Do AIOs get as clean?

[scribbles]

I am currently trying out several types of CD, and while I didn't think I'd like AIOs, am surprised to find that there may be a few instances when one might come in handy. (Perhaps this is just because I am so new at CD.) I wonder, though, if an AIO gets as clean in the wash as a pre-fold or insert that comes out. I'd appreciate thoughts on this!

[yamilee21]

I've never had an issue with AIOs not getting clean. However, the AIOs I use have cotton or hemp-cotton interiors, not microfibre. I have had trouble getting microbre clean, which is why I never bought AIOs that contained microfibre.

[Adaline'sMama]

I have a couple of AIO's that were handed down to me (with microfibre) and they stink! The first time DD wore them they smelled so bad, and ive tried everything I can to rid them of that urine smell, with no results.

[alegna]

We use nearly all AIOs. Mine have hemp inners and snap in soakers so they do get nice and clean. We've never had an issue.

-Angela

[HappyMamaBeth]

Originally Posted by yamilee21

I've never had an issue with AIOs not getting clean. However, the AIOs I use have cotton or hemp-cotton interiors, not microfibre. I have had trouble getting microbre clean, which is why I never bought AIOs that contained microfibre.

Originally Posted by alegna

We use nearly all AIOs. Mine have hemp inners and snap in soakers so they do get nice and clean. We've never had an issue.

-Angela

Sorry to thread-jack, but can I ask what kind of AIO's you ladies use, since you mentioned they don't have microfiber.

Thanks!

[TangoMama]

We have three BumGenius Organic AIOs as part of our stash and I've been using them for 3 months. They have an organic cotton inner and they do come out of the wash totally clean - no stink issues at all. They do take longer to dry though - after the regular dry cycle with the rest of the diapers (prefolds, BG 4.0s, and covers), I hang them up for several hours for them to completely dry. The area where the two linings inside are sewn together needs the extra time - the rest of the diaper is dry.

[stephbrownthinks]

I have 4 bumgenius AIO's. We have a LARGE cloth diaper stash with all sorts of pockets, prefolds, flats, and fitted's. For pockets we use both hemp and microfiber. The ONLY stink issue I have ever had is with the BG AIO's. No matter what I do, they smell "musty." Ive tried different types of detergents, a little bleach, vinegar, peroxide, more soap, less soap, more rinses, soaking, boiling, line drying, dryer drying, line drying then going in the dryer on hot... nope, just musty.

Its not overwhelming, but if I give them the sniff test they just never smell clean like the rest. Plus they take forever to dry.

We also have a few of the Bumgenius Elementals (organic) which are pretty much an AIO. I like those. They don't smell, are super absorbent, but also take a long time to dry.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by HappyMamaBeth

Sorry to thread-jack, but can I ask what kind of AIO's you ladies use, since you mentioned they don't have microfiber.

Thanks!

Lucy's Hope chest

www.lucyshopechest.com


-Angela

[Carma]

An AIO has a waterproof layer on one side, so I think it will wash less well. Water cannot soak through it very well. They also take a long time to dry.

Carma

[yamilee21]

Originally Posted by HappyMamaBeth

Sorry to thread-jack, but can I ask what kind of AIO's you ladies use, since you mentioned they don't have microfiber.

Thanks!

We have Bumkins, Mother-Ease, Pro-Rap, Blue Penguin Re-Uz'Em, and [old-style] Rumpsters AIOs.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by Carma

An AIO has a waterproof layer on one side, so I think it will wash less well. Water cannot soak through it very well. They also take a long time to dry.

Carma

Mine wash and dry just as well and quickly as prefolds. In fact, my aios dry faster than prefolds.

(disclaimer- the kind I have are now sometimes called ai2s since the soaker snaps in- but I never unsnap them and if they come apart in the wash just snap them when they come out.)

-Angela

[Carma]

I have two 'regular' AIOs they take a long time to dry. I turn the inside out to speed it up. Those AI2s sound nice. I have mostly pockets, no need for stuffing would be nice.

Carma

[ChetMC]

Originally Posted by Carma

An AIO has a waterproof layer on one side, so I think it will wash less well. Water cannot soak through it very well. They also take a long time to dry.

A lot of people have no problems getting AIO diapers clean. We have a high end German washing machine and it can get anything clean.

However, if you're going to have trouble getting diapers clean, AIOs are a common source of problems. They waterproofing limits water flow in the washer and airflow in the dryer. Natural fibres are better, but some people still have issues.

Over the years, we have gradually moved away from all AIOs. My complaints are :

- with a separate diaper and cover system you don't wash the cover every time, but with an AIO you have to wash the cover every time even though it's not necessary.

- using separate covers and diapers, when one part wears out you still have the other, with an AIO when the waterproofing goes, or the fabric starts to fray the whole thing is likely garbage.

- when elastics go on fitted diapers it doesn't matter as long as your covers still have elastics, when elastics go on AIOs they need to be fixed or the diaper is pretty much garbage.

[rightkindofme]

We've been using Swaddlebee's side snap AIOs for years with no smell whatsoever. My older daughter outgrew the smalls around six months and is just now outgrowing the larges at 2.5. We skipped medium. Now they are on kid #2.