Cost Effective

The total cost of using cloth nappies, including washing, will depend on the type and brand chosen, but using real nappies could save you hundreds of pounds. With reusable nappies you're not throwing your money away - they can be used again for your next child or sold or passed on for use by other children. Using cloth could be even cheaper if you buy second-hand nappies.

Terries are multi-purpose and can also be used as small towels, burp cloths, can be placed on top of a changing mat to absorb spillages etc. More savings can be made by using washable wipes and changing mats. Disposable wipes, disposable changing mats, scented nappy bags, nappy wrappers etc. increase costs and the amount of waste produced.


 Terries Mother-ease One-size Nappy Laundry Disposables (varies according to brand)
Cost of purchasing nappies £99.47a £145.00e NA £700–£1211g
Cost of purchasing wraps £68.85b £68.85b Some wraps will need to be purchased and washed ——
Cost of purchasing liners £15.00c £15.00c Included in costs ——
Cost of washing £125.50d £125.50d £1160.10f ——
Total over 2.5 years £308.82 £354.35 £1160.10
(plus costs for wraps)		 £700–£1211

Now with the Edinburgh Real Nappy Project Incentive Scheme, getting started with cloth is even cheaper. The scheme offers parents the choice of a free nappy trial pack or £30 cashback on cloth nappies purchased or a discount on using the local nappy laundry service.

Notes

a 24 newborn terries (50cm x 50cm): 2 x pack of twelve @ £22.99 = £45.98; 18 regular terries (60cm x 60cm): @ £2.75) = £49.50; 3 Nappi nippas £3.99. Prices from Lollipop Local Agent as of January 2004.

b Wraps for Terries and One-Sizes: 3 x Mother-ease Air-Flow wrap small (@ £7.65) + 3 x Mother-ease Air-Flow wrap medium (@ £7.65) + 3 x Mother-ease Air-Flow wrap large (@ £7.65) = £68.85. Prices from Simply Nappies as of February 2004.

c 15 x £1 = £15. Prices from The Nappy Lady as of February 2004.

d Source: WEN

e 20 x Mother-ease one-size (or Tots Bots size 2 Nappi Nippa fastening) @ £7.25 = £145.00. Prices from SeeSaw as of February 2004.

f The Scottish Nappy Company estimate the cost to be £1160.10 for 2.5 years service. (12 months at £43.85/month, 12 months at £39.60/month and finally 6 months at £26.45/month). Prices as of June 2004.

g Twinkle Twinkle estimate disposable nappy costs for 2 ½ years to be either

  1. Cost Of Own Brand Value Nappy @ 10.5p x 7000 per baby: £735
  2. Premium Nappy @ 17.3p x 7000 per baby £1211

WEN quote a figure of £700.