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SusanMc
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 8:16am | IP Logged
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I'm nearing year three of constant use of our cloth diapers (two boys 1 1/2 years apart). My older son is just getting into undies and the baby has a way to go. I'm just curious how our experience with wear and tear compares with other mamas.
We use a mix of prefolds and covers, BumGenius AIOs, BumGenius pockets and FuzziBunz. I've replaced the elastic in the BG pockets once already and they are probably due for another overhaul. The BG AIOs are losing their velcro stickiness so I need to replace the tabs (I already have the supplies) but the cotton inners are beginning to have holes. The prefolds are in shreds on the outer layers but still servicable. The covers have had the velcro replaced once and are holding up nicely. The FB are in pristine condition.
I'm sure the velcro in the laundry is what is causing the deterioration. (Note to new cloth diapering moms, use prefolds or snap diapers like FB!) So replacing the velcro will likely just accelerate the deterioration of these diapers. My youngest is 15 months so I figure they will be needed for about another year and a half. I do use simple soap, hang the covers and FB to dry, etc. I think it is the washingmachine that really tears them up and I'm not sure that I'm willing to separate out diaper by type.
I'd really like to make this stash work through the end but am I expecting too much from diapers to last that long? (It is quite likely that I am at the end of my childbearing so I'm not really factoring possible future kids into this quandry. If we are blessed with another little one, I'll happily purchase a new stash.)
What has been your experience for diaper longevity?
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 9:09am | IP Logged
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I've only ever used Bumkins long-term - others here and there but not as a regular thing. I LOVE the velcro tabs on them, because they can be closed while in the wash; there can still be some problems (if someone doesn't close the tabs beforehand), but they are minimal. Sooo... I can't help you on that one.
I do know that the cloth portions wore out quicker when my mom was helping us out and using bleach in the wash (big no-no - it deteriorates the fabric) and many popular baby detergent brands contain similar chemicals to act as whiteners that also break down the fabric. (in this case, I ended up ripping out destroyed fabric and just using the AIOs as covers) But that doesn't sound like your problem either....
Some of our diapers, we bought used; all of them have been passed to a friend of mine who has used them with 3 of her children thus far - they seem to be holding up, but require extra liners as time passes (that's 5 children!).
Our extra inserts starting wearing out a bit sooner (very large one layer birds-eye weave), and I didn't pass any of them on (I either kept them for use as rags or stuffing into various household projects, or kept the good ones for other larger cleaning cloths). You can tell which ones I washed every week though!
I'm not sure if any of that helps... If you're looking at just this one more child to finish up, you should be alright for diaper supplies - as long as the waterproof aspects still work, just get some extra liners to fill them in.
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kristacecilia
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 12:35pm | IP Logged
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I have used Mother-Ease diapers and covers... some of the ones in my stash have been in use for 5 years straight! The oldest ones are just showing signs of threadbareness around the stitching. The covers have gone through two children (about 4 years of diapering) and still holding up great!
They are my best cloth diaper purchase, for sure.
I have been using BG AIOs for the past 18 months or so with DD- only at night and when we go to town, etc- and I like them, but I am really disappointed in their durability, considering their cost. Like yours, the velcro on mine are going and at least is very close to no longer sticking at all. I am not having problems with the elastic, but I have heard many other moms having that same problem.
I did not purchase the BG- they were a gift from my mother- but I would not purchase them again if I had to spend my own money. Or I would purchase a limited amount (like 4-5) and use them only at night and during trips to town, and expect to replace them after a year or two. They are very good for times when you can't change them as often, that's for sure!
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mathmama
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| Posted: March 06 2010 at 9:54am | IP Logged
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I can't give much insight with the velcro issue as I have stayed away from velcro like the plague for the reasons you mentioned. My infant prefolds are on their 3rd child. I only use these for the first 4-5 months and then as occasional doublers. They are starting to fray at the edges. We might be able to get through one more child with them, but I am not sure. Our large prefolds are in their 4th year of nearly constant use. They are UB Indian prefolds. They are starting to really fray. I am looking to replace them soon. I think they get broken down when we spray them to get the poo off. But I am still pleased with the amount of time we have gotten to use them. I probably paid between $45-$60 for the 3dz.
Personally, I think that if you get to use diapers on at least 2 kids you are doing well.
Beth
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SusanJ
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| Posted: March 06 2010 at 10:58am | IP Logged
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Our velcro wrap covers were the first thing to wear out in my varied stash. After fours years and two babies we decided to go with all Fuzzi Bunz with out third and on. They have held up the best by far.
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ladycarobe
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| Posted: March 06 2010 at 11:45am | IP Logged
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I have been using Mother-Ease diapers for 6 years now and they are still going strong.
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best wishes,
Ladycarobe.
mom to dd6  , dd4  and dd2  and pregnant.
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Marcia
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| Posted: March 06 2010 at 3:30pm | IP Logged
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FB here are going to be on baby #5 since they were purchased with baby #2. The Motherease I have is holding up too. Everything else has been replaced.
I did buy some blueberry with the last baby and they are looking brandnew.
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MarieC
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| Posted: March 08 2010 at 6:54pm | IP Logged
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Marcia wrote:
I did buy some blueberry with the last baby and they are looking brandnew.
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This is my first go-round with cloth diapering (baby #6), but the Blueberry covers and pocket diaper I bought last summer do up really well. Love their coverall covers. That said, I just got a Thirsties duo cover in the mail today and it is VERY similar to the coverall but several dollars cheaper. I went with the snap Thirsties cover. My snap Coverall (blueberry) looks in better shape than the velcro coverall.
I always thought snaps would be so complicated and a pain, but instead they are my favorites.
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SusanMc
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| Posted: March 15 2010 at 2:30pm | IP Logged
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Thanks all for your responses. I suppose mine are within the realm of normal wear and tear although a little on the early side. If I had it to do over again I'd opt for only prefolds, and covers or pockets with snaps!
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Topic: Durability of Cloth Diapers
