Thrifty Ways to Reuse Cloth Diapers

How much money did you spend on cloth diapers? $200? $400? Or maybe it was as much as $700? At the time, it was a great investment when you consider that you would have spent $1,500 to $2,000 to diaper a baby in disposables. But, now that the baby is toilet trained, you've got a stack of cloth diapers taking up precious closet space.

The good news is that it's possible to either sell or use the cloth diapers in a new way.

Sell Your Used Cloth Diapers

Many people think that selling used cloth diapers is a no-no. But, new parents who are looking for a bargain are willing to buy used cloth diapers in good condition. A great place to sell your diapers is The Used Diaper Company, an on-line auction service specifically for parents buying and selling used cloth diapers.

Reselling your cloth diapers will recoup some of your original expense. Most people that are interested in buying used cloth diapers are interested in second hand versions of the more expensive, fitted cloth diapers. If you used cotton pre-folds or flats, the resale market is going to be more limited, simply because these diapers are less expensive to buy new.

Be sure the diapers are cleaned thoroughly, including washing off any residue left from diaper creams. This may involve stripping the diapers. Remove stains by drying the diapers on a clothesline in direct sunlight.

If you can't resell your cloth diapers, here are some other uses that will prove that you can get more than your money's worth out of anything, including cloth diapers!

Turn Used Cloth Diapers into Rags

All-cotton pre-fold diapers and diaper flats make excellent rags. They are absorbent and lint free. The durable material is great at tackling the messiest of jobs. Any family with small children will know that you can never have too many rags for cleaning up spills, wiping up paint from various projects and cleaning up any number of other messes.

The diaper flats make wonderful lint-free rags for more delicate cleaning jobs, like cleaning glasses, washing windows and cleaning ornamental light fixtures.

Cloth Diapers can be Used for Pet Care

Cloth diapers make super-absorbent towels for pets. Anyone who has ever washed a dog knows how much water stays in the fur. Instead of using a large towel to dry the dog off, use a small, but highly absorbent cloth diaper. The cloth diapers get the job done and save a little extra room in your laundry.

Turn Cloth Diapers into Practical Household Objects

Thick cotton pre-fold diapers make an excellent lining for pot holders. Simply cut the diaper into quarters, stack and insert into a recycled denim potholder cover. Sew the seams and you've got a thick, homemade pot holder.

Fitted Diapers Become Doll Clothes

Hand down a few small, fitted diapers to a daughter who likes to play with dolls. The smaller-sized diapers will fit a baby doll and will add to the imagination during playtime.

Used Cloth Diapers Become Cloth Menstrual Pads

Frugal women are learning that it's possible to cut out an extra monthly expense by using reusable cloth pads. The truth is, disposable pads are expensive and they can be uncomfortable. Many women have turned to cloth for comfort and frugality. Cloth diapers make excellent menstrual pads.

Simply fold the diapers to fit, or cut and sew them to resemble the size and shape of disposable pads. There are many sources on the internet for patterns and directions. One particularly good source is the Hillbilly Housewife website.

Cloth Diapers Become Extremely Frugal Family Cloth

Some families that are either extremely frugal or extremely environmental use family cloth. Family cloth is a version of cloth toilet "paper". This cloth is reusable and operates under the same principal as cloth diapers or cloth menstrual pads.

Cut the cloth diapers into quarters for smaller, more convenient pieces. Keep a small family cloth bucket in a non-visible place in the bathroom to store the used pieces of family cloth. Wash every few days just like you would cloth diapers.

There are many ways a family can recoup the initial expense of cloth diapers. Resell the diapers, use them as rags, pet towels, doll clothes or turn them into a usable, household item. Cloth diapers can also be reused as cloth menstrual pads or, for the extremely environmental, family cloth. Realizing the full potential of cloth diapers, beyond their initial purpose is truly a frugal solution.

Sources:

http://hillbillyhousewife.com/sanitarypads.htm

Hillbilly Housewife: Homemade Sanitary Pads

Canada Free Press

"Family Cloth" or "Family Wipes" Urged as Eco-Friendly Replacement for Toilet Paper

August 27, 2008

http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/4685

Consumer Reports.org, Cloth Diapers April 2007

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/baby-toddler/care-and-dressing/diapers/cloth-diapers-4-07/overview/0704_cloth-diapers_ov.htm

The Used Diaper Company, myuseddiaper.com