… just about sums up the cloth nappy effect. I’m actually quite an advocate for the whole ‘real nappy’ thing. I’m generally encouraged by anything that is environmentally and economically sound ;)
Unlike the mis-described ‘disposable’ nappy, cloth nappies won’t take 500 years to disintegrate after they’re no longer needed, and you can use them over and over and over and over and over … The ability to reuse means that they are infinitely cheaper than their ‘disposable’ counterparts. Somewhat ironically though the initial outlay for cloth nappies can be prohibitively high for those on limited incomes, making it difficult for those who would genuinely benefit from the cost saving to get hold of them, although their is a good second hand market via an array of sources (best avoid e-bay, why not try UK Parents Lounge if you’re looking for some nappies or some advice).
We avoided the problem of not being able to afford them as we bought ours for the lad when we had two incomes and were relatively flush … I doubt we could afford it now :shock:
Aside from the initial outlay, the only real problem that I’ve had with the nappies (in the three years I’ve been using them (not on me you understand, on the children!)) is washing them, which in fairness, has more to do with living in a poorly heated and drafty house (it was never a problem before we moved!) which can make drying a bit of a problem. It’s been for this reason that the lass has only recently gone back into cloth nappies as the weather has improved and I’ve been able to get laundry up on the line.
Laundry isn’t a great reason for not using cloth, since it’s not difficult. Poo gets emptied down the toilet and the nappy itself can be slung in the washing machine … I tend to save up anything that can be boil washed and stick it all in the one wash.
Anyway, it’s quite good from a budgeting point-of-view if you can afford the initial outlay - I tend to think upon it as ‘capital expenditure’ in so far as I know that they will have paid for themselves within six monhts or so and that there are long term savings to be made :)
