How we saved ₱250K in 5 years using cloth diapers
We wash around 23-27 pairs of cloth diapers every 2 days. That’s an estimated 22,800 pairs of washed diapers over the past 5 years. That’s an estimated Php 250,000 in savings from using disposable diapers and a truckload less of non-biodegradable trash.
Let’s do the math.
Disposable diapers = Php11.00 per piece (last time I checked almost 5 years ago)
Php 11.00 x 22,800 pairs = Php 250,800 in 5 years.
But how much did we invest?
We currently have a stash of around 70 pairs of diapers but we didn’t buy them all at once. We bought around 30 pairs in a span several months and the rest of the diapers were mostly gifts and hand-me-downs. Total investment of around Php 20,000 all in all.
Why cloth diapers when disposable ones are easier?
Yes! I thought of this as well. It was so easy to just use disposable diapers, you just fold and throw. No need to wash, dry and even fold. No need for sunlight as well! (Who can relate? 🖐🏼) So why did we end up using cloth diapers? Rashes and cost! Tala was getting rashes regularly even when we changed diapers frequently. Kaya also had rashes every time we needed to use disposable diapers on her. We tried different brands and settled on one brand for a while and eventually switched to cloth diapers completely. We were also spending around Php 1,000 a week on diapers and it was getting expensive.
Do cloth diapers last?
I initially thought that we would need to buy new ones often since they are washed a lot. Surprisingly, they are built really well. One of our favorite brands, Earth Baby Diapers (shameless plug here), are very durable. We are still using the ones we purchased almost 5 years ago.
My takeaway on using cloth diapers vs disposables.
✅ Less issues with rashes
✅ Cheaper in the long run
✅ Makes parents like me become more proactive in teaching my children to learn how to sign if the need to poop. Both Tala and Kaya were able to learn how to sign “poop” at around 1.5 years old.
✅ Less trash output and less smelly trash bins
🛑 You need to wash the diapers every 2 days or 1 day if you have the time because the smell of a child’s urine is overwhelming! 😷
🛑 Harder to clean when there is poop 💩
Speaking of sign language, did you know that your children can learn how to communicate using their hands as early as 8 months? Raissa has some tips on how you can teach them to your children in our Complementary Feeding course.
I’d be happy to answer your questions on cloth diapers, I think 5 years of experience already qualifies me as an expert on the topic. 😅
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