How long do they last?

[draught]

I have kept my stash to two brands so far - GK and BB - hemp and bamboo. I have enough nappies to have DS in them full time and DD2 in them 75% of the time and wash every second day. So I was pretty happy that I didn't need to buy anymore. Then I noticed some elastic stretching in one of my nappies and had the realisation - they don't last forever! So - can people give me their experiences on how long these two brands last so that I can think about whether I might need to buy more and work that into the budget I am meant to be preparing to get our family finances sorted out. (I am not looking for slander, criticism of the brands etc - if you post it I will delete it - the beauty of being a mod :devil6: - I am looking for realistic life spans of GK and BB nappies in an average experience:thumbsup: )

Thanks!

[minime]

Can I say the brand?? I love them, not bad about it but my GK's several are in the bin elastic gone and thats 9 months down the track plus the inner was getting all pilled and thin. (can delete the brand if need be) eeekkk hope I did the right thing! lol

[KarniF00l]

Can i ask how long they have been in rotation for now ?

I've used GK's and BBH's amongst many other's in a fairly decent rotation for almost 8 months now and still going strong.

[minime]

Mine were getting used every 2nd day without fail....for 9 months. So thats over the 100 mark isnt it? Don't they say that PUL only has so may washes in them?

[draught]

Can I say the brand?? I love them, not bad about it but my GK's several are in the bin elastic gone and thats 9 months down the track plus the inner was getting all pilled and thin. (can delete the brand if need be) eeekkk hope I did the right thing! lol

Don't worry - I am not that bad! I am just looking for that sort of feedback. Were yours anytimes or funtimes? I am sort of expecting the funtimes to wear out before the anytimes because of the different fabric. I also don't expect them to last forever as they are getting worn and washed so frequently. Just curious about what the life span might be like.

[minime]

Had some probs with the funtimes with the pul bubbling but I think it was a batch issue. Mine are actually the anytimes that have gone kaput! My very first MCN funtime is still kicking...its still my fav!

[KarniF00l]

Yeah i think they do have a number of washes in them.

2 of many GreenKids have only even piked on me (remember minime ?) but i honestly think it was either faulty PUL (bad batch) or it was something that i did. I've got other's that were purchased at the same time and they are still going strong. It was only these two :thumbsdown:

Anytimes will definitely out live Funtimes because the PUL is a lot softer.

[pookiesossige]

I had to dispose of a GK Funtimes today- it was 5 months old- because of these reasons (I believe):

1. It was my first MCN so was on a very high rotation, when as a cotton pul pocket, it has a shorter lifespan then poly pul

2. My nappies BAKE on the line, from 8am to after the kids are in bed at night :o I get so sunburnt (as in I fry in under 2 mins) so I don't bother bringing them in during the day...

3. I let the applix fill up with stuff and the tabs wouldn't stick down on the laundry tabs well- they didn't have a problem messing up the suedecloth though.

I'm really am very rough on my nappies :o

[stellarella]

The elastic on one side of one of my Bamboo BBH has stretched a bit, which made me wonder how long they will last as ive only been using mine a night nappies on rotation with 4 night nappies.

I think it may be because I stretch the nappy over heaps of boosting. So im more gentle now.

I used to wash in hot water but ive decided to do cold/warm washes now and just a hot occasionally as I want my nappies to go the distance.

[reAllytee]

Ive had what 15 of my GK's on hard rotation for approx 10mths washing every second day etc.
Its only now they are looking sad & sorry for themselves with some piling on the suede cloth & aplix looking a little shabby otherwise working a treat.
Two have started to go in the elastic department & if i really wanted to i could ask Sasha to fix them.
She does this btw so maybe you could ask about yours ?

Funtimes wont last as long as Anytimes due to the cotton but will otherwise keep going for awhile & yes the PUL only has about 100 washes in them. But im over that threshold & still going strong !

If treated well you can get a better life out of them than expected !

[pookiesossige]

I used to wash in hot water but ive decided to do cold/warm washes now and just a hot occasionally as I want my nappies to go the distance.

Does hot water tend to shorten the lifespan of pul?
Oops...Mine get a hot wash (and our water is VERY hot) and a cold rinse... :detective:

[HoopDeeDoo]

I have to wash in hot otherwise they stink :barf:

[stellarella]

It says to wash them in hot...but Im just thinking its gentler to wash on cold or warm...so I might just do that when they are only wee nappies and just do a hot wash occasionally YKWIM....

I only have 3 pocket nappies with PUL...im not a huge fan of PUL to be honest...and I dont have any nappies with aplix...not a fan of that either...

I think fitteds with snaps would last the longest...what does everyone else think??

[cheezelkat]

I noticed the elastic on some of mine going too.

I will try and fix the elastic myself one day this week- other than that, I've just gone to using terrys during the day and leaving the fancy schmancy nappies for out and about. Hoping they will last longer that way!

Yeah, I'd agree fitteds with snaps have the longest life span. Maybe though some of the snappiable nappies could outlast them because you would get a better fit range, even with dodgy elastic.

[HoopDeeDoo]

snaps break, but hemp and bamboo would last longer then PUL I think

[stellarella]

snaps break,


Eeeek, I never thought of that?? Ive never had a broken snap. Does that happen often?

[HoopDeeDoo]

Well one of my peapod snaps is broken already, but they are a cheaper nappy. Lots of the boy's clothes have broken snaps, even a very expensive pair of overalls from Myers :yes:

[stellarella]

Well one of my peapod snaps is broken already, but they are a cheaper nappy. Lots of the boy's clothes have broken snaps, even a very expensive pair of overalls from Myers :yes:

But what about nappies....??

I only have rather expensive nappies...my BBH's are the cheapest nappy I have!

I would expect the snaps on a $30 nappy to last quite a while...:confused:
Oh well, I shall see in time...

OR...I will just have to tell DP I need to keep trading my nappies in before they get too old and lose too much value...like a car...that way I can keep getting new ones...muahahaha:devil6: :laughing:

[HoopDeeDoo]

:laughing: That will work! I think it's a case of luck of the draw, but i'm sure you could get it fixed if they break as long as they don't actually pull through and leave a hole

[pookiesossige]

I'm finding that my best-looking nappies after tons of rough care are my Swaddlebee organic velour side-snapping pockets.
- the velour is... well, velour! No pilling or damage from velcro snagging etc. And I like natural fibers against A's skin :yes:
- The snaps seem to last so much better.

I do like my BBB's and GKs- My BBB's are wonderful, but for a longer lasting pocket, I'm not a fan of suedecloth. Sherpa and velour with snaps all the way :thumbsup:

I'm not the first one to say this, but oh how I wish GK Anytimes/Funtimes came with snaps!!

[stellarella]

I'm not the first one to say this, but oh how I wish GK Anytimes/Funtimes came with snaps!!

I would try one if they had snaps :yes:

But I cant bring myself to buy one with aplix...I just dont like it.

Apparently you either love aplix or you loathe it...is that true??

Im the latter.

[sopolicha]

I have been using my BBH for around 18 months. The leg elastic has gone in a few of those, or is going.

The BBH lady sent me some instructions on how to replace the elastic. Looks pretty easy.

Off to Spotlight I go..............

[MCNmummyof2]

My velcro on my greenkids is already looking sad, the soft side is all pilled etc, and Ive only had them for about 6 weeks. Im thinking if PUL only has 100 washes, I might look into other options!!

[draught]

Thanks guys - I will work on the 100 washes theory and keep in mind that repairs can happen....and leave some room in the budget for a few more nappies down the line

[Mor]

have you considered replacing the elastic before throwing them out, or even selling them on very cheap/giving them away to someone who needs nappies and can sew?

For pocket nappies, it's not hard to run some stretched elastic along the inside seam where the elastic 'was' and zigzag over the top.

For overlocked nappies, there are great instructions on a website from the US, but I can't post the link, so if you want, pm me and I will send the link to you.

In answer to your question... I have nappies from when Matthew was born that I put in a 'repair me' bucket when he was about 2... they were overlocked, various brands, typically hemp or cotton/hemp fitteds and progressively got worse from about 18 months, in a very reasonable rotation with over 24 nappies in total. Since then I have also had the 100% bamboo BBH lose their elastic, but I think the death knell for them was taking them away on holiday and subjecting them to industrial caravan park washing machines! Anyway... you have inspired me to get sewing this afternoon and get some fixed for bub 2... the fabric in the nappies is functional, and either I or someone else can get some more use out of them!

[ikis84]

Apparently you either love aplix or you loathe it...is that true??

I know that I hate aplix... I have kept one GK, just incase I like them down the track... but I am thinking I might be better off selling it to fund more nappy purchases :) I'm not a huge fan of PUL either - the reported short lifespan of it put me off. I wonder when/if they will start making more pockets out of procare?

I have also been using terry's during the day to help keep my fitteds lasting longer.

[GraceUnhearing]

I only have rather expensive nappies...my BBH's are the cheapest nappy I have!

I would expect the snaps on a $30 nappy to last quite a while...:confused:
Oh well, I shall see in time...


ihad a snap break on one of mine the firs time i pulled it apart to wash it. hadnt been used. Davina replaced it for me no problems at all. she said it does happen but very rarely.


:laughing: That will work! I think it's a case of luck of the draw, but i'm sure you could get it fixed if they break as long as they don't actually pull through and leave a hole


mine had a small hole after the snap broke through, but like i said i just contacted Davina and seh fixed everything up no problem.

[gremily]

I've had 18 bb's (12 hemp, 6 bamboo) in heavy rotation for about 9 mths. I've had 1 hemp lose the leg elastic but the rest are fine.
Davina said they can be repaired quite easily - I'm NOT a sewing lady so if I can be bothered I'll find someone to do it for me.
Check this website out for repairing nappies:
Sew Diapers (http://www.sewdiapers.com/showthread.php?t=67)
I've just got some Berry Plush aswell, but the only thing I need to remember with these is to not put them in with lint givers!

I'm a snaps girl, don't like aplix/velcro except on covers. I've had no probs with bb's snaps, I try to be gentle!

When hanging nappies they should be hung so as not to stretch the elastic. This is a photo Davina sent me: How to hang nappies (http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q9/gremily1/P1010600.jpg)

A hot wash is okay once in awhile, but regular exposure to heat (washing and dryer) isn't recommended.
Don't overbake in the sun (I'm guilty!!).
Don't overstretch the elastic.


Hope those links are ok to post:)

[Mor]

Check this website out for repairing nappies:
Sew Diapers
That's the link I was going to post...

[ikis84]

Gremily... thanks for posting that pic of how to hang nappies... I think I will start hanging mine out like that so I don't stretch the elastic out :) It will take up a lot of room though! (And possibly take longer to dry)

[KarniF00l]

That's what i thought Pam. Oh that and how is the sun rays suppous to hit the inner of the nappy when hung out like that ?

[ikis84]

....just put it on with the inside facing out, Karni :p

[cheezelkat]

Maybe you could hang them the other way? So then the PUL doesn't get baked too much in the sun either.

[gremily]

That's the link I was going to post...

hehehe, beat you to it!!:D I haven't actually checked it out, but it was the link Davina sent me re leg elastic on nappy.


That's what i thought Pam. Oh that and how is the sun rays suppous to hit the inner of the nappy when hung out like that ?

I turn mine over after awhile. The longer a nappy takes to dry the less crunchy it will be and the less harm it'll do to the elastic aswell.
I hang them slightly differently to the photo
a) because I can't get pegs on
b) I need pegs on because if they fall off the dog pees on them!! If anything falls off the line it's instantly "marked":mad:

Rather than length ways I hang them the other way in 1/2 (like putting a nappy on). This way I can get a peg on somewhere to hold them on the line.

[KarniF00l]

*gulp* oh dear i can't believe i asked that. What a blonde question to have asked :o

Okay i feel really stupid now *hides back under rock*

[gremily]

*gulp* oh dear i can't believe i asked that. What a blonde question to have asked :o

Okay i feel really stupid now *hides back under rock*

lol!:laughing:

[ikis84]

Poor Karni :laughing:

Are you blonde??

(No offence intended for any blondies out there :))

[KarniF00l]

well i must be eh ? :o

I am originally blonde but i have enhanced it over time.. must be the chemicals haha
Thats my excuse and am i sticking to it!

[kymmy]

We have been using cloth for about 9 months.
The only nappy that is probably ready for repairing is the Baby Eco side snapping. I love it! It was one of the first nappies we tried and the first side snapping. I don't think they make these any more. The elastic has gone in it.
All our other nappies are still going strong.