A guest blog written authored by Madalina Manolea
You are a new parent or expecting a new baby and you’ve decided to use cloth diapers. Yet you don’t want to spend too much until you actually try a few or maybe you are on a budget. Or maybe you just like a good deal when you see one. Or you want a limited edition print and the only way to get it is to buy it preloved. Good news! The market for preloved diapers is quite extensive and it’s growing every day. As with every other product that you buy, however, there are a few things you should keep in mind when buying preloved diapers.
Firstly, you should look for secure websites. Most of the times people look for preloved diapers on Facebook trade groups or on Facebook Marketplace. Many brands actually have their own trade groups, so if you like a particular brand, you can search and see if they have one. You can always use other websites, but do make sure that the domain is safe. Another thing you should pay attention to when buying online is the user you are buying from. There are a lot of fake accounts, so avoid accounts that don’t have a real name or a photo.
Secondly, check the condition of the diapers. Here, you will most likely see the following acronyms: EUC (Excellent Used Condition), VGUC (Very Good Used Condition), GUC (Good Used Condition), BN (Brand New) or NR (Needs Repair). However, this is just a starting point, as there are other issues you have to take into consideration. A big part of buying preloved diapers is to know what to look for in the photos. If you think there are parts that are not photographed and you are thinking of buying the diapers, definitely ask for more detailed pictures. It’s advisable to ask for photos of both the interior of the diaper and the exterior, as well as the inserts or flats on both sides. Watch out for stains and elastics, you should make sure that the stains are not actually mold and that the elastics are not loose.
Next, you should check for the period of use and whether they were stored or not for a given time. Though the period of use is usually mentioned in the selling advertisement, it’s preferable to re-check this with the seller. Also, keep in mind to ask if the diapers were stored for a while (a few months, a year, two etc) and how were they stored. It is best if they were stored in a dry and cool place.
Another very important issue is the detergent and softeners used to wash the diapers. Remember softeners are not something you would want on your diapers, as they only “help” in giving you buildup on your diapers (one of the main reasons for rashes). Don’t forget to ask about ointments used either. You may already know that creams or ointments containing petroleum or mineral oils leave residues on cloth diapers that can reduce the absorbency or lead to bacteria growth. In the long term, diapers can also be affected by the number of strippings and bleaches, so you might want to put that on your list of questions as well.
Finally, think of any other issues that concern you. Maybe you want to know if the baby that used them before had rashes, if the diapers are better for chunky or thick babies, whether they are pet friendly or not or how were they dried. Once you’ve decided to buy the diapers, make sure to always get an invoice for your purchase and to use a secure paying method, like PayPal or Google Pay. Then once your diapers arrive, make sure you wash and sanitize them before you use them on your baby.
