The Real Cost of Cloth Nappies vs Disposables

When it comes to nappies, parents often ask: "Are cloth nappies really cheaper than disposables?" At Mimi & Co, we believe in transparency. Let's break down the true costs of cloth nappies and compare them to disposable ones— we're including detergents, water & electricity here too!

Upfront Costs

Cloth Nappies: The initial investment for a full-time set of premium reusable cloth nappies from Mimi & Co is about $750, depending on the bundle and style chosen.

These nappies are designed to last from newborn to toddler years (2.5kg to 20kg).

Disposable Nappies: Parents spend an average of $3,000 to $6,000 over 3 years for disposable nappies. This includes 5-8 nappies daily, priced at $0.30 to $0.60 per nappy.

Hidden Costs of Disposable Nappies:

+ Nappy Bags: An additional $150 to $200 over 3 years.

+ Bum Creams: Frequent use of disposables can lead to nappy rash, adding $100 to $300 in rash creams.
Modern Cloth Nappy - 24 Bundle & Save - Mimi & Co
Modern Cloth Nappy - 24 Bundle & Save Sale price$825.40 AUD Regular price$1,031.76 AUD
Product
Up front cost

$750

$0.56 each (average)

Disposable Nappy Bags

$0.00

$175

Bum Creams

$0.00

$200

Total Cost Per Week

$5.20

$30.69

Total Cost Over 36 Months

$750

$4,420

Electricity Costs

Using data from Australian households:

  • Electricity: Running a washing machine for cloth nappies (prewash + main wash) uses an average of 0.4-0.9 kWh per cycle. With Canberra’s electricity rate at $0.28/kWh, the yearly cost for electricity is around $29.70 to $37.56.

* Note: electricity prices change depending on your location, check with your local provider what you are charged per kWh

If you use solar, this cost will likely be ZERO

Water Costs

Water: Each wash uses 26-68 liters, with water rates at $0.0023/liter, leading to yearly water costs of approximately $19.09

* Note: water prices change depending on your location, check with your local council for up to date prices

If you use tank water, this cost will be ZERO

Detergent Cost

Detergent: Premium detergents suitable for cloth nappies cost around $45 to $65 annually.

Cloth vs Disposable

Modern Cloth Nappy - 24 Bundle & Save - Mimi & Co
Modern Cloth Nappy - 24 Bundle & Save Sale price$825.40 AUD Regular price$1,031.76 AUD
Product
Upfront Costs

$750

$4,420

Electricity Costs

$89.10 - $112.68

$0.00

Water Costs

$57.27

$0.00

Detergent Costs

$135 - $195

$0.00

Total Cost (36 Months)

$1,031.37 - $1,114.95

$4,420

Weekly Cost

$6.61 - $7.14

$28.33

Environmental Costs of Disposable Nappies

Water Use: Manufacturing one disposable nappy uses 9 liters of water, equating to 9,000 liters per baby over 3 years.

Crude Oil: Producing disposables requires crude oil, with one nappy needing about 1 cup of oil.

Landfill Waste: Disposable nappies take 500+ years to decompose, contributing significantly to landfill overflow. Each child generates approximately 1 tonne of nappy waste.

Microplastics: Disposable nappies release microplastics into the environment, harming marine ecosystems and food chains.