Cloth Diaper Drop-out

*Whoops, forgot to publish this a while ago*

A few months ago I posted how we have been using cloth wipes with Shepherd, but how cloth diapers just weren't for us.  Well then, we started using them :)  With Inara we could use the cheapest diapers ($0.16/diaper) and it never bothered her skin.  But with Shepherd his skin was really sensitive and was getting a rash with every diaper except the Papmpers Swaddlers ($0.23/diaper).  It doesn't seem like a big difference but 6-8 diapers a day really add up.  We figured it out and for about $150 we could buy cloth diapers to last until he was potty trained, or $50/month in disposables.  So we decided to save some bucks and try cloth diapering.

There is so much information out there on cloth diapers.  The first kind we tried were Smartipants.  I liked that while they were a one size pocket diaper, you didn't have to pull out the insert before throwing them in the wash. The insert comes out during the cycle.  Also they had free shipping, a sale, included a wet bag, and 30 return policy.  I figured since we were new to this, the return policy was probably good.

 

I am glad too, because we sent them back after about a week.  They leaked pretty bad.  The leg openings were pretty big on him so it leaked there and it also leaked in other places. The website says if it is leaking try to change the diaper more frequently but it was leaking after 30 minutes.  So we sent them back. (Disclaimer- after we sent them back we realized we had not washed them 4-6x prior to using which is said to help with absorbency. Even if they were more absorbent, they still would have leaked from the legs though).

Before we spent anymore money on other diapers I asked around what other people liked.  A sweet friend whose kiddos have outgrown them, offered to let us use hers to try.  She had a lot of different brands we could try.  I was so thankful!  The kind she had was a prefold and diaper cover.  I was not too excited to try these because they always seemed like the most work.  But I gave it a try and it really wasn't that bad.

Unless you buy an All-in-One you will have some work anyway, and folding the prefold and laying on the diaper cover wasn't as awful as I thought.  We used hers for a few days and decided since it wasn't dreadful we would give that style a try. The next few days I spent hours scouring the internet on reviews of different diapers. I researched which brand was the best bang for your buck.  Finally Justin told me I just had to make a choice.

I finally chose Econobum.  They claim to be able to "Diaper your baby in cloth from birth to potty training for under $100."  We bought one of the boxes that comes with 3 One Size diaper covers, 12 prefolds, and a wetbag for $48.95. We figured, if we liked it and it worked we could always buy another box and those 2 boxes (totaling $94.90) would be able to meet all our cloth diapering needs until Shepherd is potty trained.

They definitely seemed to be worth the money. I didn't love it, but it was nice to think to my self each time I change a cloth diaper "I am actively saving my family money right now".  Also we were more of a part-time cloth diapering family.  He wore disposables at church, when we ran errands, and at night.  Since we still used disposables often, it wouldn't save us much money to spend $200 on cloth diapers.  Spending (what I found to be) the minimum amount of money on cloth diapers, we would have increased the amount of money we save.

So here are the pros and cons of using the Econobum:

Pros

• Super cheap, and will pay for its self very quickly
• Not hard to clean at all
• Easy to use
• Comes with wet beg
• Less than $50 for a 2-3day diaper supply
• Prefolds can be used with any cover
• Prefolds cheaper than other brands
• Covers are One Size so they fit newborn to 35lbs

Cons

• They only come in all white diaper cover
• Bulky underneath clothes
• Thin diaper cover that I could see wearing out faster than other covers

We used them for about 4 months before we waved our white flag and called it quits.  Once he started having formula and food, his poops were nasty.  We both would gag spraying out his poopy diapers.  He also wasn't requiring as many diaper changes a day since he could be in bigger sizes.  And is also not as sensitive to disposable diapers anymore.  I found some super cheap diapers ($0.12/diaper) that don't irritate his skin.  So we switched back to disposables. And it.is.awesome.  The first poopy diaper I changed after we switched, didn't even bother me.  It gave me such satisfaction to not rinse it out and toss it in the trash! :)

So anyway, we are drop outs but glad we are.  Here are some other resources and good diaper reviews if anyone else is interested:

Cottonbabies

Kitchen Stewardship (this is by far the most extensive review I found)

Simple Mom (Ps, don't you just love all of the "Simple" blogs)

Am I the only one that found the cloth diapering world overwhelming or totally didn't like it?

Uses for coconut oil

I was at a local craft fairy thingy (real technical right, I know) and bought some homemade body scrub that used coconut oil as its base. I used it in the shower and it was amazing! At first I was kind of nervous because it seemed too oily and I kind of have oily skin. But once I got out of the shower, my face was so smooth all day long.  So I looked up how to remake it. Then I realized, ain't nobody got time for that, and I found other ways to use coconut oil.

It was amazing! You can use it for body products and it has lots of other health benefits.  So I went out and bought some. A big jar was actually on sale at Kroger so, score!  I have been using it to cook with. I don't really like the taste of coconut but you taste it all when you cook with it. Since I had been wanting more natural products all around, I scooped out some of it and put it in a container to keep in the bathroom. I use it as my moisturizer for my face and also as general body lotion.

I love, love, LOVE it as my moisturizer. At first I was pretty nervous because it is oil...so its oily.  I scrapped some of it in my had, rubbed it together, and applied it to my face/neck.  I started using it as my sole moisturizer and my skin responded amazingly. It was smooth (not oily) all day long and it really helped my complexion.  Even this winter I stopped using it (for some reason) and my skin freaked out and broke out everywhere.  Once I resumed using it my skin cleared up right away.  It works equally as well as a lotion for the rest of your body.  I put it on after I get our of the shower and my legs are so smooth all day long. It was perfect for those cold and dry months of the winter.

There are so many other uses too that I haven't tried yet, but I really want to.  Here are the uses for coconut oil that I want to try next:

• I would love to make my own deodorant. I currently use men's deodorant because it seems like the only kind I can get that doesn't use aluminum.
• I have not been using shampoo for almost a year (more on that later) and would love to try a natural conditioner. But I'll admit I am a little nervous because having curly hair, and I need conditioner for my hair
• I also want to start adding it to the smoothies I have been making in the morning for us.  I have thyroid problems and coconut oil is apparently great for thyroid function

Have you tried coconut oil for anything? Did you like it?

Can people with curly hair do "no-poo"?

I have always heard of the "no poo" method of cleansing your hair and I was sure I would never be able to do it with my wild and crazy curly hair.  I mean it just gets out of control and nasty greasy after just 1 day of not washing it.  So last year I stumbled upon a little book called "Curly Girl: The Method" that is a no poo method for curly hair. I was interested.  I found a few blogs that reviewed the book and the method and I figured I would give it a try.  I really was a amazed and surprised with the results.  I wish I had taken before and after pictures, but I wasn't too hopeful when I first gave it a try.

You can find more detailed information here and here. But this is the basics of it:

1. Start with getting your hair trimmed
2. Stop using shampoo
3. Wash you scalp with conditioner
4. Distribute conditioner throughout the rest of your hair
5. De-tangle gently in shower using a wide tooth comb
6. Rinse with cool water 
7. Scrunch hair with t-shirt not a terry cloth towel
8. Decrease drying time by "plopping"
9. You may use shampoo occasionally but only with sulfate-free shampoo
10. Give you hair time to adjust (2-6 weeks)
11. Get hair trimmed every 4 -6 months
12. Be sure to find a salon with sulfate free shampoo

So that's the basics of no-poo for curly hair.  I did change things up a little.  I never rinse with cool water. I despise being cold and the thought of finishing my shower by rinsing my hair with cool water sounds like a nightmare.  I also have not once "plopped".  I started just trying this method the no poo way before I fully committed. My results were so wonderful that I decided any extra work just wasn't necessary for me.  I do shampoo my hair occasionally (1-2x a month) and when I do I make sure I use a sulfate free shampoo.  This is a huge money saver as last year I only used 1 bottle of shampoo! And since I use so little shampoo now, I actually splurge for some nicer shampoos. Right now I am using this Organix shampoo. But next time I think I will buy this Yes to Carrots brand because it is also paraben free as well as sulfate free.  And to save more money and keep chemicals away from the family, I use conditioner to wash the Inara's hair too.  

I was expecting a full month of nasty greasy hair, but it actually wasn't that bad. I think for a few weeks it was pretty greasy, but then it was fine...more than fine. Its been really great ever since!  My hair is healthier, curlier, and easier to fix. I rarely use product in my hair now. This is another money saver and also keeps harsh chemicals out of my system.  And I have had multiple people ask me what I use to get my curls so nice. Its super fun to reply "Nothing! I actually don't even shampoo my hair"  So I totally suggest you give the "no poo" a try, even if you have curly hair!  

Do you currently not shampoo your hair? How long was your "greasy" phase?  If you shampoo your hair now, are you willing to give "no-poo" a try?

Cloth wipes

When Inara was about 9 months old I entertained the idea of using cloth diapers. In the end Justin and I decided it probably wasn't for us, but I also felt with how much waste we created.  Over the past 3 years I think I have learned a lot about green and reusable products.  I have found is that sometimes they are either expensive to start with or don't work as well.  When I was pregnant with Shepherd I still knew we wouldn't be clothe diapering but I was still interested in getting chemicals away from my baby's bottom, saving some money, and treating our Earth well.  I found a couple different ways to make homemade wipes.  One was was to use paper towels.  While this way is cheaper I still wanted something that was a little more eco-friendly.  So I found a few other ways. You could buy cloth wipes, which were reusable, but also cost more money upfront.  So I found a few pins on making your own reusable wipes. I combined a couple different methods and recipes and this is what I came up with.

A lot of people said use wipes that match your diapers. It makes sense....sort of, but I found that cloth wipes were so much cheaper upfront and less time consuming that diapers, that I don't really agree with that.

I used baby washcloths as my wipes. I found them for super cheap on Amazon (btw, if you don't have Amazon Prime...get it! A.ma.zing).  I was going to use t-shirt scraps because Justin had just gone through his old shirts, but I had preggo brain and forgot to tell him to save them so he threw them away :(  But t-shirts seem like the cheapest option. This is the solution I have used and it seems to be going great.  I am using water, tea tree oil (for anti-bacterial effect and to help prevent mold), and Dr Bronners Castile Soap. I bought the one scented with Peppermint Oil this time.  Although it hasn't caused any irritation to Shepherd's skin, I think the I will buy the Organic Baby Mild one next time.

The solution is super easy to make. 

1. Boil 1.5 cups of water
2. Add a squirt or 2 of Bronner's Castile Soap
3. Add a few drops of tea tree oil
4. Stir solution
5. Pour over wipes in container.

Yes it really is that easy!  I have about enough wipes to last about 5 days which is plenty and actually helps me keep up on the laundry in the rest of the house. I use an old wipe container that I had around the house as my storage container and it works fine.  I will say we still use disposable wipes on the go, and we also don't use them for really poopy diapers.  You can use them for poopy diapers, but since we wash our wipes with the rest of laundry (and because Justin requested we still have them for this reason), we use disposable for poo.

If you already cloth diaper then you can just throw them in with your wet bag, but since we don't have a wet bag, I got this super cheap garment bag from Ikea and it works great. It keeps all our wipes together that way I don't have to go digging through the laundry to find them.

Have you tried/do you use cloth wipes?  Any other tips?

My slow journey

I wouldn't consider myself crunchy or granola at all, but over the past year I have made some changes in our house to become more green and frugal.  I thought I would share my very slow journey into the word of homemade/green/reusable products.

It was about this time last year when it all started...I think. I had just had a miscarriage...and then found out I was pregnant again. I think I was finding information about all the chemicals in everything we have and sort of freaked out about it causing a miscarriage again. I always knew all that stuff was bad...but it was is so overwhelming to decide where to start or even to do anything. Especially since I am not a full-time homemaker.  Previously I would just buy some organic stuff and then just get overwhelmed and not try anything.  I have read on a million blogs to take it slow and start one place at a time but always seemed like too much.  I eventually took their advice and started slow. I didn't even really decide to do this, it just sort of happened.

So over the next few weeks I'll be sharing the things we have changed in our house over the past year and also the things we would like to do.  Do you find the whole world of green/natural living sort of overwhelming?  

 

Try something new

So have you heard of Pinterest.  Wonderful! I stumbled upon it and am in love. It is such a great place to "pin" stuff. So excited about being organized and getting ideas for stuff. But with all these great ideas I now have access to, I have been feeling a little overwhelmed. There are so many other women out there that are craftier, greener, better cook, seamstress, and better at home stuff than I am. So its kind of intimidating to see these great ideas but then think " I could never do that".  So my goal (hopefully I can do it), is to try one new idea from my boards every week or so. I can't start next week (more on this later), but in a couple weeks I really want to make this for Inara. She really loves the water and I think this would be the funnest thing ever for her :)

Source: tipjunkie.com via Lauren on Pinterest

After that I would like to tackles some of these

Source: re-nest.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: kitchenstewardship.com via Lauren on Pinterest

And why can't I start next week? Well for starters I'll be going here:

Also, my bathroom currently looks like this

And to top it off I'll be getting my wisdom teeth out Friday. So maybe in a week or so I'll get started, but baby steps  :) What about you? What is something new you want to try?

Someone please help me!

Ok so here is the deal folks. I have this chair that I got for $5 when Justin's office switched to a different building. I have no use for it and no place to put it in my house. I tried putting it on craigslist and in the church bulletin, but have had no success if having someone take it off my hands....for free!

I just really hate the thought of putting it on the curb for the trash to pick up. I just feel some fun crafter would love to have fun re-apolstering it or painting it....yes I said paint it! I recently started following YoungHouseLove and she painted her chair.

She got her idea from another blogger who also has painted fabric before. This is was her before and after:

So here is the thing...I would LOVE for someone to save this chair from the trash. It would be a fun project for someone...just not me. So who wants it? Not everyone all at once :)

Cloth Diapers anyone?

So lately every time I take a bag of diapers out to the trashcan I think to myself  "Sorry environment!". I take a grocery bag full about once a week. I have never really thought about using cloth diapers until as of late. Now that Inara doesn't have that nasty runny baby poop anymore, I have been thinking more about it. The problem is the start up costs. We spend about $15 in diapers (We use the Target Up and Up brand) about every 3 weeks. I know it is suppose to be cheaper, but its more expensive now, and I am not sure we have the money to spend now, in order to save later.

You have to understand, this is a big step for me even thinking about it. I have always been in the "ew thats nasty camp". But now I am starting to see it may be cheaper...and honestly I feel awful all about all the waste we throw away. So what about you cloth diapers moms:

1. What brand cloth diapers do you use, and why did you pick that brand?

2. What were your start up costs and what did that give you?

3. How many diapers do you have?

4. How often do you do laundry?

5. Has there been any costs in up keep?

6. Why do you cloth diaper

7. What is your estimated savings by cloth diapering