How Many Reusable Diapers Does Your Family Need?

Younger babies typically need more frequent changes. As your baby grows, the number of diapers used each day usually decreases.

Below is the estimated number of changes a baby will need at each age.

0-3 months = 12 diapers

3-6 months = 10 diapers

6-12 months = 8 diapers

12-24 months = 6 diapers

24 months + = 5-6 diapers

*Every child is different. These numbers are planning estimates, not limits on how frequently a child should be changed.

How many diapers do you need to get started?

The number used per day is not the same as the number a family needs to get started. You should first determine how frequently you will be able to wash the diapers. We recommend washing at least every 2-3 days.

Simple Formula: Daily diaper changes x days between washes + drying and emergency extras.

0-3 months = 30-36 diapers

3-6 months = 24-30 diapers

6-12 months = 20-24 diapers

12-24 months = 18-24 diapers

24+ months = 15-18 diapers

Important! You do not need to get all of the diapers you need at once. You also don't have to cloth diaper full-time. Many families will cloth diaper when baby is home but use disposables at daycare or when out of the house. There is no "right way" to cloth diaper. Every cloth diaper you have and use is reducing how many disposables diapers your family needs.

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How much can you save with cloth diapers?

Disposable Diaper Costs

The average price of one disposable diaper is currently $.35. This is taking into account the price difference between smaller and larger sizes and how many diapers are used at each stage of infancy. The approximate number of diaper changes you should expect in the first 30 months of your child's life is 6,500. This works out to be approximately $2,275 for disposable diapers for one child.

Reusable Diaper Costs

If you purchase the maximum recommended number of diapers needed to diaper your baby from the newborn stage, washing every 2-3 days, you would buy 30 diapers. Our organic cotton Smart One 4.0 All-in-One Diaper is $28, so for 30 diapers your cost would be $840 before any discounts or sales. Let's factor in 3 extra loads of laundry a week at a cost of $1 per load. This would add an additional $390 of cost over the course of 30 months. This brings your total max cost to $1,230. If you diaper additional children with the same diapers at some point in the future your cost would be approximately $390 for each additional child (the cost of laundering only).

Total Minimum Savings = $1,045

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How to wash reusable diapers

1. Remove solids

Dispose of solid waste in the toilet. Biodegradable liners can make cleanup easier after a baby begins eating solid food.

2. Pre-wash

Run a short warm rinse or pre-wash to remove most urine and remaining waste.

3. Main wash

Use a heavy-duty hot cycle with an effective detergent that does not contain fabric softener.

4. Dry completely

Tumble dry on low or medium, or hang diapers to dry. Avoid consistently using high heat on elastics and waterproof materials.

We recommend washing every two to three days, using a warm pre-wash, a hot main wash and low- or medium-heat drying or line drying.

Read Our Complete Wash Guide

Washing without electricity

Reusable diapers can still be cleaned without a washing machine when your family has access to safe water, detergent and a safe method for disposing of wastewater.

What to keep on hand

  • Two clean five-gallon buckets
  • A dedicated new toilet plunger
  • A bucket lid with a hole for the plunger handle
  • Effective laundry detergent
  • Rubber cleaning gloves
  • Clothesline and clothespins
  • Biodegradable diaper liners
  • Two waterproof wet bags
  • Printed washing instructions
  • A plan for obtaining safe water

Basic hand-washing process

  1. Dispose of solid waste in a functioning toilet when available.
  2. Use one bucket for the initial rinse or pre-wash.
  3. Drain the dirty water into a functioning sanitary sewer or toilet.
  4. Refill the bucket with safe warm or hot water and detergent. Start with a small amount of detergent and add more as necessary.
  5. Agitate diapers thoroughly with the dedicated plunger.
  6. Drain and rinse until the diapers are clean and no more bubbles are present.
  7. Gently press out excess water without aggressively twisting waterproof materials.
  8. Hang diapers in a well-ventilated location until completely dry.
  9. Clean the equipment, diaper-changing surface and your hands.

Include an illustration showing:

  • Bucket with fitted lid
  • Plunger passing through the lid
  • Agitation arrows
  • Separate rinse bucket
  • Clothesline and diapers

  • Important Safety Information

    Never wash diapers in floodwater or water suspected of containing sewage, chemicals or other contamination. Follow local health-department instructions during water emergencies. 

    • The CDC recommends using bottled, boiled or appropriately treated water when the water supply may be unsafe. It also emphasizes careful handwashing, surface cleaning and waste handling during emergency diaper changes. Collected rain water can be a safe alternative to using valuable drinking water. 
    • If washing outdoors, CDC advises washing diapers and clothing at least 100 feet from drinking-water sources.
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