Cloth Diaper Washing Routine

So I'm doing my diaper laundry and while I'm waiting to hang my 2nd load on the line, I thought I'd share my wash routine!  Then I'd love to hear your routines as well!

We have a top load washing machine that we got from my parents.  It works great.  Uses a lot of water, but we live out in the country and don't pay for water so we aren't too worried about it--although we would like to get an HE washer at some point.  


Anywho, so my wash routine.  I keep two diaper pails (trash cans with lids, lined with diaper pail liners).  One is for the inserts (I pull them out of the diapers) and one for the covers or shells.  I keep two pails because I usually go 4 days in between washing.  1 pail just wasn't cutting it!


Well, I have found that this has made washing diapers really nice!  I have not had to strip our diapers since July of last year!! We never have stink issues or ammonia problems.  We use Rockin' Green - soft rock formula since we have softened well water.  

So I do the same routine with both loads:


1.  I set the washer load to extra large.
2.  I do a warm rinse. (No detergent)
3.  Then I do a hot/cold wash (With the 2 T of Rockin' Green)
4.  Lastly, I finish up with a 2nd rinse (No detergent)


Now, I like to hang dry everything--but that's not always possible.  So if I have to use the dryer, I only dry my inserts in there on medium.  I hang my covers/shells up on a drying rack.  Otherwise, outside on the line they go! 


So that's what works for us. What works for you?  

Tiny Tush Elite OS WINNER!!!!!!!!!

The winner is........

RACHEL S!


Congrats! You have been emailed!! Please respond within the week!!

First Ever Cloth Diaper App for IPHONE!!!!!

Be sure to check out Fluff Stash!! It is the very first cloth diaper app for the iPhone! Now, I only have an iPad but you can bet I'll still be downloading it!!

Check out the press release (from http://www.clothdiaperoutlet.com):

May 25, 2011

Introducing the very first of its kind, Fluff Stash, an iPhone app just for cloth diaper fanatics!  In this easy to use and navigate app you’ll have so much fun snapping fun shots of all your diapers, categorizing them by brand, color, size, style and more!  Sort, organize, and share your stash with the click of a button.

We know just how addicted cloth diapering moms are, not just to their cloth diapers, but to their smartphones and their social networks.  That’s why we’re giving you the best of all your favorite things by allowing you to satisfy your craving to talk about cloth, use your phone, and share photos of your entire stash all in one convenient place!




What’s the best part?

It’s totally affordable and easy to use!  No gimmicks, a really fun app that you can use on a daily basis for practical or totally impractical reasons, you decide!  Just $0.99 in iTunes App Store.

Download Fluff Stash from the App Store today and take your cloth diaper addiction to a whole new level!


Make sure you also “LIKE” Fluff Stash on Facebook where you can connect with other Fluff Stash users, ask questions, participate in promotions and more!


Like what you’re reading?

We need your help spreading the word about this new app!  Please copy & paste this press release and post it to your blogs, facebook, twitter, message boards and more!  Don’t keep this exciting news to yourself, the more who use it the more fun we all can have!

	Get the app for yourself at iTunes App Store	Take fun photos of your stash!
	Categorize your diapers and add captions	Import photos, share them, and more!

A Quick Vote, Please!

Hi all! This is just a quick post to see if you and all your family and friends could spare a quick vote for little Keegan.  Keegan has been battling cancer since his early days of life.  He and his family have been through so much..what a joy it would be to win this contest--I'm sure it would make their hearts smile.  


Link to Vote (all you have to do is like it! -- that easy!!): 

http://photos.parents.com/parents-cover-contest-2011/19/2011/210

If you want to know more about Keegan's Story you can go to:  

http://www.karingforkeegan.blogspot.com/


Thanks guys!! Please spread the word!!

Bummis Beautiful BASIC Pack Review: I am so surprised...

A while ago, I was given the opportunity to try out the Bummis Beautiful BASIC Pack.  This consists of 3 organic cotton inserts and 1 wrap.  My pack came with a wrap that would fit 15-30 pounds.  Now, I decided to try these out because I had sworn off covers and prefolds and Malina from Bummis is all the time raving about hers--so I wanted to see if she was just crazy.

See, it's not that I had a bad experience with leaking or anything when we used some with Collin previously (non Bummis brand), but I thought they were too time consuming and bulky.  Also, I never really knew how to fold the prefold -- despite numerous attempts to find info online (mind you, this was 17 months ago).  So..I said, "NO more!" and I sold them all....


Well...I am so surprised! The Bummis prefolds and wrap are NOT bulky at all.  I was genuinely shocked by this.  Whenever I had seen other moms using covers and prefolds, the baby had a SERIOUS fluffy booty...it was huge!! That is NOT the case with the Bummis wrap and prefolds.  I could put jeans over Collin's bum with no problem.  As I write this, I'm still surprised! 

So, okay, they won me over on the bulky issue..but what about the folding and how time consuming that is?  Ha! Bummis sends you INSTRUCTIONS on how to fold the prefold.  Um, THANK YOU! For Collin, we just did a tri-fold against the seams.  So I simply fold one side over, then the other and bam! I'm done! We lay it in the wrap, tuck it under Collin and fasten the wrap (velcro tabs make this part SUPER easy!).  Also, their velcro is AMAZING--seriously..I haven't come across any other diaper brand who's velcro holds up so incredibly well (this goes for their Easy Fits as well!). 


My mind has been forever changed about covers and prefolds thanks to Bummis' easy two piece cloth diaper system.  I especially love the Beautiful BASIC pack because it serves as 3 diaper changes! I love to save this for laundry day! 

And perhaps best of all is that you are getting organic diapers for an affordable price!!


I'd also like to add that we did not have any leaks or blowouts while using this diaper.  While it is not a double gusset leg opening, as long as the prefold is all tucked in, there should be no problems!

So now I need to get my hands on some newborn sizes for baby #2!!


Thank you to Bummis for letting me test and review this diapering system! Please know that these are my honest opinions!

ConsignMOM

Recently, I was contacted about a new site called ConsignMOM. It is an online marketplace for parents to buy and sell their new and gently used kid items.  The best part is that all standard listings on their site are absolutely free - you only pay if you want to add premium features such as bolding, etc. Also, all of the listings are automatically posted to their Facebook community of over 400 parents.

I think this is such a great idea! You all know how much I love buying/selling/trading fluff--well now we have a place to go for all our NON-cloth diaper items!

There are 3 different ways to sell things:

Standard Listing:  100% free.  You can add up to 2 photos and the listing is up for 60 days.

Premium Add-ons:  These include things like extra photos, having your listing bolded, featured, etc.  And renewing your listing. 

Yearly Membership:  For $25/year you get free premium add ons for all your listings plus a virtual store front! So this would be ideal for you WAHMs!! 

But is it safe?

Yes.  ConsignMOM utilizes Paypal for all of the transactions.

Overall:

I think you need to check out this site! It's building a community of parents.  Sure, you can go to Ebay or Craigslist...but at ConsignMOM, they are going to try and "keep the riff raff out" -- so you can feel a bit safer! Also, you get to keep 100% of the profits! Not too shabby!

So go check it out and sign up! I don't think you'll be disappointed. And remember, the more people who find out about ConsignMOM, the better the community will grow! So tell your friends!!

Tiny Tush Elite One Size Diaper Review and Giveaway!!!

Gosh, it seems as though it has been FOREVER since I've gotten to show some fluffy love on the blog! Life has been crazy! But I'm back and EXCITED to tell you why we like our Tiny Tush Elite One Size diaper! 

Here's a little bit about Tiny Tush!  First off, they are a family owned business that started in 2000.  They personally test each product for quality, durability, comfort and fit! They guarantee satisfaction.  I think their policy is awesome. "We offer a 90 day money back guarantee on all of our new products (the best return policy of online cloth diapering retailers) because we want our customers to be completely satisfied with their purchases. We also offer a 30 day return on used products. Our philosophy is 'If you are unhappy with our products tell us, if you are pleased with our products tell others.'"  How fantastic is that?!  They truly do put the customer first!

In addition to their outstanding customer service, you will find a variety of products from Tiny Tush! In addition to their One Size diapers, they carry diaper covers, doublers, liners, wet bags, wipes, scented disks, wool wash, as well as a whole line of Tweedle Bugs cloth diapering products!

On to the Review!!

What did we think:

Overall Look:  LOVE! It fits below the belly button on Collin, which I really like.  I am not a fan of diapers that ride high! It is also a trim fit..which is quite nice for jeans days!

Quality of Materials:  Outstanding.  The PUL is thick and sturdy.  The inner layer of non-piling micro-fleece lining is soft and washes easily! 

Inserts:  This diaper comes with 2 microfiber inserts--the standard plus a doubler.  They are longer and skinnier, which make stuffing the diaper very easy! I also LOVE that they have tags on their inserts...so I always know that these inserts go in my Tiny Tush diaper! 

Ease of Use:  I chose the snaps diaper and it is easy peasy! You only have to deal with one row of snaps.  And there are several so finding a good fit is not difficult.  We did not experience any wing droop when using this diaper! 

Fit:  Collin is 28 pounds and 17 months old.  With nearly every other One-size pocket diaper, he is on the biggest setting.  BUT with this diaper, the rise is still snapped down one!! This is FABULOUS! (It is said to fit 7-35 pounds)

Other Favorite Features: LOVE the reverse envelope pocket opening in the back.  The lining doesn't ride down and expose baby's skin to microfiber.  Also, I appreciate this design because poop doesn't get caught up underneath the flap.  Since I take out my inserts before I wash...I GREATLY  appreciate this! 

This diaper is made in the USA...you can feel good to know that by buying this diaper you are contributing to our economy! (*the microfiber inserts are imported).

And finally, COLOR CHOICES! Holy guacamole, have you seen all the colors to choose from?? Love the rainbow of options!

And...want to know the best part?? One of you gets the chance to win one in your choice of color and closure *snaps or aplix!! That's right! All you have to do is click the link below and fill out the Google Form to enter!  But first, here are a few rules:

The Rules:

1. This giveaway is open to residents of the US only.
   
   
2. You must be 18 years or older to enter.
   
   
3. You must complete the mandatory entry if you want all other entries to count.
   
   
4. Winner will be chosen using random.org and will have 72 hours to respond to my email.  Otherwise, I have to pick a new winner!
   
   
5. Contest ends May 25th at 9 pm PST.  All comments posted after this time will be deleted and will not count.
   
   
6. Have any questions? Email me--I love to help! biehladventures@hotmail.com

ENTER HERE

It is important to state that while I did receive a product free of charge, this review is my honest opinion.  Your opinion may differ.

Wordless Wednesday: I love his face :)