1000 LIKES GIVEAWAY

I finally hit 1000 likes on Facebook!!
I think this justifies a giveaway.

The rules are easy:
1. BE A FAN ON FACEBOOK!!
2.Follow my blog
3. Post a comment on this blog post!
4. Refer a NEW friend to Facebook.

Each thing you do (be a fan, follow my blog, post a comment, or refer a friend) earns you an entry.  Make sure your friend tells me that you sent them!
Winner will be drawn randomly and receive a prize (just let me know if you want a boy, girl, or neutral prize)
GET POSTING :) 

GIVEAWAY WILL CLOSE SATURDAY AT 8PM :)

I want to thank all of my wonderful Facebook fans for keeping me busy!  I appreciate each one of you :)

Cloth Wipes

How I Use Cloth Wipes

 

I've decided to include a video of how I fold my cloth wipes so that they conveniently fit into a standard pop-up wipes container. 

I also keep my wipe solution in a spray bottle next to my wipes.  I use Monkey Doddlez Wipe Cubes (the same kind I sell!) and simply dissolve one in very warm water and keep this on hand.  Because it is in a spray bottle, I can also spray a little extra on babe if I feel it needs a little extra help!

I hope this all makes sense!

* I apologize for the crappy video- 1 handed wipe folding is about as easy as 1 handed video taking *

Handwashing Cloth Diapers

I had a couple of people as me about how hard it would be to handwash cloth diapers.  I have never actually done this but have researched some general guidelines!

Handwashing Cloth Diapers

• Step 1: Decide where you are going to work and plug the sink or tub drain and add a cloth diaper friendly detergent (add according to washer directions)
• Step 2: Add water as hot as you can stand!
• Step 3: Add the diapers and swish swish swish. This is a good time to let them soak for a little while so go find something else to do :)
• Step 4: After soaking (or you can skip the soak if you want) knead the diapers with your hands (rubber gloves are useful in this step!).
• Step 5: Unplug the sink or tub and let the water drain out.
• Step 6: Fill the tub with clean fresh hot/warm water and swish swish swish again.
• Step 7: Rinse the diapers under hot or warm running water until the water is clear.
• Step 8: Wring out your diapers very well and place in the dryer or hang to dry.

Tips for Handwashing Cloth Diapers

• If you handwash and hang dry, it may be best to stock up on extra diapers as this process takes a bit longer.
• Flat diapers are the easiest to handwash and will dry the quickest. Pocket diapers are a good second for quick drying.  AIO's are very hard to wash and take forever to dry when handwashed!
• Washing cloth diapers by hand is less overwhelming if you wash every day or every other day.
• Some people like to use your own or child's used bathwater to pre-soak your cloth diapers before washing.
• Like washing in washing machine, you should always rinse your cloth diapers in cold water before washing to prevent stains from setting.
• Try handwashing cloth diapers in a large bucket with a plunger as agitator.
• Don't worry if your cloth diapers come off the line stiff as boards, once they warm up they will soften.
• If you can't dry your cloth diapers outside try a wooden drying rack or hang clotheslines on a porch or in the kitchen.

Using One-size Pocket Diapers

Ok. First, this is what you should have!
One diaper and one insert (or two depending on if you have a heavy peer or if it is overnight)

 The next step is to take that insert and stuff it inside that pocket in the back.  Try to keep it flat and straight.  (This is what will absorb the pee!)  If you are using the diaper on a newborn you may need to fold it.  I fold the top 1/3 over anyway because I have a boy and he pees in the front.  Many people have different methods. 

 Next- get your baby.  (Once you know the settings, you can have the rise adjusted before you get your baby!) (Don't mind my doll- My baby is 18 months and would not cooperate with this procedure except to lend his doll!)

 Now to adjust the rise!  This is what makes the diaper fit from birth to toddlerhood (and beyond!)You have 3 settings- snapped up to the first row, snapped up to the second row, and completely unsnapped! (This baby needed the smallest setting!!)

 Snapping the rise!

 Now a great feature for my diapers is this bottom snap.  This snap will adjust the leg size (and help with wing drop you may experience in those single row diapers!)  This baby is tiny so we go the tightest it can go!  Snug around the legs helps the pee stay in the insert!

 Now snap the top snaps.  These snaps help with the waist size.  Again, keep it snug but not uncomfortable.  You want a snug fit on the waist to eliminate those back blow outs!

These snaps can also snap on top of each other for the snuggest waist fit.  The diaper is a little big for this baby- but surprisingly not as bad as I would think for such a small doll!!

 Make sense?? Once you get a routine, it should be easy as pie.  I keep all of my diapers pre-stuffed to make cloth diapering as convenient as disposables!!

Wet Pail, Dry Pail, Your Pail, My pail

Ok so, I was asked about wet pails today (soaking your diapers in a pail of water until time for washing.)
When it comes down to it, when using pocket diapers, I strongly recommend dry pails. I find Wet Pails are not an efficient method since my cover cannot go into it and I would therefore need to use both.
But, in the end, it is your choice. Here are some pros and cons for each.

First off- If you are using pocket diapers or covers, these should not be left in water. If you are using pocket diapers, the insert technically could be put in a wet pail but not the PUL cover!

WET PAIL
Storing the diapers in water (sometimes accompanied by baking soda) is said to help prevent stains from setting. When wash day comes, the water is drained in the bathtub or toilet and then the diapers go into the wash. The water should be changed daily to keep smells at bay!
This method has lost much of its use due to odor issues that arise from stagnant water, the potential for messiness, and the potential drowning hazard present by having a pail full of water in the vicinity of children.
Never put your PUL covers or Pocket Diapers in standing water. It is not good for the PUL
Also, some say that standing in the dirty wet water can spread stains to all diapers.

DRY PAIL
The dry pail method seems to be the preferred method with today's diapers.
In this method, wet and soiled diapers are merely placed within a covered (or uncovered) pail with no pre-soaking. Odors can be controlled in a variety of ways. Rockin Green actually creates a product in a cute shaker that is meant to be sprinkled on your diapers in a dry pail.
Stains are usually removed in the wash using this method but if stains remain after washing, you can lay them in the sun to dry and most stains will be naturally bleached out. In this method, your pail can get smelly! You can reduce this by getting a pail liner or frequent washes!

So.... swim diapers??

So the other day I had a friend of mine ask about swim diapers.  I gave a quick explanation on what they were and I was countered with the question, "Do they absorb pee?"  Now I apologize to the friend who asked and I am only making light of the situation but, how the hell would that work? :)  How could you make a diaper that absorbs pee on the inside and not pool water on the outside?  That would be an interesting concoction!!
Now, this brings me to my next question, do people out there ACTUALLY think that those name brand disposable poop catchers (I mean swim diapers) absorb pee??  Um... theres no way they could.  You are paying a fortune for a poop catcher (which most times doesn't do anything and takes forever to decompose in a landfill!)
Swim diapers (cloth or disposies) DO NOT absorb pee!!  They are only there to catch the BM if need be.  Now, Jachob has been swimming since he was a few months old and I have only ever needed that "catcher" twice!  Can you imagine the money I would have wasted!! Sheesh.
Ok.... so....I have 2 types of swim diapers.  I have the kind that pull on and the kind with side snaps.  After having a BM incident in each I STRONGLY recommend the side snaps.  A wet swim diaper does not pull down easy if you have an incident.  NOT AT ALL!!
And now I will step off my soap box :)

Why do my diapers STINK? And what can I do about it??

Sometimes even after you wash and dry your diapers, you find they stink.  Maybe after one pee your diapers reek to high heavens!!  You've got a case of the stinkies!! :)

Sometimes, the smell is leftover because you just didn't wash them well enough but sometimes it is simply a build up of detergent, lotions, or oils (even natural oils that your body produces can cause a build up!)  Because of this build-up, your diapers really aren't getting the wash they need and are not absorbing as much as they could!!

If you notice you have a case of the stinkies or your inserts just aren't absorbing how they should, you need to strip them!! There are many different methods!! And before we get into that, let's make sure you are washing your diapers correctly to start!!  The key to washing cloth diapers effectively is a rinse before you start (cold water), hot water, and an extra final rinse (especially if you have a HE washer or you are using a not so friendly detergent!)  The way I wash my diapers IS:
1. COLD rinse with no detergent (get rid of all the pee!)
2. HOT regular wash using approx 1 TBSP of Rockin Green!
3. COLD rinse (I do this twice- read note!)
4. Hang to dry or low-heat dryer setting!
NOTE: I would ALWAYS do a second rinse at the end because I have an HE washer.  If you have a regular top loader, AND are using Rockin Green, only one rinse once.  If you are using a non- cloth diaper friendly detergent- rinse twice!


To strip your diapers:


Method #1: Regular Routine Stripping
On a regular basis, I always strip my diapers about once a month. Your washing machine needs to be set on a heavy duty cycle with a hot wash and don’t add any detergent. Add your CLEAN cloth diapers. When the washer is done filling and it begins to agitate, open the lid and check for any suds in the water. Even if you see a layer of film you will want to repeat the wash cycle again until you no longer see any detergent in the water during agitation.  If you have an HE front-loader washer, you will be able to see once there are no longer any suds (you may be surprized how long this takes!)
Once you no longer see detergent in the water your diapers have been stripped. See, that was easy. Now that your diapers are shiny clean, make sure you are always washing your diapers correctly to eliminate high need for this!

Method #3: Dawn Dish Soap
Synthetic materials like fleece often don’t rinse out very well. This can cause pocket diapers to have an odor and the build up can cause them to repel which will result in leakage. Using diaper creams without using a liner against the fleece can also cause repelling issues. In this case, there is a little bit more labor involved.
If you find that your pocket diapers need stripping you need to do it by hand. First soak the pocket diapers in hot water with some dawn dish soap for about 30 minutes. Then either using a soft scrub brush or your hands, scrub the entire layer of fleece both inside and out. Then wash the pocket covers in the washer until you don’t see any soapy residue left in the water.  Again, this may take a few times!

Method #4: Rockin' Green- FUNK ROCK
Simply add 4 tablespoons to up to 20 diapers in one sitting. Let them set for at least 30 minutes, but I know people who leave them over night!  You can also use a little in your pre-wash to keep the stinkies from coming back.  One bag should last at least 2 months!!
OR SIMPLY ROCK A SOAK with any Rockin Green!


Other tips:
You can also add a ½ cup of baking soda to help neutralize and eliminate any odors. (DO NOT USE ON POCKETS OR FLEECE)
Following a hot wash, run an extra rinse cycle (with optional ½ cup of vinegar) to get rid of any leftover residue. (DO NOT USE ON POCKETS OR FLEECE)
ALWAYS Start with a cold rinse..heat will cause proteins (solid waste, food etc) to set into fabric and stain!
** Baking soda and vinegar uses are questionable. Research it yourself and make the best decision for you. I have never used these methods. (DO NOT USE ON POCKETS OR FLEECE)**


Do NOT use bleach, fabric softeners, or dryer sheets!
Avoid zinc oxide diaper creams as they will stain your diapers and causing repelling.  If absolutely necessary, use a fleece or disposable liner, but be sure to wash the fleece liner separately!
Use the highest water level setting! (I actually pause my washer and add extra HOT water since I cannot adjust my water level!)
PUL covers should be dried periodically in the dryer. This helps to "seal" the laminate and maintain the waterproof qualities!

What are Pocket Diapers?? And how many do I need??

Pocket diapers are easiest to use as they are actually shaped like a disposable diaper!! They are usually made of only two layers of material sewn together to form a pocket. The outside part is made of waterproof PUL (polyurethane laminate). The inner layer that touches baby’s skin is made of a stay-dry fabric which wicks moisture away from baby’s skin. These Pocket Diapers are fastened with snaps which are the most convenient for washing and staying on older babies!!

Inside the pocket, you need to stuff an insert to provide absorbency (the stuff that holds in that pee!). After laundering them, you can stuff the inserts in so that they are ready to go when you need them. If you have them pre-assembled they are simply as easy to use as a disposable! (seriously!!) You can adjust the number of the inserts you use depending on the amount of absorbency you need. (double stuff for nighttime or for long car rides!)

My Pocket Diapers come in one-size versions which can grow with your baby by adjusting the rise snap setting on the front of the diaper. Other types of Pocket diapers come in weight sizes (similar to disposables.)

 

 So.... how many do you need??

For one baby,

If you want to:
Use cloth diapers only some time:
6-10

Wash diapers every day:
12-16

Wash diapers every second day:
16-24

Wash diapers every third day:
18-24

Wash diapers twice a week:
24-36

 Make sense yet?? If you are still confused send me an email or  head over to www.facebook.com/denisesfluffyshop and send me a message!!  Cloth diapering is super easy and actually becomes addicting!!