Changing BumGenius 3.0 from Velcro to Snaps

Before my daughter was born I spent a small fortune on cloth diapers in many different brands and styles. It has been over a year and all of my diapers have been worn and washed hundreds of times and now, as is expected, they are showing a bit of wear and tear.

The Bum Genius 3.0 diapers have especially shown a lot of wear. The Velcro hook tabs are beginning to roll and the loop strip has begun to fray and pill so bad nothing will stick to it unless you used glue.

I have heard other parents who use the Bum Genius 3.0 diapers complaining about similar problems. Recently, Cotton Babies sells a Bum Genius refresher kit which includes 2 pieces of legs elastic, 1 piece of back elastic, 2 laundry tabs, and 2 tab closures for $1.00. Plus, it includes sewing instructions. And you can easily replace the hook strip. It is a 9.5in long piece of loop Velcro 1.5in wide. You can purchase it by clicking here or visit your local fabric and craft store.

Another option is to replace the Velcro all together with snaps. Snaps last a lot longer than Velcro and are not very expensive. Usually, you can't get plastic snaps at local craft stores and you also need snap pliers or a snap press to apply plastic snaps.




This is before. You can see how worn the loop Velcro is.




This is after I removed the Velcro and added snaps.
Yes, it is a different diaper but I ran out of clean diapers
 and needed the white one.
I had already finished that one and forgot to take a photo.
But you can see how much nicer the snaps look.

 I got my snaps and pliers/press at KAMsnaps. They have everything you'll need to use snaps. You'll need 24 caps, 4 studs, 20 sockets in size 20 snaps for your diapers (I would have a few spare just in case), an awl, and snap pliers (or press).

1. Remove the old Velcro tabs and strip with a seam ripper being careful not to tear the fabric. (I also removed the laundry tabs but you do not have to.)
2. Put the diaper in the dryer on high heat for about 10 minutes. This helps to seal all the little holes from the Velcro thread.
3. Mark the spots wear you will put each snap with a fabric pen. There will be 2 rows of 10 snaps each. There must be an inch space between each snap and between the rows. 2 snaps will also be on the tabs and need to be close the the edge of the tabs an inch apart.
4. Place a piece of card board inside the diaper's pocket to prevent the awl from puncturing the liner.
5. Puncture the fabric where you marked with the awl so there is a defined hole.
6. On the front of the diaper place a cap on the inside of the fabric and a socket on the outside. Insert the cap prong through the hole you created with the awl and place the socket on top. Use the pliers to press the snap together. Repeat for all 20 holes. Use a caps and studs for the tabs.
7. Snap the snaps together to make sure they fit together. You should hear (you got it) a snapping sound when the snaps are correctly put on. Refer to KAMsnaps tutorial videos if you need further instruction.

Essential Oils

If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know that in some of my products I use essential oils. In fact, I am a strong advocate for the use of essential oil for babies. Recently, I had a customer buy a tube of Baby Booty Balm and she asked why I used that specific combination of essential oils for the fragrance. It was then that I realized that most people do not know that the main purpose of essential oils is not fragrance but medicinal.

 Essential Oils are used for therapeutic and medicinal purposes ranging from depression to eczema and even to indigestion. Many oils can be used topically, internally or as aromatherapy.

As I have stated before, I am partial to do Terra essential oils. All their products are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG) and I personally have had great results with their oils. Do Terra does run a little higher than other brands but I think its worth it. But I do feel that using any essential oil is better than nothing. I have had good results with Aura Cacia and Nature's Alchemy as well.

 
I use many different essential oils in my day to day life. Lemon essential oil is my favorite cleaning agent and Lavender essential oil helps calm my little girl (topically on her feet, aromatherapy in a diffuser or in her bath) right before bed. But on this blog I use four essential oils most commonly for my wipe solution and my Baby Booty Balm: Melaleuca (Tea Tree), Lavender, Geranium, and Rosemary. Below is each of these essential oils and their purpose in my products.

Melaleuca Properties
Antifungal
Anti-inflammatory
Antiviral
Astringent
Disinfectant

Used to keep baby's bottom clean and  to kill any fungus that is diaper rash.

Lavender Properties  
Analgesic
Antibiotic
Antidepressant
Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptic
Diuretic
Disinfectant
Sedative


Used to calm inflamed skin, to disinfect baby's bottom, and keep skin clear
 

Geranium Properties
Analgesic
Antidepressant
Antiseptic
Astringent
Diuretic
Sedative

Geranium is used to maintain healthy skin very similarly to Lavender. It has remarkable abilities to calm inflamed skin due to diaper rash or other skin ailments. 

 Rosemary Properties 
Analgesic
Antioxidant
Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Astringent
Diuretic
Stimulant

 Rosemary is also great for diaper rash and irritation. It helps to clean and heal the skin.

As you can see the essential oils that I put in my products are not just for fragrance although I do find the smell quite pleasing. Without the essential oils in the wipes solution or Baby Booty Balm there's almost no point. 


One of my favorite websites for essential oil use is Everything Essential. It has been a great resource for natural healing methods with essential oils. Almost any health issue I have encountered I have searched on this website and found an oil combination or blend to help. It also has an entire index of do Terra oils and their purposes.


If you are interested in purchasing any do Terra essential oils or products for your own use please visit http://www.mydoterra.com/donnavickery/.

Oh NO! There's no wipes!

I can't tell you how many times I have the diaper off, baby's legs held up, poop everywhere and I reach for a wipe but (gasp!) I forgot to "make" some up. All I have are dry wipes which don't work nearly as well as those soaked in wipe solution. So after many frustrating diaper changes in which I had to send my husband to wet a paper towel and bring it to me I found a solution.

Yes, a spray bottle. Keep a spray bottle by your changing station with some wipes solution in it. In circumstances that there are no wipes made you can spray the solution onto your baby's bottom and use a dry wipe to clean up.

This shouldn't be a permanent solution. Most babies do not like being sprayed. It's cold. But it will work when your in a tight spot between a dirty diaper and a naked baby.

Baby Booty Balm (In a twist tube!)

I have a had a few requests for a natural diaper ointment. Well you asked and I delivered. Baby Booty Balm (my husband made up the name) is made from a combination of Grapeseed Oil, Beeswax, Jojoba Oil, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, and a combination of essential oil specifically for diaper rash. It is all natural and safe for cloth diaper. And it smells wonderful! I've been using this on my little girl since she was born and have had great results. Best of all it comes in a twist tube so you never have to touch the ointment or baby's bottom and it lasts for months! You can use it every diaper change or just when the skin is irritated. 

Baby Booty Balm comes in 2oz tube for $10 or a 1oz tube for $5.

Note: For sanitation purposes only one tube per child should be used.

The best part about Baby Booty Balm is you can make it yourself! You can get most of the products, including the twist tubes, from Elements Bath and Body for a great price. For the essential oil I think doTerra is the best brand to go with. They have given me best results but they are higher priced because of the great quality. If you want to go with a lower priced essential oil Aura Cacia and Nature's Alchemy are good brands as well. You can find these essential oils at your local health store or visit http://www.vitacost.com/

This is what you will need:
2 Tablespoons Grapeseed Oil
2 Tablespoons Beeswax Pellets
1 Tablespoon Jojoba Oil
1 Tablespoon Sunflower Oil
1 Tablespoon Coconut or Shae Oil
2 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
2 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
2 drops Geranium Essential Oil
2 drops Lavender Essential Oil

In a double boiler or a small slow cooker (I used the slow cooker) melt all ingredients together except the essential oils. Once it is all smooth and liquid take a spoonful out and put it in the fridge for a few minutes. Test the spoonful to see if it is the consistency that you want. If it's too soft add more beeswax, if it's too hard add more grapeseed oil. This recipe is what I found to be the best consistency. When it is the way you want it add the essential oils and stir with a fork. Then pour or spoon the oil into a desired container such as a glass baby jar or a twist tube. (To transfer the oil I used a new turkey baster. I have also found a large syringe works well.) Let sit at room temperature until it is solid.

 This recipe makes about 3oz of balm which will fill one large and one small twist tube. You do not have to use all the essential oils listed but together they are great for diaper rash. At the very least I recommend tea tree essential oil and lavender essential oil.

If you have any question feel free to e-mail me or comment. Enjoy your Baby Booty Balm!

Do-It-Yourself Diaper Sprayer

I'm sure those of you out there who cloth diaper have seen the diaper sprayers the commercial companies sell. When my little one was first born I realized that some soiled diapers have to be sprayed off before being washed. It was too bad I had to learn that the hard way. So I really wanted to invest in a diaper sprayer but $40-$50 was a little steep for me. The thrifty side of me just wouldn't allow that purchase. So, I tried alternatives.

Shaking them off in clean toilet water was not very effective.
Using the shower hose on a stream setting into the toilet was more effective but water got everywhere!
Using the sink and its hose was most effective but really gross.

After sanitizing my sink 5 times I decided just to give in and spend the money on the diaper sprayer. I told my husband of my pending purchase but he told me to wait. When I got home that day he had fixed up a sprayer onto my toilet using a kitchen sink sprayer and it cost HALF of what the diaper sprayer cost. Plus, it works great! My husband is such the handyman.

So, I knew I couldn't keep this to myself. I asked him to tell me all the products needed and the steps to hook it up which is posted below with links and pictures.

If you don't want to go get these products yourself, I do sell a Diaper Sprayer Kit for $30 that is already assembled so all you need to do hook it up to the toilet. It's listed to the right of the posts in the Prices and Products section.

Do-It-Yourself Diaper Sprayer

What you need:

• 3/8 in. x 3/8 in. x 3/8 in. Brass Compression Adapt-A-Valve

• 3/8In.x1/4In. Brass Compression Coupling 

• 3/8 in. PEX Faucet Supply Line With Sleeve (This comes in anywhere from 12in to 30in but you only need about 1-1/4in piece so get the smallest length you can.)

 

• Sink Spray Hose & Head

 
Note: the links are examples of what to get. Please feel free to get any brand. It's easier to get exactly what you need if you go into the store and ask a employee to find the parts.

To Attach Sprayer to Toilet:

1. Turn off water valve
2. Disconnect toilet hose from shut of valve 
3. Connect the 3/8 in. x 3/8 in. x 3/8 in. Brass Compression Adapt-A-Valve to the shut off valve
4. Remove nut from side valve and reconnect the toilet hose to the side valve
5. Cut a 1-1/4in piece of PEX (Do not bend the PEX while cutting. Use a very sharp knife or a serrated knife to insure the PEX doesn't bend.)
6. Insert 1-1/4 piece of PEX into the top valve of the Brass comppression Adapt-A-Valve and tighten the nut around the PEX
7. Connect the 1/4in side of the Brass Compression Coupling to the PEX by putting the small brass insert into the PEX and tightening the nut.
8. Connect the sprayer to the 3/8in side of the Brass Compression Coupling and tighten the nut.
9. TA-DA! You have successfully connected your very own, very cheap, diaper sprayer!

This is what it should look like when completed:

If your having difficulty connecting your sprayer or need further instruction feel free to e-mail me at greencheeksdiapers@live.com or comment on this blog and I can help you.

Reuseable Cloth Wipes Solution

If your using cloth wipes you'll need to keep them in a solution so they can clean well just like the disposable wipes. Here is a recipe for the solution:

• 1 Cup Water
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil or Baby Oil (I know some people out there don't like the smell of olive oil)
• 1 Tablespoon Baby Wash (I would recommend going the natural or organic route with the wash. My personal favorite is Dr. Bronner's Unscented Baby-Mild Pure Castile Soap)
• 2 Drops Essential Oil for Scent (I use lavender as it soothes diaper rash as well)

Mix contents together and soak your wipes in it. Wring out your wipes until they are damp to wet but not soaking. Store in a closed container to keep moist. 

I make a large amount of solution all at once so I don't have to make a new batch every time I make up wipes. I keep the solution in a large glass container (it used to be a glass milk jug) in my pantry.

I really like using cloth wipes and this solution. It does take a little more time than just buying the disposable kind but it saves me money and I think these wipes do a much better job. 

Cloth Diaper Laundry Soap

The recipe below originates from Crystal Miller's recipe for homemade laundry soap . You can visit this website for questions regarding the soap. This is a very inexpensive recipe and averages out to about $.01 per load.

Here is some information about the ingredients:

The Soap:  The most typical type of soap to use is Fels Naptha.  It is an old-fashioned type of soap usually found in the laundry aisle.  The other options for soap are Ivory or another brand called, Zote. Or you can use Kirk's Castile Soap which contains coconut oil and helps with yeast build up.  Any of these will work.  If you use Ivory/Kirk's Castile Soap or your own homemade soap you will need to use the whole bar.

Washing Soda: This is not to be confused with baking soda.  They are not the same thing.  Washing soda is sodium carbonate or soda ash (baking soda is sodium bicarbonate).  It is a white powder.  Its purpose is to help remove dirt and orders.   The brand to look for is Arm & Hammer Washing Soda.  I find it in the laundry section of my grocery store.   Many people have a hard time finding this locally.  I know you can purchase it on-line, even through Amazon.com.  I would also suggest asking your grocery store manager if it would be possible for the store to get it for you.

Borax: Borax is a naturally occurring mineral: Sodium Borate.  It is a white powder.  It’s purpose is as a laundry whitener and deodorizer. The brand to look for is 20 Mule Team.  It comes in a 76 oz. box.  You should be able to locate this in the laundry detergent aisle.  Again as with the washing soda, if you cannot find it ask you store manager or look online.

Homemade Laundry Soap
1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap or one whole bar of Ivory/Kirk's Castile Soap or homemade soap (I used Ivory)
1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1/2 cup borax powder
water
2+ gallon bucket, for storing (I use an old laundry detergent bucket that has been cleaned and rinsed)

1. Grate the soap and place in a sauce pan. Add 6 cups of water and heat until the soap melts.

2. Add the washing soda and borax and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat.

3. Pour 4 cups of hot water into the bucket. Add the soap mixture and stir. Add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir.
4. Let soap sit for 24 hours before first use and it will gel.
5. Store your laundry detergent in the bucket, covered. (I put plastic wrap on the top of mine, and I also left my long plastic spoon in the soap to stir it briefly before each use.) Use 1/2 cup per load of clothes.
6. You can make the soap scented by adding some essential oil. My favorite is lavender. I add 1/4 tsp. for a light scent.



There is a downside to using a soap recipe. Soap can build up on the diapers after many washes. This is why many commercial diaper companies do not recommend using soap. I have found that the diapers just need to be stripped when this happens. You can strip your diapers using non-chlorine bleach. I do this every 6 months to a year. See Stripping Your GreenCheeks Diapers.

If your not up for making your own soap I am a really big fan of Crunchy Clean Laundry Cleaner . It works very well, has fabulous scents and doesn't cost an arm and leg that the commercial diaper companies sell for their cleaner. I have had some customers tell me Charlie's Soap is also a good brand for washing cloth diapers and is comparable in price to Crunchy Clean. It is also more readily avaliable at stores and online.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.