Monday, December 22, 2014

**SoftBums TREE Contest and Holiday Diaper Giveaway!!** COMPLETED

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TREE IS UP!  THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP!  

We Chose TREE #1!  

It's beautiful, and the kids had so much fun decorating it up.  We put all the non-breakable ornaments near the bottom for the baby, and it worked out perfectly!  Stockings are hung, reindeer food is out, cookies are done, I think we are ready!

See below for winners!!





HELP US PICK OUR TREE!!!

ONLY 3 MORE DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!!!




TREE #1

TREE #2 

OR, TREE #3?
AND JUST FOR FUN, WE ARE GIVING AWAY SOME COOL PRIZES TOO!

ENTER BELOW!




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Monday, December 15, 2014

**SoftBums Limited Edition Diapers for Sale NOW!!** OVER

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SoftBums Customer's Choice Available NOW! 



Customer's Choice Limited Edition Embroidered Diapers!

You've voted and your Favorite Embroidered Diaper has been chosen!  
Snowflake Diapers NOW OPEN for purchase!  

We've put together a nice Holiday Package for you!  $69.95

This includes:

1 OMNI Shell
1 ECHO Shell
2 Large Bamboo PODS

Get them now, because they will sell out!  VERY Limited!


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Saturday, December 13, 2014

**12 Days of SoftBums SALE!!** OVER

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We have some AMAZING SALES lined up for you!



Now is a great time to stock up on some diapers for your little one.  And, there are a million reasons why you need more diapers, but here are our top 3 favorites:

1.    It's FUN! You can never have enough cloth diapers.  As, long as you are washing every 3-4 days max, there is no limit to how many diapers you should own. Pick out a new diaper with every outfit!  SoftBums Solids match so much!
2.     It's Easier!  The more diapers you own the easier it is to function when things get busy!  We have busy families too, and we understand how crazy life can get.  When you have more diapers, you can wait longer to wash without running out of diapers!  This helps immensely!
3.    Your diapers last longer! The more diapers you have in your stash, the less wear and tear each diaper gets.


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Friday, December 12, 2014

SoftBums Customer's Choice Holiday Limited Diaper!

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So many wonderful things this Season for you at SoftBums!  We have them all listed below for you!

  1. Customers get to choose their FAVORITE Embroidery Design!  

These will get sewn on the back of a LIMITED number of SoftBums Omni Diaper and will be available for sale on www.softbums.com on December 15th!

WHICH WILL WIN????



 "SNOWFLAKE"   
OR        "LET IT SNOW"


CLICK HERE to VOTE for your Favorite!

2. Sign up to WIN A LIMITED SoftBums Holiday Diaper:
 LINK HERE.


        3.  We are introducing our NEW "SoftBums Spoiled Collection" Soon!  If you would like to keep up to date on the latest Stocking, please sign up HERE


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Monday, December 1, 2014

Win all of the diapers!

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We have so many exciting things going on this Holiday season for those that follow SoftBums! Currently we have a Poll for YOU to choose which diaper should be made for Christmas and TWO giveaways!!!  I have listed all of the sign up forms below, don't miss out on any of these opportunities! They won't last long!!



1. Snow Flake or Let it Snow, this is the ultimate Christmas Choice question! Choose which embroidery option you love most. Link HERE.


2. Sign up to WIN one of these special Christmas diapers HERE.

3. ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!! We are giving away a Born Free Echo to one lucky participant! Sign up below!


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Have you signed up yet for the Secret Cyber Monday Deals????

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BOY Have We Got Some SWEET DEALS For You!!!

You'll be walk'in away whistling from this sale, because we have got some really fun stuff up our sleeves!  But, you can't find out about the deals, until you sign up for the Secret Deals Email!

Randomly, we will add, and take away special surprizes just for you......... allllll day long!  How FUN!







SIGN UP HERE!!!!!!!

(Because a little birdie told me there might be some HTF's in there, and a few other cool things too!)
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Friday, November 28, 2014

**Super SoftBums Black Friday SALE!!!** OVER

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We are SO excited to announce our Black Friday Sale here at SoftBums! ALL shells will be 15% off on Friday, November 28 from 10am-12pm CST. Have you been eying that Born Free or Wild?! Well, now's your chance to stock up!
And, just because we love you guys so much, there will be a SPECIAL discount page on CYBER MONDAY, directly on www.SoftBums.com with new deals going on all day! Special Alert email sent out to those who have signed up, so make sure you check your emails so you have hear it first! Only available one day, and all special deals are suuuuper limited!
Trust us....you won't want to miss this!
See you at 10am CST!
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Friday, November 21, 2014

Customer's Christmas Choice

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 Today is the day we let YOU decide what we should make for your baby's bum!!!

                                       

For this Holiday Season we are thinking embroidery! There is nothing more classic than a special diaper sewn just for you! We have narrowed it down to the two adorable options above. Now all we need are your opinions! Whichever option wins will be placed upon a beloved SoftBums. Just in time for the Holidays and it makes a perfect stocking stuffer.

So here we go! Now all we need is your opinion! Click the link marked "Vote Here" below to be taken to our survey. This survey will run form November 21-November 23rd. Thank you for participating!!


Link to vote through Survey Monkey: VOTE HERE


BONUS!!!!  What would a special holiday diaper be without a GIVEAWAY to go with it!? Please enter through the rafflecopter below for a chance to win the winning diaper!
Good Luck to ALL!


**For more SoftBums Information or to make an order please click here**

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Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Change-Diapers Best of 2014 Nominations

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http://change-diapers.com/2014/11/change-diapers-best-of-2014-nominations-open/
You guys! We are so excited to be on the nominations list in 3 categories for Change-Diapers.com.  You can vote for SoftBums under the following:
  • Best New Accessory of 2014 - SoftBums Hybrids
  • Best New Solid Color of 2014 - SoftBums Midnight
  • Best New Print of 2014 - SoftBums American Baby Collection, SoftBums Out of this World Collection, and SoftBums Summer Splash Collection

We want to say THANK YOU for nominating us for these awesome categories by doing a FUN giveaway! Since we are nominated for solids, prints AND accessories, we want to offer one lucky winner something from each category! Enter below and you could end up wining:

 

A Pack of SoftBums Hybrids

 
 
 
 
 
 

A SoftBums Midnight Diaper

 

 

 

 

One shell from any of our past three diaper collections (American Baby, Out of this World or Summer Splash)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We also want to offer all of our wonderful readers a coupon code for 10% off.  Just use the code "changedipes2014" at checkout!

Don't forget to vote now at Change-Diapers.com!




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Thursday, November 6, 2014

Comic Book Letters

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My husband is one, if not the biggest nerd I know. He grew up on Comic books, video games and everything Super Hero! So needless to say when we found out we were having a boy he wanted to recreate his childhood in this little guys room. We started out with Calvin and Hobbs, then went to super heroes and robots ...just to land on a totally random, anything and everything that screams baby nerd kind of room;) And I am totally in love!

While little guys nursery is not totally complete yet I will show you how I made these AWESOME comic book letters. They are super easy and I made a 7 letter name for around 20 dollars, 25 if you have to buy Mod Podge.

These would be a huge hit for anyone. You could use the same idea to make some cool WINE letters for a kitchen or simply using pretty fabric for a dining room/ living area. Not to mention a little girl nursery with all things girl.We love to see your ideas too so our fan base can grab as many ideas as possible! Please share your ideas or comments below if you have any!

Here we go:)

Materials:

  • Pair of regular ole scissors
  • Comic books, new or old. I got mine from a friend who had tons of extras! But be prepared your husband or maybe even you will have a hard time cutting into these bad boys:)
  • Buffer nail file
  • Micheal's Letters, size is up to you.
  • Mod Podge
  • Painters paint brush
Step 1:

Cut out all of your favorite pictures, or fabric, whatever your creative mind is using.














Step 2:

Place one thin coat of Mod Podge down before you put the Comic/material on, once the thin layer is applied lay out where you would like everything to be on the letter. Move on to the next letter as this needs about 15 minutes to dry. Then place a layer of Mod Podge over the entire face of the letter, I didn't do sides or back as I wanted them to remain white, but this is up to you:) Let sit overnight, at least 8 hours.











Step 3:

After completely dry, take scissors to the edges to remove the paper that is hanging off the sides. Now, remember don't try to get the perfect cut as you will most likely chip the wood or cut too deep and tear the paper from the letter. This is wear the handy dandy buffer files come in to play!!

Step 4:

This step is the most tedious, so put on a movie and grab yourself a BIG glass of whatever your flavor is. For me it was "Baby Mama" and a bottle of water as I am about ready to have this little guy:) So..take a buffer file, I had an old one that I used for a few letters, but a fresh one works best! I began in a downward motion until I could see it beginning to crease, then just pulled it clean off.
BE WARNED: All edges must of COMPLETELY dry, do not try to do this when the Mod Podge is wet, paper WILL rip!
Step 5:

Place on one more coat of Mod Podge over all the letters, let sit for another 8 hours. And you are finished!! Super easy, and quite fun:) ENJOY StumbleUpon
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Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Best Collection of Natural DIY WIPES SOLUTION RECIPES!

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Collection of Baby Wipes Solution Recipes for your DIY  All-Natural wipes solution!

 You can use these solutions on your Cloth Wipes, or just use with paper towels for making your own DIY disposable baby wipes that don't contain any of the nasty ingredients that are normally found in baby wipes like alcohol, or embalming fluid!!!  Yikes!!!!


Common Cloth Wipe Solution Recipe Ingredients:

Most cloth wipe solution recipes contain similar main ingredients, which are used for the same reason in each recipe. These are the common ingredients and why they're included:

  • Oil: Helps the wipe glide across baby's skin and keeps skin soft. However beware of using too much oil as it can lead to repelling issues in your cloth diapers.
  • Soap: Cleanses by removing all traces of urine and feces(babies should have their little bottoms washed well with mild soap and lots of water at least once daily to keep rash away)
  • EO: (Essential Oil) Added for antibacterial and/or aromatherapy purposes. EO's make a nice scent, but are NOT necessary.
  • Water: The main ingredient in each recipe, cleanses the diaper area and dilutes the other ingredients. MOST parents using cloth wipes just use plain warm water and have great results so don't feel bad if you never get around to making your own solution!!
The type and amounts of oil, soap, EO and water that goes into a recipe is what gives each cloth wipe solution its own distinct "personality". Have fun trying different recipes until you find the ones that you like best! More information about essential oils can be found at Bath Heaven, Aroma Web, A World of Aromatherapy and other great sites on the Web. 

How to Use Cloth Wipe Solutions

First of all, please use common sense and keep all wipe solution ingredients away from your child. You may not think that these everyday products can be dangerous, but some infants have suffered respiratory problems after aspirating baby oil. Also, baby oil causes repelling and leaks when used with cloth wipes and washing with cloth diapers.  For those reasons we don't recommend using baby oil, only coconut oil, or other natural oils in any of these recipes.
When mixing solutions we've found that it works best to start with water, then oil and finally soap. By starting with water you'll avoid making tons of bubbles, and the oil will coat your measuring tools so the soap slips right off. 

There are many different ways to store and apply cloth wipe solutions, try a few of the following ideas to find the one that works best for your family. You may discover that one system works great at home and another works great away from home. Most of the time it's easiest to gently mix the cloth wipe solution in a bottle with a cover, then pour it into the storage container. Here's some ideas to get you started:
  • Use a spray bottle to spritz baby's bottom or the cloth wipes. (For baby's comfort we prefer spraying the cloth wipes)
  • Use a bottle with a pull-up spout (like on bottled-water bottles) to dribble solution onto the cloth wipes.
  • Warm solution and place in an insulated container to provide warm wipes for baby.
  • Place the solution into a commercial baby wipes container and dip cloth wipes into the solution.
  • Place cloth wipes in a commercial baby wipes container and pour wipes solution over wipes.
  • A commercial baby wipes container can be placed in a wipes warmer to provide cozy warm wipes for baby.
Don't store solution or wet wipes for a long time because they can become musty and the wet wipes may even grow mildew - ewww! Check your solution and wet wipes daily, and mix smaller batches of solution frequently instead of large batches less often to avoid mustiness. We mix fresh solution once a week, store it in a bottled-water bottle, and have not had any problems with mustiness.
*Please note: Tea Tree Oil should be diluted because pure Tea Tree Oil may cause a reaction in some people. Wikipedia has more information about Tea Tree Oil.

Cloth Wipe Solution Recipes

Almond 'n' Chamomile

Steep the tea bags in the hot water then add the oil.
2 chamomile tea bags
2 teaspoons almond oil
2 cups hot water

Anti-Fungal

Omit vinegar if baby has a raw rash.
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon calendula oil
A few drops lavender oil
A few drops tea tree oil
1/4 cup 100% aloe vera gel
1 cup water

Anti-Fungal w/less vinegar

Similar to the other anti-fungal recipe, but less vinegar and water.
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon calendula oil
A few drops lavender oil
A few drops tea tree oil
1/4 cup 100% aloe vera gel
1/2 cup water

Basic Wipe Solution

This basic recipe can be adapted by changing the type of soap or oil.
1 Tablespoon coconut oil
1/2 cup natural baby wash
2 cups water

Castile Solution

Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap comes in several yummy scents!
1 tablespoon almond, apricot, or other oil
1 tablespoon Dr Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap
2 drops tea tree oil
1 drop lavender oil
1 cup water

Chamomile 'n' Honey

Brew the tea, add the honey, and drink any leftovers!
1 chamomile tea bag
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup boiling water

Eight is Great

Similar ingredients as other recipes, but in different amounts.
1/8 cup vegetable oil
1/8 cup baby wash
8 drops lavender oil
4 drops tea tree oil
2 cups water

Essential Oil Solution

With three different EOs contributing their unique properties...
4 cups water warmed in microwave
2-4 drops Tea Tree Oil
2-4 drops Lavender Essential Oi1
1 Tablespoon Grapeseed Oil
1 Tablespoon Calendula Oil
2 Tablespoon Baby Wash
Thanks to Lucinda A. for this recipe.
"I tried the Essential Oils solution w/ tea tree, calendula , lavender,grapeseed ,ect. We love it! My daughter is highly highly sensitive to everything but this works wonders:) We use it for all kinds of stuff now, everyone loves the smell !! We use it every diaper change then coat w/ virgin 100% coconut oil - this combo has cleared up a super nasty rash over night!!! Thank you!!!" Raven R.

Fruit 'n' Veggie

Dr Bronner's soaps can often be found in organic markets.
1 teaspoon fruit or vegetable-based oil (apricot, olive, grapeseed, etc)
1 tablespoon vegetable-based soap (like Dr. Bronner's liquid castile)
1 teaspoon 100% aloe vera gel
1 cup water

Grape Seed Extract

Grapefruit seed extract and coconut oil are natural remedies for Candida, which can cause diaper rash.
2 cups water (headed if you are using coconut oil)
1-2 tablespoons baby wash
1 tablespoon olive or coconut oil
15 drops grapefruit seed extract

Just One

Just one "something" of each ingredient for this recipe.
1 chamomile tea bag
1 teaspoon oil 
1 teaspoon baby bath or shampoo
1 drop lavendar oil
1 cup hot water

Lavender 'n' Tea Tree

Lavender and Tea Tree are popular EO choices for wipe solutions.
1/8 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon baby shampoo
4 drops tea tree oil
8 drops lavender oil
3 cups water
Variation: Use lavender baby wash for a heavenly Lavender wash.

Lanolin & Glycerine

Lanolin and glycerine moisturize without oil. Lansinoh can be found in many local stores.
1 tablespoon liquid glycerine
1/4 teaspoon liquid lanolin (100% pure)
1 tablespoon baby wash
1-3 drops EO
4 cups water

Olive 'n' Tea Tree

A great natural wipes solution.
1/8 cup olive oil
1/8 cup gentle baby bath
A few drops tea tree oil
4 cups water

Shampoo Style

Baby shampoo works as well as baby wash.
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 teaspoons baby shampoo
2 1/2 cups water

Soapless

This recipe relies on the EO to cleanse, instead of using soap.
1-2 drops tea tree oil
1-2 drops lavender oil
1 tsp coconut oil
1 cup water
Use caution with this recipe as we've been told some children may develop a rash since the essential oils aren't dissolved in a carrier soap

Witch Hazel Solution

Witch hazel is the cleansing agent in this solution.
1 cup witch hazel
1/2 cup aloe vera juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon white vinegar

Witch Hazel and Lavender

This solution has a lovely lavender scent.
2 cups distilled water
2 tbsp lavender baby wash
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp witch hazel
8 drops lavender essential oil

 Lavender Solution

Our other favorite, the lavender is calming for us and our son.
1 tablespoon jojoba or coconut oil
1 tablespoon lavender scented baby wash
2-3 drops lavender oil
3 cups water

More Cloth Wipe Solution Recipe Resources

Here is another link for more ideas on how to make and use your cloth wipe solution. Have fun seeing what others say about using cloth wipe solutions.
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HUGE GIVEAWAY! TONS OF PRIZES SoftBums #SBMidnightRelease Twitter Party!

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SoftBums is hosting a TWITTER PARTY for out Midnight Release!!

WE ARE PAIRING UP WITH "THE INQUISITIVE MOM BLOG",
SPRAY PAL,
AND ROCKIN' GREEN SOAP,
TO GIVE YOU A HUGE GIVEAWAY FROM THIS HALLOWEEN TWITTER PARTY!!!
YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!!!



 Come join us on October 29 at 8pm central time!  We Can't Wait, this is an awesome time to come together with other Cloth Diaper Fans to learn about what makes SoftBums so unique..and of course win awesome prizes!!

  
Like and Follow us at: www.facebook/SoftBums.com



Be sure to RSVP using the form below, follow our host @InquisitveMom and yours truly @SoftBums:) You must RSVP and tweet at least once publicly using the hashtag #sbmidnightrelease between 9 pm EST and 10 pm EST on 10/29/14 to be eligible to win. 


BONUS: Extra entries will increase your chance of winning so stay connected!



These are the PRIZES!
1st Prize,
SoftBums Starter kit: 99.95 Value
Includes: 1 SoftBums OMNI diaper, 2 SoftBums ECHO diapers, 6 pack of 2-in-1 SUPER OS pods, and a free wetbag.
starter kit

2nd prize,
Bamboo Starter Kit: 149.95 Value
Includes: 1 OMNI shell, 2 ECHO shells, 6 pack of Bamboo SUPER 2-IN-1 pods, and a free wetbag.
Bamboo kit

3rd Prize
New SoftBums Midnight diaper in SNAPS!!
Midnight
PLUS!!! $50 Gift Card to Rockin' Green
Rockin Green

4th Prize
New SoftBums Midnight diaper in SNAPS!!
Midnight

PLUS!!! Spray Pal Shield $25 Value

Spray Pal

5th Prize
SoftBums Nebula Print Diaper
Nebula

6th Prize
1 SoftBums Sprout Print Diaper
sprout

7th Prize
1 SoftBums Puddle Print Diaper
Puddle


If you would like to learn more about SoftBums and our unique features before the festivities, please check us out at  www.Softbums.com. See you all soon!

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Sunday, October 26, 2014

Go MN Vikings!!!

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Dear Fellow Fluff Enthusiasts,
They win, you win, rah, rah, rah! When the fabulous Vikings football team from MN (where else?) wins, the retail customer can go to the website and save 20% on any one item. Just another fun way we're promoting the Softbums brand to your customers.
Your friends in Fluff,
The SoftBums Team


Vikings 2014 Schedule
Sun, Oct 26@Buccaneers1:00 PM Monday Oct 27th Promotion
Sun, Nov 2vs.Redskins1:00 PM Monday Nov 3rd Promotion
Sun, Nov 16@Bears1:00 PM Monday Nov 17th Promotion
Sun, Nov 23vs.Packers1:00 PM Monday Nov 24th Promotion
Sun, Nov 30vs.Panthers1:00 PM Monday Dec 1st Promotion Cyber Monday!
Sun, Dec 7vs.Jets1:00 PM Monday Nov 7th Promotion
Sun, Dec 14@Lions1:00 PM Monday Dec 15th Promotion
Sun, Dec 21@Dolphins1:00 PM Monday Dec 22nd Promotion
Sun, Dec 28vsBears1:00 PM Monday Dec 29th Promotion
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Friday, October 24, 2014

**One Big Fluffy Giveaway** COMPLETED

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Have you SEEN this amazing giveaway! So many cloth loving goodies in there, not to mention an entire SoftBums Starter Pack! 

You could win (from SoftBums):
  • 2 SoftBums Echo Shells
  • 1 SoftBums Omni Shell
  • 6- 2in1 One Size Pods
  • Wet Bag

Retail Value $99.95. 


Go enter to #WinAllTheDiapers

Click HERE to Enter!


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Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Twitter Party

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Softbums is hosting a TWITTER PARTY to celebrate our Midnight Diaper Release!!! Come join us on October 29 at 8pm central time!  Can't Wait! Make sure you RSVP below and this will enter you to win lots of great prizes. 




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Thursday, September 4, 2014

The Lifespan of a Cloth Diaper - How Long Will My Cloth Diapers Last?

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Happy Thursday! I hope your week has been filled with lots of fluff and no stink! :)

Today, let's talk about a topic that a lot of people often have questions about when they start cloth diapering OR when they notice their diapers not looking so great.

How long will my cloth diapers last? 



I think there are a lot of misconceptions out there because of the statement, "One-Size diapers will last from birth to potty training." Yes, the diaper will fit from birth to potty training, but that doesn't mean it'll be functional that long. The lifespan of a cloth diaper really depends on how well you take care of it. Other than manufacturing defects covered by warranty, cloth diaper companies (like Softbums) aren't responsible for replacing cloth diapers because of wear and tear. Would you contact your t-shirt company because it got a hole in after you washed it 100 times? No. Me either. There's definitely an interesting phenomenon in the cloth diaper industry where customers almost expect that companies replace diapers long past their prime.

Now that we have all that out of the way, below you'll find the most common wear and tear components on a cloth diaper and how to keep them in tip top shape the longest.

1. Hook and Loop, Aplix, Velcro (however you refer to it) - If you choose to do velcro on your diapers instead of snaps, this will be the first place you'll see wear and tear. Velcro becomes fuzzy and can curl over time causing it to be less sticky. You'll also notice that lots of strings and fuzz tend to collect there.



Thankfully, both situations are easily remedied. Keeping your velcro tabs clean by picking out the fuzz with your fingers or the end of a snappi can keep them looking nicer longer, as will making sure you use the laundry tabs when washing. Air drying your diapers can help keep your velcro sticky, too. And if all else fails and your velcro is completely shot - you can replace it using some simple sewing. Softbums sells replacement hook and loop here.

2. Pilling - This can happen on both the inside and outside of the diaper. You'll notice pretty quickly that the inside micro-fleece lining on your Softbums or other cloth diapers getting pilly. This is completely normal and harmless. I've never done anything to try to remedy this, but you can use a sweater shaver to remove it if it bothers you.

If you're using hook and loop diapers, you'll also notice that the PUL surrounding your velcro can also get pilly. This is just from the velcro catching on it. Again, totally harmless. You can either be really careful when changing your baby and using the laundry tabs or you can try the sweater shaver trick above being careful not to create any holes.



3. Elastic - Next to go is usually the elastic. You'll see the terms "relaxed elastic" often if you frequent cloth diaper buy/sell/trade groups. This just means that the elastic has stretched out either from natural wear and tear or excessive heat use (either too hot water in the wash or drying on high in the dryer too often. The use of additives can also break down the elastic quicker then it would naturally. Bleach and vinegar are often culprits.

Again, you can prolong the life of your elastic. Don't wash your diapers hotter than about 120 degrees and air dry instead of throwing in the dryer. If you must put them in the dryer - dry on low/medium heat and remove promptly. Never (or seldom) use additives. If you have to for whatever reason, just be aware that it will void your Softbums warranty. If your elastic is relaxed, but your diaper is otherwise looking great you can replace the elastic. Softbums elastic is easily replaceable and can be purchased here.

4. Staining - It's just a natural part of using cloth diapers! Remember - they're being pee'd and pooped in. Even if your diapers don't look stained at first glance, they tend to look dingy over time. Just hold up an old diaper next to a new one and you'll know what I mean!

You can help keep stains at bay by washing every 2-3 days, washing in hot water (but not too hot!), and hanging to dry in the sun (natural whitener) just to name a few things. There's lots of stain tricks and products out there! Just make sure if you're drying outside that you face the inside of the diaper towards the sun. Repeated sun exposure to the outside of the diaper can fade the color/print over time.

5. PUL  - You'll know a diaper has completely gone through it's lifespan when you've got holes. Holes in the PUL most often occur on the tabs (the sides you use to close the diaper) since that's where you touch it most often and along the back elastic since it rubs up against your baby's clothes. You can continue to use a cloth diaper that has little holes in these areas as they don't necessarily come in to contact with your baby's urine, but holes in the middle of the diaper means it's usually time to retire it. And a cloth diaper that's delaminated is finished. You'll know that this has happened if you see the shiny inside material of the PUL separate.

Another place you'll often find holes from wear and tear is on the rise snaps of One Size diapers. Fortunately, Softbums doesn't have rise snaps so you'll never have this problem! Phew.....

6. Inserts/Pods - Usually what happens here is that they just thin out over time. You may notice a little less absorbency. Sometimes you may see holes from the wear and tear of washing and drying. And of course, they may become dingy and stained as they get used.



Other Contributing Factors:

  • Stash/Rotation Size - More diapers means less washing. Less washing = less wear and tear. A bonus to using Softbums is that you don't need to wash the shell/cover every time it's used. Simply replace the insert/pod. You'll end up washing them less than you would a typical cloth diaper.
  • Additives - Additives like bleach and vinegar can weaken elastic and damage PUL over time. Never soak your diapers in these things.
  • Water and Drying Temperature - Too hot water or a too hot dryer setting can also weaken elastic, PUL, and hook and loop closures over time. Never use the sanitize cycle on your washer. The water gets too hot on that setting. Line dry your shells. If using the dryer, never dry on heat higher than the medium setting unless doing the 15 minute sealing when you first get your Softbums shells. You can also remove your shells half way through and let them air dry the rest of the way. There's no absorbent material there so it won't take long!

**Remember, one-size cloth diapers don't last forever and they're still cheaper than buying disposables. You'll likely be able to get through one kid from birth to potty if you take good care of them. It's a bonus if you get to use them on another. Replacing hook and loop and elastic will get you even more time. The takeaway: A cloth diaper will last on average 1.5 - 2 years. Double this to 3-4 years by keeping a larger stash, taking gentle care of them and repairing when necessary.**























Let's Connect!: In the comments let me know the longest you've ever used a cloth diaper? Have they lasted more than 1 kid? What ways do you take care of them that have made the most difference? Feel free to ask any questions, as well. I'll stop back and answer. XOXO! :)

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Curious about who's writing for Softbums now? Well, that's me! My name is Jenny and I'll be contributing to the Softbums blog weekly. Check back every Wednesday for a new post about Softbums, cloth diapers, and other parenting topics. Like my writing and want to read more? You can find me over at my blog - According to Jenny. I'm not currently active there, but you'll find lots of good stuff in the archives. I've also written for several cloth diaper retailer blogs including Kelly's Closet, Squishy Tushy, Earthy Crunchy Mama, Cloth Diaper Outlet, and the Little Monkey Store. 

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