For Those With bumGenius AIO 3.0s/Stay Dry doublers

[msmiles]

How do you wash your BG AIO 3.0s?

I've searched through countless threads on a handful of mothering websites and can't find anything conclusive. The wash instructions given to me inside the packaging and the wash instructions on each website--cottonbabies and bumGenius--are all conflicting. For instance, one says to use bleach once a month and the other says using bleach will invalidate my warranty. 

Please, please tell me, because I am, sigh, yes, new to cloth diapering (although I've been lurking and researching cloth diapering for months now) and, as most newbie posters, mostly clueless. It just occurred to me that I've been intensively researching how to care for diaper covers and prefolds/flats for my little one that's coming in April, but I bought these AIOs for my 2 1/2 year old to pack for night time use without realizing they may require a different wash/dry routine.

I just want to know specifically:

Do you dry them? I understand that drying can really diminish the durability of aplix, but that sewn on cloth inside the AIO was still pretty soaked when I pulled them out of my front loader. They're hanging to dry in my laundry room, but I don't have much hope that they'll be dry in the morning that way.

Do you wash and/or dry them inside out? I thought that might solve that little dilemma. And that might solve the drying + aplix problems, right? But will drying them harm the PUL?

Do you prewash, cold wash, hot wash, extra rinse, and so on and in what order? I'm expecting only night pee diapers, if that even makes a difference in the wash process.

How much detergent do you use? I just sent them through a lengthy prewash/wash/extra rinse cycle with about 1 tbsp detergent and 1/2 tsp bleach. I was too scared to use any more, but I noticed immediately when I pulled them out of the packaging that they were covered in some sort of icky processing film. My hands are still dry from handling them this afternoon (I have sensitive skin).

All I had was All Free and Clear, and yes, I'm aware that it contains brighteners, but I need the diapers right away. So I guess I decided to go ahead and void my warranty by washing with a detergent with brighteners. So can I go ahead and use baking soda/vinegar on them if necessary? I know there's a lot of disagreement on whether or not bs/v should be used on cds, but I'd like your experienced opinions, not a list of facts.

Is there any prepping involved? I didn't think so, because, as I understand it, prefolds are prepped to wash out the natural fiber oils that reduce absorbency, and I don't think what's inside that AIO is cotton. It looks exactly like the BG Stay Dry doublers I ordered, just sewn inside of the cover. Which has a little pocket, I might add. Which leads me to my next question,

So I put the doubler right against my son's skin, right? Not inside of that pocket? There was a thread like this from less than a year ago and no one really resolved her question. Can I stuff the pocket? Am I supposed to?

Can I wash my covers with the prefolds I'm planning on getting for my April baby? The little pamphlet they came with says washing aplix covers with natural fibers could reduce their efficacy by creating lint in the aplix. 

Should I use a dryer sheet when drying my BG Stay Dry doublers?

And, darnet, which side is which on the doublers? It took me forever to learn that one side is fleece and the other side is microfiber--right?--and that you want the fleece up against their skin so they don't feel any moisture. And isn't microfiber irritating to some children? So knowing which side is which is pretty important, right? I'm pretty annoyed that this information (like what the heck are they made of) wasn't spelled out on the cottonbabies website. In fact, I think the only thing the company mentions below the product is, "Wow, I love these doublers!"

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I didn't realize I had so many questions. There are just so many little factors that effect the absorbency and life of one's cloth diapers. I'm a little embarrassed to have to ask them all, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, and besides, without the mothering.com community, I would be absolutely lost.

[crystal_buffaloe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by msmiles 

How do you wash your BG AIO 3.0s?

I wash mine every day/every other day on the hot wash/cold rinse "heavy soil" setting (even though it is never a full load) with a scoopful of Charlie's soap and about 1/3 cup of vinegar.

I've searched through countless threads on a handful of mothering websites and can't find anything conclusive. The wash instructions given to me inside the packaging and the wash instructions on each website--cottonbabies and bumGenius--are all conflicting. For instance, one says to use bleach once a month and the other says using bleach will invalidate my warranty. 

That's frustrating. I have never used any bleach on any of my CD/CD accessories.

Please, please tell me, because I am, sigh, yes, new to cloth diapering (although I've been lurking and researching cloth diapering for months now) and, as most newbie posters, mostly clueless. It just occurred to me that I've been intensively researching how to care for diaper covers and prefolds/flats for my little one that's coming in April, but I bought these AIOs for my 2 1/2 year old to pack for night time use without realizing they may require a different wash/dry routine.

I just want to know specifically:

Do you dry them? I understand that drying can really diminish the durability of aplix, but that sewn on cloth inside the AIO was still pretty soaked when I pulled them out of my front loader. They're hanging to dry in my laundry room, but I don't have much hope that they'll be dry in the morning that way.

I do dry them, and after 6.5 months of use (DD wore the size small from 6 weeks to 8 months -- I just put them away this week) the aplix is fine (maybe not in perfect condition, but I plan to use them for another kid and I think they'll be fine). I did hang them outside occasionally when we had warmer/nicer weather, though.

Do you wash and/or dry them inside out? I thought that might solve that little dilemma. And that might solve the drying + aplix problems, right? But will drying them harm the PUL?

When I discovered turning them inside out to dry, it was amazing! By turning them inside out, I get them to dry in one regular cycle. I wasn't aware that drying might harm the PUL.

Do you prewash, cold wash, hot wash, extra rinse, and so on and in what order? I'm expecting only night pee diapers, if that even makes a difference in the wash process.

I use an extra rinse if I'm at my mom's (since she's used other detergents in that machine), but I'm not 100% consistent with it at our house.

How much detergent do you use? I just sent them through a lengthy prewash/wash/extra rinse cycle with about 1 tbsp detergent and 1/2 tsp bleach. I was too scared to use any more, but I noticed immediately when I pulled them out of the packaging that they were covered in some sort of icky processing film. My hands are still dry from handling them this afternoon (I have sensitive skin).

I use one tablespoon of Charlie's soap HE.

All I had was All Free and Clear, and yes, I'm aware that it contains brighteners, but I need the diapers right away. So I guess I decided to go ahead and void my warranty by washing with a detergent with brighteners. So can I go ahead and use baking soda/vinegar on them if necessary? I know there's a lot of disagreement on whether or not bs/v should be used on cds, but I'd like your experienced opinions, not a list of facts.

No experience w/ baking soda, but I do use vineager in every wash (we battled thrush early on, and it's a habit I've kept up).

Is there any prepping involved? I didn't think so, because, as I understand it, prefolds are prepped to wash out the natural fiber oils that reduce absorbency, and I don't think what's inside that AIO is cotton. It looks exactly like the BG Stay Dry doublers I ordered, just sewn inside of the cover. Which has a little pocket, I might add. Which leads me to my next question,

Prepping for the AIOs is just a regular wash & dry once.

So I put the doubler right against my son's skin, right? Not inside of that pocket? There was a thread like this from less than a year ago and no one really resolved her question. Can I stuff the pocket? Am I supposed to?

You can put the doubler right against his skin. You can also stuff the pocket if you need to with an insert (so something that couldn't necessarily be put against his skin). You'd then have to pull out whatever you stuffed it with before you washed.

Can I wash my covers with the prefolds I'm planning on getting for my April baby? The little pamphlet they came with says washing aplix covers with natural fibers could reduce their efficacy by creating lint in the aplix. 

I washed all of my natural fibers separately from my other diapers while prepping (and you have to wash and dry them A LOT) -- I threw the prefolds in with loads of jeans, etc. Now that I'm actually using them, I wash all of the diaper stuff together. I use the laundry tabs and am not too paranoid about the aplix.

Should I use a dryer sheet when drying my BG Stay Dry doublers?

I have before, but it's probably not recommended

And, darnet, which side is which on the doublers? It took me forever to learn that one side is fleece and the other side is microfiber--right?--and that you want the fleece up against their skin so they don't feel any moisture. And isn't microfiber irritating to some children? So knowing which side is which is pretty important, right? I'm pretty annoyed that this information (like what the heck are they made of) wasn't spelled out on the cottonbabies website. In fact, I think the only thing the company mentions below the product is, "Wow, I love these doublers!"

The softer side is the one that should touch his skin -- it's a little smoother while the microfiber side has kind of ridges. You could also test this by pouring a little water on the doubler. When I take the doubler out, the underneath (roughish microfiber side) is soaked and the fleece side against DD's skin is MUCH drier. If they're all the same, the tag is sewn on the fleece (against-skin) side on ours, which thoroughly confuses DH.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I didn't realize I had so many questions. There are just so many little factors that effect the absorbency and life of one's cloth diapers. I'm a little embarrassed to have to ask them all, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, and besides, without the mothering.com community, I would be absolutely lost.

No problem! Good luck with your dipes :) I actually like my FB one-size more than my BG AIOs, but DH is a fan and they are easier for grandparents and sticking in the diaper bag.

[msmiles]

Thanks so much! I wasn't sure anyone wanted to tackle my long line of questions.

The tag on the doublers also confused me!

 

[*Jessica*]

Never use dryer sheets with any cloth diapers!  Dryer sheets reduce absorbancy.  I think the other questions I could answer have already been addressed.

[crystal_buffaloe]

Glad to help . I really love cloth diapering and I hope it all works out for you. It's only a little overwhelming at first!