how much time does it actually take to use cloth diapers?

“It’ll take you ages to wash and dry them, who has time for that???”

Is it really that time-consuming? I got so many questions about that, I did a little “experiment”. I actually timed how long it takes me to care for my cloth diapers 😀

(I started cloth diapering as soon as I got out of the hospital with both of my kids. I felt good enough to even wash them myself with my younger one, and for my older daughter my husband took over the washing until I got better. So it really is not a big deal or a lot of work, but if you are unable, or you don’t have help after birth, do what feels right for you.)

BTW, making a fold with a flat cloth diaper takes 10 seconds max once you “master a fold”, and you can do it with one hand, while you hold a baby in the other. I can, and I’m clumsy as hell.

So here are my results 😀

Rinsing all dirty diapers from the day? 5 min, even less if you just rinse them in a washing machine (I have a 10 min rinse off program for small batches of laundry) AFTER you get rid of the poop, of course 😀

That’s 35 minutes a week.

Putting all dirty diapers in the washing machine 2 times a week, taking them out, spreading them on the drying rack and later folding them and putting them in the drawer?  Max 20 minutes 2 times a week. So you have a grand total of 75 minutes a week, and bear in mind that for 5 days a week you only need to spend 5 minutes or less.

No, I don’t count the time my washer takes to complete a washing program because I’m not doing anything 😛

It actually takes me more time to get ready (and I don’t mean get ready with both of my kids :D), go to the store, buy the disposables and get back home. And this way, I don’t have to worry if I’ll ever be out of diapers.

Anyway, you won’t turn into a laundry lady with a broken back and rough hands 😉