Top 10 Reasons to Use Cloth Diapers

As a cloth diapering momma for the last 8 years, I have had to endure a lot of stinky dirty diapers. I have needed some great reasons to stick with it at times, and that is what I am sharing with you today.

Here are my top 10 reasons to use cloth diapers:

1. There are tons of super fun stylish and reusable cloth diapers. For instance, this cute spotted giraffe print diaper was used through both of our girls and we loved taking pictures of them with it on, because it was so cute! They don't make cloth diapers today like they used to many years ago. Now, they are easy to use and come in a hundred super cute prints.

2. Conventional disposables can contain traces of Dioxin, a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer linked chemicals! Yikes!! It is banned in most countries, but sadly not in the US.
3. Conventional disposables can contain Trubutyl-tin(TBT) a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals.
4. Chemicals and fragrances in some disposables can cause asthma. 

5. Disposable diapers use 2 times as much water to manufacture as cloth. 

 

6. Cloth diapers will save you loads of money! If I had any extra time, I would figure out how much we have saved over the 8+ years.

7. Disposables use 20 times more raw materials than cloth. 

8. Disposables generate 60 times more waste than cloth.
9. Disposables are the 3rd largest single consumer item in landfills. Oh my!!
10. No one knows how long it takes for a disposable diaper to decompose, but it is estimated to be about 250-500 years.

Let those numbers since in for a second. If that doesn't convince you to just even try out cloth diapers, check out even more great diaper facts.

For those of you saying, "I could never clean cloth diapers day after day, check out how I keep my cloth diapers clean. I also love to use my essential oils to help keep them smelling fresh and clean in a natural, safe way. Some of my favorite oils for cloth diapers are purification, lemon, and lavender.

While you do have to take a little more time to care for cloth diapers, I strongly feel the benefits outweigh the negatives, and I definitely don't regret using them with all my children.  What are your thoughts? Are you for or against cloth diaper use? I love to hear your opinions and thoughts.

This post is a partnership with Nakturnal. All words and opinions are my own, and I hope you find them helpful.

Flip Cloth Diapers Review

Cara received free product as part of a promotional program with Flip™ and MomSelect. No compensation was given. All opinions expressed are 100% her own.

It is no secret that I love using cloth diapers. I have written about it many times, including all the benefits of using cloth diapers. I have been cloth diapering for 5 years now, with all three of my children. Not once have I ever regretted it!

You may think, "Ewww! Never! Not for me!" But, honestly, with all the awesome new cloth diapering products out there, cloth diapering isn't any ickier, smellier, or more of a hassle than disposable diapers. Plus, you will save money, save waste in our landfills, and be giving your baby a safer diaper.

Let me give you an example of an awesome new diaper system that honestly is just as easy as disposables. The Flip Hybrid Diaper System is one of the greatest systems I have ever used, and here is why.

With Flip, parents can choose from three absorbent inserts, including Stay-Dry, Organic Cotton, or Disposable, to use with their Flip Cloth Diaper Cover. Best of all, the Flip Cloth Diaper Cover is adjustable to fit babies weighing 8-35 lbs- growing with your child and saving you from purchasing new cloth diapers with each stage!

 I love all the options that you can use with the Flip diaper cover. We normally use the stay-dry inserts, as you can see below. They are labeled for small, medium, and large right on the diaper, so you can just fold that over and get the perfect fit with your baby!

 Then, just slip the insert into the cover and snap or velcro shut. When it is soiled, toss the insert into your washing machine or diaper pail, do a spot clean of the cover and stick in another insert. That is it! Just as easy as a disposable, but saving you tons of money.

 My daughter loves the fit, and I love that these diapers have never leaked once!

For days when you are traveling or using cloth inserts isn't convenient, just switch out the regular cloth inserts for one of their disposable inserts. When you are done with it, just dispose of it. No fuss!

It just doesn't get much easier, versatile or convenient than this when it comes to cloth diapering. I highly recommend the Flip system. They have worked wonderfully for us, and I don't have any complaints!

Thanks Mama Review and Giveaway

*Cara was given products to review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are 100% her own.* 

I have a few favorite online stores, one of which is Thanksmama.com, which is a family owned cloth diapering and natural parenting store. I have chosen to shop from them before for my organic mattress for my son, which was a hefty purchase. I had a great experience for many reasons. 

First of all, they offer a great selection. From cloth diapering products, potty training pants, swim diapers, natural baby care products and baby carriers to bibs, toys, nursery furniture and bedding, strollers and much more. They look for innovative products that are good for baby and the environment, and they never forget that most families are on a budget. 

I really appreciate that Thanks Mama offers the lowest prices, free shipping on orders over $60 within USA, 90 days easy returns, a buy safe guarantee and price guarantee. They really make it their mission to make you a satisfied customer!  

This time around, I actually received a few of their cloth diapers for review. I love both of these diapers for many different reasons.

The diaper on the left above is the Bumkins All in One(AIO) diaper. Is that Dr. Seuss print cute or what? My older two children have been going ga-ga about it when my littlest wears it around. This diaper is very thin, so it fits nicely with all her cute outfits. It is very easy to use, since it is an AIO. You don't have to search and find the right inserts. It is all contained in the diaper. You just tuck in the insert, snap and you are done. The inside of this diaper is also super soft, so I know my daughter is very comfortable.

The diaper on the right side is the BumGenius All in One.  I think this is one of my all-time favorite diapers. It is even easier to use than the last one. You just fold over the inside pieces and snap on the diaper. It fits perfectly, and I have had no trouble with leaking at all. It can take quite the soaking! 

Both of these diapers will fit your child as he/she grows, so they save you even more money! They both dry very quickly, which I appreciate as I hang my diapers out on my line to dry this summer. 


Once again, I am a happy customer thanks to Thanks Mama! I am sure you will be too! Shop their huge selection of great products.

Check this out! For (1) lucky winner, we are offering (1) $25 Gift Card to Thanks Mama! This giveaway is open to US and Canada. Enter below.

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Smart Snugs Cloth Diaper New AI2 Review and Giveaway

Cara was provided product to review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expessed are 100% her own.

I have been a cloth diapering momma for over 4 years, and I have used a lot of different cloth diapers in an effort to find the best. When you can find a cloth diaper that can last years of constant use, you know you have a winner. One of my favorite cloth diaper companies is Smart Snugs because of their quality and affordability. Check out my last review of their NatureSnug diaper. 

Smart Snugs has come out with a new cloth diaper - the All in 2! This new diaper was designed to create a simple and versatile cloth diaper solution for busy parents. With this diaper, there is no need to grab a whole new diaper every time you need to change your baby, simply replace your insert and reuse your cover! This system makes it easy to be out and about with your cloth diapers (less bulk in your bag!) and makes changes a snap!

They have five different insert options you can choose from to put inside this All in 2 diaper. I personally like the 6 layer Bamboo inserts the best. Here are a few pictures of how it works:

You just take your insert of choice and slide it in the diaper cover underneath each sleeve on the ends.

Notice all the great features:
-Double gussets prevent leaks and provide a great fit. They also keep your insert in place.
-Super soft moisture-wicking microfleece pockets in the front and back of the diaper keep insert in place and keep baby try around the stomach and back.
-Waterproof-backed inserts keep the cover dry and allow for multiple uses of the cover between changes.

  From there, slide the diaper under your baby's bottom. Then, adjust the diaper snaps to fit your baby's size and you are ready to rock and roll (Their adjustable rise system allows this diaper to fit babies from 8 to 35 pounds).

You can see how well the diaper fits my 9 month old daughter. I haven't had any problems with this diaper. We haven't had any leaks with it, it dries easily, and as you can see below, my daughter loves it!

 There is nothing cuter than a baby in just her diaper (and her teething necklace).

Find out more about their All in 2 system and shop Smart Snugs online. Use the coupon code natural930 for 10% off any order at www.SmartSnugs.com, valid through August 2013.

Plus, we are giving away (1) Smart Snugs Cloth Diaper to (1) lucky winner! Enter for your chance to win below.

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Ecobubs Cloth Diaper Review and Giveaway

If any of you think that it is a little loony of me to cloth diaper my children, especially when I am already very busy, let me give you a little insight on why I choose cloth diapering.

• They are safer for your baby than disposables! No icky chemicals and bad stuff going directly onto your baby's skin.
• They save you a ton of money! Instead of requiring 7,000 disposable diapers, the average baby needs only 24 reusable diapers, resulting in a net savings of nearly $3,000.00!
• They help save our beautiful planet! Every year our country contributes roughly 3.4 million tons of disposable diaper waste into landfills. Using reusable diapers not only reduces the amount of solid waste, it also reduces the amount of harmful chemicals, oils, and trees required to produce them!

The latest diaper in our collection is from Ecobubs diapers. I am excited to introduce you to them today!

Ecobubs were created by a cloth-diapering momma, who wanted to simplify cloth diapering so everyone (including daddies) could cloth diaper without being confused about which snap goes where and how to adjust sizes. Their diapers are super easy to use. You just STUFF, SNAP, AND GO!


Plus, now they have redesigned their diapers to be have:

   -A higher rise keeping those tummies tucked in
   -Front of the diaper topstitched to keep inserts where they should be
   -Wider, stronger elastic front, back and legs all fully encased
   -A slightly larger diaper in all sizes

I received their pocket diaper with an insert and a booster. The diaper consists of a wool-blend outer, a thin layer of PUL (polyutherene), a layer of microfleece to create the pocket and sit soft against baby's skin, and microfiber inserts for absorbency. This diaper is so soft inside, softer than some of my baby's blankets! I am sure she loves the feel of it against her skin. Plus, isn't it so cute with the Forest Stripe design?

This diaper is super easy to use. Nobody will be confused about how to make it fit baby, like many one-size-fits-all diapers, where you have to adjust it to fit. This diaper just snaps across the baby's tummy, and that's it. I love that they have snaps, instead of velcro. In my experience, this is the type of diaper that is going to last longer than most.

Ecobubs come in 3 sizes and a lot of really cute color patterns. Check out all their great products and support this wonderful company!

For (1) lucky reader, we are giving away (1) Ecobubs Forest Stripe Cloth Diaper! (in medium or large)
Enter below!

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Cara was provided product to review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are 100% her own. 

Naturoli Soap Nuts Review and Giveaway

How many of you think it is possible to get your laundry clean with dried shells from a berry? Huh? Is that ridiculous or what?

No, it is not ridiculous. In fact, I think it is downright awesome and quite normal. I have always been a huge believer in using what God gave us in nature in, on, and around our bodies. I can't stand chemicals in my beauty, home care, or food products. Why go chemical when you can have natural?
 
That is what Naturoli thinks too! They offer honest to goodness really natural, pure products without ANY chemical ick in them. Yes, there are many companies out there who love to call themselves natural, but can't back that up with their product ingredients. Naturoli is serious about giving you the best and purest products, so you don't have to worry about the dangers of chemicals in your products.

One of my favorite products of theirs is the Soap Nuts. They are, in fact, dried shells from the soapberry. Soap nuts release saponin (an effective, hypoallergenic, biodegradable organic cleaning agent that ends our reliance on sulfates, synthetic chemicals and other toxins). If you suffer from allergies, have sensitive skin, use cloth diapers, or want to do your part for a greener earth, soap nuts are a dream come true.
 
They work in all washing machines with any temperature of water. All you have to do is put 4-5 Soap Nuts in the the little reusable wash bag that is provided, tie it closed, and throw it in the laundry and wash as you normally would. At the end of the wash, remove the bag, let it dry and you can use that same bag at least 5-7 times. Then, they can be composted!! How awesome is that!?

After doing a load of laundry with Soap Nuts, my clothes came out of my dryer very fluffy and soft, even without a dryer sheet. They didn't have any smell, and they were very clean. They also work very well with my cloth diapers, because they don't leave residue on the cloth.

They also sell Soap Nuts liquid detergent, called 18X. Only 8 oz of this liquid replaces 17 lbs of conventional laundry soap!! It is ultra-concentrated, amazingly effective and totally natural. They have a cool micro dose pump system that takes all the mess out of measuring laundry detergent. One squirt of 18X is sufficient for most average loads. When I do a really large load, I use two squirts.


Not only do I recommend Naturoli products to all of you, I think you would be crazy not to try them, at the very least. They are great for you, for your family, and for the environment. They are safe, effective and save you money with how concentrated they are!


Find all their products on the website, be sure to become a Facebook fan, and then check out the Facebook appreciation sale!

And, guess what? We are giving away (1) winner's choice of either (1) lb or Soap Nuts or (1) bottle of the 8 oz. 18X. Yay, Hooray!! Enter below!

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Cara was provided product to review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are 100% her own. 

How to Keep Cloth Diapers Fresh and Clean

I have been using cloth diapers since I had my first child, about 4 years ago. In that time, I have learned a lot about using cloth diapers, but I never felt like I mastered how to keep them clean until just recently.

Let me share what I have learned about cleaning cloth diapers.

As my diapers get dirty, I throw them either directly into the washing machine with water or into my wet/dry bag. When I am ready to do a load of diapers, I wash them once in the hot cycle and rinse. Then, I add a little bit of my diaper safe detergent and run them through the heavy wash cycle again. When they get to the rinse cycle, I add 1/3 cup of baking soda. The baking soda really does the trick in getting the urine smell out and neutralizing the acid in the diapers. If you want, you always rinse them out a third time after the baking soda cycle.

After they are all clean, I try my best to hang them on the clothes line in the sun, instead of putting them in the dryer. This helps bleach any stains out and is gentler on the fabric than the dryer. 

One thing to note: if you don't have any baking soda or want an alternative, you can also use vinegar, but I wouldn't recommend using both.

Sunbaby Cloth Diaper

I think we all know how expensive it can be to raise kids, especially when you have multiple children. We are getting ready for our third to come any day now, and I am looking forward to saving money again by cloth diapering our newest addition. Thanks to Sunbaby Diapers, she will have a really cute diaper to add to her collection!

These diapers are especially great for those of you on a budget! If you have always wanted to cloth diaper, but didn’t want to invest hundreds of dollars, you don’t have to wait any longer. With their one size diapers you can cloth diaper from birth to potty training for as little as $60. Isn't that awesome? Imagine how much you would be spending if you used disposables??? Sunbaby is definitely a smart choice for your wallet!

And look at how cute their diapers are! They have 19 adorable designs to choose from.

I love that their diapers use snaps, because I think they are more durable. I also love that they are one-size diapers, so they grow with your baby. They can be adjusted in the waist and the leg area, so they really do become a perfect fit for your baby. Plus, these are super easy to use - just put the insert into the opening in the cover, and that is that!

Take one more look at this cute pattern and the way this diaper adjust both at the waist and around the legs.

You can start building your cloth diaper collection today from Sunbaby Diapers! Smart move for the planet, your wallet and your baby!

Cara was provided product to review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are 100% her own.

Taking Another Step Toward Green

Besides being great for the environment, it really feels great to make green, Eco-friendly choices such as: cloth diapers, green and natural cleaning products, organic and local food, recycling, etc. But, this is also an area I think my family can continue to grow in.



My latest goal is to switch out some of my daughter's disposable wipes with cloth wipes. I know, I know, gross. But, just like cloth diapers, you can take away some of the nastiness just by having a good plan to contain and clean them. I am thinking this won't be as bad as it sounds if I just put the dirty cloth wipes right into the dirty diaper and throw the whole thing right into the laundry machine to soak. I think that will be even better than throwing stinky disposable wipes into the garbage can and having to smell them until the garbage gets taken out.



Just by making this little switch, I can save money and save hundreds of baby wipes from landing in a landfill. Check out that chart above showing the cost difference between disposable and cloth wipes. With the natural, organic disposable wipes I am currently using, that adds even more to the cost.

If you already use cloth wipes, do you have any tips or tricks on how to use them? If you don't use them, I encourage you to just give it a second thought. Let's go greener together!