COSTS OF DISPOSABLE AND CLOTH DIAPERS
DISPOSABLE DIAPERS
A child uses between 4,000 and 8,000 disposable diapers from birth until potty training. Let’s break it down:
1–4 months: ~10 diapers/day → ~300 diapers/month
5–8 months: ~9 diapers/day → ~270 diapers/month
9–12 months: ~7 diapers/day → ~210 diapers/month
Over 1 year: ~6 diapers/day → ~180 diapers/month
On average, a child uses diapers until 2.5 years, though this can range from 1.5 to 4 years. Over the first year, a child uses ~3,000 diapers; over the next 1.5 years, ~3,240 diapers. Total average: 6,240 diapers in 2.5 years.
2024 prices for disposable diapers range from €0.17 to €0.83 per diaper.
Cheapest option: 6,240 × €0.17 = €1,060.80
Most expensive option: 6,240 × €0.83 = €5,241.60
Average cost: 6,240 × €0.45 = €2,808
The total cost depends on:
How long the child uses diapers
How many diapers are used per day
The price of the diapers
COSTS OF CLOTH DIAPERS AND MAINTENANCE
A child uses about 6–12 cloth diapers per day depending on age. It’s recommended to have 20–24 cloth diapers to allow washing every 2–3 days. One cloth diaper with insert costs €13.
20 diapers × €13 = €260
24 diapers × €13 = €312
Laundry costs:
Cloth diapers can be washed with other clothes. Washing separately affects water, electricity, and detergent use.
Water: Average washing machine uses ~40 L per wash. Over a year, ~6,240 L of water is used. Assuming hot water cost €6 per m³, water cost per year is ~€37.5 → ~€93.6 over 2.5 years.
Electricity for washing: ~140.4 kWh/year → ~€28/year → ~€70 over 2.5 years.
Drying (electric dryer): Average 3 kWh per drying → ~468 kWh/year → ~€93.6/year → ~€234 over 2.5 years.
Detergent: 8 L needed over 2.5 years → 8 × €6 = €48 → ~€120 over 2.5 years.
Total cost for 24 cloth diapers over 2.5 years:
312 € + 94 € + 70 € + 120 € + 234 € = €830
Savings compared to disposable diapers (average €2,808):
2,808 € – 830 € = €1,978
Using cloth diapers for a second child:
Only maintenance costs (~€518) → total savings ~€2,290
For two children: ~€4,268 saved!
Savings can increase further if diapers are washed in full loads and dried naturally.
Sources:
Larissa Copello, Consumption & Production Campaigner, Zero Waste Europe. Brussels, April 2021
Laura A. Jana, Jennifer Shu, Changing Diapers, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2021
Happiest Baby Stuff, 2023
Jacob Marsh, 2023. How many watts does a washing machine use?
Maytag: Washing Machine Water Usage
Whirlpool: Dryer Electricity Usage