Cleaning Tips for Bum Genius

Updated on March 28, 2008
N.L. asks from Monterey, CA
14 answers

I'm using the Bum Genius cloth diapers with my newborn and I'm wondering if it's necessary to wash them every time she pees in them. After she pees the insert is soaked but the outer diaper feels dry. So could i just put a new liner in and reuse the same outer diaper? Or is that gross? I'm just trying to figure out if I need to wash them so often. If any mamas have any advice, tricks, etc. to pass along about the Bum Genius, i would appreciate it!

Thanks!
N.

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from San Francisco on

I would wash them. They feel dry but they are not. Also, I would be aware of what kind of detergent you use, as some leave residues that will prevent them from getting all the way clean. Charlie's Soap works great. You can buy it from their website and they don't charge for shipping.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

I.M.

answers from Salinas on

I'm a mother of 4 and grandma of 9. You are to be congratulated for using cloth, just like the good old days. You want to watch out for ammonia developing which can lead to rashes. If the outer lining is slightly wet you can rinse just that portion in cool water, squeeze it out and put the wet side out over a clothes line outside. Sun is a great sanitizer. Can't blame you for not wanting to wash when not necessary. Its a waste of resources and energy and causes fibres to wear out faster. Congratulations of your baby. Hope you are getting the help you need.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I used cloth diapers the whole way through w/my daughter, and we are in the minority, so I want to say congratulations to you for your choice! Everyone I've talked to who used cloth had toilet trained children around their second birthday (vs. 3.5 yrs for disposables) so you have that to look forward to.

I'd say if the outer diaper doesn't seem wet or smelly go ahead and reuse it. Of course, if diaper rash ensues you might rethink the issue but as long as she's happy, might as well have less laundry! (I'm sure your laundry load is big enough for ya!)

Congratulations on your newborn and on finding and using this community early in your parenting journey.

Best,
J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.L.

answers from Sacramento on

Our son is 6 months old ad we have been using cloth all along. We have several different brands of outer diaper but we usually resuse them unless they are soiled. Often, they urine ons will be a little damp, so we'll just let that one dry and use another. We just wash the ones with urine on them when we are washing other things.
Goodluck!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.P.

answers from Modesto on

Hi N.!

Congratulations on your baby girl!

Because of her age, I think you can "get by" with what you're doing, because she probably isn't peeing a ton yet. But, it won't be long before she starts peeing like normal, and you will probably feel uncomfortable about recycling before washing. She could get a rash, just like a diaper that's been left on too long.

I would use your best judgement. If it's hardly any pee, and mostly on the liner, then I would probably re-use it, too :o) Do what you feel is right :o)

Have fun!

N.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.P.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi. I love the bum genius diapers. I use them with my 11 month old and have since her birth. I tried other cloth with my 3 year old son and it never worked well for me. I have both the all-in-one's and the pocket diapers...I like having some of both since the pocket diapers are a little bulkier (especially with the new babies) but are certainly more absorbant. My little girl has sensitive skin so I always wash them. She gets a rash pretty easily and I am guessing that leaving the urine on the diaper would cause a rash for her. I personally would probably wash it anyway because they do start to smell a little even if you take the pocket part out. A couple other things...if they start to stain or smell, which mine do sometimes, I just wash them and then put them out in the sun for a few hours...it takes it completely away and I have no stains after almost a year of using them. Also, don't use too much detergent with them. I noticed a little detergent smell once so tried an extra rinse...4 rinses later I finally got all the suds out, and I wasn't even using enough for a medium size load of laundry. Make sure you are attaching the velcro when you wash them as that will save your velcro over the long haul. Feel free to ask me more about them...I am like a walking advertisement for these diapers I love them so much.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.G.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi N.

I've been using Bum Genius diapers for the last 4 months and I love them. Even though the shell of the diaper seems dry, it still is necessary to wash it every time. The diaper wicks urine away really well, but since the diaper has had urine pass through it, it needs to be washed.

Best of luck using the diapers. I think they do a great job.

E.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.R.

answers from San Francisco on

The diaper company says they are a one use diaper so that bacteria doesn't build up and cause problems. The good news is you can probably go for 3-4 hours without a change in these. The reason for changing often is not just the wetness of the diaper but the bacteria build up as well.

Hope that helps...

B.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.B.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi N.!

If just the liner is getting wet - I would just use the same diaper all day with new liners and then switch to a different diaper at the end of the day and toss that one in the wash. I wouldn't use it for more than one day though, but that's just me.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.K.

answers from Sacramento on

Personally I would wash everytime it has been soiled. But if that's not something you want to do I would switch between two pockets so you can give the one time to "air out" before using it again.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.D.

answers from San Francisco on

Yes, you can do this, maybe once or twice - not more than four changes. But make sure that the cloth next to her bottom is dry otherwise she'll get diaper rash. Are you using a paper liner like kissaluvs? Then, it won't work. If you're using a cloth diaper to create a thick and dry barrier it will work.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.R.

answers from Stockton on

I don't use Bum Genius, i use prefolds and covers but, Yes you need to wash them every time you change her! You are using pocket diapers so she is peeing on the inside of the diaper and your liners are absorbing it but, the pee has went through the inside layer to get to the liners. If you were to re stuff the diaper and put it back on her you are basically putting a diaper that has already been peed in back on her clean skin. If you were using a different diapering system like, prefolds and covers, you would be able to reuse the cover and just toss the prefold into the hamper if the cover isn't wet because the cover is not touching her skin and probably doesn't have pee on it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.J.

answers from Sacramento on

Hello,

Your daughter will soon be soaking the whole diaper, so for now keep doing what your doing. Keep up the good work.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.Q.

answers from San Francisco on

When in doubt, wash the diaper each time. There is no way around working hard when you have a infant. Ask yourself, "Would I wear this diaper without washing it first?"

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches