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What Goes into Making a Good Wetbag?
What Is a Wet Bag?
A wet bag is a reusable, washable, and eco-friendly bag designed primarily to hold and separate wet items. The outside is typically made from cotton or water resistant fabric, and the inside is ideally lined with soft but durable PVC-free polyurethane laminate.
Key Features When
Considering a Wet Bag:
Closure Style
A wet bag usually closes by zipper, drawstring, Velcro, or simply by folding the top over. To truly seal in odors, zipper closures are recommended.
Construction
A good wet bag will keep the cotton outer layer separate from the inner layer to prevent wicking. Wicking occurs when water seeps out the sides of the wet bag, usually because the wetness comes in contact with outer cotton fabric.
Fabrics
The outside is usually made from 100% cotton fabric with a waterproof interior lining. Due to the possibility of chemical additives leaching out of vinyl PVC products, look for PVC-Free wet bags made from Polyurethane Laminate (PUL). PUL is a laminate that makes fabric waterproof. It is breathable, machine washable, thin and safe. Look for a high quality PUL that is soft to the touch, yet strong and durable. Avoid interiors that are thin and crinkly like a raincoat.
Accessories
Wet bags may contain a strap for hanging the wet bag from a door knob or stroller handle.
Size
Wet bags often come in various sizes correlating to the number of diapers they hold. While straps may add functionality, they also add bulk, so consider how you're using the wet bag—most typically wet bags are added to your diaper bag where space is limited.
Quality of Craftsmanship
If the sewing is poor, the wet bag will not stand up to the multiple wash cycles it goes through. It is essential to have solid, interlocking seams so the bag stays completely intact over time.
Taking It to the
Next Level:
The key in designing and choosing a wet bag is to make sure that it retains a long life. Quality is certainly important, but so is choosing the right fabrics to offer. Be careful not to select a design that limits the life of the wet bag to the younger years. A good wet bag will be a stylish addition to the diaper bag but also chic enough to be used by adults.
Aren't Wet Bags Just
for Cloth Diapering?
Although the wet bag started in the cloth-diapering arena, the adaptation by non-cloth diapering parents has been phenomenal as the wet bag is so versatile. Wet bags grow with a child, through baby, toddler, teen, and adult years; including:
- Baby: Cloth or disposable diapers, wipes, bibs, bottles, wet clothes, and baby food.
- Toddler: Potty training, drippy sippy cups, snacks, wet clothes, and swimwear.
- Teen: Eco-friendly lunch bag, after practice sports bag, swim team bag, and beach wear.
- Adult: Gym clothes, cosmetics, toiletries, swimwear, hiking and camping gear, and traveling.
Not only do wet bags separate wet items while traveling, they keep dry items dry and are useful for storing cameras, cell phones, or other items while at the beach.
What Are the Alternatives
To Using a Wet Bag?
- Ziploc bags
- Plastic grocery and shopping bags
- Disposable baby diaper bags
- The small plastic sewn bags that usually come inside diaper bags. Most are lined with PVC, a non-environmentally friendly material, and usually do not stand up well over time. Although they do separate items, they are often small, do not wash well and are not ideal for storing wet items.
While most of these achieve the same purpose of separating wet items, the disposable options while convenient are not eco-friendly, do not stay organized while in the diaper bag, and are more expensive in the long run.
Conclusion: Why Wet Bags are a Great Addition to Your Boutique!
Wet bags traditionally started out as storage for cloth diapers, yet parents and boutiques are finding that due to their versatility, wet bags have become a diaper bag essential. As the "green" movement continues to gain momentum, customers are drawn to the ability to wash and reuse a wet bag, which has propelled it into more mainstream avenues. The relatively low price point on wet bags makes them a perfect addition to a shower gift, and also allows boutiques an affordable and chic way to get in on the green craze. Simply put, the wet bag is used for so many things at any age—it is an easy and convenient way to conceal messes and help the environment while simultaneously looking fashionable and chic—get creative, get a few, the uses are endless!
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