Listen, mama—I know disposables seem easy, but let’s talk about cloth diaper benefits and why they are the real game-changer when it comes to saving money, reducing waste, and keeping those nasty chemicals off our babies’ perfect little booties.
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1. Saves a Boatload of Money
This is possibly the biggest of all the cloth diaper benefits! You could easily spend $2,000–$3,000 per kid on disposables, but a good stash of cloth diapers will cost a fraction of that, even less if you buy used—and guess what? You can use them for multiple babies! More money in your pocket, less trash in the landfill. Win-win.
Related: Cheap Cloth Diapers – 10 Tips To Getting Them Free Or Cheap
2. Adjusts to Fit from Newborn to Toddler
One-size modern cloth diapers snap or Velcro to adjust as baby grows, so you don’t have to keep buying different sizes. One stash lasts years.
3. Perfect for Families with Multiple Kids in Diapers
If you’ve got two (or more!) little ones in diapers at the same time, cloth is a lifesaver. Instead of buying different disposable sizes, you can share the stash between siblings with one-size cloth diapers—just adjust the snaps or inserts as needed. No need to keep track of different brands or sizes.
4. Fewer Diaper Rashes
Since switching to cloth, I’ve had way fewer rash issues. Cloth diapers let the skin breathe, and because I change my baby more often, rashes just aren’t a common thing anymore.
5. Cloth Diapers Are Freaking Cute
Who wants to put their baby in a boring, white disposable when they can rock adorable prints, bright colors, and fluffy softness? I mean, have you seen a chunky baby in a cloth diaper? SO. Stinking. Cute.
And there are styles for boys, girls, and gender-neutral options. Pair them with some baby leg warmers and they won’t even need pants!
6. No More Blowouts!
One of the best cloth diaper benefits? Super snug leg elastics that actually contain messes. No more explosive poop up the back of the onesie—hallelujah!
7. No Sketchy Chemicals on Baby’s Skin
Most disposables are packed with dyes, fragrances, chlorine, and even dioxins (yep, the same toxic stuff found in industrial waste). A lot of cloth diaper options have soft, natural fibers that let their skin breathe.
8. You’ll Never “Run Out” of Diapers
With cloth, I always have diapers on hand. No more last-minute grocery store runs, and no more “uh-oh, I forgot to restock” moments.
9. You Can Skip the Wipes, Too
If you’re already cloth diapering, it’s easy to switch to reusable cloth wipes as well. That’s more money you’ll save and another thing you won’t forget to buy. You can even sew cloth wipes easily like I did, or simply cut up old t-shirts!
10. Better for the Planet
Disposables are one of the biggest non-biodegradable wastes out there. Cloth diapers? They last for years and don’t end up clogging up landfills or oceans. And once they’ve outlived their purpose, there are many things you can do with cloth diapers.
Related: Finished With Cloth Diapers? What To Do With Them
11. Early Potty Training FTW
Another huge benefit of cloth diapers is babies in cloth feel wetness more than those in disposables, which means they learn the connection between peeing and feeling uncomfortable. Result? They potty train earlier! No more buying pull-ups for a 3-year-old.
P.S. I highly recommend this book for potty training. I’ve used Jamie’s method for 3 of my kids so far and had them all trained by 2 1/2!
12. No More Saggy, Droopy Diapers!
Ever see a toddler waddling around in a halfway-to-their-knees disposable diaper? Yeah, not cute. Cloth diapers stay snug and secure, even when wet. No awkward sagging, no constant adjusting, and no floppy diaper butts! Just a comfy, well-fitted diaper that moves with your baby—because they’ve got exploring to do!
13. Harder for Toddlers to Take Off = No Poop Art on the Walls!
If you’ve ever walked into a room and found your little one covered in poop, congratulations—you have a toddler. Unlike disposables with easy-to-rip tabs, cloth diapers have strong snaps or Velcro that make them much harder for tiny hands to remove. That means less mess, fewer disasters, and no unexpected “art projects” on the walls.
14. Cloth Diapers Hold Their Value
Done with diapers? Guess what? You can resell them! Yep, there’s a huge market for secondhand cloth diapers, and high-quality brands keep their value. You can’t sell a used disposable diaper (ew).
15. Fewer Leaks Overnight
Another advantage to cloth diapers is the adjustable absorbency. I just add an extra absorbent insert for nighttime, and my baby stays dry without needing toxic gel beads to soak up moisture.
16. Softer on Baby’s Skin
Disposable diapers can feel stiff and plasticky—but cloth? Pure softness. Who wouldn’t want a cushiony diaper instead of plastic-y paper? Bonus—it’s like landing on a pillow when they inevitably fall on their fluffy booty.
17. Simple to Wash (Yes, Really!)
People love to act like washing cloth diapers is some impossible task, but let me tell you—it’s just another load of laundry. Spray or scrape, pre-rinse, wash, rinse again, dry. Done. Get my free cloth diaper wash routine at the link below!
Related: Why You Should Use a Shower Head as a Cloth Diaper Sprayer
18. Supports Small Businesses
Instead of throwing money at giant corporations that mass-produce disposables, you can choose to support small, eco-conscious brands that actually care about sustainability and baby health. Many of them are made by work-at-home moms.
19. Less Trash = No More Stinky, Overflowing Diaper Pails!
Disposable diapers pile up fast, and that means constantly hauling out a stinky, overflowing diaper pail (and let’s be honest, those things reek no matter how “odor-locking” they claim to be). With cloth diapers, there’s way less trash, so you don’t have to take the garbage out as often. Plus, no more scrambling to find room in the bin on trash day!
Related: 11 Cloth Diaper Accessories I Wish I Had From The Start
20. So Many Options to Fit Your Lifestyle & Baby’s Needs!
Unlike disposables, cloth diapers come in tons of different styles—pockets, all-in-ones, flats, fitteds, hybrids, wool covers—you name it! Whether you want super easy, ultra-absorbent, budget-friendly, or all-natural, there’s a perfect cloth diaper for every baby and every mama. No settling for whatever’s on the store shelf!
Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Cloth Diapers:
Cloth diapers aren’t just a fad—they’re a practical, eco-friendly, money-saving way to diaper your baby. And if washing diapers isn’t your thing? There are cloth diaper services that will pick them up, wash them for you, and bring them back fresh and clean.
So if you’re on the fence, trust me—it’s SO worth it—and the cloth diaper benefits far outweigh any cons. And guess what? You don’t have to be a crunchy mom to use them!
What do you think? Are the advantages of cloth diapering really worth it? Do you have anything to add? Let me know in the comments!
Related Posts:
Finished With Cloth Diapers? What To Do With Them
Cheap Cloth Diapers – 10 Tips To Getting Them Free Or Cheap
11 Cloth Diaper Accessories I Wish I Had From The Start
Cloth Diaper Wash Routine – Free Printable
We’re definitely obsessed with cloth diapers in our house haha
Saving money is the biggest benefit to cloth diapers for me, although the cuteness factor is a close 2nd!