Detergent Confessional

I have a confession to make. I don't use Rockin' Green. It's the premier detergent preferred by cloth diaperers everywhere. It's not that I don't want to use it. I do, and have in the past before, but it doesn't work for our family. It gave my daughter a terrible rash.

Cloth diapers are supposed to have decreased rash. Once I started using cloth diaper friendly detergent, we battled this ridiculous rash for months (seriously, like 5 months). I stripped, and stripped to no avail. I used tea tree oil. I bleached the inserts. I boiled the inserts. I sunned the diapers. We changed diet, used cloth-diaper friendly ointments, and even had prescription creams. Nothing helped. I was crying, literally, for answers. Were disposables my only option?

I stumbled upon the solution accidentally. I had a sample of Country Save detergent and decided to use it. I didn't notice a major change until I went back to the Rockin' Green. The rash got worse. Much worse! It dawned on me that when I was using regular soap (and got ammonia build up and stinky diapers) that we didn't have a rash. Maybe the detergent was the problem.

Rockin' Green is a great detergent and the testimonials of its effectiveness are littered throughout the internet, but I have a daughter with strange skin. She doesn't have eczema or anything out of the norm with her skin. But get this, she's also allergic to Aveeno products. It put little red bumps all over the places I rubbed lotion. Crazy! I mean, who can't use Aveeno?

The story ends without a diapering solution because my daughter was ready to potty train before I could figure out how to clean the diapers so they wouldn't hurt her skin. But now I'm using the diapers for baby number two. I don't want to take any chances that he might also have her skin sensitivities. So with this, I have had to experiment with a wash routine that gets the diapers clean but doesn't irritate my baby's skin.

Wash routines can't be over-taught because every situation is different and I think it is likely to change. You can't hear too much about options because once you think you've mastered cleaning, some problem comes up.

Here are the steps at our hard water, Arizona house:

1. Rinse and Spin cycle with half a capful of Calgon water softener.
2. Deep steam high efficiency wash setting with half a scoop of Country Save. I add the pre-wash, extra rinse, and extra spin option.
3. Every other wash, I use the regular wash setting with 1/4 cup BacOut to help with stains and smells.

I buy Country Save at Sprouts, Calgon at Walmart, and bought the BacOut off Amazon.

I want to try RLR and might include a packet or two in my next Kelly's Closet order because I hear it brings used diapers back to bright white and I would love to freshen up the batch for little brother.

Bio: Alicia is an 8th grade English and Drama teacher and is a pretty crunchy momma. She shares her Arizona home with a wonderful husband, energetic 3 year old, sweet 2 month old, 1 crazy dog, and 7 happy chickens.

Detergent Confessional

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Making your own detergent

One of my new years resolutions was to begin being more thrifty and earth friendly. After having made my first batch of homemade laundry soap- I was hooked. It cleaned so well, and smelt so good! Could I possibly make my own diaper detergent? Surely you need a lab, some sort of scientific background...who can just whip up diaper detergent? After a lot of research, and I mean a lot- no way I'm going to ruin my stash by using something on my diapers that I shouldn't, I finally found, tweaked, made, and used homemade diaper detergent! It has been a few weeks now, over 20 diaper loads and we have had no buildup issues (you actually don't even use real "soap"), no odor issues, and no leaking. Actually, it's been pretty perfect so I thought I'd share! :

What you will need:
-baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
-oxygen cleaner (sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate)
-washing soda (sodium carbonate)
-A lidded jar or tub to keep it in.

Mix equal parts of all three ingredients, put into your container. That's it! I love that this is not a huge recipe, you can make however much you want to make or however much can fit into your jar. Use 2TBS for a medium-large load, and 1TBS for a small load. They do not come out smelling like lemons and watermelon, clean is not a scent. They smell like nothing, and they are clean! I am no expert, all I know is this has been working for our family, our budget, and our diapers!

**Disclaimer: Be sure to check with diaper manufacturer's to see if homemade detergent that contains these ingredients are safe to use on your diapers.

Shay is a stay at home mom of three little girls, a foster mom, and a regular TCDW blog contributor. When she's not homeschooling, changing diapers, or snapping pictures, she spends time blogging about their journey in the foster care system, family, cloth diapering, and raising kids. You can follow along at http://www.busybudgetmom.blogspot.com

Making your own detergent

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Super Saturday Coupon

Super Saturday Coupon

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Why is Fleece an Important Component to Your Cloth Diaper?

Many moms may not realize that fleece revolutionized the diapering world. Without fleece, I may have never invented the modern cloth diaper, FuzziBunz. Fleece is found in many cloth diapers today because it really is a wonder fabric. It's really a simple concept, but worth explaining in simple terms.

Fleece, by nature, allows moisture to pass through it. It's not very absorbent. This means your baby will stay dry when wearing diapers with an inside fleece layer. When baby urinates, the moisture passes through to the inside layer, where it is absorbed by a microterry, hemp or other absorbent material(s). The fleece layer, of the most part, stays dry against baby's skin. By staying dry, it keeps wetness off baby's skin and may make for fewer diaper and moisture irritations on your baby's private parts.

Because fleece allows moisture to flow through it, it does require some special care. First of all, fleece often allows soap to build up on it. Soap scum build up will create a layer of gunk on the diapers, not freely allowing urine to pass through to the absorbent layers below. Minimal soap and detergents with clean-rinsing agents should be used when washing diapers with fleece. Only some detergents are manufacturer-approved to wash with fleece diapers, including FuzziBunz Cloth Diaper Detergent, Rockin' Green, Allen's Naturally and Charlie's Soap. Also, it's important that no fabric softeners are used with fleece and that you avoid diaper creams, ointments and Vaseline-based products. If you must use ointments for a medical reason, either put a layer between your baby's bottom and the fleece or use disposables until the treatment is done.

As you can see, fleece is an important fabric used by many cloth diaper manufacturers who recognize the fabric's special powers. Just be sure to treat your fleece with TLC so it doesn't compromise the function of your cloth diaper investment!

Known as the “Mother of the Modern Cloth Diaper,” Tereson Dupuy invented the cloth diaper that started the entire modern cloth diapering movement more than a decade ago. She later turned her invention into what is known today as FuzziBunz cloth diapers, a popular brand of cloth diapers since 2000.  As an inventor, business owner and mom to three, Tereson has many years of personal and professional experience in the cloth diaper industry, and she's excited to work with The Cloth Diaper Whisperer to offer her perspective on cloth diapering trends and insights. She can be found online at www.FuzziBunz.com

Why is Fleece an Important Component to Your Cloth Diaper?

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The Importance of a Good Detergent (and following directions!)

There was a time, I'll admit, when I did not know what I was doing. Yep, me. The cloth diapering mom who can get stains out, get funk out, freshen up my diaper Velcro, who knows just the right diaper & doubler combination for leak proof nights, can perfectly strip my diapers, uses only the best detergent and cloth wipe solution...did not always know "everything". As a matter of fact, when I first began cloth diapering, I didn't know anything.

Once upon a time, I had three brand new, beautiful and bright, soft & fluffy FuzziBunz for my 15 month old daughter. That's it, just three diapers to start out with. When it was time for wash day, I did what any "normal" person would do, and threw them in the wash with some lovely Purex detergent. Washed, dried, stuffed and used again. I loved it so much, I bought more! Until I had 16 Fuzzibunz in my stash. A few weeks into this, I began to notice an awful smell the minute the diaper was soiled. So awful my husband refused to change the diapers anymore. A few days later, they began to leak. Leak so bad I could put my daughter in a fresh diaper and load her in the car. Drive 2.6 miles down the road to church, and by the time I took her out of the car her pants were completely wet. By this point, I hated cloth diapering, but would not stop after all the money I had spent on diapers. I had no idea what I was doing wrong (HA, like I said...I didn't know anything...) so I finally asked a fellow cloth diapering friend what she thought about my issues. She advised I do some stripping and that if it didn't help, to do some research. Stripping? I had to figure out what that meant first!

I pulled out the washing instructions from KellysCloset that they send in every fluffymail package and read about stripping- and tried it. Tried it again, and again, and again. Nothing was working, I knew that the instructions said not to use regular or free & clear detergent, but my friend used it and never had a problem, so I ignored it and continued using it. I eventually became worn out and tired of cloth, tired of the leaks and the stink and all the stripping I was doing trying to get rid of it. So, I got rid of my beloved stash, and went back to disposables.

Six or so months later, I became pregnant. I don't know why, but I began think about cloth diapers again. My husband said "No way, not again", but after discovering TCDW Blog and all of the support and advice on the TCDW and Diapershops Facebook pages, I knew there was hope. After all, if cloth diapering was working for thousands of other moms, I had to be doing something wrong. After endless hours, and hours, and hours of reading my brains out about diaper care, I figured it out (like it was that hard...), my detergent ruined my diapers! You see, cloth diaper laundry is a little tricky. It's easy, but it's also a pain sometimes. You can't "just wash" your diapers like I thought. You have to: " Run a light wash, cold. Run a heavy wash with detergent, hot. Extra rinse, hot." Line or hang drying is best, but you can use a dryer, just don't use dryer sheets. Then the most important "rule", use a good detergent! I like to say, INVEST in a good detergent.

As a new cloth diapering mom, I never would have thought that washing my diapers in regular detergent would literally ruin them. But since I did know now, I decided I was going to use cloth with this next baby, and I was not going to ruin them or have a hard time with them! I was going to do everything right, starting with the purchase of our favorite, life-saving diaper detergent, Rockin Green. Yep, Rockin Green has spared me from having any funk or leaks with my new stash, it smells yummy, and I feel so secure knowing that I am not going to murder( R.I.P old stash) my new soft, fluffy, and beautiful Fuzzibunz. P.S- Don't take the laundry directions lightly! Every rinse counts- literally! If you have to, (I had to...) stick the directions somewhere in your laundry room!

Lesson Learned (the hard way...),
Shay P.

The Importance of a Good Detergent (and following directions!)

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A Family Affair

It all began when I was introduced to the world of cloth diapering with my 15 month old. A friend used them, they were cute, and it saved money! So, I ordered my first three pack of Fuzzibunz.

It was love at first sight...and smell...and touch! I soon began ordering more, stalking the online shops and making room in our budget for more cloth, so that I'd have enough cloth diapers and never have to buy disposables.

When I had enough for my 15 month old, I realized that I was still buying disposables for my 2 1/2 year old for night time and naps, and discovered I was pregnant, again! I soon put cloth diapering on hold, and got rid of the stash I had acquired. I felt like I was wasting money on cloth, "special" detergent, and electricity by just cloth diapering one of my soon to be three children. I didn't have the money at the time to buy enough cloth to fully diaper three kids.

Sometime in mid pregnancy, after reading my brains out about cloth diapers and how to make it work with all of my children, I decided that I was going to make it work. I was determined to be a cloth diapering family, from newborn to toddlers.

I started over, regretting ever stopping and letting go of my dear stash. I started with diapers for the baby on the way, since she was going to be using them the most! With all of the coupons Kelly's Closet has, I had her stash ready in no time! From pocket diapers, pre-folds and covers, wet bags and detergents, we were set! Except...the toddlers. Remember, all of the kids Shay, stop wasting money on disposables! After more research, I ended up purchasing a few large Thirsties covers and some pre-folds for my 32 and 35lb toddlers. They only needed them at nap time and night time. A week later, all of our children had their own diapers and we had enough to stop buying them! Two weeks later, we ran out of disposables and we have yet to buy any more!

We were finally a 100% cloth diapering family! Even Daddy will change the diapers, knowing that we are saving a good amount of money, x3! Our toddlers love picking what color diaper they want before bed, and I love changing, washing, drying, smelling and admiring them! Here's to no more disposables!
By Shay

A Family Affair

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The Thirsties Duo Wrap Development Process

It isn't at all uncommon for a popular diaper brand to begin with a mother having a problem- and this is the case with the Thirsties brand. While cloth diapering is filled with advantages, not every system is right for every family. Thirsties designer Erin Kimmet always loved to sew and, while she was happy with the cloth diapers she was using, the covers seemed to always be an issue. She set out to cut costs by designing a one-sized diaper cover. Along the way, she ran into a few surprises. After six months of intense testing she emerged with a product that she was happy with.

Why Two Sizes?
Considering that Kimmet initially intended to create a one-size diaper cover, you may be surprised to discover that the Thirsties duo wrap diaper covers are actually sold in two adjustable sizes. As Kimmet began the development process, she discovered a common frustration with one-size diapering systems. While parents are initially drawn to one-size products as a money saving measure, they often end up purchasing more than the initial investment anyways. In actuality, it really isn't possible to create a diaper system that will fit on a tiny newborn without being bulky and overwhelming and still allow a comfortable fit on a toddler. This is the reason that Thirsties is sold in two size ranges- each fully adjustable. The smaller size can be folded down to comfortably fit a newborn, while the large size will give great coverage for a large toddler.

Supporting Local Production
While many diaper brands began as a cottage industry, economic concerns quickly prompt many designers to outsource their production. Thirsties, however, are still manufactured in a small local factory in Colorado. Production is carefully overseen by a real mom with real cloth diapering experience. The company likes to support strong families. Some Thirsties products are sewn by stay-at-home moms. When times are tough, it's nice to know that there is a company that truly cares about workers, families and quality.

Full Product Line
The cornerstone of the Thirsties brand is the diaper cover. However, it just makes sense that all the attention to detail would result in a more full-featured product line, and that is exactly what has happened as the years have progressed. In addition to the Thirsties adjustable diaper cover, the company also sells a cutting-edge fitted cloth diaper, as well as accessories such as wipes, doublers and cloth diaper detergent. With their customer-friendly approach, all the products are extremely affordable, offering some of the best performance for your money.

Cloth diapering is an excellent decision for the modern family. New designs mean that it is easy, as well as affordable, to keep your baby cuddled in cloth. Kelly's Closet is the perfect source for Thirsties products, as well as many other popular brands.

The Thirsties Duo Wrap Development Process

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