Choosing nappies: washable vs disposable Washable nappies

baby and reusable washable nappy

Reusable nappies are available in many colours

Washable nappies - also known as reusable nappies, cloth nappies or real nappies - have evolved significantly in the past decade and are a popular choice for eco-conscious parents.

Reusable nappies come in a vast range of colours and fabrics. They often look like disposables and can be just as easy to put on and take off again.

Modern reusable nappies don't require soaking and can be washed in the washing machine at home, or picked up by a nappy laundry service. 

Washable nappies: the pros

  • Price: reusable nappies work out cheaper than disposables (especially if you use traditional terry nappies rather than the modern, fitted-style equivalent). You'll be paying more initially, but the costs will be lower overall. The Go Real nappy information service estimates it costs between £50 and £270 to kit out your baby with a basic set of reusable nappies (depending on the type of nappy you choose) plus around £1 a week to wash them - saving you around £500 compared with the market-leading disposable nappy. Savings will be even greater if the nappies are used for a second child.
  • Incentive schemes: many councils offer real nappy incentives in the form of cashback, free samples or vouchers, giving you the chance to try washable nappies for a discounted price, or free of charge. Contact your local authority for details of a scheme near you.
  • Longevity: you can use washable nappies again for subsequent children. Most are designed for at least two babies.
  • Waste: using reusable nappies reduces the amount of waste going to landfill.

Washable nappies: the cons

  • Convenience: the main disadvantage with reusable nappies is that you have to wash them.
  • Energy use: cleaning and drying reusable nappies can potentially use lots of energy and water – see our environmental impact page for top tips on how to minimise your energy and water use.
  • Absorbency: reusable nappies can be less absorbent than disposable nappies, so you may need to change them more often. However, many types have a removable inner layer so you don't have to wash the whole nappy each time.

Nappy washing services

There is a growing number of locally run nappy washing services that will collect, launder and return your reusable nappies – at a price.

Nappy-laundering services cost from around £10-£15 per week. They provide weekly deliveries of fresh nappies and a storage bin, and collect dirty nappies from the week before.

If you like the idea of using washable nappies, but want to reduce the effort involved, you could consider signing up to one of these services.

If you're considering washing nappies at home and need and new washing machine or tumble dryer, you can find out how much appliances cost to run using our energy cost calculators.

You can find out what nappy services are available near you using the nappy finder tool on the Go Real nappy information service website.

Types of washable nappy

There are several types of washable nappy to choose from.

  • The cheapest option is to use flat cotton terry toweling squares that you fold yourself and fasten using safety pins or plastic nappy grips. You'll need a separate waterproof cover to put over the top, but this won't need changing each time.
  • Shaped fabric nappies require no folding and stay fastened with poppers or Velcro. These come in a variety of fabrics and colours. You'll need a separate waterproof cover to put over the top, but this won't need changing each time.
  • All-in-one nappies are shaped to fit your baby and have a waterproof outer layer. They stay fastened with poppers,  Velcro or are pull-on. The whole nappy needs to be washed each time and they can take longer to dry than other reusable nappies.
  • Pocket nappies are similar to all-in-ones, but you can easily separate the nappy lining and waterproof cover when washing and drying. They're convenient, but can work out more expensive than other types of washable nappy.

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Which? works for you