When our first daughter was born we had a fairly good income but still my wife who was pretty careful with money, insisted that we use regular cloth diapers.
I still remember rinsing dirty diapers in the toilet then dropping them in a diaper pail. She probably washed them every other day. Washing, using bleach, using fabric softener etc. We did take disposables when traveling.
Dittos. People were amazed that I, as a dad, could change regular diapers. The disposable ones are crazy expensive. Daughters are easier than sons, less chance to get squirted.