My bG 3.0's are dying - a WWYD

LollyBug18

After using my new bG 4.0's for a week, I've realized how worn out my previously owned 3.0's really are. I've known for awhile now that the apilx could use replacing but now I'm seeing that the elastic is really stretched out as well. We have at least one leak a day in them it seems. And on top of that, I was talking with a friend about how they're leaking so easily and she said I probably need to replace the inserts as well, that they've most likely just lost their absorbency since throwing them in the dryer doesn't help. These diapers were used with 2 kids prior to DD and then for the past year with her.

So, I have 18 diapers with bad aplix, elastic and inserts. I just priced out replacing these 3 things on Cottonbabies website and it looks like it'd cost about $75-$80 for 18 new OS inserts and 18 refresher kits. Obviously that's a LOT less than 18 brand new diapers (but brand new ones sure would be nice!). I feel comfortable replacing the aplix but I have no idea how I'd do with the elastic. Plus I'm not sure the refresher kit elastic even works with the 3.0's since they've redone how they do the elastic on the 4.0's - does anyone know? After an especially soaked and leaking dipe after only being on for 20 minutes today, I'm also wondering about the PUL. How do I know that's not part of the problem as well?

Are they worth the time/effort to save? DD is still using them, plus we've got the new baby coming and we still plan/hope to have at least one more baby in the future...WWYD in terms of trying to fix them up, sell them, getting new inserts (which inserts would you get)? If I'm going to put money into fixing these, I don't want to spend more than what I found on cottonbabies. Where do cloth diapers go to die, anyway? Do you know how long a CD will last before no longer being useful?

TIA! 

tokenhoser

I'd buy a dozen new Kawaii and call it a day.

You could RLR strip the inserts and see if that improves the absorbancy. I don't think drying them in the dryer does anything to the life of MF, for what it's worth.

I don't enjoy sewing or repairing diapers. I'd offer them free for shipping if I didn't want to just trash them, but honestly... there's a point where some things are just worn out.

Melissa Catanach

Do you have any pre folds? I brought my BG 3.0s in exact same condition you describe back to life by stuffing with a prefold.  They will still leak sooner than my new ones due to the elastic, but it's much better.

LollyBug18

Melissa Catanach:

Do you have any pre folds? I brought my BG 3.0s in exact same condition you describe back to life by stuffing with a prefold.  They will still leak sooner than my new ones due to the elastic, but it's much better.

I do and I had thought of that but I think it would only work until #2 comes along and I need the prefolds for him/her. 

SoccerMama9

I'd go diaper hunting b/c I'm not a crafty person.  Cottonbabies has a sale going on buy so many and get one free then since you've spent over $75 you get a bubble or sweet free making new diapers under $13 each. 

Aurora_Borealis

I would do 3 things to troubleshoot your diapers. Two of them are pretty easy, one will take an hour or so if you have the supplies on hand.

1. PUL test. Run or pour water inside of one of the diapers (no inserts). If water is seeping through the PUL right away, you need new diapers. Cotton Babies is having a sweet deal still (B5G1 plus a promo code for a free snap sweet or bubble) so it's a good time to need new BGs. If not, proceed to 2 and 3.

2. Insert test. Stuff one of your new diapers with one of the old inserts and use it on your LO. If you don't have leaks or absorbency issues, you'll know the inserts are fine. If not, still try #3, but use one of your new inserts when testing the repaired diaper. If #3 is successful but you need new inserts, I'd get Kawaii if you are hesitant to spring for all new BGs. Kawaii don't have the snap, but they are cheaper and I think they are fluffier.

3. Elastic test. Replace the elastic on just a couple of the 3.0s to see if that solves your problem. I find elastic replacement far easier than Aplix replacement. The elastic in the BG refresher kits should be fine - I've even used it to repair a Swaddlebees. If the replacement elastic is a lot longer than the old piece, just trim it to about the same length. Also, if you have 1/4" wide elastic on hand, you can just use that instead of ordering a kit.

Good luck - I understand wanting to buy new diapers, but also wanting to make the ones you have work!

 

LollyBug18

Aurora_Borealis:

I would do 3 things to troubleshoot your diapers. Two of them are pretty easy, one will take an hour or so if you have the supplies on hand.

...

Good luck - I understand wanting to buy new diapers, but also wanting to make the ones you have work!

Thanks for all the tips. I tried the PUL test and was secretly hoping the water would go straight through, lol, but it didn't at all. So I suppose that's a good thing. I'll try the other two tests today.