Are Reusable Wipes Cheaper than Disposables

10 January 2024 | Admin

Here's the situation....You're expecting a baby (or maybe baby no2). You're thinking of ways to try and stretch your maternity pay just a bit further and are looking for ways to save money.

Or, you're feeling the pinch with the cost of living crisis - aren't we all!

Maybe you're simply looking at ways to protect the environment and are worried about the amount of single use waste created by using disposable wet wipes and nappies. However you're unsure if the upfront cost of reusable wipes makes sense.

Here at Cheeky Wipes, we've been experts in Simple Reusables since we launched our bestselling reusable wipes kit way back in 2008. Since then we've sold hundreds of thousands of our wipes kits to parents across the UK, Europe and Worldwide, so it's safe to say we know what we're talking about.

The good news is that yes, reusable wipes are cheaper than disposables. There's a higher upfront cost with reusable wipes, but we estimate that the investment pays for itself in around 8 to 10 weeks!

Their extended lifespan and eco-friendly nature make them a financially sound alternative to disposable wipes. And by choosing the Cheeky Wipes kit, you've got everything you need to make the switch to reusable wipes EASY!

"We love cheeky wipes and find them super easy to use and really convenient. My husband was initially hesitant about using them for nappy changes but very quickly came round to it. We are also saving money on not having to buy loads of wet wipes!" Trustpilot Review

Are reusable wipes cheaper than disposable wipes?

How Much Do Disposable Wipes Cost?

Disposable wipes are undeniably convenient. However, their convenience comes at a recurring cost.

We've compared supermarket prices (January 2024) and disposable wipes cost from around 65p at Aldi, to around £2.75 / £3 for premium brands such as Kit & Kin or Water Wipes.

It seems like next to nothing when added to your weekly shop, but this can really add up over the period that your children are in nappies.

How Much Do Reusable Wipes Cost?

Reusable wipes cost between £13.99 for a set of 25 microfibre wipes, perfect for hands & faces to £49.95 for our premium wipes kit, perfect for sensitive skin, which has everything you need to make switching to reusable wipes easy.

Simply soak in water and the included essential oil solutions, use to clean your baby's face or baby bottom, then wash in the washing machine. You can choose between line drying or tumble drying too!

By washing and reusing your wipes, you not only save money but also contribute positively to the environment by reducing waste. Plus reusable wipes can be used on even the most sensitive skin or newborn babies as they can be used with plain water.

How Much Money Can You Save Using Reusable Wipes?

You'll save between £100 and £600+ by using reusable wipes. Even at an initial cost of £50 for the Cheeky Kit, that's a substantial saving, even when comparing with the cheapest supermarket wipes.

Let's break down the savings.

Most families use around 2 packs of single use wipes per week for 2 and a half years, so disposable wipes cost between £169 for Aldi wipes to a whopping £715 for premium bamboo wipes.

The Cheeky Kit costs £50.

There's no need to wash separately, so washing and drying costs every other day as part of a 7kg washload equate to just 6 additional loads of washing per annum, or approximately £7.50 annually. See our blog post 'how much does washing reusable wipes cost' for a full breakdown.

"These are so easy to use and so effective. I am using them with my second baby now and I cannot start to imagine how much money we have saved, how much we haven’t needed to send to landfill and just how much faster and kinder to baby they are. They are the best!" Emma Dickenson, Trustpilot

How Much Money Can You Save Using Reusable Nappies?

We find that often customers try our reusable wipes and love them so much that they go on to try our reusable nappies.

We estimate that you can save at least £300 using reusable nappies, with the cost savings being even higher if you go on to use your nappies for another child, or you sell your nappies on. Find out more in our blogpost 'eco disposable vs reusable nappies'.

Is it Cheaper to Use Wipes or Toilet Paper?

It's cheaper to use reusable wipes rather than toilet paper, even for adult bums. Switching to reusable wipes instead of toilet paper could save families at least £200 per annum.

We've been toilet paper free (guests aside) for around 8 years here at Cheeky HQ and we reckon we've saved more than £3000 over that period.

We've all got lovely clean bottoms too!

Conclusion

The decision between disposable or flushable wipes and reusable wipes involves more than immediate financial implications; it also involves long-term savings and environmental impact. If you're contemplating the switch, explore Cheeky Wipes' range of reusable wipes. Not only do they offer cost-effective solutions, but they're also better for your pocket, the planet and your baby skin too.

As always, if you have ANY questions, please do contact us or complete our wipes questionnaire. We've all used the wipes ourselves, so can answer any questions you might have.

If you would like to do a bit more research, please have a look at these blogs:

About the Author: Helen Rankin founded Cheeky Wipes, the original reusable wipes kit back in 2008 after disposable wipes caused her eczema to flare up. Several years later their range of 'Simple Reusables' expanded to include period pants, reusable panty liners and reusable sanitary pads.

The Cheeky customer services team pride themselves on providing honest, friendly advice and just LOVE to chat pee, poo and periods all day long, helping people make the switch to reusables! The Company was recognised for their hard work in developing environmentally friendly products with the Queens Award in Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2021.