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But let's see what are these cheap cloth diapers
prefolds?
A "prefold" is a rectangular cloth that gets its name
from the way it's been folded and stitched to have multiple layers of
thickness down the middle to soak up the wetness. This seriously cuts
down on the amount of origami-bending you have to do to wrap the cloth
diaper around your baby's bum.
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Prefold cloth diapers are typically made of bleached or
unbleached cotton. You can also get organic prefold diapers as well as
prefolds made from flannel and hemp jersey or fleece.
Another way of spending less money and get cheap cloth
diapers is to make them yourself!
Let's face it; you can spend a lot on cloth diapers.
They're more economical in the long run, but the initial investment can be
a real obstacle for some families. Here are a few tips on getting started
without breaking the bank.
Making your own cheap cloth diapers
Simple Flannel Prefolds:
Flannel receiving blankets make great prefolds. Cut one in
quarters, and then cut another into eight strips. Cut each strip in half,
for a total of 16. Sew one or two strips into the center third of each
flat diaper for extra absorbency. Of course, you can also avoid the sewing
all together and just use them as flat diapers! Experiment with other
fabrics you already have. Old T-shirts and flannels work great too --
nice, worn ones are so soft against the baby's skin!
Wool Covers:
There are many patterns available online for making wool
covers from old sweaters. Check out the local thrift store for some great
finds. Just be sure you start with 100% wool, then be prepared to
disregard everything you ever learned about how to launder. Here's a good,
simple pattern for "butt sweater" wool covers. (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Oaks/1126/buttsweaterpage.html)
Fleece Covers:
If you know your way around a sewing machine, it's not
difficult at all to whip up a few fleece cheap cloth diapers cover. Use
the pattern for making fitted diapers -- just use fleece instead of
flannel or some other fabric. Keep an eye out for fleece throw blankets,
which are often less expensive than buying the same yardage in the fabric
stores. Old sweatshirts are great, too.
Diaper Swap Groups and Fabric Co-ops:
There are several groups devoted to selling and trading
gently used cheap cloth diapers. Be sure to investigate them carefully
before giving out any information like your real name, address or phone
number. As long as you're careful, diaper swaps can be a great way to
build up a stash without spending a lot of money. Fabric co-ops generally
order large quantities of fabrics to get a wholesale discount, then divide
the fabric up among members. There are co-ops devoted just to diaper
fabrics: fleece, wool, hemp and so on.
EBay
EBay can be another great way to find cheap cloth diapers,
but be sure to check out the online stores first. Often, bidding on eBay
can exceed the retail price of the diaper.
