Are reusable nappies worth it?

Reusable nappies are washable nappies made from cloth, designed as a more eco-friendly alternative to disposables.

They're sometimes known as washable, cloth, or real nappies, and they have evolved significantly over the past decade into a popular choice for more eco-conscious parents. 

Fans of reusable nappies believe they're a good way to cut costs because they're cheaper than disposable nappies in the long run. They also help to reduce the number of disposable nappies ending up in landfill.

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

Read on for information on the different types of reusable nappies, and the pros and cons of using them.

Reusable nappy types

Reusable nappies come in a range of different designs. Some have layers attached, while others have separate parts that you need to join together.

You might want to try a few types before buying in bulk to see how you and your baby get on with them.

All-in-one reusable nappy

All-in-one nappies have an absorbent inner layer attached to a waterproof outer layer, which are sewn together.

Pocket reusable nappy

Pocket nappies are similar to all-in-ones, but have a pouch in the nappy cover that you stuff with a fabric insert for absorbency.

Two-part reusable nappy

Nappies with a two-part design have a separate inner nappy and outer wrap. You can choose between a shaped or flat option.

Shaped nappies have elasticated waist and leg cuffs and are usually fastened with Velcro or poppers.

Flat nappies are simply a piece of fabric that you fasten around your baby using a nappy grip. You can either buy Terry squares, which need to be folded to a suitable size and shape, or pre-folded nappies. These are the cheapest reusable options.

One-size vs sized nappies

One-size or 'birth-to-potty' reusable nappies can be adjusted to fit your baby as they grow.

With sized options, you'll need to buy different nappies as your baby grows. These are useful for newborns, as you might find that birth-to-potty nappies are too big for small babies.

Are reusable nappies worth it?

While reusable nappies are considered generally better for the environment, they need to be washed and dried after every use – which requires water and energy – and aren’t as convenient as disposable nappies.

Reusable nappies: pros

• Cheaper than disposable nappies in the long run, particularly if you use them for more than one child.
• Reduces the number of disposable nappies ending up in landfill.
• May irritate your baby’s skin less than disposable nappies, as they’re more likely to be made of natural fibres.

Reusable nappies: cons

• Less convenient than disposable nappies, as you need to wash and dry them after each use.
• Higher water and energy usage from frequent washing.
• Can be difficult to fit clothes over bulkier nappies.

If you don't want to use reusables, see our best disposable nappies instead

How much do reusable nappies cost?

Reusable nappies have a higher upfront cost than disposables, but they work out cheaper in the long-term, particularly if you use them for more than one child.

The cost of reusable nappies varies depending on the type and brand you choose. In 2024, Moneyhelper.org – the government’s money advice service – estimated the average overall cost of using leading-brand disposable nappies at £1,000. It puts the average cost of reusables at £400 (including laundry costs), giving an overall saving of £600 over the first two and a half years.

How to save money on reusable nappies

These four tips could help you to reduce the cost of reusable nappies:

1. Check whether your local council runs a reusable nappy incentive scheme. These offer free starter kits or vouchers, making it cheaper to try them out.
2. Consider buying second-hand reusable nappies.
3. Save on energy costs by line-drying nappies rather than tumble drying.
4. Use an energy-efficient washing machine. See our washing machine reviews to find out which models we recommend.

How many reusable nappies do I need?

Depending on your baby’s age, how often they need changing and how frequently the nappies are washed, you’re likely to need around 15 to 25 reusables. 

You won’t need as many if you’re using them alongside disposable nappies or when you’re potty training.

Where to buy reusable nappies

There are many places you can buy reusable nappies, including supermarkets, baby stores and directly from the manufacturer.

It's important that you pay attention to the returns policy, though – if you need to replace an item or claim a refund, you should know your rights. 

For more details on shopping online safely and getting refunds, see our online shopping advice guides

Here are some of the most-searched for retailers for reusable nappies:

• Aldi has previously stocked its own-brand Mamia reusable nappies at around £4.99 each. However, it's not currently stocking any, but keep an eye out in case they come in during a Special Buy baby week.
• Boots sells own-brand and branded reusable products. Prices start at £9.99 per nappy and go up to £20 for reusables from Kit & Kin. Delivery to a store is free if you spend £15 or more, but for home delivery, you need to spend £25. You can return any unused items free of charge within 35 days for a refund or replacement.
• Ocado sells Bambino Mio nappies, usually priced at £16, but sometimes on offer for as little as £10 each. Delivery charges range from free to £6.99, depending on slot availability. If your order is less than £75, there's a minimum charge of £2.99 and a maximum of £6.99. For standard orders of £75 or more, you may be offered free delivery.

Aldi vs Lidl nappies: how do they compare?

How do reusable nappies work?

Reusable nappies consist of an absorbent inner layer, a washable or disposable liner and a waterproof outer layer, called the wrap. You can also choose to add a booster pad for extra absorbency.

They’re available in a variety of materials, including cotton, bamboo, hemp and microfibre. The outer wraps can be made of fleece, wool, PUL (a type of laminated fabric) or waterproof plastic.

Instead of binning the nappy after use, you put the reusable nappy in a designated bucket, ready to be washed. When clean and dry, it can be worn again.

Do reusable nappies leak overnight?

While most parents will experience at least one 'poonami' or leakage overnight in their baby's lifetime, whatever nappy protection they use, having the right combination of absorbent boosters and outer covers should mean that reusables aren't any more likely than disposables to leak.

Make sure the inner nappy has a booster pad that's extra absorbent – ones made from hemp or bamboo hold more liquid than microfibre or cotton. The elastic of the outer wrap or cover should sit snugly along the groin crease and not on the thigh. Run a finger around the leg to check that no fabric is sticking out.

Watch out for compression leaks, which is where a baby's vest or pyjamas are too tight, squeezing fluids out of the nappy like a sponge. 

You may want to consider vest extenders, which are pieces of material with poppers on that you can attach to each end of a baby vest to lengthen it and provide more space for a bulkier reusable nappy.

Consider how your baby sleeps. Tummy sleepers (only recommended for babies aged 12 months or older) may benefit from extra boosters positioned towards the front of the nappy, while side or back sleepers will want the booster positioned more towards the back.

Cloth nappies and nappy rash

Reusable nappies are no more or less likely to trigger irritation than disposables, but if your baby does experience a rash, the trigger may vary depending on the type used.

Disposable nappies contain chemicals and fragrances that may trigger a rash, but their hi-tech gels lock moisture away, so nappy rash is less likely to be caused by wetness and exposure to the ammonia found in urine.

Cloth nappies are likely to be made of natural fibres that won't irritate your baby's skin, and they're often more breathable, but without the absorbent gels, a build-up of poo and urine could irritate your baby's delicate skin.

It's important that you change reusable options regularly. You should also provide regular nappy-free time to let your baby's skin air out.

Read our potty training guide for tips on how to get your little one out of nappies

How to clean reusable nappies?

1. When the nappy is ready to be changed, take out the liner and flush any solids down the toilet.
2. Place used nappies into a bucket containing a mesh liner. There’s no need to soak them before washing.
3. Clean them in the washing machine every two to three days. If you’re using two-part nappies, you only need to change the outer wrap every 12 hours, unless it’s heavily soiled.
4. Run a cold rinse cycle first, then add detergent or washing powder and wash at the temperature recommended in the care instructions.
5. Hang up the nappies to line dry. Some are suitable for tumble drying, although this will increase costs.

How long do reusable nappies last?

The typical lifespan of a reusable nappy is two to four years, or 400 to 500 washes.

The first parts to wear out tend to be the elastic around the legs, Velcro fasteners or the plastic part of the waterproof cover, which may start to crack. To help them last longer, you should line-dry rather than tumble-dry, avoid harsh chemicals and avoid using fabric softener.

Nappies that are beginning to discolour may benefit from being dried in the sun, which acts as a natural bleaching agent.

Using reusable nappies at nursery or with childminders

Using reusable nappies at a nursery or with a childminder is very common, but it requires a bit more coordination than using them at home. It's worth first checking with the nursery on how they handle reusables when doing a change. Most will expect parents to provide a 'wet bag' for storing used nappies, which has a zip closure so it's well sealed.

Some nurseries may not scrape off any waste from nappies, and simply roll them up and put them into the wet bag. If you use disposable paper liners in your cloth nappy, that may make it easier for nursery staff to tip any solids into the toilet when doing a change.

You'll need to pack at least five or six ready-prepared cloth nappies (with any liners or inserts inside and attached). Pack two or three changes of clothes along with wipes.

Spend some time giving the staff a demo of how the nappy fits together and what to consider when changing your baby, so they know what they're doing, if needed.

Are reusable nappies more eco-friendly?

By the time a child is potty trained, they could have gone through more than 5,000 disposable nappies. According to recycling charity Wrap, this adds up to an estimated 3bn nappies thrown away every year in the UK. As disposables can’t usually be recycled, most end up in landfill.

The most recent Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of the environmental impact of reusable and disposable nappies was conducted by Defra in 2023.

It was discovered that reusable nappies produce 25% less CO2 than single-use disposable nappies. The carbon footprint of a disposable is 457kgCO₂eq, whereas the carbon footprint of a reusable is lower at 345kgCO₂eq. 

CO₂eq is a measure used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential (GWP).

Higher impact in other areas

However, the report highlighted that reusable nappies have a greater impact across other environmental areas. This is mainly because of the electricity used in prewashing, washing and tumble drying reusable nappies. Add to that the water used by the washing machine, toilet flushing, and wastewater treatment and detergent.

This impact could be reduced by using energy-efficient washing machines and tumble dryers or by air-drying nappies. Reusing nappies for a second child could also reduce their climate change impact by 6.5% and water consumption by 30.9%.

The report also points out that user behaviour can have an environmental impact. Consumer research shows that children are being potty trained at a later age, which means they use nappies for longer. In the previous LCA study from 2008, looking at nappy use for children aged 2.5 years, 19.4% were using disposable nappies and 17.4% were using reusable nappies. 

Fast forward to 2023, and it found 37% of toddlers this age used disposable nappies and 35% used reusable nappies. If parents can get their child potty trained earlier, the environmental impact of nappy use (for either type) could be reduced.

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