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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

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Bringing Velcro Diapers Back to Life

I must admit I am guilty of cloth diaper abuse. When I started out with cloth diapering I was cheap and only bought 10 bumGenius All-in-Ones and washed them every day. At the time I thought this was a thrifty way to save money. Although I dutifully secured the hook and loop (aka Velcro) to the laundry tabs they seemed to come apart during each and every wash. The Velcro repeatedly became filled with lint, hair and fuzz. Eventually, the hook and loop started bending backwards and would no longer stay fastened. This often resulted in my house looking like a toddler nudist colony. You know what I am talking about. First you hear riiiiiiiiiiiip immediately followed by the joyful squeals of a toddler in her birthday suit!

Here is what my hook and loop tabs looked like after a few months of use.

When I found out I was expecting baby #2 I realized I needed to find a way to extend the life of my investment. Like many families, one reason I turned to cloth was to SAVE money. I started freaking out that I would need to replace a good portion of my diaper stash. After asking around on Twitter I discovered that bumGenius (Cotton Babies) would provide me with FREE replacement hook and loop and laundry tabs. I sent a quick e-mail to customer service and in just a few days had my replacement kits in hand.

The first part of the job entails taking off the old hook and loop tabs. This seam ripping probably is the most time consuming part of the project. I had my diapers and seam ripper in a bin on my kitchen counter for about a week. I did a few tabs here and there when I had time. It turns out seam ripping is relatively relaxing.

The next step was to sew on the new hook and loop tabs. bumGenius sent clear instructions along with a diagram showing exactly how to sew the tabs onto the diapers. If you can sew at all you should be able to do it with no problem. Unfortunately, I must have been nodding off, daydreaming, or writing love notes in home economics because I can’t sew a stitch. Luckily, my mother-in-law, the always there when I am in a bind Grammyita, is handy with a sewing machine and was willing to help me out. My husband also sewed the hook and loop tabs onto about half of the diapers. Sorry ladies. He’s all mine. In all honesty I absolutely could have done it myself if I didn’t have anyone to help.

The final step was to sew on new laundry tabs. This step is really important because without new laundry tabs your new Velcro will never last. I must admit, we did not take off the old laundry tabs. Instead, the new tabs were sewn directly over the old tabs.


That’s it! It took just a few hours of work to completely replace the hook and loop on ten diapers. OK. So I just sat there eating a sandwich and watching. I was soaking it all in for next time. The finished diapers are just as good as new and are all ready for baby #2.

Just in case you were wondering you need not call the diaper authorities on me. I have long since ended my cloth diaper abuse. I have a much larger stash now, including some great snap diapers, so I know this hook and loop will go the distance- and if not I can always call Grammyita!
-- By Danielle

49 comments:

Samantha said...

This is really good to know. My BG velcro is really wearing and its only been 5 months. I'm actually really bummed about it. I wish I didn't have to replace the velcro, but it's nice to know they will replace it for me if needed!

12566 said...

Wow, this is an awesome little secret that I did not know. I am a little shocked that you can get free replacement hook and loop and laundry tabs! Good to know. Thanks for the tip.

Unknown said...

oh wow, that is fantastic, i had no idea that they would replace the velcro. my poor bg's are a wreck :)

WiseMama said...

You are so funny!! I LOVE reading your blog posts :0)!!

mommasboys said...

I loved this post! Thank you for this i smiled all the way through. I too had to replace my hook and loop and was so thrilled by BG providing everything i needed. :)

Kelly said...

Great to know that BumGenius came through with new tabs for you. I have been using my BG's now for maybe 6 months and my laundry tabs are getting abused. And I was just thinking the other day that I need to figure out what to do with them if I am going to get through #3 with my BGs. Thanks for a the great post.

Twisted Cinderella said...

I am just starting out on my cloth diapering journey. I intend to go out and pick up some cloth diapers this weekend.

Twisted Cinderella said...

I am just starting out on my cloth diapering journey. I intend to pick up some cloth diapers this weekend.

Sarah said...

This post came just in time! I recently received my replacement tabs from cotton babies, but was feeling intimidated to do the repair job. You make it look easy, and my confidence is bolstered. Thanks!

Jut and Chris said...

I need to do that! Thanks for the advice!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for this article! I really need to fix my bumgenius diapers and wasn't sure what to do!

Anna said...

I had no idea that you could get free replacements from the company! Great to know!

Kippy said...

Yes, yes, YES!!! Thank you for sharing this. After CDing for over a year and washing every other day, my BGs are in need of some TLC. I'll get in touch with customer service right away and get to work. I can't wait to revitalize my stash!

smilingsherpa said...

Great post! I was getting worried about this, too, but now I feel a bit more at ease. Can't sew, don't have a sewing machine (or a Grammyita), but my sister would probably do it for me. When did your child start ripping off the diapers? Mine is 10 months and she's figuring it out!

Ashley said...

I'm so excited about this post! I have not bought any bumgenius 3.0 diapers because of negative reviews I have read about the velcro. Seeing this post made me rethink not buying them - if I can get replacement tabs for free and all it takes is a little work - it might be worth the investment after all.

Lisa said...

It's good to know that replacing the velcro isn't too difficult. I currently only have pocket diapers with snaps, but I've considered getting some Bum Genius diapers with velcro to use when I leave my daughter in the nursery at church. I think velcro would be easier for them than trying to figure out the correct snap setting to use.

Adeleide said...

Wow that's great that you're able to replace the velcro that was worn out. Although I would prefer snaps closures just so I don't have to deal with that. Snaps do prolong the life of the diapers.

hosiewosie said...

how fun, can't wait until I need to sew on new tabs. I'll be one to sit and watch too, b/c I can't sew either- may be a learning opportunity though!

Christina's Cookies said...

Thats amazing! Good to know that option is available for when the Velcro on my dipes get really bad.

Crissy said...

I've only done snaps so far. I don't think I'm ready for velcro of any sort. I have no desire to be chasing around a nude baby. But it's good to know these are easily replaced (especially with a talented grams you can go to!)

Ally said...

I learned about the repair kits yesterday. I sent an email to cottonbabies and got a very quick response. I cant wait to give my well loved BG pockets new velcro!

Great post!!

Julia Shober said...

There is also a site online which shows how to convert bumGenius to snaps. Although I haven't done this (yet) it looks pretty simple & snaps last wayyyy longer!

http://www.diaperswappers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=688340

Katrina said...

I can totally relate to this post today. I was awakened this morning at 6:30am to find my little guy sitting in his crib with wet/dirty pj's after taking off his BG when it got dirty...nothing like giving him a bath before 7 in the morning.

The Happy Housewife said...

This is a great tip that I hope I will never need! I am trying to really take care of my bumG's so they last forever. But if I run into the velcro issue now at least I know what to do!
Toni

Unknown said...

Thank you for this article! Some of my BG tabs are starting to peel back. I was considering converting them to snaps, but I was having trouble locating supplies and husband won't use the snaps diapers we have now.

MaryAnne said...

This is great to know, I have 3BG 3.0s, and all three could use new velcro...

Liketohike said...

This is great to know! How nice that their instructions are so easy to follow, too. My BGs will be unworn for a little while longer, but I'm sure we'll use this tip eventually!

Jenn said...

great post :) i should get some of those kits to revive my bg too :)

ONCE upon a time.... said...

excellent to know! i was going to convert all mine to snaps but am having trouble finding snaps and a snap-press that fit together without costing a fortune!! now i can just do this!! thank you!

dirtydiaperlaundry.com said...

This was a great post. I am not handy enough to do it myself though. I have some BG AIO Organics that are falling apart, the velcro strips are about to come completely unsewn. UGH.

rebecca said...

Wow, the replacement tabs aren't listed in the warranty. Unless its for only less than 12 months. I have some ones that are 18 months old and the velcro is really sad, especially the front strip. I will have to contact them and see if they replace that as well.

Sarahjenne said...

Glad to know how to refurbish my BG's for the next baby! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

It doesn't look as nice, because you can see the sewing lines, but I've seen mamas add snaps to bG's too!

Amanda said...

I had heard about this and I really need to get on the ball and get new tabs!

Jenn @ Beautiful Calling said...

Great to know. I have 10 BumGenius too and wash every day. Mine aren't worn out yet but some day they may be!

Thanks so much!!

Jill S. said...

This is awesome!! My diapers' velco has seen better days, i'm excited to call and get some replacement hook and loop!

Upstatemamma said...

Wow!! I had no idea that BG would send replacement kits - I need to remember that.

Sarah Suzy said...

I had no idea you get replacement hook and loop for free! Luckily my BG's are holding up really well for now, but I'll remember this if I ever need it!

Brittany said...

This is so great to know! I have yet to use my BG, but I am already worried about the velcro.

laurakcowan said...

I didn't know this was possible! Thanks for sharing.

Laura C

laurakcowan/at/gmail/dot/com

Brie H said...

I had no idea they did this and I love my BG diapers and some of the tabs need replacing .. thanks for the info!!

thejepps said...

Thrilled that if the time comes I can get replacement velcro. I think I will take your lead as well and recruit my mom to do the sewing...maybe I'll learn a thing or two in the process.

as said...

This is great to know! Some of my BG are not working properly any more.

Lynneskitchen said...

Yay! I'm so happy to know they will send free tabs. Two of my BG's have really pilled wash tabs, but the tabs still look pretty good. I will have to try this. Thanks!

beetleofblue said...

Such good timing! I am in the middle of this project right now! My wash tabs totally stopped working (being sticky), so I emailed Cotton Babies, and they sent over replacements! The hardest part is carfully removing the old tabs. I have been using my 18 BG 3.0s for 17 months.

Pix said...

Just as an fyi, If your laundry tabs stop working an alternative I've heard from other mamas is buy the loop side of some velcro and cut to the right size. Then you can plop the little square of velrco over the hook side when washing, I'm still expecting but I am prepared to try this out :)

rebecca said...

I replaced the laundry tabs and other tabs of my 6 'old' BumGenius diapers. I bought some well loved ones from another mama and she sent her replacements tabs, only no laundry tabs! I bought some aplix and am replacing these. Its a bit of work, but I will have increased my stash so I can have 2 in diapers in January. BGs are my go to diaper.

Tia Nicole said...

That's really amazing, I love the post. I would do it myself, if I was not to afraid that I might mess them up. Does anyone know of a place to send them to and they can do it for me?

Rosemarie said...

After 3 minus I called and got new tabs for my BGs but I can't sew! So right now we're keeping them closed with a snappi until I find a kind person with a sewing machine :)