Economics of cloth vs disposable nappies

There are two main reasons why people choose to use cloth: environmental or economic factors.

Reusable nappies are a better option for both environmental sustainability and financial savings. This is true when factoring in the materials and energy used to make them, the energy, water and detergent required to wash them, and their final, inevitable endpoint in landfill.

Ongoing costs of cloth nappies

The costs associated with washing cloth nappies are:

  • detergent,
  • boosters, stain removers and wash additives,
  • water, and
  • electricity

We estimate the annual cost for an average Australian cloth nappy user is A$354. This is calculated using 8kg front loader washing machine, mainstream detergent, chlorine bleach for stain removal, prewashing every day and main washing every third day. The breakdown is:

  • A$131 electricity (A$0.35 per kWh),
  • A$84 water (A$2.50 per kilolitre),
  • A$98 detergent ($6/kg), and
  • A$40 stain remover (chlorine bleach at $2/L)

These components vary considerably from household to household. They are dependent on your unique circumstances.

Our cloth cost calculator uses your washing machine, location and detergent to work out your estimated annual cost. After inputting your data you can compare the cost of using cloth to the cost of using disposables.

Select a detergent and add your machine size, water hardness and prewash frequency. The calculator will output personalised suggested prewash and main wash dosages.

Input your wash routine, detergent choice and location data

Your washing machine


Your wash routine


Detergent and stain remover


Drying your nappies


Electricity generation


Set baseline utility costs and water hardness

Estimates electricty and water rates
Calculated in mg-CaCO3/L (ppm)

More information

Detergent amounts are based on an average nappy soiling levels. Having multiple children in cloth, older children, hard water, larger machines, and top loaders usually require more detergent. Water hardness affects dosage for both washes, while machine size only affects your main wash dose.

We use the energy and water star rating of your applicances and your wash frequency to estimate your electricity and water usage.

Locating washing machine energy and water rating

For the most accurate results you will need your washing machine’s Energy Rating and Water Rating. This is usually on the stickers on your machine.

If stickers on your machine is missing, damaged or hard to read, search for your front loader on the relevant product website:

Locating dryer energy rating

For the most accurate results you will need your dryer’s Energy Rating. This is usually on the stickers on your machine.

If stickers on your machine is missing, damaged or hard to read, search for your front loader on the Energy Rating website:

Time cost for cloth nappies

Cloth nappies do take time to wash, dry and assemble. Like ongoing costs, the time value varies between households.

Rinsing soiled (poo) nappies takes approximately 5–15 minutes in the evening (if all are left to do at the same time).

Hanging nappies to air dry can take between 10 – 20 minutes. Using a dryer removes this time.

Pocket nappies (sometimes called AI2s) require assembling. Other styles, such as flats, prefolds, and AIO, do not need assembling.

Financial cost of disposable nappies

The cost of disposables from birth to toilet training (approximately 3 years of age) ranges from $1,500 to $6,000.

This cost can significantly burden people on lower incomes or living at or below the poverty line. To reduce cost disposable nappies are sometimes changed infrequently, often leading to nappy rashes and in extreme cases, infections.

The upfront cost of cloth nappies

Initial startup costs vary, from $250– $1000+ for 24–27 nappies.

There is a huge variation in the upfront cost of cloth nappies depending on the businesses selling them, the after-sales service and overall quality. Price isn’t always a good indication of quality or longevity. Experienced users can more or less use any type of nappy successfully as long as there is enough absorption.

The lowest-costing nappies can be purchased via Aliexpress or eBay for about A$3–A$5 a nappy. These usually come with only one thin microfiber insert. These inserts do not provide enough absorption and require additional inserts.

Moderately priced nappies, such as Alvababy, cost A$5–A$10 a nappy. These come with thicker microfiber inserts, and have the option of upgrading to bamboo or hemp.

Australian nappy resellers carry nappies that cost A$10–A$15 each. These usually come with thicker microfiber inserts or bamboo inserts.

Australian/US manufacturers (made overseas but to a certain design and specifications) cost A$20–A$35 a nappy. They are generally made with premium materials that will last multiple children.

WAHMs (work-at-home makers) that hand sew their nappies sell them at A$25+ each.

Using cloth nappies on a budget

There are affordable ways to cloth nappy:

Flats, prefolds and covers are very effective and inexpensive options. They are easy to wash and dry quickly.

Prefolds and flats

Flats and prefolds are inexpensive, easy to wash and dry quickly

Cloth life cycle cost

Using the same example (8kg front loader washing machine, mainstream detergent, chlorine bleach in prewash, prewashing every day and main washing every third day) the estimated cost of buying and using cloth for 3 years is A$1,320 –$2,070.

  • Upfront cost of buying cloth nappies A$250 – $A1,000
  • Electricity A$400 (A$0.35 per kWh),
  • Water A$250 (A$2.50 per kilolitre)
  • Detergent A$300 (Biozet powder $6/kg), and
  • Stain remover A$120 (chlorine bleach at $2/L)

If the alternative was using average-costing disposables, that is a saving of A$930 – A$1,680. For subsequent children, the savings increase because there is no upfront cost.

References and further reading

  1. Michelle Lee, Australian Science, Disposable Nappies: Are They Stinking Up Our Planet? (February 21, 2022) <http://ozscience.com/environmental-science/disposable-nappies-are-they-stinking-up-our-planet/>.
  2. Choice, Disposable nappy reviews (August 19, 2023) <https://www.choice.com.au/nappies>.
  3. Tasmanian Economic Regulator, Comparison of Electricity and Gas Prices Available to Small Customers in Australia, October 2023 (January 6, 2024) <https://www.economicregulator.tas.gov.au/Documents/23%202484%20%20Comparison%20of%20Electricity%20and%20Gas%20Prices%20Available%20to%20Small%20Customers%20in%20Australia%20-%20October%202023.PDF>.
  4. Sydney Water, Prices for your home (January 6, 2024) <https://www.sydneywater.com.au/accounts-billing/paying-your-bill/our-prices/prices-your-home.html>.
  5. Victorian Essential Services Commission, Average household water bills in Victoria (January 6, 2024) <https://www.esc.vic.gov.au/water/water-prices-tariffs-and-special-drainage/average-household-water-bills-victoria>.
  6. South East Water, Bulk water prices for South East Queensland (January 6, 2024) <https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/mining-energy-water/water/industry-infrastructure/pricing/bulk-water/prices-seq>.
  7. Water Corporation, Understanding your water use charges (January 6, 2024) <https://www.watercorporation.com.au/Help-and-advice/Bill-and-account/Rates-and-charges/Understanding-your-water-use-charges>.
  8. SA Water, Pricing Schedule, rates and sales 2023-2024 (January 6, 2024) <https://www.sawater.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/732755/2023-24-rates-and-sales.pdf>.
  9. TasWater, Water and sewerage charges (January 6, 2024) <https://www.taswater.com.au/accounts-and-billing/fees-and-charges/water-and-sewerage-charges>.
  10. Icon Water, Standard Water and Sewerage Services Charges 2023–24 (January 6, 2024) <https://www.iconwater.com.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/standard-water-sewerage-services-charges-2023-2024.pdf>.
  11. Power Water, Pricing and tariffs (January 6, 2024) <https://www.powerwater.com.au/customers/pricing>.