We sell both cloth and disposable diapers, so we have no reason to push either. The real differences are in your day: effort, laundry, outings, nights and storage. This guide compares those and leaves cost aside, because prices change and laundry costs differ from home to home.
We sell both, so here is the plain comparison
Neither choice is right for every household. Disposables ask less of your time and need no laundry. Cloth asks for a laundry routine and some drying space, and in return you build a stash instead of buying pack after pack. Choose by what your days look like, not by what anyone says you should do.
| What to compare | Cloth | Disposable |
|---|---|---|
| Each change | Used diaper goes into a wet bag or pail | Used diaper is wrapped and binned |
| Laundry | A regular wash and somewhere to dry | None |
| Outings | Carry a wet bag and bring used diapers home | Bin each one as you go |
| Nights | Extra inserts or boosters, more bulk | An overnight style in the right size |
| Storage | A stash, a pail or wet bag and drying space | Shelf space for packs, plus a bin or pail |
| Restocking | Bought once, added to as needed | Bought pack by pack |
Time and effort day to day
A disposable change is open, change, wrap and bin. A cloth change adds one step at the end: the used diaper goes into a wet bag or pail, with solids tipped into the toilet first. Then there is the laundry, plus any prep your style needs, such as stuffing pocket diapers with their inserts.
Both need restocking. With disposables, that means buying packs and moving up a size as your child grows. With cloth, you buy once for many changes, and some styles are sold in sizes while others are one size. The Esembly Cloth Diaper Bundle, 3 Inners and 1 Outer, Botanic Gardens, Size 1 is sold in a size, so check the product page for its size range.
Laundry and drying space
Disposables ask nothing of your laundry room. Cloth needs a washer, though hand washing is possible for a small stash and is more work. You also need room to hang or lay diapers while they dry, and a plan for winter, when drying outdoors is not practical.
Think about where used diapers wait between washes and where clean ones dry. If you share laundry facilities, work out how a regular wash day would fit around your neighbours.
Outings and travel
Disposables are easy to pack and simple to deal with: take what you need and bin each one as you go. Cloth needs one extra item, a waterproof wet bag for used diapers, and a way to wash when you get home. For a day out, that is simple. For a long trip, check whether you will have laundry access before you decide.
Nights
Nights mean longer stretches between changes, so absorbency and fit matter most. Cloth families often add extra inserts or boosters, which can make the diaper bulkier. Disposable families can look for an overnight style, and Huggies Overnites Diapers, Size 4, 100 Count is one product to look at (pick the size for your child).
Either type can leak at night if the fit or size is off, so check the leg and waist fit before changing products. Many families try a few combinations before one works.
Household waste and storage
Disposables fill a bin quickly. A lidded diaper pail or a regular trip to the outdoor bin becomes part of the routine, and bulk packs need shelf space. For rules about where used diapers can go, check your municipality's guidelines.
Cloth does not fill the garbage in the same way, but a stash needs a place to live, plus a pail or wet bag for used diapers and a laundry basket. Which takes more space depends on pack sizes and how often you wash.
Mixing both is a normal choice
You do not have to choose one. Many families use cloth at home and disposables when out, or cloth by day and disposables at night, and change the mix as life changes. A small cloth stash is enough to try it, and a pack of disposables is a sensible backup. Browse our cloth and reusable diapers and baby diapers and training pants side by side.
A few questions can help you decide:
- Do you have a washer and somewhere to dry diapers?
- Who will handle diapers most days, and what do they prefer?
- Are nights or outings the hardest part of your week?
- Would you rather start with a trial than a full commitment?
Shop this guide
- Splash About Happy Nappy Reusable Swim Diaper, Orange, 2-3 Year (ships via Amazon)
- Pampers Swaddlers Diapers, Size 7, 88 Count (ships via Amazon)
- ALVABABY Newborn Pocket Cloth Diapers with Inserts, Blue & Red, 6 Pack (ships via Amazon)
- Huggies Overnites Diapers, Size 3, 132 Count (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Cloth & Reusable Diapers
- See all: Baby Diapers & Training Pants
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Common questions
Is one gentler on skin?
Skin reacts to many things, including fit, how soon a diaper is changed and the products used, so we cannot say either type is gentler. If you see redness, a rash or broken skin that is not improving, ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, and follow the label on any rash product.
Can I try cloth without committing?
Yes. A starter set or a few diapers is enough to try, and disposables can cover the rest while you decide.
Do cloth diapers fit under regular clothes?
Cloth can be bulkier than a disposable, especially with extra inserts for nights, so some families go up a size in pants or sleepers. Try your child's usual clothes over the diaper before buying anything new.
Which works for a newborn?
Both can, but check the size and weight range on each product page, because a diaper that is too big will not fit well.
Still deciding? Contact us and we will help you choose. We reply within one business day.