Buy Used Cloth Diapers for Extra Budget Savings

Cloth diapers can save you lots of money versus disposables, and buying gently used cloth diapers can cut your costs even more. Buying used diapers, though, seems like an odd practice at first glance. However, among frugal parents, gently used cloth diapers are a hot commodity for trading and resale.

If you'd like to try several brands of cloth diapers with less investment, or you already have a preferred brand of cloth diapers in mind, look for online forums, cloth diapering websites and local Craigslist or Freecycle posts that mention used cloth diapers.

eBay can be hit or miss for buying used cloth diapers, as the site's rules on used personal items seems to change often. If you can find an auction for used cloth diapers, it's worth your time to bid and see what happens. Know your final price before bidding on cloth diapers, though. Some parents collect their favorite cloth diapers and covers and are willing to escalate a bidding war to get the diapers they want, whether the diapers are used or new.

Whether you buy used cloth diapers from an auction, a forum or a local ad, you'll want to be ready to act fast when you see the kind of diapers you want. Used cloth diapers are in high demand, and good quality, gently used diapers will sell quickly.

When buying used cloth diapers, you may want to find out how the original owner cared for the diapers. Sometimes this information will be present in the advertisement, or you may need to ask. Check with the diaper manufacturer if possible to find out how the diapers should be washed, and try to make sure that the diapers haven't been compromised by bleaching or some other non-recommended washing method.

If you're new to cloth diapering, you may wonder whether used cloth diapers are sanitary enough for your baby. With a little extra care, most used cloth diapers should be fine in terms of cleanliness. Many parents wash used cloth diapers on the hottest wash setting possible before using them for their baby. This is a good idea as long as the hot water will not damage the diaper material. Some newer washers have a sanitary cycle with ultra-hot water that should kill any lingering germs. If your own washer doesn't have this setting, check with a local laundromat too see if a sanitizing washer is available.