Have some time? Hang 'em on the Line

There's nothing I love more than a sunny day with a slight breeze; this type of weather is optimal for line drying sheets, clothes, and best of all, cloth diapers!

Now, my husband and I just built a new home, so my husband still has a few projects around the house, including my clothesline!  Since I don't have an actual clothes line yet, I like to use the clothes racks you can buy at a store. I just stand the rack out on the front porch (I know, I know...what a hillbilly).  But there are just so many good reasons to line dry your cloth diapers, it's worth the stares!

Here are a few of those reasons: 

1.  It uses NO energy (besides your own) since you don't have to run the dryer. We are always looking for ways to help the planet and our wallets!

2.  The sun has the ultimate stain fighting formula! I am constantly amazed at how white my bumGenius microfiber inserts are after hanging in the sun for a few hours.  It's truly awesome! And again, you aren't having to use bleach, Biz, or any other extra product to get those diapers stain-free!

3. The smell.  I find that after hanging on the line for a few hours, my diapers smell like the outdoors, of course.  It's nice to have that fresh smell as I diaper my little man.

4.  Cloth diaper advertisement! I can't tell you how many comments I've gotten about my diapers hanging outside.  Often, the conversation starts with "I didn't know people still used cloth diapers."  I then follow with "Oh, these aren't your mother's cloth diapers!"

4. Lastly, I don't know about you, but how CUTE do those diapers look hanging out on the line?!

Now, I know I won't get to line dry my diapers all the time (when there's snow on the ground and it's freezing outside!); but every chance I do get, you can bet my little diapers will be gracing my front porch, happily swaying in the wind!

Of course, there is a potential downside.  If you're in a hurry, line drying might not be your first choice.  It typically takes my inserts 3-4 hours to dry completely on the line; the covers, though, typically dry in an hour or less.  So, if you have some time, hang 'em on the line!

By Crystal B.

Have some time? Hang 'em on the Line

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Fabric Focus: Hemp and Cloth Diapers

As you know hemp has been widely used in cloth diapers for a number of years. Yes- I know just mentioning the word "hemp" might get some of you to grin! It is a pure fact that hemp comes from the same family as marijuana- the Cannabis genus.

From a quick look hemp looks very similar to marijuana however hemp contains no THC which is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

Hemp fibers are 3-4 times stronger than cotton fibers and it grows with very little care and usually no pesticides need to be used because the plant has no known insect enemies. Hemp is also much more absorbent that cotton.

Due to USA regulations hemp is not allowed to be grown legally in the states. This is why the cost of hemp products, including diapers that contain hemp, are relatively much higher in cost than a traditional cotton diaper.

Hemp is usually found in the following type of fabric forms:

Hemp fleece-widely used in cloth diapers.
Hemp knit jersey-which is comparable to the feel of regular cotton t-shirts.
Hemp french terry-usually a hemp and organic cotton blend
Hemp stretch-knit terry-a blend of hemp and Lycra- very absorbent and used in some brands of cloth diapers

What you need to know about hemp and cloth diapers:

If you purchase a diaper or diaper accessory product (like BabyKicks Hemparoo Joey Bunz) keep in the mind the following:

Wash the product at least 3 times (5 times is more ideal) in hot water with a cloth diaper friendly detergent. Dry in between cycles. This will remove most of the natural oils from the product. As you use the product more it will become more absorbent.

Make sure that when you dry your diapers that they get completely dry. If the diaper(s) stay semi-damp (for example: if you don't put them in the dryer long enough) they can be prone to retaining odor. To remove the stink we recommend washing and drying in hot water 3 times. To remove stains hang in the sun if possible.

Some interesting facts about hemp (taken from the BabyKicks "Why Hemp" Web Page):

Did you know ...

*Hemp can displace cotton which is grown with massive amounts of chemicals harmful to people and the environment. Fifty percent of the world's pesticides are sprayed on cotton.
*Hemp fibers are longer, stronger, more absorbent, and more mildew-resistant than cotton. The original Levi Strauss jeans made for the Sierra gold miners were made of hemp sailcloth.
*At a volume level of 81%, hemp oil is the richest known source of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids (the “good” fats). It is quite high in some essential amino acids, including gamma linoleic acid (GLA), a very rare nutrient also found in mother's milk.
*Hemp is good for the soil in which it's grown, as opposed to other crops that deplete the soil of nutrients.
*You can't get high from industrial hemp.
*Industrial hemp actually poses a threat to marijuana growers by cross-pollinating with their high THC plants, and greatly reducing the THC level in subsequent generations.
*George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew hemp.
*Ben Franklin owned a mill that made hemp paper.
*Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper.


Some hemp diapering products we recommend:

BabyKicks Hemparoo Joey Bunz- made of 45% certified organic cotton and 55% natural hemp- these are truly the "work-horse" off all hemp inserts.

Knickernappies Super-Do Hemp Terry Inserts: We find this is the most absorbent insert on the market- hands down. This insert contains 6 layers of hemp terry and 2 layers of thirsty microfiber. We use this insert along with a bumGenius one-size micro terry insert in our pocket diapers for our baby. A 12+ hour night with no leaks- guaranteed!

Baby Beehinds One Size Hemp Fitted Diaper- These diapers are made from 55% hemp and 45% certified organic cotton. Baby BeeHinds Hemp Fitteds offer a 100% natural fiber option with flexibility in fit and absorbency, enabling you to adjust the diapers to suit your baby's own needs.

Fabric Focus: Hemp and Cloth Diapers

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