Cloth Diaper Choices

Share the Love: Buying Used Cloth Diapers

By Leanne ⋅ January 18, 2010 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

I am a bargain shopper. I learned it from my mom, who learned it from my grandma, and it’s just what we do in my family. There’s nothing better than finding a great deal on something you really like.

One of the best ways to find those killer deals is to find things used – or “Gently Loved” as I prefer to call them. Thrift shops, consignment stores, Craigslist; you name it, I’ve bought from it.

But when I started my cloth diaper journey earlier this year, it caught me a little off guard to see people selling their used cloth diapers. After all, didn’t that thing hang out on your kid’s butt?

When you think about it, though, it’s really not a big deal.

I wash my dipes every three days, starting with a cold rinse, then a super hot wash, and another cold rinse. They’re clean…and I bet other people’s diapers are, too. So if you can get past that teeny, tiny issue, buying cloth used is a great way to go:

COST – Even though CD-ing is significantly cheaper in the long run than disposable diapers, there is a larger upfront cost. After initially researching my options (prefolds? AIO’s? One Size? Aaack!) I decided that I wanted to go with a few middle-of-the-road options. But at $16-24 each, the dipes I was eyeing were a little out of my price range. Fortunately, I was able to find cloth in excellent used condition (EUC) for 40% – 60% off retail prices.

VARIETY – I had read so many good reviews about so many types of diapers that I wanted to try more than one kind when my son was born. While many CD retailers are great about providing value in quantity (buy cloth diaper packages of 12 or 24 and get a significant discount), if you buy just one, it usually comes with a pretty price tag. By finding diapers used, I was able to try out several different types and test drive a few before I decided which ones I liked.

THE 3 R’s – we all know it…recycle, reduce, reuse. And what better way to promote sustainability than by applying the 3 R’s to our diapering habits? Buying used means that fewer diapers actually have to be made, therefore reducing each of our carbon footprint just a little bit. Fortunately for the cloth diapering world, a lot of our favorite things even get better with time! Take Hemp, for example. It actually becomes more absorbent the more it is used, so buying a gently loved hemp diaper really means less work and more absorbency for you!

So where do you find great deals on used cloth diapers?

There are a lot of options: start locally with children’s consignment stores in your area. They often have bins of used diapers at great prices and if you have clothes or diapers to trade in, you can get the diapers for almost nothing! Online options include general websites (Craigslist, Ebay, etc.), diaper specific websites like DiaperSwappers, and online retailers with “gently loved” or “preowned” sections of used cloth diapers for returns. I’ve also found great deals on diapers at garage sales and through friends.

Always ask questions about detergent, diaper rash creams, fabric softeners, and vinegar. If you’re buying in person, check the Velcro, elastic, snaps, and fabric. If you’re buying online, be sure to ask for pictures and clarification for any questions you might have. Shopping for used cloth diapers isn’t really a “try-before-you-buy” kind of deal, so make sure you know exactly what you’re getting. Don’t be afraid to look carefully at each diaper, feel them, and even smell them! On occasion, I’ve ended up with repelling issues, but it was never anything a good stripping couldn’t fix.

If you’re willing to put in a little time and effort, buying your cloth diapers gently loved can save you even more money on top of your initial savings. Give it a try!

GUEST BLOGGER

Leanne Goolsby is a first-time mommy to the love of her life, a 6 month old baby boy and also works full-time in Development at a University. In her “free time” she loves anything crafty, being outdoors, saving money, and building her cloth diaper stash!

Tags: AIOs, bargain shopper, buy used cloth diapers, carbon footprint, cloth diaper journey, cloth diaper packages, cloth diapering, consignment stores, Craigslist, DiaperSwappers, Ebay, EUC, excellent used condition, One Size, prefolds, preowned diapers, recycle, reduce, reuse, types of diapers, used cloth diaper, used cloth diapers

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