Crystal Wash 2.0 [Giveaway]

Here is another opportunity to win a Crystal Wash laundry system. I am partnering with Deliciously Savvy and other bloggers to bring you this giveaway. Crystal Wash cleans clothes without the use of detergents. Little Bio Ceramic balls change the pH of the water and allow dirt and stain to lift from fabrics. 

Deliciously Savvy & Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains are teaming up to Host a Giveaway for 2 Lucky Winners to Receive Crystal Wash 2.0! ( $50 ARV each) This is an amazing product that I am already In love with after only 2 washes!

Check Out Crystal Wash HERE

Sponsored By: Crystal Wash 2.0

Hosted By:

Deliciously Savvy & Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains

Co-Hosted By:

Michigan Saving and More

Kaisy Daisy's Corner

Mami's 3 Little Monkeys

Your Strong Tower

&

Sweepstakes Fanatics

Giveaway Dates: 12 AM EST 2/28 until 12 AM EST 3/14

Open To Us Residents and must be 18+ to enter

This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated or associated with Facebook,

Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This giveaway is valid only

in the United States. Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter.

This giveaway will end at 12:00 AM (EST) on 3/14/15.

Good Luck!

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FREE Blogger Opp: Crystal Wash Ball Giveaway

I am bringing you a second opportunity to win a Crystal Wash laundry system. I am partnering with Deliciously Savvy and other bloggers to bring you this giveaway. Crystal Wash cleans clothes without the use of detergents. Little Bio Ceramic balls change the pH of the water and allow dirt and stain to lift from fabrics. 

Below is a FREE blogger opportunity to offer a giveaway to ours readers. Details below!

Deliciously Savvy Is Hosting A Giveaway for 2 Lucky Winners to Receive Crystal Wash 2.0! ( $50 ARV each) 

Sponsored By: Crystal Wash 2.0

Hosted By:

Deliciously Savvy

&

Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains

Sign Ups Close 2/22 ~ Short Window! Sign Up Today!!!

Giveaway Dates: 12 AM EST 2/26 until 12 AM EST 3/12
Open To Us Residents and must be 18+ to enter

As Always, 2 FREE Links With Announcement Post ~ Choose from Facebook Visit, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. (OR Choose No Announcement Post and pay $3 to mcushing7@hotmail.com via paypal for the 2 links)

ANNOUNCEMENT POST HERE

Co-Hosts Needed: $5 for 5 links of your choice PLUS the 2 FREE links above = 7 links total. And I mean ANY links you choose… Facebook Likes, shares and or Comments, Twitter Re-tweets, Website Comments, Giveaway Entries, Daily Votes, Daily Endorsements, Extra Follows, Anything, you tell me! You will be be highlighted in the Giveaway Picture and Giveaway HTML, as well as receive a co-host page PLUS an extra follow page or two depending on total number of sign ups, which are all linked back to your website. Co-Hosts Are Not Required To Post Announcement BUT It Is Greatly Appreciated.:)

***Other Sign Up Options Available On Sign Up Form***

SIGN UP HERE

SAVVY OFFER: The Blog With The Most Referrals for this giveaway (whether your own announcement post or word of mouth) will receive a FREE Co-Host spot for this giveaway. If you sign up for the co-host spot and have the most referrals you will be refunded the co-host fee.
  

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Crystal Wash [Giveaway]

Crystal Wash is a unique laundry ball that lasts up to 1000 washes.

No dyes.
No chemicals.
No perfumes.
No detergents!

Just little Bio Ceramic balls that use far infrared rays to reduce negative ions in the water of the laundry machine and raise the pH level to 8.5 or greater. This process shrinks the water molecule clusters to a size that allows dirts and soils to be soaked free naturally. Additionally, the Bio Ceramics create Hydrogen Peroxide which disinfects the clothes, kills bacteria and odor.

Crystal Wash is currently working on a project, Crystal Wash 2.0, the "connected" version. Crystal Wash 2.0 is connected to your phone through an app and can tell you the wash pH levels, wash alerts, and wash cycle tracking stats.

Enter below for a chance to win the Crystal Wash system.

Please use the Giveaway Tools entry form. Open to US only. All entries will be verified. Duplicate, incomplete and invalid entries will be deleted. 

Giveaway

Crystal Wash (ARV $50)

Entry-Form

Disclosure: All Natural Katie is not responsible for companies/sponsors who fail to ship the prize.

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Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift Ideas 2014

As we get into November, my mind turns to the upcoming holiday season. Now that I have a toddler in the house, I am even more careful about selecting eco-friendly and non-toxic gifts. I hope this list will give you some good ideas for your own children, significant others, friends, family, etc. Some of the items we own and use. I would recommend these products. Other items we would like to receive as gifts this year (denoted with WANT). I will continue to add to this list as ideas pop up.


Holiday Gifts Under $25

Tropical Traditions - non-toxic body and beauty products would make a great basket or great bonus gifts. We use Tropical Traditions natural soap on a daily basis. They also started carrying a great selection of pure essential oils.

Halo Organic Sleep Sack - we have been using organic cotton Halo SleepSack Wearable Blankets for almost 1.5 years. These sleep sacks are perfect for all seasons to keep baby warm and comfortable. Cotton provides breathability and reduces the possibility of babies overheating.

Stainless Steel Straws - Eco at Heart makes wide straws that are perfect for any drink or smoothie. The straws come with a cleaning brush.

Eco-Kids Eco-Finger Paint (WANT) - powder based paint made with natural ingredients and natural colors. Mix powder with water to create paint. No need to worry about the baby or the toddler putting it in their mouth.

Epicurean Eco Plastic Cutting Board (WANT) - I have a regular Epicurean cutting board and would love to have a bigger one in the eco plastic.

Mason Jar Pour Caps (WANT) - this is a perfect gift for any Mason jar lover. Transform canning jars into containers for drinks, snacks, and more. Sizes available for regular mouth jars and wide mouth jars.


Holiday Gifts Over $25

Swell Stainless Steel Water Bottle (WANT) - I need to replace my old stainless steel water bottle and need something that can withstand dropping by a toddler. I love the shape of this bottle. Insulation helps to keep drinks cold.

Organic Cotton Half Apron (WANT) - I have never used an apron, but have found myself always searching for a towel. This organic cotton half apron from A Green Kitchen is adorable and functional.

ERGObaby - 19 months later, we are still using the ERGObaby carrier on a regular basis. The baby carrier was especially useful during the recent 18 month sleep regression. My 19 month old son weights about 24 pounds. Wearing him in the ERGObaby is still comfortable.

Envirosax Shopping Bags - I have a couple of these and I absolutely love them! The handles are big enough that I can easily sling them over my shoulder, even when I am carrying a toddler with the other arm. Strong as can be! Easy to stuff in any bag. Purchase a set or just one reusable shopping bag.

Excalibur Dehydrator (WANT) - I have a cheaper dehydrator that works very well, but I have always had my eye on this one. I love the polyscreen tray inserts and large capacity.

Le Creuset Dutch Oven - I use my Le Creuset Dutch Oven (in Cobalt) for just about anything. I feel comfortable that toxic chemicals, like those in non-stick pans, are not leaching into my food.


If you have any questions about these products or our experiences with them, please contact me. I am always willing to share eco-friendly and green products for your baby and your family. Happy holiday shopping!


Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links to where I usually shop. Your purchases support this blog at no additional cost to you. Regardless, I feature and recommend only brands and products that I myself would use.

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Meliora K Natural Laundry Detergent [Review]

As more and more natural products fill the shelf space at stores, it is still imperative to read the ingredients label and to ask the right questions. In a world of "greenwashing" and unregulated terms (like "natural"), we have to continue asking the questions about the ingredients that are in our products. The laundry and cleaning products that we use go into our water. If we use toxic cleaners, then they will contaminate our water supply. Not only will more chemicals need to be used to clean our water supply, but the toxic chemicals will also touch our skin as we wear our clothes and use our towels and sheets. Finding natural laundry products that clean well and leave no toxic chemicals behind is possible! Meliora K provides simple, natural cleaning products with full ingredient transparency.

Right Hand Laundry Powder       ($5.99, 16 loads/standard washer)
No Frills Soap Bar                         ($3.99, 4 oz)
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
100% natural ingredients
Effective
Fragrance-free
No unnecessary additives

Meliora K sent me three products to try out. I received the Right Hand Laundry Powder (16 loads for a standard washer and 32 loads for a high efficiency washer), No Frills Soap Bar, and the Right Hand Hand Laundry Powder in the travel size. The Right Hand Laundry Powder includes the No Frills Soap Bar. The soap is cold processed by hand in small batches. The soap is formulated to be simple, but effective. The No Frills Soap Bar can be grated to make your own laundry detergent. How great is that?! I really like the travel size container, which can be refilled and packed for travel.

Let's talk about the Right Hand Laundry Powder. The ingredients list is simple and contains only what is required to clean the clothes and cloth diapers. While many laundry detergents and cleaning products do not publish their ingredients list, Meliora K focuses on full transparency.

Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Soap (Organic Coconut Oil, Water, Sodium Hydroxide*) *Sodium hydroxide is 100% reacted in soap-making process.

The laundry powder is unscented. I prefer my cleaning products unscented or very lightly scented. If you like a little scent in your laundry, you could add 5-10 drops of an essential oil to the laundry powder bag/container and shake it to distribute.

My first use for the Right Hand Laundry Powder was with the cloth diaper laundry. The cloth diapers have had stick issues after being peed in and especially after sitting in the wet bag. After doing some research, I realized that the stick issues could be either due to laundry detergent buildup or the cloth diapers not being cleaned all the way (too little detergent used).

I used a method to strip the cloth diapers by going through one regular wash routine (hot light wash without detergent + hot extra heavy wash with detergent) and then going through a couple of hot medium washes without detergent to see if there were still soap bubbles during the agitation stage.

I have been using Charlie's Soap as my natural laundry detergent (Charlie's Soap) for over one year. The diapers have always come out of the wash smelling clean. However, when I did the first hot wash without detergent and opened the lid after about 1-2 minutes of agitation, I saw soap bubbles. I did 2 more washes like this for a total of 3 washes before I felt like there were no more soap bubbles (not to be confused with bubbles from water moving around).

For the next cloth diaper laundry washing day, I used Meliora K Right Hand Laundry Powder. I went through the same routine as above. During the first post-regular wash, I opened the lid after 1-2 minutes of agitation. No soap bubbles! This means that there was no soap build up with Right Hand Laundry Powder.

I switched between the two soaps a few more times to see if I was getting consistent results. Not a scientific experiment by any means, but I think the results speak for themselves. I have since switched to Meliora K for my cloth diaper detergent in hopes that I will not have any more detergent build up and no more smells. So far as good! Cloth diapers come out smelling clean and stink issues are not as prominent.

Simple and effective ingredients are all that you need to get your cloth diapers and clothes clean. The No Frills Soap Bar can be grated to make your own homemade natural laundry detergent or can be used for hand washing. Meliora K's focus on transparency and effective ingredients makes the natural laundry powder and soap perfect for cleaning.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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Lemon Tea Tree All-Purpose Cleaner [Review]

When I first began on the natural and eco-friendly path, Tea Tree Oil was my first purchase. Tea Tree Oil is one of those essential oils that you hear a lot about because of its many uses. Initially, I bought Tea Tree Oil to make my own cleaning products. Since then, I have been using Tea Tree Oil for other uses like laundry and homemade toothpaste. Apothecary Extracts Australian Tea Tree Oil is tested to be pure and potent.

Tea Tree Oil        ($24.99, 4oz)
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Pure and potent
Chromatography tested
Effective

Apothecary Extracts Australian Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) comes in a 4 ounce bottle, which will last you over one year with regular use. The value of essential oils is that a little goes a long way. For example, to make a bottle of homemade all-purpose cleaner, you need 10 drops of Tea Tree Oil. I also started adding about 10 drops of Tea Tree Oil to really smelly (moldy) laundry and stinky (ammonia) cloth diapers. The cost of pure and potent essential oils might seem high, but the point that you only need a little at a time and that you will be using the product for a long time are two points that support the investment.

Let's talk a little bit more about the purity of Australian Tea Tree Oil. The purity of essential oils is a current debate in the world of essential oils. Apothecary Extracts tests to prove the purity and potency of their Australian Tea Tree Oil.

The Australian standards require that the oil of Melaleuca alternifolia must be composed of less than 15 cineole and over 30 terpinen-4-ol. The Gas Chromatography reports show that Apothecary Extracts Tea Tree Oil is not only compliant with these regulations, but surpasses them. Apothecary Extracts is composed of less than 5 cineole and over 35 terpinen-4-ol which qualifies for Pharmaceutical Grade as established by the Australian Tea Tree Oil Industry Association. It is 100% pure. No fillers, additives, bases or carriers added.

A lot of companies that offer cheaper essential oils will dilute them to reduce the cost. Remember that you are paying for what you get. Cheaper is not always better. You will use up diluted oils fasted and will have to repurchase on a more frequent basis.

Tea Tree Oil is a great essential oil to have in your cabinet and is a great first investment essential oil. Here is some information about Apothecary Extracts Australian Tea Tree Oil.

Package: Packaged in dark amber glass bottle with euro style dropper.
Botanical Name: Melaleuca alternifolia
Plant Part: Leaves
Extraction Method: Steam Distilled
Origin: Australia
Color: Colorless to pale yellow clear liquid.
Aromatic Scent: Tee Tree Essential Oil has a fresh, antiseptic and medicinal scent. It also has characteristic mint and spice back-notes.
Strength of Aroma: Medium
Blends well with: Cinnamon Bark, Clary Sage, Clove Bud, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Rosewood, Rosemary and Thyme.

Tea Tree Oil has strong antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiprotozoal effects. Here are some of the most common uses for Tee Tree Oil:

• Household cleaning (disinfecting)
• Skin care (antiseptic)
• Hair care (antiseptic)
• Aromatherapy (lowers stress levels)
• Medicinal (antibacterial, inhalation, wound treatment)

One of my favorite uses of Tea Tree Oil is to make my Lemon Tea Tree All-Purpose Cleaner.

Lemon Tea Tree All-Purpose Cleaner

Ingredients
1 cup of water
1 cup of vinegar
4 tbsp lemon juice
30 drops of Australian Tea Tree Oil

Directions: Mix together in a spray bottle, shake and use. Shake before each use.

Disclaimer: Tea Tree Oil can be a skin irritant. Avoid getting Tea Tree Oil on your hands/eyes/mouth/etc. and avoid spraying the cleaner near or into face.

Tea Tree Oil is not only effective as an ingredient in cleaning and body products, but also has strong medicinal properties. I read that for centuries, Australian Aborigines have been inhaling Tea Tree Oil to treat the common cold. I will try this when I am sick next time. The purity and potency of Apothecary Extracts Australian Tea Tree Oil is evident as soon as you open the bottle and take a whiff.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Information about the product and its uses was obtain from the company website. I am not a medical professional. These statement have not been evaluated by the FDA. All opinions are my own.

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5 Ways to Extend Life of Clothing [#CTWW]

I just completed round 8 of closet clean out. The decluttering started about 2 years ago when my husband and I found out that we were expecting a baby. Once we realized that our closets were stuffed full, we knew that we needed to get rid of stuff we no longer used. Clothes were the biggest culprit. Transitioning from a college wardrobe to a professional wardrobe resulted a large number of pieces of clothes that were no longer worn, but still took up room in the closets and dressers. As we were cleaning out the items that we were no longer going to wear, we created a mend pile. The mend pile is comprised of pieces of clothing that need to be mended: a button needs reattachment, a hole needs to be sewn up or a stain needs to be removed. In an effort to reduce future mend piles, I share with you tips on how to extend the life of clothing.

This week's challenge:

This week take a look at your clothing and fix anything which needs repair. This might include darning a sock, sewing up a rip, or replacing a lost button. Perhaps a shoe's sole needs to be glued or a shoe lace needs to be replaced. The idea, this week, is to repair an item of clothing to extend its life.

OR ...

If this is something which you regularly do, please offer tips and ideas for extending the life of clothing. This can include mending, laundering, or even buying for longevity.

While there are easy and simple ways to mend clothing, taking a preventative approach to keeping clothing in good shape is the best way to go. Below are five tips on how to extend the life of clothing.

Purchase Quality Clothing

Focus on purchasing clothing that is made from 100%, or mostly, natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, etc. Some synthetic items can last a long time also. Quality clothing could be an investment, but is also going to last longer than cheaper clothing that might only be worn for one season. I have a lot of high quality items purchased on sale or on clearance that have lasted me for 5-10 years. Shopping at consignment and thrift stores can reduce the cost of high quality clothing. 

Use Appropriate Washing Techniques

Follow the recommended washing instructions on the clothes' tags. Most natural and synthetic items can be machine washed, but some do require a gentle cycle, hand washing or even dry cleaning. From my experience, most dry cleaning items can be hand washed at home. Dry cleaning often can also cause clothes to break down due to the harsh chemicals that used in the dry cleaning process. Also, remember that washing too often can cause clothes to become worn and faded. Hanging an item that was worn for only a few hours to air out can save you one washing cycle.

Line Dry Clothes

Line drying clothing reduces the amount of stress on the item of clothing. The lint in the dryer is actually small fibers of clothing that have come off during the agitation against other items that are also in the dryer. Line drying will make them a bit stiff. If you prefer the softness of clothes dried in the dryer, you can throw the line dried clothes in the dryer for 10-20 minutes to fluff them up. 

Make Repairs Sooner

Treating stains the same day and repairing holes as soon as they are discovered will help to prevent stains from permanently setting in and holes from getting bigger. The longer a stain stays on clothing, the harder it will be to remove it. Wearing a sweater with a small hole in it will inevitably cause it to become bigger. When you remove clothing, or when you gather laundry, do a check for stains, holes and rips. Put those items aside and take care of them as soon as possible.

Rotate Clothing

Rotating clothing in your closet not only will keep you excited about your wardrobe, but it will also help to extend the life of clothing. Wearing the same 3 items over and over again will cause the fabric to stretch out and wear down over time. For example, natural fibers need time to return to their original length after being stretching out from being worn. Once a month, rotate 3-5 pieces of clothing with the ones in the back of the closet.

These five ways to extend the life of clothing will help keep you mend pile to a minimum and help to keep your costs of replacing worn clothing or paying high prices for the dryer cleaners to remove stains.

>> How do you extend the life of your clothing??
  

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Soap Nuts Liquid Laundry Detergent [Review]

Ever since I switched to natural cleaning products, I cannot stand the harsh smells of some of the popular laundry detergents. Not only are the synthetic scents not healthy to breathe, but the chemicals and brighteners that are contained within the big plastic bottles are harmful to our bodies and to the environment. While there are many natural and non-toxic alternatives to laundry detergent, soap nuts takes the #1 spot for the most natural. Soap nuts produce a natural saponin that combines with water to create a 100% non-toxic laundry detergent. Soap Nuts Liquid Laundry Detergent is a natural and non-toxic way to clean your clothes.

Soap Nuts Liquid Laundry Detergent  (8 oz, 120 HE wash loads, $18.95)

 

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Liquid easier to use than soap nuts	Cloth diapers (2 days old) were still stinky
Made with USDA Organic Soap Nuts
Chemical-free extraction process
Contains low-toxicity preservatives (caprylyl glycol, phenethyl alcohol)

The natural laundry detergents I have used for a few years come in a powder form. While I do appreciate the natural and non-toxic ingredients, I have to rinse my hands after scooping because the powder ends up getting on my fingers. I love that Soap Nuts Liquid Laundry Detergent is in a pump bottle. For my top loading washing machine, I use three pumps. No mess. No soapy hands.

Soap Nuts Liquid Laundry Detergent contains three ingredients: Soap Nuts Liquid (extracted with water and chemical-free filters from USDA Certified Organic soap nuts), Caprylyl Glycol (preservative rated 0 by EWG Skin Deep Database), Phenethyl Alcohol (preservative rated 1 by EWG Skin Deep Database).

The bottle shipped in a box and was protected fairly well. No damages to the box or the bottle. The liquid laundry detergent comes in a plastic bottle with a screw cap. The pump comes separate. Initially, I could not screw on the pump top, so I asked my husband for help. He was able to attach it within one minute. After a few pumps to get the liquid in the line, I was ready for laundry.

The first wash included two day old cloth diapers, including ones that were stained with poop. After the usual cloth diaper wash routine, I smelled some of the inserts that previous had poop on them. They did not smell clean. I went through another wash routine with the Soap Nuts Liquid Laundry Detergent (using 2 pumps each time for a small cloth diaper wash load). After the second wash, the cloth diapers smelled a little bit cleaner, but there was still some remaining dirty diaper smell.

The next wash included regular clothes and bath towels. I used 3 pumps for a large wash load. The clothes came out smelling clean. I have done a few more washes of regular clothes and dirty towels with Soap Nuts Liquid Laundry Detergent and have been pleased with the results.

The Soap Nuts Liquid does have a slight fragrance to it. I did some research on the preservatives and read that Phenethyl Alcohol is also used as a fragrance ingredient. This preservative could be contributing to the smell of the soap nuts liquid. The smell washed out and did not linger on the clothes. I need to look into whether this smell is the natural soap nuts smell or one of the preservatives that is used. Read more about the low toxicity preservatives that Soap Nuts chooses.

Soap Nuts Liquid Laundry Detergent is easy to use, non-toxic for my family and for the environment and is effective. Though I will continue to use my other natural laundry detergent for the cloth diapers, I will use Soap Nuts Liquid Laundry Detergent for regular laundry.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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Thirsties AIO Cloth Diaper With New Hook & Loop [Review]

I have almost 8 months of cloth diapering experience under my belt. Although some of you have many more years experience, I feel like I can begin to contribute my feedback to the cloth diaper community. Prior to becoming pregnant, I read a lot of reviews and spent a lot of time researching cloth diapers. Thirsties cloth diapers always came out on top. They are one of the favorite brands of cloth diapering mamas. Combine the fact that they are made in the US, offer the adorable prints, and last through more than one child makes Thirsties cloth diapers an essential part of anyone's cloth diaper stash.

Thirsties Duo All In One Cloth Diaper        ($16.50)
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Closest to disposable diapers (one piece)	Velcro can be hard to peel
Trim fit	Needs doubling for long naps/night time
Tunnel design helps with washing/drying
Gentle elastic for great fit

One of the features that makes Thirsties unique is the availability of two sizes to last a child from birth to potty. Yes, you do invest in one more diaper (as opposed to one size cloth diaper), but you get a much better fit and a fit that will work for most newborn babies. Although there are recommended weight ranges for each size, I have found that Size 1 has lasted well beyond 18 lbs and Size 2 fit my baby before he weighed 18 lbs.

Sizing

Size	Weight Range	Age Range
one	6-18 lbs (3-8 kg)	0-9 months
two	18-40 lbs (8-18 kg)	9-36 months

My cloth stash includes almost every type of cloth diaper that can be purchased. From flats with covers to AIO. The more I use cloth diapers, the more I realize that I prefer AIO cloth diapers. There are a few absorbent and trim AIO diapers on the market, including Thirsties. Thirsties DUO All In One cloth diaper features a tunnel design that helps with washing and drying and allows room to boost absorbency with additional inserts. I would not fill my whole stash with AIO diapers, but I could see having about half of the cloth diapers be AIO. They are the closest to disposables and work well for those who are new and reluctant to try cloth diapers. AIOs provide a great one piece diaper that does not require stuffing.

Thirsties Duo All In One cloth diaper fit my skinny and long baby very well. The diaper was so trim underneath clothes that I could hardly believe it was an AIO diaper. Some of my pocket diapers are bulkier than this AIO. Although the diaper is trim, I found that I needed more absorbency when using this diaper for long naps, long trips, or nighttime. The tunnel design allows for stuffing of additional inserts.

After feedback from customers, Thirsties released their new Hook and Loop closure (Aplix velcro) that is stronger and more durable. The new velcro is harder to peel off, which would work well for kids who love to take their Hook and Loop diapers off. However, it was very hard for me to peel the velcro when putting the diaper on or taking the diaper off. After a few diaper changes, I learned to peel the velcro before attempting to put it on the baby. I do appreciate the biggest size of the velcro bullets, which helps me get a good grip to peel it off. The bigger laundry tabs are also a plus.

I washed and dried the Duo All in One cloth diaper once before use. New hemp/cotton products need to be washed at least 3 times separate from other diapering products. Read Thirsties' laundering tips for more information.

Thirsties has become one of my favorite brands of cloth diapers. I love the variety cloth diaper types that will meet anyone's preferences. I would highly recommend that Thirsties cloth diapers and accessories become a part of your cloth diaper stash. The durability and ease of use will keep you reaching for your Thirsties diaper.

Like Thirsties on Facebook to find out about giveaways and learn from other cloth diapering parents.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free to facilitate this review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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Green Baby Holiday Gift Guide 2013

We are just about 8 weeks away from the holidays! I feel like this year has flown by, but that is expected with the arrival of a baby that completed our family earlier this year. I have loved putting to use some of the green and natural products that I have researched and received as gifts during the baby showers and post birth. The following are products that I personally use or would recommend to anyone who is expecting or knows someone that is expecting.

_________________________________________________________________
ERGObaby

This was my first purchase when I was pregnant. After much research on the best baby carriers, an organic ERGObaby was the right choice for our family. The ERGObaby carrier never leaves my side. I take it everywhere! Sometimes, wearing the baby is the only thing that will calm him down. Other times, it is easier to wear a baby in a grocery store or at a festival than pushing around a stroller through crods. The ERGObaby is quick to put on and distributes the weight of the baby evenly over my hips. Every mom should have an ERGObaby carrier for hands-free childcare.

Ergobaby Special 15% Off Discount through Wednesday, December 25 . The 15% discount will be applied at checkout.
_________________________________________________________________
Tropical Traditions

Tropical Traditions is not only about organic, high quality coconut oil. My favorite products, besides the organic Gold Label Coconut Oil, are the non-toxic All Purpose Household Cleaner and Powdered Laundry Detergent. The All Purpose Household Cleaner is tough on grease and stains. Use this cleaner on any hand-me-down toys, equipment, or furniture. Also works well to clean up any baby messes. We wash all of our laundry with the Powdered Laundry Detergent (baby safe, cloth diaper safe). A container of this detergent is perfect for washing all of those brand new baby clothes, blankets, and bedding prior to use. Look to Household Traditions by Tropic Traditions for non-toxic household cleaners safe for the family and for babies.

_________________________________________________________________
Episencial

Babies' skin is extremely sensitive to anything that it comes in contact with. When choosing body products for my baby, I choose eco-friendly baby products with organic and all natural ingredients. Episencial is the #1 organic brand in hospital birthing centers and offers a gentle way to clean, moisturize, and protect baby's sensitive skin. My husband loves the Episencial Sunny Sunscreen, which goes on clear without the nano-chemicals. Playful Wash is our favorite product for bathtub. Perfect for babies with sensitive skin! Available at Pure and Simple Baby.

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Soap Nuts

Another detergent that I sometimes use for cloth diaper laundry and baby laundry is organic Soap Nuts. I have used Soap Nuts eco-friendly laundry detergent a few times for non-toxic cloth diaper laundry and everything came out smelling clean. Soap Nuts is the ultimate green laundry product because it leaves no residue and is compostable after all of the saponins are released. Check out my review of Soap Nuts for more information.

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Smitten by Rearz

Yes, cloth diapers are a perfect holiday gift! What better was to pay it forward in terms of saving money, precious baby skin, and the environment. Cloth diapers might be an investment up front, but pay dividends going forward. Although I prefer All In One (AIO) diapers, I like the economics of fitted diapers and covers. Rearz Smitten diapers hold a lot of liquid and wick moisture away from baby's skin. They are made from unbleached cotton and colored with 100% organic dyes. If someone is expecting or just gave birth, this might be a perfect little gift. Read my review of the Smitten Fitted Cloth Diaper.

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Halo Sleep Sack

I registered for a newborn Halo Sleep Sack Swaddle which has the velcro across the chest. Our baby preferred to have his hands out, which worked well with this sleep sack. I have since purchased two more Halo Sleep Sacks to last past 1 year. These are available in organic cotton. Sleep sacks keep your baby warm and allow for breathability because they are made from 100% cotton. Halo Sleep Sacks are a great way to layer and keep the baby comfortable at night without using blankets that can pose hazards to the baby. We are currently using the organic Cotton Wearable Blanket.

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If you have any questions about these products or our experiences with them, please contact me. I am always willing to share eco-friendly and green products for your baby and your family. Happy holiday shopping!


Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links to where I usually shop. Your purchases support this blog at no additional cost to you. This post may also contain links to reviews where I received a complimentary media sample to facilitate the review. Regardless, I feature and recommend only brands and products that I myself would use.

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Smitten by Rearz Fitted Cloth Diaper [Review]

This is the first time I am writing about cloth diapers. I am very excited! I read about and researched cloth diapers for quite some time before I began using them. My cloth stash includes a variety of types, closures, fits, colors, etc. I do not have a strong preference to the types of diapers or closure, as long as they fit well and absorb well. Rearz Smitten fitted cloth diaper offers an absorbent, quick drying fitted cloth diaper with soft velour and a tongue design.

Rearz Smitted Fitted Cloth Diaper        (5 pack, $69.99)
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Colored with certified organic dyes	Requires cover
100% cotton (unbleached inside)	Velcro is stiff
Tongue design for faster drying
Cross over snaps

Since the focus of my blog is about natural and green living, I would like to focus first on the environmental impact of the Rearz Smitten fitted cloth diaper. I love that the fitted diaper is made from 100% cotton, outside colored with certified organic dyes and inside made from unbleached cotton. The type of fabric and whether it is made from organic, conventional, or synthetic fabric is very important to me. Babies have such sensitive skin! The organic dyes are very bright and have not faded with several prep washes and uses. I received the red color and also have a Rearz Smitten in brown. The colors are so rich that I cannot believe the fabric is dyed with organic dyes.

Fitted cloth diapers do require waterproof covers, but you can also go without if you can remember to frequently check for wetness. I kept the cover off one day to see how absorbent the Rearz Smitten was. After one pee, the wetness was noticeable on the outside to the point where it would have gotten the onesie wet. I did not use any additional inserts. If you prefer to go coverless, I recommend adding a few inserts into the pocket opening to boost absorbency. I have only used Rearz Smitten fitted during the daytime only since we do not cloth diaper at night. An absorbent insert would add enough materials for night time wear.

Rearz Smitten fitted cloth diaper is offered with snaps or with velcro. I received the Rearz Smitten with snaps. My existing Rearz has velcro. In general, I do not have a strong preference of snaps versus velcro, but I did notice that the Rearz Smitten velcro is stiff. If you add a cover with more velcro, it might be a little too much. I recommend going with the snaps. The snaps were easy to use and allowed me to get a good fit. I like the cross over snaps that allow for a better fit with newborns or lean babies. My son is a little on the leaner and longer side. The leg opening just barely fit tight around his legs, but if I am careful on how I secure the diaper, the diaper does not leak.

Overall, I have enjoyed using the Rearz Smitten fitted cloth diaper with snaps. Only today, I realized that the tongue does NOT go inside of the opening. And all of this time, I was frustrated that the tongue was so hard to stuff inside the smaller opening. Tongue goes on the outside, additional inserts go on the inside. The unbleached cotton, organic dyes, and tongue design make the Rearz Smitten fitted cloth diaper a great addition to your cloth stash.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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