Choosing to cloth diaper your baby is an investment. But not just any investment. It’s an investment in your baby’s comfort, your family’s budget, and the planet’s future. And like all the best investments? They pay you back!
Think about it: disposable diapers are basically just landfill-bound trash the second they’re used. (Not to mention, they’ll be sitting there for the next 400 - 500 years 😵💫) Meanwhile, their prices keep climbing, forcing parents to throw away more and more money with every change. Not exactly a high-return strategy, for you or the planet. But cloth diapers? Now that’s an investment with a serious upside.
What if we told you your diapers could actually give you a return? Fewer diaper rashes. Earlier potty training. No more blowouts. And perhaps best of all, you can make your cloth diapers pay for themselves! But how?
Table of Contents
Step 1: Go All In
While we’re firm believers that every cloth diaper swap makes a difference (check out this post if you’re considering part-time cloth diapering !) – the fastest way to maximize your savings is to use your cloth diapers daily so you rarely, if ever, have to buy disposables.
Here’s why:
Disposables add up fast. The average family spends $3,000 - $5,000 per child on disposable diapers and wipes from birth to potty training. And with disposable diaper prices continuing to climb, this number will continue to go up.
Cloth diapers are a one-time purchase. A full Esembly stash costs around $800 - and that’s if you buy everything at full price*!
The more you use them, the faster they pay off. Every time you reach for a cloth diaper instead of a disposable, you’re keeping money in your pocket.
Further, our diapers are made to last – not just for this baby, but for future siblings, too! More babies = more savings.
*Pro Tip : Stock up during one of our sales and save even more! Or, you can always save 15% by signing up for our email list , which will bring the cost down, too 😉
Step 2: Care for Your Diapers Like the Investment They Are
Want to stretch your savings even further? Proper care will help your diapers last through multiple children as we mentioned above – or, stay in great condition for resale! (More on this next.)
Why Proper Care for Your Cloth Diapers Matters
Esembly’s organic cotton diapers are designed for years of use, but like any natural fiber textile, their lifespan depends on how you care for them. Think of them like a high-quality pair of jeans – the better you care for them, the longer they’ll reward you.
That said, we do want to mention – we come from an industrial laundry background and put our chosen materials through the wringer before approving them! So they’ll last without being too precious with them in the wash. All of our textiles can withstand the hot water, heavy duty cycles and a tumble in a hot dryer! They’re made to be low-maintenance and fit right into your busy life.
The Care Shortlist
OUR BIGGEST TIP: Use Esembly Washing Powder (no fabric softeners or heavy fragrances)
👉 What Kind of Detergent Do I Need to Wash Cloth Diapers?
Wash in warm water for Cycle 1, then hot water for Cycle 2 (skip "sanitize" cycles/temps over 140°F)
👉 The Complete Guide to Washing Your Cloth Diapers at Home: The Esembly Way
Avoid any rinsing, spraying, or soaking - it weakens fibers
👉 The Truth About Removing Poop from Cloth Diapers. Is Diaper Spraying Really Necessary?
Choose cloth-safe skincare (no petroleum-based or high-zinc creams, lotions, or balms)
👉 Understanding Cloth Friendly Skincare
Explore water chemistry (if you live in an area that has very hard water, adding a water softener to your routine, like Borax or Calgon, will lengthen the lives of your diapers)
👉 Can You Wash Cloth Diapers in Hard Water? (spoiler: yes!!)
Store your diapers properly (no airtight containers or plastic bags)
👉 Everything You Need to Know About How to Store Your Cloth Diapers
Step 3: Resell Your Diapers on Our Pre-loved Marketplace When You’re Finished With Them
Finally, here’s the beautiful thing about quality cloth diapers: They hold their value! When you’re done with them, you can recoup a significant portion of your initial investment by reselling them – something you could never do with disposables!
Why Resell Your Esembly Diapers?
Get money back - Well-cared-for diapers typically resell for 30-60% of retail price on our Pre-loved Marketplace.
Help another family - Give your diapers a second (or third!) life while keeping them out of landfills – this is one of our most favorite things about cloth diapering!
Close the loop - Our community keeps quality diapers in circulation for years. And while we do this – we teach our littles the importance of being good stewards and choosing reusable solutions.
The Bottom Line: Cloth Diapers Pay You Back
Let’s recap:
Go all in – ditch disposables to maximize savings.
Care for your diapers per our instructions – extend their life for future kids or resale.
Resell them – get cash back when you’re done cloth diapering.
Between savings on disposables, multi-child use, and resale profits, your Esembly stash isn’t just an expense – it’s a smart financial move.
So, what’s your return on investment? Happier baby, healthier planet, and a thicker wallet. Now that’s what we call a win-win-win! 🎉
Cloth Diapering 101
Our co-founders host a free, virtual, Cloth Diapering 101 class every month to help cloth-curious parents get all the tools and information they need!
You'll leave with the confidence to Live Less Disposably and a 20% discount code to use on your first order. 🥳 We hope to see you there!
