Most cloth diapers are built tough and can withstand the most brutal of toddler use. But, occasionally an injury occurs. A broken snap, busted elastic or velcro loses its stickiness.
There are those who will donate these “GUC” diapers or sell for a substantially lower price. (GUC= good used condition. This would include diapers that are still fully functioning and look good but have defects that can easily be fixed.)
Then there are those who see no limits to what they can fix and repair the diapers themselves. After all, the diapers still have life left but just need small repairs.
Several years ago I posted a pictoral DIY for how to convert your velcro diapers to snaps. This task, while simple to some, is beyond my skill set.
One mom took her passion for rehabbing diapers beyond her own stash. Heather is a mom to 3 girls and the owner of the now closed cloth diaper store My Diaper Piper.
Heather’s website is ConvertMyDiapers.com and offers several services.
- Convert velcro to snaps
- Replace worn out velcro/aplix
- Replace leg or back elastic
- Add snaps to snapless fitteds
For multiple repair services she offers a discount.
What if you aren’t interested in repairing them but want to donate them instead? What are your options?
There are hundreds of families that would love to use your worn out cloth diapers. Stretched out elastic and fuzzy aplix tabs may be a nuisance to most of us but to families struggling to make ends meet they would rejoice to have a diaper they didn’t have to buy.
One organization serving these families is Giving Diapers Giving Hope. GDGH is run by Kristen and her friend Emily both of whom are passionate about cloth diapers. You have to have a deep passion to have put in the work they have over these last 2 years!
A great idea to consider when you ship your diapers needing small repairs is to make a monetary donation as well. A $10 or $20 donation could help cover the cost needed to repair the diapers.
Have you ever looked into the facts about low income families and diaper usage? It may seem outrageous to consider reusing a disposable diaper but many families are forced to do this. My heart breaks for those parents who are genuinely trying to provide for their families but just can’t get ahead.
In 2011, 23.5 children lived in low-income working families. (the site for that statistic kept crashing Firefox so I don’t have the link) I was curious what exactly is “low-income”?
Based on information from several sources (IRS and WIC), low income means you make less than 1.85-2.5x the poverty level. What is poverty level?
For a family of 4 living in the 48 contiguous states and D.C. it is $23,550. (the # is higher for Alaska and Hawaii)
That means if a family of 4 makes less than $48,000 they are considered low income. They would qualify for assistance from charitable organizations like Giving Diapers Giving Hope.
A family shouldn’t have to choose between food and diapers. But sadly, millions are forced to.
This post has taken many turns! I started out by telling you how to repair your diapers and ended by convicting myself to do more to help those in need.
What have you done with your “broken” cloth diapers?
Autumn is a wife, mother, homeschool teacher, friend and most important a follower of Christ.
BettyJo says
I have so many cloth diapers that I want to donate. Some are good condition. Some elastics are stretchy, Velcro curled, etc. I can’t fix the problems but maybe someone can still use them. Who do I need to contact? Where can I find more.info?
Joy says
Thank you for this because I have a bag of diapers, some needing very minor repair, that I want to donate but wasn’t sure where to go. Very helpful!
Joy says
GDGH doesn’t appear to take worn diapers anymore. Their donation page requests they be in ready-to-use condition. Bummer!
Elicia says
What can you do with cloth diapers where the laminate is deterioating from the cloth diaper? I have searched all over the web and can not find a way to fix a few of my diapers that the laminate is mostly gone from leaving little to no waterproofing available. Any ideas here?
Autumn Beck says
They make great swim diapers :) Unfortunately, there is no way to repair them.
Kim @ Dirty Diaper Laundry says
Thanks Autumn for sharing! I think many people don’t realize that “low-income” isn’t just “dirt poor” and that those with incomes that seem like plenty do still struggle. The prices of gas and food keep rising and what used to go a long way just doesn’t.
That is why I advocate so trongly for cloth diaper usage for low-income families and hope the word continues to spread.
-Kim
Jen says
Wow! I had no idea low income was that high! I should have applied years ago. We’ve only been over that amount once…last year…then he lost his job this year. Talk about not being able to get ahead. I HAD to make my own diapers…no other choice. It was beyond my skill set too, but need makes or breaks you. :)