My $15 disappearing clothesline / The world’s cheapest, most effective stain remover

Aug 31,2010 / By Maria / 6 Comments

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I have been cloth diapering for over 10 months, yet I had never “sunned” a diaper! I didn’t have a clothes line, and I’m pretty sure one critter or another would make off with-or make a home in-anything I laid on my porch or sidewalk!

This retractable clothes line was $14.29 at Lowes, and took my husband less than 5 minutes to put up (I’m sure I could have done it myself too!)

The line is easily removable with a single pin, so you can bring it inside over the winter.

49 feet of clothesline easily retracts into the reel.

There is a simple hook on the other side.

Just pull the line, and hook it on!

You loop the line over the “peg” on the bottom, to keep more from pulling out as you hang your laundry. I had to loop mine a second time when I hung a soaking wet Superdo on the line! That thing is heavy!

We don’t have too much of an issue with staining, but we had some messy diapers in the wake of Blueberrygate 2010 that led to some stains! I took pictures of the most stained before and after, but a) decided that was a little disgusting and I didn’t want anyone to lose their lunch and b) The results don’t seem as impressive in a photo as they did in person! The first time I used the line, it was fairly late in the day, so the diapers were only hung for maybe two hours. Even in that time, I could see a big difference!

I’m finding that diapers and inserts made of natural materials (hemp, bamboo, organic cotton) need a quick tumble in the dryer to soften up, but I am loving line drying!

P.S. I’m on Mom’s Misc Adventures today!

Mailbox Mondays 8/30/10

Aug 30,2010 / By Maria / 1 Comment

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Every Monday I will answer user submitted questions. They don’t have to be about cloth diapering! I’ll always answer questions via email, but if you would like your question to be answered in a Mailbox Mondays post, send an email with the subject “Mailbox Mondays” to Maria at change-diapers dot com!

Please note: My intent is to get a queue of questions for the next several months, so it may be some time before your submission is posted. If you would like me to email my response so you don’t have to wait until your question is posted, let me know!

Kelly says:

Detergent question- i’m sure you get tons of these, but i’ve been wondering… I was using RnG hard rock but still had stinky microfiber so i decided to save myself some $ and use tide. our local stores only have original tide in the HE formula, but I have an older top loader (def. not high efficiency!) Can i still use this on my diapers? If so, any idea how much i should use?

wahm question- I’ve started getting into buying diapers from wahm on hyenacart. Do you ever do reviews or giveaways of those kinds of diapers? I’m always hesitant to try out a new brand w/o having heard an honest review. 🙂

Love your blog, thanks! ~Kelly

Check us out at http://www.dariusandkelly.blogspot.com/!

First Question:

Microfiber just tends to get the stinkies! If your Rockin’ Green is otherwise working for you, try “Rockin’ a soak” followed by lots of extra rinses. If the stink remains, try adding 1/4 cup of bleach to a full load of inserts (not the diapers, just the inserts!) Once I found a detergent that worked for me, I rarely had any issues. If I start to get a whiff of the weird microfiber stink, or ammonia, I will do a dab of bleach with the inserts. It knocks it out before it gets bad; I do this about one per month.

As far as Tide goes yes, you can use HE detergent in a regular machine. Use the same amount you normally would. You will notice less suds than usual; that’s the main difference between HE detergent and regular detergent.

I have an HE machine and soft water, and even using 1/4-1/2 of the LOWEST load line (1) of powdered Tide, I have to do some additional rinses to get it all out. If you decide to try it, be very conservative in the amount you use. If you need a bunch of extra rinses, cut it back even more. If you don’t think your diapers are getting clean, add a little extra!

Second Question:

I love WAHMs! I have done some reviews of diapers sold on HyenaCart. Check out my Review Archive Page. I think there are at least 10+ HyenaCart sellers there however, email me any time if you have a specific seller/product in mind that you’d like me to review. Not all WAHMs are able or willing to do free or discounted products for reviews, but I will see what I can do for you!

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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Smartipants Diaper Winner!

Aug 28,2010 / By Maria / No Comment

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Thank you to everyone who entered! Congratulations to Kim! I’ve emailed you!

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Friday Giveaway Linky Giveaways Linky

Weekly Friday Giveaway Roundup for August 27th, 2010

Aug 27,2010 / By Maria / No Comment

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Each Friday, I will post cloth diaper, babywearing and “green” giveaways that I’ve found, or that readers have submitted. The post will be accompanied by a linky where you may enter any family friendly (no “adult” products please!) giveaways, they do not need to be diaper related.

If you have a cloth diaper/accessory/babywearing/green giveaway you would like to be listed in the next giveaway roundup post, please email a link, blog name, giveaway title, end date and photo (if applicable) to maria at change-diapers dot com.

This week’s giveaway finds:

My Smartipants Diaper Giveaway ends TONIGHT 8/27 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern.

My GroVia Cloth Wipes Giveaway ends 8/31

Fluff Fridays # 94 – THREE Kawaii Pocket Diapers (ends 9/1)

This is a quick one!: Happy Heiny’s is giving away THREE sized pocket diapers to one lucky winner, but it ends TODAY at 3, CST!

Pre-fitted from The Cloth Diaper Retailer Cooperative and Giggle Britches (ends 9/3)

FuzziBunz Perfect Size Diaper 3-Pack from Well Born Baby (ends 9/30) Mandatory Facebook Like

Snap EZ Diaper ($20 Gift Certificate) From Mommy of 1 and Counting (ends tomorrow, 8/28)

Planet Wise Swim Bag from Monkey Tales (ends 9/10)

$20 Gift Certificate to Wee Little Changes from It’s Me Melbie (ends 9/22)

Randumosity Mama Cloth from 6 and Still Sane (ends 9/4)

Rumparooz Diaper from Liz Has a Life and Monkeybunz (ends 9/4)

LolliDoo Organic Fitted from Biehl Adventures (ends 8/30)

Fluffy Buns Upcycled Cloth Wipes from Love Lives Here (ends 9/5)

Sweet Bobbins Cloth Wipes from Love Lives Here (ends 9/5)

Ergo Baby Carrier from Dealectible Mommies (ends 9/5)

Ergo Baby Carrier from Abby’s Lane (ends 9/1) easy entry!

Moo Moo Kow Diaper from It’s Me Melbie (ends 9/25)

Applecheeks covers and inserts (two each) from The Tarr Pitt (ends 9/2)

Tiny Tush Disposable Liners from Happily Southern and Giggle Britches (ends 9/12)

Planet Wise Wet/Dry Bag from A Family Full of Opinions (ends 9/10)

Planet Wise Wet/Dry Bag from Turning the Clock Back (ends 9/10)

AMP Diaper from My Life as a Married Girl (and Mommy) (ends 9/13)

Planet Wise Wet Bag from A Mom’s Take (ends 9/3)

Bummis Large Fabulous Wet Bag (from Bummis) Three winners and easy entry but ends TODAY 8/27!

Baby Beehinds Fitted from Biehl adventures and EcoMom (ends 9/1)

Bumpkie Bottoms Stay Dry Liners from Tree Huggin’ Mama (ends 9/2) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Trimsies AIO from Baby Belle and A Mom’s Take (ends 9/13)

Giveaways still running from last week:

Sugar and Spice Duds Small All-In-One Diaper from Coping with Frugality (ends 8/31)

Rockin’ Green from Haute Mommy (ends 9/1)

Planet Wise Wet/Dry Bag from Happily Southern (ends tomorrow, 8/28)

Happy Heiny’s Diaper from A Mom’s Take (ends today, 8/27)

AMP Stay Dry Diaper from It’s Me Melbie (ends 9/15)

SoftBums Dry Touch Diaper Pack from Liz Has a Life (ends 8/31)

Envibum Diaper from Dirty Diaper Laundry (ends 8/30)

BabyLegs from The Eco-Cheap Mom (ends 8/31)

Preston’s Pants Diaper ($20 gift certificate) from Mama to 3 Blessings (ends 9/4)

Nifty Nappy Swim Diaper from A Mommy’s Blessings (ends 9/3)

Nifty Nappy Diapers – $50 Gift Certificate from 6 and STILL Sane (ends 8/31)

Babee Greens One-Size Fitted Diaper from Your World: Healthy and Natural (ends 8/31)

Knickernappies Sized Diaper from The Cloth Diaper Report (ends 8/31)

Comfy Rumps Diaper from Your World: Healthy and Natural (ends 9/2)

Planet Wise pail liner from I’ts Me Melbie and Nicki’s Diapers (ends 9/8)

FuzziBunz Perfect Size Diaper from My New Life as Mom and Snappy Diapers (ends 9/6)

Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefold from The Cloth Diaper Retailer Cooperative and Earth Angels Diaper Co. (ends 8/31)

Bum Essentials Diaper from My New Life as Mom (ends 9/9)

Sleepy Wrap from Survey Junkie (ends 8/31)

Bummas Wipes from A Mommy’s Blessings (ends today, 8/27)

Snappi from Happily Southern (ends tomorrow, 8/28)

Lovelybums hand painted organic fitted diaper from Sap’s Mama (ends 9/1)

Super Undies Cloth Trainer from Liz Has a Life (ends today, 8/27)

Bum Essentials Diaper from Arizona Mama and The Baby Plus Store (ends tomorrow, 8/28)

pediped® Originals® from One Savvy Mom (ends 8/31)

Mother-Ease Diaper & Cover from My New Life as Mom (ends 9/3)

Nifty Nappy Diaper from It’s Me Melbie (ends 9/4)

FuzziBunz Starter Kit from Pregnancy360 (ends 8/31) Super easy entry!!

My Diaper Addiction “Skinny Butt” Diaper from Eco-Friendly and Frugal (ends 9/1)

You may enter any family friendly giveaway in the linky below. The form Blog name – Giveaway Item – Ending date works well. At a minimum, please include the item and end date, and link directly to the giveaway.

Please view my post on where I list my giveaways to find more great places to link up!

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Apparel & Accessories Review

Pediped® Footwear Review

Aug 26,2010 / By Maria / 13 Comments

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I actually came across Pediped® Footwear a few years ago, when I was browsing Nordstrom online, looking for dressy shoes for my daughter.

My son is lazy not walking yet, but he is cruising, so I wanted to get him a good, supportive pair of shoes to wear while we were out, that wouldn’t interfere with his learning to walk.

When my daughter was his age, we put her in Robeez, since we knew how important it was for her to be able to feel and grip the floor. However, they were more like glorified slippers, and while they were fine for inside, they didn’t do much good outside. You can read about the Pediped Originals system to see why I settled on Pediped.

I finally bit the bullet when I discovered the boys sale section and grabbed the zach for $12.00. The regular prices are really quite expensive in my opinion, but then again I’m cheap frugal.

After actually seeing and feeling them, I would seriously consider paying full price for them. They’re not even in the same neighborhood as Robeez. It’s hard to explain the quality, but I think you can see it quite a bit in the photos. If they had my size, I’d totally wear ’em!

I think they’re awfully cute too!

My son was about 14 months old when I bought these, but I chose a size 6-12 months using their printable sizing chart. This is supposed to be equivalent to a 4-4.5 US. I was actually worried that they might be a bit big, especially after reading that a 12 month size usually fits up to around 14 months (my son is quite small for his age.) Above, left is the Pediped compared to a size 3 “crib” style shoe. Right is a size 4 sneaker, the 6-12 month pediped, the size 3 crib shoe, and a size 4 sandal. Keep in mind of course that there’s no bulky rubber sole on the pediped originals.

I liked them so much that I was immediately plotting my purchase for the next size up. Luckily for me (and my checkbook), I received an email offering a Friends & Family discount at pediped’s sister website, Kinderbliss. Wait, what does that coupon say? Includes sale items? Those are the magic words that unlock my wallet!

I chose the pediped originals baby kyle in 12-18 months, and to make my $5 shipping fee worthwhile, I also chose the pediped flex Charlie in size 5. Both pairs shipped (total) cost me $19 and change. Not bad shopping if I do say so myself!

The pediped Flex come in sizes 5-12 and are designed for confident walkers.

The boxes and packaging are so nice, I think they would make a fantastic gift!

Pediped Flex shoes have the “flexfit system” that has an additional insole to adjust the fit and allow for extended wear.

I’ve eyeballed these shoes since long before a little boy was so much as a thought in my mind. I just love “little man” clothes! Squee!

To compare size: on the left (left to right) is the size 5 pediped flex, 12-18 month pediped originals, size 4 sandals, size 4 sneaker, size 3 crib shoe and size 6-12 month pediped originals. On the right (top to bottom): pediped originals 6-12 month, size 3 crib shoe, size 4 sneaker, size 4 sandal, size 12-18 month pediped originals and size 5 pediped flex.

So do they “flex?” Why, yes. Yes, they do.

I definitely recommend watching the sale categories on both pediped and kinderbliss. I’m still stoked that I got 3 pair for about the cost of one!

I was not compensated in any way for this review, and all opinions are my own. I purchased all items myself, and no links are affiliate links. If you are making a purchase and would like to support this blog, please see the affiliate links at the bottom of my shop page. I do have a pediped affiliate link, but I only found out about their program after I discovered how awesome these shoes are!

Monthly Archives: Aug 2010

My $15 disappearing clothesline / The world’s cheapest, most effective stain remover

Mailbox Mondays 8/30/10

Smartipants Diaper Winner!

Weekly Friday Giveaway Roundup for August 27th, 2010

Pediped® Footwear Review

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