I try to be green whenever it makes sense. I get excited about products that make being green easy; that blend the convenience of toss-and-go with the eco benefits of reusable. So I was really excited when I came across G Diapers while researching diapering options during my pregnancy. The world’s first flushable diaper? Sold!
They seemed the perfect combination of the eco-friendliness of cloth with the lack of ickiness of disposables. We compost, so I looked forward to dumping the pee-only liners in the compost, while the poo dipes could be flushed right down the toilet. The covers come in adorable colors and were made of a super soft cotton. I immediately ordered a ‘starter kit’ and one more pack of newborn size diapers from Ebay. Total cost: $18 and change.
And, there they sit.
I tried them when Peaches was 2 weeks old. The covers come with a plastic liner that snaps in, then the diaper insert folds into that. It’s quite a production to get it all together, then wrap that around a wiggly, scrunchy newborn. Comedy, really.
Head of State divx They look cute. I’ll give ‘em that.
Then comes time to change the diaper. Here’s where I started questioning this entire concept. It went a little something like this:
- Remove the diaper. Ok. No problem. It’s a soiled, sopping diaper-ish liner stuffed in a trim diaper cover.
- Take the liner out of the diaper cover. Hmmm. What to do with this soaking wet thing? Leave my baby lying on the changing table while I run it to the compost bucket? And if I’m supposed to reuse the cover, the liner obviously has to go somewhere. I probably should’ve planned ahead and had a little bucket or something to drop it into. But as it were, I did not. I just pushed it to the side and finished.
- Reuse the cover and snapped-in liner with another G liner. Which would be awesome, and much like cloth covers/prefolds if only the exterior wasn’t made of super soft cotton which, after a particularly wet diaper, was soaked around the legs with pee. So I toss the diaper cover in the laundry. I’ve only got one more G cover, so I can see we’re not even going to make it through an afternoon with these things. Diaper FAIL.
- Flush or compost the diaper liner for a no-mess diaper disposal. (Here’s where it gets good.) Now, you can compost pee-only diapers. But #2 dipaers have to be flushed or thrown away. I decided to flush it, just to see what happens. I took the diaper into the bathroom. The first thing you’re supposed to do is – seriously – open the diaper up like a ziplock bag. There’s a perforation on each side so you can tear it open and the innards can break up in the toilet. Keep in mind this is, essentially, a soaked over-sized maxipad. With a pee dipe, this wasn’t so bad. But if this had a been a poo dipe, um, GROSS. You have to pretty much manhandle the entire thing to get it opened up. Then you dump the innards into the toilet, followed by the rest. The package came with a little plastic stick that you’re supposed to use to ‘mix’ those innards to thoroughly break them up in the water, so I used that. It’s a sopping, soggy mess that filled the toilet. I flushed it and crossed my fingers. Luckily, my toilet handled it but I can’t imagine it would every time and I’ve read plenty about clogged plumbing from these huge sopping messes.
Overall, I was really disappointed with the whole experience. The covers failed to not only contain the wet, but also didn’t fit that well. They’re a long rectangle with very little give around the waist and leg holes. The liners were messy and just gross to handle. And truthfully, I can’t really see how these are that green considering you have to flush the toilet every time, and still wash the covers (almost, if not every time).
For now, I’m sticking with cloth. Even the worst messes can be tossed in the washing machine with very little effort.
[rating: 1/5]
About the author: One day, Andi hopes to teach the men in her life that they, too, can pick things up and put them away after they’ve used them. Read more from this author.
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I’ve wondered about these diapers. Thanks for an honest review.
[...] Andi put an intriguing blog post on G Diapes fail to perform for Your Mama. | Your Mama ReviewsHere’s a quick excerptI try to be green whenever it makes sense. I get excited about products that make being green easy; that blend the convenience of toss-and-go with the eco. [...]
Thanks so much for this review. I really thought of giving them a try with my second baby on the way. Glad I did not waste my money.
I was also intrigued by the G-diapers. What a shame that they suck because it’s a good idea in theory. Thanks for the honest review.
I debate those every time I am in BRU! So glad I haven’t taken the plunge. I did, however, order 2 thirstie covers. We shall see how that goes.
I am glad that you gave these a try. However, I do need to point out that most babies don’t really fit into them until about 6 weeks..so i’m guessing the leak issues you had were probably because it wasn’t a good fit. There is also a little learning curve to get a system down. I would let your baby get a little bigger and then try again!
We’ve been using gdiapers for almost 2 years. They’re wonderful. We use cloth most of the time but our daycare uses the flushies, which we compost (they send them home in a wet bag).
I think they’re fantastic. you do have to be committed to work with them a little bit to figure out a system that works for you but don’t you have to do that with any cloth diaper??
First, g’s don’t work so well with newborns. They’re just too skinny. They’re not any more messy than cloth with #2. We’ve used them for 18 months 100% and 100% with flushies. We’ve never had a problem with them. Just keep a compost bucket with lid next to your diaper changing station and a preloaded g ready to go. No fuss!
We’ve been using gDiapers — as well as other cloth — for nearly two years, and LOVE them!
The smalls aren’t meant to fit newborns, so it makes sense you experienced leaks with the too-large sizing there. Not a “fail” at all — just obvious user error. When used properly, rest assured, gDiapers ROCK! :) I wouldn’t write them off so quickly.
I’d love to like them but I tried them again – twice – over the past 10 months and I stand by my review – the disposal of them is even harder with a wriggly 6 month old. Fit still sucks.
Sorry you didn’t have a good experience with your g’s, but there are a lot of us gMums that absolutely love them! I, personally, fold flats into them and love them that much more. But, to each their own, and I enjoyed reading your review, even if I don’t agree with it :) Hope you find something that works for you!
p.s. have you tried the Flip?
Not yet (Flip) but if you read through this site, you’ll see we’ve tested quite a few other cloth dipes. I’ll stand by my BG’s and have recently become enamored with AppleCheeks and SoftBums. I’m always up for trying new diapers!
I’ve been using g’s for about 2 years. Went from being a die-hard pampers user to g-diapers with my first son when I felt like I should try to be more eco-friendly. They were super awesome. While I know a lot of people go through a learning curve when they start using g’s, I didn’t. I had zero leaks and zero blow outs. I’d been having daily blow outs with the pampers. I’ve gDiapered a baby from 5 months to two years and recently started gDiapering my newborn (now 9 weeks old). They worked and fit extremely well at each stage my older son went through and have been fabulous so far with my newborn. When used properly (correct sizing, correct fit, etc.) they work perfectly. They were also my introduction to cloth. I’ve done flushies and cloth in them and love both. It took a teensy bit of practice, but I can flush a super nasty breastmilk poo flushie no problem, without ever getting dirty!
I started with BG 3.0s, Fuzzi Bunz, and then Gs. I use the Gs with the g-Flapper cloth insert….I’ve never used the disposable insert. The Gs are OK…just OK. I have had more leaks with those diapers than any of the others and I swear I can feel dampness through the G when he is wet. The are the last to be pulled from my supply.
I don’t think 2 uses is a fair assessment of a diapering system. I use g’s and cloth and sposies, and all have their ups and downs. First of all, if you had a wet leg area you had the fit wrong, yes there is a right way. Second, gdiapers.com recommends no less than 4-6 covers depending on how much/ often you want to wash so you can have them pre- stuffed and avoid the whole “what now” issue you encountered.
I agree that if you try something that might not be your norm once or twice its not going to go smoothly, for that matter if I (or most cloth users) tried and used only one type of style of cloth we might never use them again.
Anyway, those who read this, my advice is to try them yourself before you write them off (if you are interested) worst case you sell them off on CL or Diaper swappers. Either way, read all the info on gdiapers.com before you start. It really is helpful. ~Jaimey -not in any way affiliated with g’s.
Maybe I should’ve been clear?
1. I bought the G-Diapers trial kit. Their own trial kit, perfect for trying them. I’m not going to invest in 4-5 covers before trying the system.
2. I’m a fulltime CDer, so I know how ‘trial’ works with different systems. If you read this blog, you’ll see I’ve tested 10+ systems, with varying degrees of success but ALL more successful than the Gs.
I also picked up G-diaper covers and snap in liners second hand but in brandnew condition. I wasn’t so much impressed with the disposible liners (they reminded me too much of those gross super pads they give you at the hospital after birth) but the slimness of the cover really appealed to me. I used the liner as a template for making washable inserts. Treat it as I would any other cloth diaper insert for laundering and storage. like Jaimie I keep several prepped at my diapering station and it works like a charm. -Always keeping my eye out at thrift stores for you girls giving away your used once CD systems.