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Maria is an aspiring "fit mom" of 3 children, writing about cloth diapers, going green, and her life as a single mom. Maria works with many companies within the cloth diaper industry and beyond, providing social media management, product development, and other services.

$120 Cloth Diaper Package Giveaway – Bumgenius, Flip, Fuzzibunz, Kissaluvs, Thirsties, Grovia, Planet Wise (CLOSED 3/10)

Feb 24,2011 / By Maria / 46 Comments

As promised, I’m offering up an awesome cloth diaper package, to celebrate 1,000 GFC Followers, RSS Feed Subscribers, Facebook “likers” and Twitter Followers! Someday, I hope to have 1,000 email subscribers too! I feel so blessed to have made so many friends through cloth diapers, I’ve gotten to try lots of great products, and I hope I’ve helped a few of you as well.

All items pictured are my own, just to show what is included in the package. The winner will choose colors/prints, closures, sizes and inserts where applicable.

First up is a Bumgenius 4.0 diaper in choice of color/print and closure. (ARV $17.95-$19.95)

Next, a Fuzzibunz Perfect Size diaper in choice of size and color (ARV $17.95)

A Flip diaper cover and insert in choice of color and insert (ARV $16.95-$19.95.)

A Kissaluvs Kissa’s Cotton Fleece Fitted in choice of size and color (ARV $13.95-$14.95.)

A 12-pack of GroVia cloth wipes (ARV $10.95.)

A 4 ounce bottle of Thirsties Booty Luster (ARV $6.25.)

and finally, a Planet Wise Wet or Wet/Dry Bag in your choice of size and color (ARV $9.50-$29.99.)

The combined value of this package is $93.50-$119.99, depending on the winner’s choices. All values listed are based on current retail prices at my Affiliate, ~~Kelly’s Closet. In addition to my usual~~ ~~giveaway rules~~, I reserve the right to make substitutions in the event that an item becomes unavailable, and I will ask for a first and second color choice for each item. I also reserve the right to purchase the items at the reputable online cloth diaper retailer of my choice, including my affiliate, ~~Diaper Junction, or one or more of my favorite cloth diaper stores!~~

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. I love comments (great way to remind yourself that you entered) but comments do not count as entries.

~~Due to the nature and value of this giveaway, there are a few more entry options than usual, and the giveaway will run longer than usual.~~

~~The mandatory entries include your name and email address.~~

Bonus entries:

Follow this blog – You choose how you prefer to stay updated on new posts, including Google Friend connect, ~~RSS, email subscription, “liking”~~ ~~me on Facebook~~ ~~or following~~ ~~me on Twitter. I’d love for you to “follow me” everywhere, but you receive only one bonus entry. Just let me know which method you’ve chosen.~~
Tweet – One time only please. Leave a link to your tweet. You may use this if you like: #win a $120 #clothdiapers package from @chgdiapers. This #clothdiaper #giveaway will build your stash! ~~http://bit.ly/eG65zS~~
Blog about this giveaway and link back to me. If you do not have a blog, you may post in a relevant online forum or group, just leave me a link.
Grab my Button on the left sidebar. Leave me a link where I can find it!

~~Please fill out the form only once. You don’t need to submit it separately for each entry. If you forget something, just send me an email or use my contact form!~~

I will accept entries until Thursday, March 10th, 2011 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my ~~giveaway rules page~~ ~~for complete details.~~

~~This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. Please note that this giveaway is not endorsed by, sponsored by or affiliated with any cloth diaper company, manufacturer or retailer.~~

~~# of Entries received as of Giveaway close: 1081~~

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dDlDbmFEX0NqbUNqb2VRNlJKajVJeGc6MQ

FTC compliance: I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Yoreganics Laundry To Go Travel Trio Winner

Feb 23,2011 / By Maria / No Comment

68 people entered this giveaway, with 124 entries in all. The winning entry is #34, which is Carrie. Congratulations Carrie, I’m sending you an email!

Cloth Diapering How To/Demo Velcro/Aplix Closure Warranties

Replacing Bumgenius 3.0 Aplix or Velcro & Laundry Tabs Without a Sewing Machine (Bumgenius Refresher Tutorial)

Feb 22,2011 / By Maria / 19 Comments

bumgenius aplix replacement without a sewing machine

Yes, it can be done; I did it. I have lots of pictures for you!

My cloth diaper stash started with 6 Bumgenius 3.0 pocket diapers. I bought three in October 2009 to try, followed by 3 more about a week later. Those 6 got a ton of use as I slowly built up my stash. As I expected, after nearly constant use, the aplix started to curl, and the laundry tabs started to shrink. Three of the six were replaced under the Bumgenius warranty, (Cottonbabies’ warranty and customer service are superb by the way) however, the other three really weren’t bad enough to be replaced before the 1-year warranty ended.

I have quite a stash of diapers in rotation now; I wash every other day, and diapers are used just a few times a week. However, two of my Bumgenius 3.0s are still my primary night time diapers (I rotate 4, including a fitted/wool, but the BG are my favorites) so they are still used a lot. You can see above that the laundry tabs are shrunken and the closure tabs are starting to curl. They still stick fine to the front of the diaper, but they don’t stick to the laundry tabs anymore.

On the other hand, one 3.0 that has been in my regular rotation still looks fine after 16 months.

Cottonbabies sells Bumgenius refresher kits for $1.00 each. They include 3 pieces of elastic, two closure tabs, two laundry tabs, and ship for free.

The kits also include instructions for doing the repairs with a sewing machine. I’ve adapted them to do it by hand! Luckily, I didn’t need to replace any elastic, so I’ve just done the closure and laundry tabs. I decided to try this on a Bumgenius 3.0 AIO I got for free with a coupon code. That way if I really screwed it up, I wouldn’t be heartbroken!

First, I very carefully cut the ends of the closure tabs. The instructions say to remove them with a seam ripper, but I found it much easier to cut the tabs first. Of course, you want to be very careful not to cut the diaper!

After cutting the ends of the tabs off, it was easy to use a seam ripper to loosen the tabs and remove them.

The refresher kit included instructions on how to attach the new tabs of course.

Once I had placed the new tabs, I decided to put a couple stitches to hold the tabs together. This way it was a little bit easier to keep the tabs in the right place against the diaper, and against each other.

As instructed, I started on the flat side and went around the tab twice.

When I finished, I realized the tab had slipped a bit as I was sewing, and ended up a little crooked. It really doesn’t matter, since the laundry tabs and front strip are quite large and forgiving!

The awesome thing about these refresher kits, is that they include the new, “4.0 style” laundry tabs, which (so far) seem to function and hold up far better than the 3.0 style. Of course, if you are buying these kits from your favorite retailer, check with them first to see which style kit they have.

The instructions say to sew right over the old laundry tabs, but I decided to remove them.

It took a little longer to remove these than the closure tabs, but it was still pretty quick work.

I sewed around the edge of each laundry tab, then in an x through the middle, like the original tabs.

I didn’t really worry too much about making my stitching perfectly even and straight, and I don’t think it was noticeable on the finished tabs.

I am pretty happy that $1.00 and some time gave my diapers new life!

I’m not going to lie, this was definitely a little time consuming and tedious to do by hand!

The hardest part was going through the thickest portion of the tab where the diaper’s stretchy tab was seamed. I probably wouldn’t sit down and try to refresh a whole stack of diapers by hand in one sitting, but I will do the others one at a time eventually!

I’m not sure exactly how long it took me; it definitely took me a bit longer since I was taking pictures as I went. I’m sure the next diapers will go more quickly since I know what I’m doing now! I want to order an extra kit to replace the horrid laundry tabs on my Blueberry diaper too!

Mailbox Mondays

Mailbox Mondays 2/21/11 – Prepping Diapers & Stinky Pails!

Feb 21,2011 / By Maria / 2 Comments

Every Monday, I will answer reader submitted questions in my Mailbox Mondays post, and ask you to weigh in your opinions.

Questions don’t have to be cloth diaper related, just email maria at change-diapers.com with “Mailbox Mondays” in the subject, or Fill out my contact form for readers, which you will always be able to find on my Contact Page.

Julie says:

Hi Maria!!

First off I just want to say I LOVE your blog! It was one of the first cloth diaper related blogs I came across when I was pregnant and looking into cloth diapers. I had a couple of questions for you.

First off, I started my cloth diaper stash with a big purchase so it was easy to just throw all of the items in the wash to prep them all together. Nowadays, I find myself buying one or two diapers or inserts at a time and I would hate to run a laundry load for just a couple of items. Do you have any suggestions for prepping just a couple of diapers or inserts at a time?

Also, my daughter was exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months, but now that she is almost 9 months and eating solids, I am finding that her diaper pail is getting MIGHTY stinky. I do try to spray the poopy diapers with my sprayer but that doesn’t really seem to be helping. Any other suggestions?

Thanks so so much!

Sincerely,
Julie J.

I really appreciate hearing that you enjoy the blog, and find it helpful! You really have no idea how warm & fuzzy that makes me feel!

If I get a new diaper that doesn’t have special prepping instructions (if it’s made of microfiber, microfleece, PUL etc.), I throw it in the wash with my other diapers once, then use it. Things like organic cotton and hemp usually need to be washed at least three times before using, and will continue to gain absorbency for up to 10 washes.

The problem is that they need to be washed separately, since the fibers contain natural oils that could be deposited onto your other diapers, and cause them to repel. Check with the manufacturer/the product packaging, because some companies send natural fiber products partially prepped. As annoying as it is, and wasteful as it seems, you really do need to wash them separately to protect your other diapers.

I have heard of people boiling hemp prefolds/inserts to remove the oils faster, but I haven’t tried that myself! I would definitely suggest exercising caution if you try that, and I am not responsible for any burns or fires that may occur, eek! “Ma’am, what were you doing when the fire started?” “Errr, well, uhh…I was just…uhh…boiling my…hemp.”

As far as your stinky pail goes, my first two suggestions would be to keep the pail open a crack, and to wash more often. You’d think keeping the pail closed tightly would keep the smell in better, but I find that letting the air circulate means less stink. Washing no more than every 2-3 days, and washing the liner each time helps quite a bit as well. Wahmies pail liners have a swatch of fabric at the seam, where you can add a few drops of essential oil to help with the odor. If yours doesn’t have that feature, several WAHMs also make pail powder that you can use to eliminate odors and add scent.

How about you? How do you prep new diapers when you only have 1 or 2? How do you combat pail stink?

Friday Giveaway Linky Giveaways Linky

2/18/11 – Cloth Diaper Giveaway Roundup

Feb 18,2011 / By Maria / 2 Comments

It’s Friday giveaway roundup time! Take a look at the list of cloth diaper/accessory/baby wearing giveaways I’ve found, and enter what you like!

If you’d like me to feature your cloth diaper, accessory, baby wearing (etc.) giveaway next week, send a link and description to maria at change-diapers.com, or Fill out my contact form for readers.

My Yoreganics Laundry Trio Giveaway ends 2/22

*Bummas Wipes from Sweet T Makes Three Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/18) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Tiny Tush Elite Pocket Diaper from Momma in Flip Flops (ends 2/18)

*WAHMies Pail Liner from So Easy Being Green Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/18)

Maxwell Designs Diaper & Wet Bag from Kelly Wels (ends 2/18)

Sleepy Wrap from CT Mom Reviews (ends 2/18)

*Bumgenius 4.0 Artist Series from Bottom of the Sixth Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/19)

*Doopsy Diaper from Diary of a Devil Dog Wife Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/19)

*Twinkletoes Fleece Shorties from Stuff Parents Need (ends 2/19)

WAHMies Wet Bag from Makobi Scribe Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/19) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Planet Wise Wet/Dry Bag from Take Time to Smell The Rose Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/19) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*My Baby’s Green Diapers from Lindsay’s Family Reviews Mandatory GFC follow and Newsletter Subscription (ends 2/20)

*Rumparooz Diaper from Happy Baby Co. and Monkey Tales Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/20)

*Mother-Ease Diaper from Mommy and Me Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/20)

*Thirsties Fab Wipes & Booty Luster from Coping With Frugality (ends 2/20)

*Bummis Easy Fit Diaper from The Small Town Mom Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/20)

*Bummas Wipes from Crazy 4 Fluff Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/20)

*Best Bottom Diapering System from Cloth Diaper Contests Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/20)

GoGreen Pocket Diaper from The Nurse Mommy (ends 2/20)

Econobum from Nicki’s Cloth Diaper Reviews (ends 2/20)

*Itti Bitti D’Lish and Tutto Diapers from Dirty Diaper Laundry (ends 2/21)

*RearZ Diapers from Cushy Tushy and West Coast Mama (ends 2/21) Open to the U.S. and Canada

The Diaper Bag Wrangler Wet Bag from So Easy Being Green Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/21)

*$20 Abby’s Lane GC from Mama to 4 Blessings Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/23)

*Wee Expressions Diaper from Sweet T Makes 3 Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/23)

Snappi from Crum’s This n That Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/23)

Dinkledooz Diaper from GoGo Natural and Triple Duty Momma (ends 2/23) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Mini Maestro Diaper from Momma In Flip Flops (ends 2/24) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Bellabamboo Wipes from Wee Little Changes (ends 2/24)

Mini Maestro Diapers from Cushy Tushy and Cloth Diaper Contests and Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/24) Open to Canada only

Softbums Omni from So Easy Being Green Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/24)

Sweet Pea Diaper Cover from The Cloth Diaper Report (ends 2/25)

*$20 GC to Doable Diapers from Mama to 4 Blessings Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/26)

Bummas Wipes from Adventures in Abbyland (ends 2/26) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Knickernappies Diaper from Wee Little Changes (ends 2/27)

Smart Bottoms Diaper from The Small Town Mom Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/27)

GoGreen Champ Pocket Diaper from Crazy 4 Fluff Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/27)

Bambino Mio Swim Nappy from Childish Notions & Cloth Diaper Contests & Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/27) open to Canadians Only

*GoGreen Champ Pocket Diaper from Happenings of the Harper Household Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/28)

*Bumgenius 4.0 from Cloth Diapers n More and Mommy and Me giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/28)

*$10 Abby’s Lane GC from Mommy and Me Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/28)

*Thirsties Duo Wrap & Prefold from Mommy Kat and Kids (ends 2/28) Open to the U.S. and Canada

$25 GC to Bright Star Baby from Dirty Diaper Laundry (ends 2/28)

GoGreen Diaper & Wet/Dry Bag from She’s Mommafied Mandatory GFC follow (ends 2/28)

Softbums Omni from Liz Has a Life (ends 2/28)

Fuzzibunz Diaper from Madison Organics and Baby Dickey’s Giveaways (ends 2/29)

Mud Butt Cloth Diaper from Go Long Go Green Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 3/2)

GroVia Diaper from Mommy is Green and The Glass Baby Bottle (ends 3/2)

GoGreen Champ Pocket Diaper from Mama Chocolate Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/2) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Sage Diaper from Knocked Up and Nursing (ends 3/2) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Dinkledooz Diaper from GoGo Natural and A Mommy’s Blessings Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/3)

Bumgenius Artist Series Diaper from Mommy’s Peanut Gallery Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/3)

*Bumgenius 4.0 from Maine Cloth Diapers and Mommy and Me Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/5)

Happy Heinys from The Baby Store Plus Blog Mandatory Email Subscription (ends 3/6)

GoGreen Champ Diaper from The Not So Secret Confessions of a First Time Mom (ends 3/11)

$370 Bumgenius Kit from Kelly Wels (ends 3/11) Entry Form on Facebook Mandatory Facebook “like”

*Bummas Wipes from Smile a Day Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/12) Open to the U.S. and
Canada

Boba Classic Carrier from Mommy Kat and Kids Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 3/15) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Boba 2G Carrier from Monkey Tales Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/15)

*giveaways that have been listed in a prior week’s roundup

Feel free to enter any G-rated giveaway in the linky below. The form Blog name – Giveaway Item – Ending date works well. Please at least include the item and end date, and link directly to the giveaway.

View my where I list my giveaways post, to find more places to link up your giveaways!

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Author Archives: Maria

$120 Cloth Diaper Package Giveaway – Bumgenius, Flip, Fuzzibunz, Kissaluvs, Thirsties, Grovia, Planet Wise (CLOSED 3/10)

Yoreganics Laundry To Go Travel Trio Winner

Replacing Bumgenius 3.0 Aplix or Velcro & Laundry Tabs Without a Sewing Machine (Bumgenius Refresher Tutorial)

Mailbox Mondays 2/21/11 – Prepping Diapers & Stinky Pails!

2/18/11 – Cloth Diaper Giveaway Roundup

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