Cost (for 2 1/2 years)
Following are sample calculations. Practices, supplies and utilities
costs vary. You can insert your own costs for a personalized total,
6,500 diaper changes over 2 1/2 years represents an average of
7-8 changes/day (10-11 for newborns; 5-6 for 2-year-olds).
Home Laundered $550 to $950
A cloth diaper layette, with fitted diapers, a variety of waterproof
pants, absorbent inserts, "dry skin" liners, and cloth
wipes may cost $375-$475. Diaper pail(s) and deodorizers may bring
the total to $400-$500.
For the minimum supply (flannelette square diapers and vinyl tie
pants): about $100.
Laundry (based on 6,500 diaper changes,
24 diaper changes/washload = 271 loads):
detergent (@$.27/load x 271 loads) $73.17; diaper pail additive
(200ml of vinegar @ $.15/load) $40.65; water and sewer (for 4
toilet flushes, 16 gal; 1 normal wash cycle, 45 gal; rinsing and
filling pail, 7 gal. Total of 68 gal. @$.0067 = $.46/load) $124.66;
natural gas to heat water (20 cu.ft. of natural gas @$.0015 =
$.03/load) $8.13; power to run dryer (5.76 kw/hr. for 1 hr., 5.76
kwh @$.07 = $.40/load) $108.40; power to run washer (.76 kwh @$.07
= $.05/load) $13.55; depreciation on washer and dryer ($.16 for
washer + $.09 for dryer = $.25/load.1) $67.75 = $436 ($1.60/load.2
$436 for laundry + $100 for square diapers,
etc. = $536 (average$.08/change)
$436 for laundry + $500 for fitted diapers,
etc. = $936 (average$.14/change)
Diaper Service $1,500 to $2,000
Diaper rental (based on 6,500 diaper changes.(3) over 2 1/2 years):
80 prefold diapers/week @$15 x 10 weeks = $150; 60/week @ $13.50
x 50 weeks + $675.00; 50/week @ 12.50 x 50 weeks = $625; 40/week
@$11.50 x 20 weeks = $230. Total cost for diapers = $1,680. (Prices
vary across Canada. Fitted diapers may cost more.)
Accessories: waterproof wraps (15 @
$9) $135; cloth wipes (30 @ $.50) $15; diaper liners (200 @$.04)
$8; diaper pail and pail liners $20 (some services provide these
at no extra cost) = $178.
$1,680 for diapers + $178 for accessories
= $1,858 (average $.29/change).
Disposable Diapers $1,750 to $2,400
Disposable diapers get more expensive as they get larger, but
the average cost is about $.35/diaper. Based on 6,500 diaper changes
(average 7-8/day), cost would be $2,275 for 2 1/2 years. However,
babies diapered in disposables tend to be changed less often than
babies diapered in cloth. Based on an average of 5-6 changes per
day, cost for 5,019 diapers would be $1,757. Cost of 1,500 disposable
wipes would be about $100, making the totals $1,857 to $2,375
(average $.37/change).
Conclusion
Initial investment is highest for home-laundered cloth; however,
long-term savings are substantial, and products will probably
be usable for another baby.
To calculate labor costs for home laundering, allow at least 40
hours over 2 1/2 years.(4) Disposable diapering involves labor
as well (i.e., purchasing regularly and emptying the garbage daily).
Diaper service probably involves the least amount of labor.
1. A $600 washer is estimated to
last a family of 4 for 12 yrs. Based on 6 loads/wk x 624 wks.,
a washer will wash 3744 loads before having to be replaced. $600
/ 3,744 loads = $.16/load. Dryer is estimated to last 15 years
and dry 4,680 loads. $400 / 4,680 loads = $.085/load.
2. Laundromat: detergent $73.17, vinegar
$40.65, flushing $29.05=$142.87 + washing($1.25x271 loads=$338.75)
+ drying($1x271)=$752.62
3. 600 extra diapers have been included
(almost one per day) to allow for double diapering at night, making
a total of 7,100 diapers.
4. 8-10 minutes per load x 271 loads
=40 hours. Time test assumed: 1) washer and dryer in the basement;
2) no-fold diapers left in basket until used (i.e. no folding
or stacking); and 3) exclusion of time when washer or dryer runs
unattended.