Cloth diapers in Singapore: what they cost against disposables, washing them in our humidity and where to buy

Cloth diapers in Singapore cost more on day one and less over the first year. A full-time stash of 24 pocket diapers from local brand The Tiny Otter is $837.60, while disposables at FairPrice cost about 25 to 50 cents each, and Pampers says a newborn can use up to 10 a day. That works out to roughly $720 to $1,450 of disposables in the first year, against a cloth stash that lasts until potty training. The catch is laundry: a pre-wash every day or two, a main wash every few days, and drying that copes with our humidity. If you're not sure, rent a trial pack first; The Tiny Otter and The Nappy Nook, a cloth diaper library, rent three diapers for two weeks for $15.

Cloth vs disposable diapers: the cost

These prices were read on sellers' own websites on 11 October 2026.

To estimate a year of disposables, we used Pampers' chart of how many diapers babies use per day in each size: up to 10 a day in newborn size, 9 in size 1, 8 in size 2 and 7 in size 3. Over 12 months that's about 2,900 diapers, or roughly $720 at 25 cents each and $1,450 at 50 cents. The cloth figures leave out washing costs, which depend on your machine. A cheaper prefold setup pays for itself within months; a pocket stash takes most of the first year, and both can go on to a second child if they're kept in good condition. Our baby cost estimator puts diapers in the context of your other first-year costs.

The types of cloth diaper

For a newborn, pockets and all-in-twos are easiest on a changing table. The Tiny Otter says pull-ups suit a toddler who won't lie down, and that the childcare centres here that accept cloth prefer pull-ups, because staff can change a child standing up. Ask your infant care centre before you buy a full stash. Sizes matter too: many cloth diapers are one-size with snaps, while disposables go by weight, and our diaper size calculator shows when a disposable size will be outgrown.

Washing cloth diapers in Singapore's humidity

The Tiny Otter warns that soiled diapers left more than 3 days before a wash risk mould, smell and ammonia, so the routine is about frequency and air. Here is its wash routine:

1. Take the inserts out of the pocket. Spray or brush poo into the toilet. Breastfed poo dissolves in water, so you can skip this step while your baby is only on breast milk.
2. Put diapers in a dry pail with holes, so they get air. Don't soak them.
3. Pre-wash every 1 to 2 days: the shortest cycle, 40 to 60 degrees C, half a dose of an ordinary detergent. If the main wash is more than 3 days away, pre-wash daily.
4. Main wash every 1 to 4 days: the longest cotton cycle, 40 to 60 degrees C, a full dose. Fill the drum two-thirds to three-quarters when wet. Top it up with baby clothes or small towels if needed.
5. Dry inserts in the sun or a dryer, and dry the waterproof shells in the shade so the coating lasts.

The Tiny Otter advises against baby detergents, which may not clean out heavy soiling, and says a front-loader needs a low-suds detergent. On rainy weeks, a dryer or a dehumidifier in the drying room keeps inserts from staying damp. Wash new inserts once or twice before use; natural fibres only reach full absorbency after 6 to 8 washes, so change more often, about every 1 to 2 hours, in the first weeks.

How many cloth diapers you need

For one baby in cloth full time, The Tiny Otter suggests 24 diapers, assuming 6 a day and a main wash every third day, or 30 to 36 if you'd rather wash less often. Add two dry pails (one for soiled diapers, one for pre-washed ones waiting for the main wash), about 24 cloth wipes, 10 spare inserts for heavy wetters and nights, and a wet bag for outings.

Cloth diapers and diaper rash

Neither type is automatically better for rash. SingHealth says the most common cause is irritation by urine and stools, especially when diapers aren't changed often, with friction from a tight diaper as another cause, and that most rashes clear with regular changes and a barrier cream. HealthHub advises changing a diaper whenever it's soiled. With cloth, that means changing about every 2 to 3 hours, The Tiny Otter's usual gap, and rinsing detergent out well, because leftover detergent can irritate skin. Our guide to diaper rash covers home care and the signs of a yeast rash that needs a doctor.

Where to buy cloth diapers in Singapore

Buy two or three styles before committing to 24, since fit varies with your baby's shape. For a wet bag that fits your outings, see our guide to diaper bags, and for the rest of the newborn list, where to buy baby essentials in Singapore.

Frequently asked questions

Are cloth diapers cheaper than disposables in Singapore?

Usually, over a year. Disposables at FairPrice cost about 25 to 50 cents each, around $720 to $1,450 for a first year of roughly 2,900 diapers. A 24-diaper pocket stash is $837.60 at The Tiny Otter and a prefold setup about $310, before washing costs.

How many cloth diapers do I need?

About 24 for one baby full time, if you do a main wash every third day, or 30 to 36 to wash less often, says The Tiny Otter.

Can I use cloth diapers at infant care?

Not every centre accepts cloth, so ask before you buy. The Tiny Otter says centres that accept cloth prefer pull-ups.

How do I dry cloth diapers when it rains?

Dry inserts in a dryer, or indoors with a fan or dehumidifier, and dry waterproof shells in the shade. Don't leave damp diapers in a closed pail.

Do cloth diapers cause less diaper rash?

Not on their own. SingHealth says rash mostly comes from urine and stools left on the skin, so changing often matters more than the type of diaper.