25 replies to this topic

[smiles]

I started buying nappies about 18 months ago, the newest being about 6 months ago - but all the elastics are dying!

I expect second hand naps to go, but these were bought from new.

I spent a small fortune on them, and am wondering what to do with them now - should I pay to have them all fixed, pass them on to someone who can fix them and use them, or put it down to experience (and not spend so much on nappies in the first place)?

I was hoping to be able to onsell my stash, but it's fast becoming a non-workable pile of cloth.

We've got bubba number 4 coming this year, and I'm thinking maybe ebay cheapies is the way to go?

[smiles]

Oh, and I haven't misused them, they've always been washed in half the recommended amount of detergent (eco store or rockin green) and always line dried.

[elwoodgal]

Some of my second hand SS's are starting to die now. Very sad. I don't think I can be bothered getting them fixed.
If they are SS's she might fix them for free or very cheaply? Especially if they are new.
I am careful with my nappies also. I think unfortunately some nappies do not have a long 'shelf life'.

Do you know what you are having? Happy to pass on any girly ones. Before the elastic dies hopefully!

[smiles]

hehe Thanks elwood No not sure on sex yet, but that's really sweet thank you!

It's a whole range of nappies that I love, actually, my SS's are still pretty good, and even the one that you swapped with me is still useable!

These naps have nothing left in them at all. But I guess it's a sign of use? They are my favourites - DM's, NN's, Auriels, even a few AT's are going too.

I just don't know if it's worth spending the money on repairing them (and post if needed) or just buying some $5 cheapies that I won't feel so bad about losing down the track.

[Smurk]

You don't have anyone around you who could fix the elastics for you? doesn't need to be a nappy maker, any granny with some sewing skills could do the job. It's very likely that she would have to cut through some very small piece of fabrics, but that wouldn't make the nappies ugly. And you would just have to pay for a few meters of elastic online (a few dollars).
Did you use vinegar or another washing additive? 6-18 months is a bit short for a nappy lifespan, isn't it? I have got some nappies which I had used for two kids (for about four years) and the elastics are still OK (not great but not dead).

[smiles]

Thanks smurk, no additives at all, I thought maybe the sun up here in Darwin?

I don't know, but I don't know any sewers that I wouldn't pay ( ) no family members.

I wish I had nappies like yours! I was hoping to be able to use them for the next bub, even if it's a boy, still use them around the house - they were so hard to buy and they were like treasured gold

[Merla]

I killed ALL my nappied by leaving them on the line for too long (3-5 days instead of 1-2) in full sun (I did this several times) because I was pregnant and lacked the energy to take them in.

Do you leave them out too long?

[smiles]

Thanks Merla, but no, I don't have the room to keep them out too long, as soon as they're dry they need to come off to make room for the next load. It rains for nearly half the year up here too, during that time it's hard to get any sun at all. Although this wet season is a bit different, it's still sunny!

[JwithJ]

it could be coz of how warm it is but i have a few DM's that do it and others going strong still

[elwoodgal]

Interesting to read from Merla about leaving nappies out too long. I don't do that because I need the room on the line also.
Some of my NN's & Auriels are slack also but I did buy them second hand.
I know there is a nappy maker that repairs elastic.. Bubblebubs? The cost is reasonable-ish but the cost I find is the post. Post there & post back. If they are really special nappies it might be worth it?
Can you sell something on ebay or f/b to fund elastic replacement? I am currently selling some dresses that I don't wear to fund buying my girls some summer dresses.

[Fee]

smiles, on 10 January 2012 - 12:49 PM, said:

but I don't know any sewers that I wouldn't pay

Send me an email ya big wolly!!!!

[smiles]

Oh Fee, you made me fall of my chair laughing

I just know how busy you are!

[teddy]

Definitely worth getting them fixed. You will hate $5 CC off EBay. It could be any number of things, how rough your machine is, how you hang them out etc. as they are a range of brands I'd say there is something that is causing it. How many nappies do you have?

[smiles]

Teddy, about 30? Nearly half have lost their elastic.

I wash on delicate cycle, it's a bubble jet top loader, you know the ones that don't have a column in the middle, and I lay the outers flat on a 3 tiered clothes horse.

I thought I must be doing something wrong, I assumed that nappies would last a lot longer. I had a couple that went within a few months of buying them new, but haven't gotten them fixed.

Maybe I should have asked that question in my OP - how long do or have your nappies lasted?

[msmina]

Hi smiles, I'm in Darwin too. And it's funny because a friend of mine who has exactly the same mix of nappies as me across a range of brands seems to have problems with her elastics. We both wash the same way, use the same way and the only difference is hers gets dried on an airing rack on the verandah getting some sun and mine get hung up on the line for the whole day in full sun except when it's raining. None of mine have problems with elastic yet about half her stash has. Maybe it's the washing machine type? How acidic the wee is? But we just haven't worked it out. Thought it could be water type but we're both in the same suburb too. Anyway, I know that doesn't help with your elastics problem but thought I'd just mention it because we're still trying to work out the reasons. Both boys are now 2 and we're expecting second bubs soon and are hoping to use some of the same nappies. Although, knowing me, I'll be getting some new ones!

[mum2princesses]

how do you hang them on the line?

[leishb]

id be getting dms, auriels and nns fixed
seems weird that theyve not lasted long though, i have a stack of auriels from ds1 who is 4 now and they are still going strong with ds2 whos 1 so theyve been getting pee'd on for around 4 years

[smiles]

mum2princesses, on 12 January 2012 - 10:40 AM, said:

how do you hang them on the line?

I lay them flat on a 3 tiered clothes horse. Boosters on top to get most sun and outers on the bottom racks.

And thanks for that msmina! That makes me feel a bit better, maybe it isn't me, but yeah, they're still going quicker than the average.

But Fee has come to my rescue! A quick shoutout to say thanks heaps

[leishb]

smiles, on 12 January 2012 - 11:27 AM, said:

mum2princesses, on 12 January 2012 - 10:40 AM, said:

how do you hang them on the line?

I lay them flat on a 3 tiered clothes horse. Boosters on top to get most sun and outers on the bottom racks.

And thanks for that msmina! That makes me feel a bit better, maybe it isn't me, but yeah, they're still going quicker than the average.

But Fee has come to my rescue! A quick shoutout to say thanks heaps

go fee!

[georgie]

Hi all, Just came on to NN to see if there's anyone on the Sunshine Coast (or North Brissie) who can fix elastic and saw this post. I have some itti's where the elastic is starting to go... almost gone... I bought them as seconds (but new) and have only used them for about 8 months (or less). I also have some NNs that I would like to fix up and a WW. What sort of cost is involved in fixing elastic? WOuld really appreciate any info.

[Chiron]

Georgie, bubblebubs fix elastic for around $5 per nappy and I think they are in Brisbane.

Edited by Chiron, 14 January 2012 - 08:33 AM.

[georgie]

Chiron, on 14 January 2012 - 08:30 AM, said:

Georgie, bubblebubs fix elastic for around $5 per nappy and I think they are in Brisbane.

thanks Chiron. Will check it out. one day i'll get around to learning my way around a sewing machine!!!

[Smurk]

$5 per nappy?! That's sooo expensive...!

[teddy]

Smurk, on 16 January 2012 - 06:45 PM, said:

$5 per nappy?! That's sooo expensive...!

How? Shouldn't the person unpicking and fiddling around be paid for their time? It takes about 30 mins from start to finish to change the elastic on a basic AI2 nappy with no booster snaps through the shell. That doesn't include the cost of the elastic. Would you work for less than $10 an hour??

[georgie]

georgie, on 14 January 2012 - 08:46 PM, said:

Chiron, on 14 January 2012 - 08:30 AM, said:

Georgie, bubblebubs fix elastic for around $5 per nappy and I think they are in Brisbane.

thanks Chiron. Will check it out. one day i'll get around to learning my way around a sewing machine!!!

have contacted Robyn (bubblebubs repair contact)... she's actually in NT if anyone else is interested

[leishb]

and radzar from here does it to and she is in perth