Last night we had a grand ‘ole time taking turns wearing Nick’s new “hat.” Nicky put it on himself and couldn’t stop giggling. He thought he was the coolest idea ever, and eventually he decided that Mom and Dad needed to participate, too, so we all wore diapers on our heads for an embarrassing amount of time.

I finally received some feedback from customer service at Cottonbabies regarding bumGenius odor issues. I thought I would share what they told me in case it benefits anyone else. I e-mailed them a few times, and here is what they said:

Q: How do I eliminate odor from my BG inserts?

A: We are sorry to hear that you are having some odor issues with your bumGenius diapers. Usually odor issues are a sign of build-up of some kind on your diapers. It is imperative to make sure that you are using an appropriate detergent and that you are not using any diaper rash creams without a protective layer of material between your baby and the bumGenius diaper. Often times enzymes, perfumes, or diaper creams are the culprits behind stinky diapers.

Britt: I have not used any rash cream, and I have been using Purex Free and Clear which was recommended by Cottonbabies.

Diaper rashes are unusual when using cloth diapers, but not unheard of. If your child should develop a rash and you choose to use a rash cream, you should use a bumGenius Stay-dry Liner or a piece of fleece between your baby’s bottom and the diaper to prevent the cream from transferring onto the diapers. The liner that you choose should be washed separately from your diapers as the oils in the creams can also be transfered through the washing cycles.

If you’ve been using a detergent or rash creams that might be causing buildup, we recommend “stripping” your diapers. Wash your diapers 3 times in hot water. The first wash with approximately one tablespoon of liquid Dawn dish washing detergent in your regular washing machine and 1 teaspoon in a high efficiency machine and 1/4 a cup of chlorine bleach. It must be Dawn - and in it’s original formula. Concentrated Dawn is acceptable, however you should lower the amount you use by half. You should do the next two washes in clear hot water, although not over 150 degrees. You may use bleach once a month on your diapers and inserts without fear of harming them. Dry your diapers in the dryer on medium heat. This procedure effectively removes detergent residue from your diapers and should solve any problems with odor. With tough diaper rash cream stains, you may need to use a toothbrush or nail brush to work the Dawn into the stained fabric area. The brush will help get the Dawn in between all the fibers of the fabric and get out the rash cream stain.

To prevent an odor problem from re-occurring, be sure that you are washing your diapers with an additive free laundry detergent. Approved detergents are free of dyes, enzymes, perfumes, whiteners and brighteners. Using detergents containing these ingredients will cause damage to your diaper including elastic failure and leaking. Do not use extra additives in your wash (like baking soda or vinegar). They are generally unnecessary and can actually cause problems with your diapers and void any applicable warranty.

Unfortunately, I’ve already tried these methods without success, but I asked a few more questions just to see what other options I have.

Q: Can I use Bac-Out with BGs?

A: Do not use Bac-Out on your bumGenius diapers. Bac-Out is a wonderful product for prefolds but on the more advanced products such as bumGenius it will cause leaking and odor problems.

This is good to know, but I’m *this close* to using it anyway because a lot of people have recommended it. I just don’t want to void my warranty, so I’m going to use this option as a last resort.

Q: I have hard water. Is it okay to use Calgon with BGs?

A: Yes you can use Calgon with your bumGenius diapers.

Cottonbabies has been great to answer all of my questions, and they have a very nice return policy, so if it comes down to it, I will return my BGs, but that, again, is a last resort. For now I’m going to try using some Calgon to see if softening my water will help. I’m also going to try a different detergent; a natural one rather than a free and clear variety, and see if that helps.

I’m feeling a lot better about things today. I really think the Calgon might help, but I’ll keep you updated on my progress.

Six years ago P.K. ( Pre-kid) my husband came home with the news that friends* of his had had their baby daughter, somehow the conversation turned to the fact that they were planning on using Cloth Diapers. My baby-less reaction was Freak Why? And I thought no more about it.

Three years ago, just after my second son was born we attended a birthday at their house for their second child, also a boy. Most of the female half of the couple’s family was there and it was immediately apparent to me that all 400 of her siblings were a bunch of crunchy old, cloth diapering weirdos who were all breastfeeding at least one six year old (even the boys).**

Over the next three years The Female, let’s call her Leah ***  and I, began to hang out all them time, online, in person and of course on the phone so it came as no surprise one day when she told me I had to start using cloth diapers or we could no longer be friends. ****

I actually had been warming to the idea of cloth diapers over the years that I had seen her use them, especially when she used the dumb person friendly fuzzi bunz type. And since Leah and her husband had a Wii and we liked to play, I decided to start using cloth diapers so as not to lose our Wii privileges.

Call me Crunchy, because I am Granola through and through.

I took home twelve of the fuzzi bunz and started using them immediately and immediately discovered how totally disgusting cloth diapering can be. Because if you start out cloth diapering an 18mth old who poops and not a cute little newborn that squirts…well it’s gross. And it still is.

The whole swishing your hand in the toilet thing? Yuk. There is really no other word.

But there is another way. Toilet sprayers. Buy one. Today! Don’t be like me and think ‘it won’t be that long till he’s potty trained’ because honey? he still ain’t potty trained and I still don’t have a sprayer.

Buy one.

Other than that? The switch to cloth was easy. Right now I’m using just the fuzzi buns, but am planning on moving to pre folds soon.

Why do I cloth diaper? Because it is cheaper than buying diapers. I love the earth. I do. And I want to raise my children to love the Earth as much as I do but the truth is? We’re not made of money, and we like to eat. Cloth diapers helps us to save money each month, and it helps me to feel better about the choices I make as a mother, a person, and an Earth inhabitant.

We still use disposable diapers, especially on road trips or when visiting family and friends, because now I have become the Freak! that uses cloth diapers and it’s not something everything can get behind. *****

Oh Hai! Can I put a bunch of poop in your washer? What?! No!?

Cloth diapering is a personal choice just like every other parenting choice if you are vaguely interested in cloth diaper or have been cloth diapering for hundreds of years (boy are you old) feel free to stop by this groovy site Marilyn has concocted, there is sure to be some fun stories and information, of course. ******

brit, can be found daily at Running Stitch where she talks about her kids, her dogs, her husband, her leaking roof, quilting, and occasionally about running.

_____

*The characters in this story are based on real people who may or may not still be my friends after they read this post, but most likely will be because they know where I live that I love them deep down.

**This is a dramatization.

***Not her real name. Okay. Maybe.

****This may or may not be true, but she is kinda scary.

*****That was a pun.

******I have never used this many asterisks in my life and will never again. I promise.