Parents weighing up cloth diapers tend to land on the same questions fairly quickly: what does it actually cost compared with disposables, what happens to the environment — and what are the materials sitting against the skin?
The short answer is that it's your choice. The longer answer is about what you actually know when you make that decision. Cost, environmental impact and materials — there are real numbers on all of it, and that's what we go through here.
The cost — what do the numbers show?
The simplest place to start is to count the whole diapering period. Most children are out of diapers somewhere between 2.5 and 3 years.
Disposables cost on average SEK 2.50–4 each depending on the brand. Across the whole period a child needs roughly 5,700 diapers. That works out at a total of around SEK 15,000 for standard brands — premium diapers can climb towards SEK 20,000.
Cloth diapers require an investment up front. A practical base set — enough to manage everyday life with a wash every other day — usually lands at SEK 4,000–5,000 to buy in. Add in the washing across the whole period and the total comes to around SEK 8,000. The base diapers are the same whether you have one child or three — the next child only costs a new wash budget.
| Disposables | Cloth diapers | |
|---|---|---|
| Start-up cost | None | SEK 4,000–5,000 |
| Running cost | Approx. SEK 400–600/month | Electricity + detergent (approx. SEK 50–100/month) |
| Total cost | Approx. SEK 15,000 (standard) | Approx. SEK 8,000 (incl. washing) |
| Resale value | None | Yes — sell them on |
That means a family choosing cloth diapers can save up to SEK 10,000 on one child — and more again if the diapers go on to a sibling. In Sweden the child allowance (barnbidrag) is SEK 1,250 a month — roughly a third of that goes on disposables during the diapering period.
We update the figures each year.
The environment — what do we actually know?
One child leaves behind around 5,700 disposable diapers. In Sweden they go to incineration. They can't be reused.
Cloth diapers are used over and over — by the same child, and then by a sibling or a new family. It's a different relationship with the material.
What you can influence is how you wash. What makes a difference:
- Wash at 60°C — the right temperature for cleaning
- Air-dry — don't tumble. Cloth diapers dry quickly on an indoor rack (or a little sun on the inserts if you need to tackle stains)
- Run a full machine — if you don't have enough diapers to fill the machine, you can pre-wash them on a short 30°C cycle and then add them to another 60°C load
The most important thing is to use what you buy and look after it. That's where reusables make the biggest difference. There's more on reducing waste and the environmental upsides of cloth diapers in a guide of its own.
Health and materials — what is PFAS and why is it talked about?
The third question is about what actually sits against your baby's skin.
PFAS is a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals used among other things for water- and grease-repellent properties in textiles and packaging. They're sometimes called "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly in the environment, and they're found in measurable amounts in soil, water and human bodies.
The EU is tightening its regulation of PFAS in consumer products step by step during 2026. It's still an active research field, but the growing attention has led many parents to ask: what's in the diapers we use every day?
Our diapers and prefolds are made from OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certified materials — an independent certificate that tests against a list of harmful substances and requires the product to be free from them. The waterproof layer in our diaper covers (TPU) is another alternative to the coatings that can contain PFAS.
The Basic pocket and Basic inserts are tested by SGS.
It doesn't have to be either/or
Many families run a combination. Cloth in the daytime, disposables when you're away for a couple of days, perhaps disposables in the first weeks with a newborn. That's a perfectly reasonable setup.
The cost benefits apply in proportion to how much you actually use the cloth diapers. Environmentally, the same holds. The most important thing is to have a setup that genuinely works in everyday life — otherwise the diapers end up in a drawer, unused.
Common questions
Are cloth diapers really cheaper once you count in all the washing?
Yes, for most families. The washing and electricity cost for cloth diapers usually lands at SEK 50–100 a month, which is far below the running cost of disposables (SEK 400–700/month). The maths holds up well — and it improves if the diapers go on to the next child.
How do you know the cloth diapers are safe for the skin?
Look for independent certifications, above all OEKO-Tex Standard 100. It's a certificate that requires the material to be tested and free from a list of harmful substances, including a number of PFAS compounds.
What does a starter kit actually cost?
It depends on how many diapers you want and whether you choose a complete starter kit or build your own. We have kits in our Starter Kits set up to cover everyday life with a wash every other day. If you want to compare models first, our buying guide can help you choose.
Can you switch to cloth diapers partway through the diapering period?
Yes, absolutely. The most common path is to start with disposables, try cloth a little cautiously and then switch over more and more. There's no "right" moment to begin.
What happens to the cloth diapers after your child is out of diapers?
They're sold on, given away or saved for the next child. That's part of the maths — and a big part of the sustainability thinking.
Getting started if you're curious
There's no need to go all in straight away. Many start with a small test kit to see how it fits their everyday life — and that's exactly what our starter kits are for.
Read onCloth diapers — the complete guideStyles, fit and washing — all step by step.Read the guide →By Emelie Bengtsson