306 to wash and dry for one child.

One load of washing in a washing machine (at the Apr 24 electricity price cap costs), plus water and detergent will cost you around 0.43 pence.

Washing 3 x per week, that's a washing cost of £1.29 per week. Over three years, washing your nappies will cost you around £196.

Line drying is FREE but tumble drying for 4 months out of the year, at an average cost of 53p to 1.42p, depending on your tumble dryer (electricity prices have dropped since this article), that will add between £63 and £168 to your costs over the three year period on average £110.

So in total, using reusable cloth nappies on one child could cost you as little as £471. Of course, if you go on to use those same nappies on future children, they become even more cost effective.

How much Money Will Reusable Nappies Save?

Reusable nappies could save you around £500 - £700 for your first child. They'll save you even more if you have a second child, or sell your washable nappies on to recoup some of the upfront costs. That's always going to be cheaper than disposables.

That's based on our analysis of the costs of 11 major UK disposable nappy brands as of Oct 22, and a Which Magazine Review of Disposable Nappies and found that, on average, disposable nappies will set you back between £985 and £1170 over the course of infancy.

Do Reusable Nappies Save Money?

Yes, reusable nappies save between £500 and £700 for your first child.

Common Reusable Nappy Accessories and Their Costs

Adopting reusable nappies means you’ll likely need some accessories to manage your new system effectively. Here’s a breakdown of common reusable nappy accessories and costs:

Nappy Liners

These can either be disposable or washable and are used to simplify the cleanup of solids. Generally pocket nappies contain a built in fleece liner.  If you're using bamboo or cotton nappies, reusable liners are cost-effective at 10 for £10.49

Wet / Dry Bags

Essential for storing used nappies and wipes when you’re out and about, these waterproof bags have two pockets, one for clean and one for dirty nappies to keep the mess and smell contained. A large nappy wet bag holding 5 to 6 nappies costs £11.49.

Nappy Pail and Liners

To store dirty nappies at home before washing, a nappy pail is used, often lined with a washable liner. A nappy pail liner (which can also be used on it's own) costs £15.99.  A nappy bucket costs £11.49

At Cheeky Wipes, we offer a range of these accessories to help streamline your reusable nappy experience. Check out our nappy accessories here.

Cost of Washing Nappies

Cost of electricity per kw/h based on Apr 24 price cap = 24.5p

Energy used per wash cycle: 0.77kwh - 18.8p

Water cost per cycle: 14p

Detergent cost per cycle: 10p

Costs of Disposable Nappies

Nappy usage calculated based on average number of nappy changes per age bracket (e.g. 7 changes per day for period of 6-12 months, 5 changes per day for period of 18-24 months etc), and adjusted from 0 - 3 years. Disposable nappies will cost between £985 by our estimation and £1170 according to Which Magazine.

Which Magazine said 'Opting for cheap nappies is likely to set you back around £15 a month, while choosing more expensive options could bring your monthly nappy spend closer to around £50.' If we average are £32.50 monthly, that's £1170 over 3 years.

Nappy prices taken from market analysis as of Apr 24, sampling 11 major brands, including Pampers, Aldi, Tesco, Naty and Lidl.

Conclusion

Embracing reusable nappies isn't only the most sustainable choice for the planet, but it's also a cost-effective solution in the long run.

While the initial setup requires a higher upfront investment, the ongoing costs are significantly lower compared to disposables. Plus, with the right accessories, managing reusable nappies can be just as convenient. 

For more insights on cloth nappies, how many you might need, or tips for nighttime use, drop us a line or visit our blog for more relevant articles:

• Best Night Time Nappies
• Pros and Cons of Reusable Nappies
• How to Choose Reusable Nappies

About the Author: Helen Rankin founded Cheeky Wipes, the original reusable wipes kit back in 2008 after disposable wipes caused her eczema to flare up. 4 kids later, internal period protection such as tampons or menstrual cups were no longer an option for her and she went on to develop their range of 'Simple Reusables' to include period and pee protection pants, and reusable sanitary pads.

The Cheeky customer services team pride themselves on providing honest, friendly advice and just LOVE to chat pee, poo and periods all day long, helping people make the switch to reusables! The Company was recognised for their hard work in developing environmentally friendly products with the Queens Award in Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2021.