Marti Stanley’s Web Log

This past week I learned a lot about laundry detergent. Did you know that several brands use petroleum in both their detergents and their dry sheets? That cannot be good. It turns out that there are a lot of unnecessary ingredients in most of our common household cleaners. And it also turns out that alternatives to these toxic chemicals are very affordable. Most homemade household cleaner bases are either distilled white vinegar or baking soda. And no, that does not mean your home will smell like vinegar.

Arm & Hammer has scored bonus points in my book this week. They not only have some great products out there (baking soda, washing soda, etc.), but they are the first main stream chain to make a laundry detergent that is good for you and the environment. This product is made of plant-based soaps and it does NOT contain enzymes, brighteners, dyes, fragrance, softeners, phosphates, bleaches, or petroleum-based products. BUT it is biodegradable and is really safe for not only you, but your septic system. AND to top that off, it is concentrated which means less packaging AND the price is best of all, $3.49 for 26 loads. Now that I have you sold, I will tell you the product name…drum roll please…Arm & Hammer Essentials FREE. Now there is one other Essentials product, Mountain Rain. By the name you may have already guessed it, it contains fragrance. That is the only difference, it does not contain dye or anything else. But still, make sure you get the FREE. I was unable to find the FREE product at Target or Wal-Mart. They do carry the Mountain Rain, however, which is a good step having biodegradable detergent available to the masses. You have to go to a grocery store like Tom Thumb to find it, our local Kroger did not have the FREE version of this product.

Also at a grocery store you will find Arm & Hammer Washing Soda. I did not know this product existed until I started cloth diapering. It is wonderful! I have to say, I am impressed. It is all natural (no fragrance, phosphates, etc.). You can use it with your laundry (kind of like OxiClean, but a little safer) or you can use it to clean around the house. It comes in a basic yellow arm & hammer box, 55 ounces for $1.99. I found it at our local Kroger grocery store down the laundry aisle. On the box it gives directions on how to mix it with water to clean a variety of surfaces in your home. It also gives an address to mail in for a free booklet of household cleaning tips. I am very excited about this product.

In the midst of these (new to us) Arm & Hammer products we must not forget our old friend, baking soda. Buy a big box and read all about how to use it. You’ll be impressed. And distilled white vinegar is great for a general cleaning as well as replacing your liquid fabric softener. Use 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar in place of your regular liquid fabric softener. It can go in the machine slot or the downy ball, both work great. And if you want to replace your dryer sheets, you can get a damp washcloth, put a few small dabs of liquid fabric softener on it and throw it in the dryer with your clothes. It will not be as harsh on your dryer or your clothes.

OK, that should be enough to try for now. I have recently purchased some Planet dish washing soap and Planet dishwasher detergent (both are biodegradable and good for the Planet, hence the name). Once I have been able to sufficiently test these out I will let you all know about them.

Have a great holiday season!

OK, I think I have officially mastered cloth diapering. It is simple, easy and very trustworthy. That is the only reason I am able to use the word, mastered. I have officially figured out what works for my child, myself, and my husband.

Diapers: We use three different types of diapers. We use unbleached Indian pre-folds with a Snappi and a Bummis Super Whisper Wrap while we are around the house. We use Swaddlebees All-In-Ones whenever we go out. And we use Happy Heiny’s Heiny Huggers with a Thirsties Diaper Cover for nighttime. These products work great for us. We have not had one leak since we have been using this system! (Honest!)

We had difficulties at first because my husband did not feel comfortable in putting the pre-folds on correctly. This is when I started purchasing Fitteds, AIO (All-In-Ones) and Pocket diapers (all are more like disposables, very easy to use). Most of these have a fleece lining to keep the babies bottom dry. Though some children (those with sensitive skin) have allergic reactions (in the form of a rash) to the fleece on their bottoms. Which meant, most of what we tried did not work for us. So, that is why we use the Swaddlebees AIO, it has a cotton velour inner lining. They are great for sensitive babies!

The Swaddlebees AIO’s are the easiest, just pop ‘em on like disposables, nothing easier. I have to add that I prefer the side snaps to the velcro, they come with both options. I know that sounds harder, but it is so much easier. Easier to wash, easier to snap and unsnap quickly, it’s great. The only reason this is not the only diaper in our stash is because of the price. They run about $17+ per diaper. We have enough for outings, sitters, etc. Another great thing about this diaper is that it has a pocket. If you need extra absorbency (long car ride, big outing, etc.) you can simply add an insert or doubler in the pocket. These diapers do take a while to dry, but if you turn them inside out, it speeds up the drying time.

The unbleached Indian pre-folds are very absorbent too. They are just harder to put on a moving child. Plus you have to know how to fold the diaper to put in on and how to use either pins or a Snappi. I prefer the Snappi. Very easy and very quick. With the pre-folds, I prefer the Bummis Super Whisper Wrap diaper cover. These work well together.

The Happy Heiny’s Heiny Huggers are fitted diapers. They are made of Sherpa cotton and are very soft. I use this diaper at nighttime just because it (like the other options) is very absorbent and it’s so soft, I would want to sleep with something that soft. It is said fitteds are good for nighttime use because they allow more air in which makes it more breathable (since it will be hours before the diaper is going to be changed). I prefer the Thirsties diaper cover over a fitted diaper. This combo works well together.

Cleaning: If the diaper is wet, I simply put it in the diaper pail (which is now a small plastic trash can). If the diaper is dirty, I use the Mini Shower diaper sprayer and spray the poop off the diaper and into the toilet. I then put the diaper in the pail.

Laundry: (Done every 1-2 days, but can be done every 2-3 days). I take all the diapers and run them through a pre-wash cycle in cold water and 1/2 cup baking soda. Then I take all the diapers out of the washer and set them aside while I get the machine ready. I wash them in hot water, cold rinse (high water level) in 1/4 cup detergent, 1/2 cup washing soda and I put 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar in the fabric softener section of the machine (can put in a downy ball too). Then I add the diapers. When that wash is completed, I fluff up the diapers and do another rinse and spin in cold water (no cleansers). Then I dry the diapers. If it is a nice day, I use the clothes line and hang them to dry. If the weather is rainy or too cold, I use the dryer. Do not ever use fabric softener on your cloth diapers (it will make them less absorbant). Also, do not dry your diaper covers, lay them flat or hang them (it helps them last longer).

Easy, right?

~Here’s a little added word about cloth diapering. One, purchase one of a couple things and try them each out to see what works best for you. If you actually go to a cloth diapering store, a lot of times you can purchase used diapers. They can be very good quality at a very affordable price. Two, if you purchase new diapers, make sure you wash and dry them at least four times. They will not be absorbent until they have been washed several times. Three, don’t give up. And don’t get discouraged if you are trying, get frustrated, and use disposables for a day while you regain your cool. It’s okay. Everything is a learning process and you have to learn what works best for your family.

On yet another note, I didn’t mention wipes. We use infant wash clothes. They are soft and I either wet them with running water or keep a spray bottle of witch hazel near the change table (and in the diaper bag). I also like the Kissaluvs Diaper Potion Lotion. You simply spray it on to protect your babies skin (it’s one of the few okay for cloth diapers diaper remedies). And one cool thing I found at Wal-Mart are Parent’s Choice biodegradable baby wipes. I plan on keeping them in my car for those times when I might need a disposable wipe.

Two more things and then I will be done. One, keep a wetbag in your diaper bag. Make sure it is a true wetbag and will prevent the other items in your bag from getting wet. Two, cloth diapers are a bit bulkier than disposables, so I have basically switched my daughter’s wardrobe over to dresses (with tights in the winter) or she wears cotton stretch pants. Jeans don’t stretch much, which makes it harder for her to move around when she wears them over a cloth diaper. That’s it.

OK. I guess cloth diapering is a lot like disposables in the way of figuring out which brand works best for you. When we were using disposables I fell in love with the Pampers Swaddlers. But those only go up to size 2, so I had to branch out and find something else. I bought five different kinds of disposable diapers before I decided which new kind of diaper I liked best on her. Well, my “trying things out” mentality has lead me to try different cloth diapering options than I previously discussed.

After reading several positive customer reviews on Thirsties diaper covers and Proraps diaper covers I decided to purchase one of each and see how they compared to the Bummis Super Whisper Wraps (BSWW). I will say, I was very excited about the Thirsties covers. They come in 13 different colors that are cute as can be. However, after getting it and trying it out. I really don’t feel it is as good a quality as the BSWW. I have only tried this cover twice, so it’s not a fair test, but it has not been all I had expected. I don’t see myself purchasing any more of them. For the Proraps, It reminded me a lot of the Thirsties, only it did not have the pull back tabs for easier washing. I just did not like this style cover.

I revisited the Dappi Pinless Cloth Diapers. The problem I had with this diaper previously was the fact that it went up so high in the back, I could not find a cover that would cover the entire area. If the cover doesn’t cover it, it doesn’t protect against wetness, thus it doesn’t work. I decided to see if the BSWW fit over the Dappi pinless and it did. Since these diapers are easy for my husband to put on, I am trying them out again, only with this cover instead of the Dappi cover. The pinless diapers do not absorb as much as the Indian Pre-folds (IPF), so I am having to put doublers in them.

In addition to changing up the diapers and covers I am also trying out different washing styles. I think my daughter might be having reactions to the vinegar rinse. Since she has a rash right now, I am having to put the rice liners in her diapers so I can use ointment on her bottom. It is not recommended that you use ointment directly up against a diaper. The oil in the ointment creates build-up on the diaper, then it needs to be stripped. (It’s just extra work that you try to keep from doing).

I am toying with the idea of using a wet pail for dirty diapers and a dry pail for wet diapers, but haven’t started that yet. I will let you know how these new “try out” sessions go. I still highly recommend the Mini Shower diaper sprayer if you are considering cloth diapering. It has by far, been the best accessory I have found.