Happy Heinys XS vs. Mini One Size Pocket Newborn Diapers – Comparison

Aug 30,2011 / By Maria / No Comment

Last month, I posted a Happy Heinys XS/newborn pocket diaper review and a Happy Heinys mini one size diaper review. Now I’m going to compare the two!

The mini one size actually gets a bit smaller than the XS, rise-wise. Above is the XS (brown w/blue hibiscus print) vs the mini one size (pink) on the medium setting.

You can see that the XS isn’t much smaller (rise-wise) than the Happy Heinys One Size, while the mini one size is a bit smaller. However, the XS is definitely narrower through the crotch.

Here’s the smallest setting of the mini one size (pink) folded and stretched, vs the XS pocket (brown w/blue hibiscus.)

Both have the same velcro closures, but the front panel of the XS (on top in the right photo) is a bit smaller/narrower than the mini one size.

The XS doesn’t have encased leg elastic, which is supposed to be more gentle.

They both have the same inner as well. I think the XS is a good bit narrower through the middle than the mini one size, so I’d expect it to be less bulky on tiny babies. Unfortunately, I didn’t buy the insert for either one, so I don’t know how they compare!

Once on my “model” you can’t tell too much of a difference. Again, I think the rise on the mini one size (pink) is a bit lower than the XS, but the XS is a little narrower.

The mini one size diaper retails for $17.95 (with two inserts), and will take you from the newborn stage, until the one-size diapers fit (the largest size of the mini is very similar to the smallest size of the o/s…see the mini one size review for photos.) Happy Heinys’ Weight range on these is 4-15 pounds.

The XS pocket diaper retails for $18.95 (with one insert), and thus far, I haven’t been able to find an estimated weight range for them. They do have the benefit of being a little bit narrower, and the un-encased leg elastic is supposed to be gentler (I prefer encased.)

For $1 less, the mini-one size gets you an additional insert, and more sizing flexibility, so it seems like a “no-brainer” to me.

What do you think?

FTC compliance: I purchased the above products myself, with a coupon code. I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own.

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Eco Sprout Cloth Diaper Detergent Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 9/1)

Aug 25,2011 / By Maria / 8 Comments

I’ve been cloth diapering for nearly 2 years now, and I still think the biggest hurdle is establishing a wash routine, and finding a detergent that works for you. Eco Sprout is a cloth diaper safe detergent created by a work at home Dad! The detergent does not contain dyes, brighteners, enzymes, phosphates or SLS, and it is completely biodegradable. Ingredients are: Sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate (solid hydrogen peroxide), natural water softeners, sodium carbonate (washing soda), sodium sulfate (sodium salt of sulfuric acid a.k.a. Thenardite) and natural & biodegradable surfactants. (There’s also natural fragrance in the scented formulas.)

Eco Sprout Detergent comes in 7 scents: Fresh Linen, Warm Vanilla Sugar, Lavender Chamomile, Sandalwood Vanilla, Ocean Blue, Baby Powder and Seasonal (currently Pink Lemonade) as well as “In the Buff” (unscented.) I received a sample detergent pack of a variety of scents in 2 oz packages. You can buy 2 oz packages of Eco Sprout (2-4 loads) for $1.75 each.

I love that there are washing instructions included, so I didn’t have to hunt them down!

I went ahead and soaked my diapers with Eco-Sprout for 3 hours (the max auto soak on my machine) followed by a hot wash with double rinse. Then I did another full hot wash/double rinse with no detergent, to make sure I got all old detergent residue out. Finally, I did a wash with the recommended amount of Eco-Sprout.

The small amount of natural fragrance oils make your laundry smell good while you’re washing it, but it rinses out completely, leaving no residue on your diapers. My diapers simply smelled clean. My whole stash has been through a soak/wash with Eco Sprout at least once, maybe twice. (I keep my diapers rotating and I can’t remember where I started!) So far, so good! If you’re having trouble with your detergent, wash routine, repelling or stink, I would definitely recommend adding Eco Sprout to your “to try” list, especially if other ammonia treatments or popular “safe” detergents didn’t work for you.

Price: A little goes a long way; you need just 1-2 T in an HE machine/soft water (that’s me) up to 2-4 T in a traditional top load washer with hard water. 24 oz bags wash 24-48 loads and retail for $7.98, 48 oz bags do 48-96 loads for $13.98, and 96 oz bags do 96-192 loads for $24.98.

Where to buy: You can buy directly from Eco Sprout, or find it at a number of retailers including my affiliate, Diaper Junction.

Giveaway: Eco Sprout is offering a reader their own 24 oz bag detergent in his/her choice of scent. (ARV $7.98) Entries go in the Rafflecopter form below! You may view Rafflecopter’s Privacy Policy.

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Mailbox Mondays Washing

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 8/22/11 – Drying Cloth Diapers

Aug 22,2011 / By Maria / 2 Comments

It’s just another Mailbox Monday (oh-oh) I wish it was Sunday (oh-oh) ’cause that’s my funday (oh-oo-whoa) my I don’t have to run day, It’s just another Mailbox Monday!

Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system…on Mondays, I answer questions readers have asked, and ask my other readers to weigh in too.

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.

Erika says:

OK- since you said you were short on submissions, I thought I would ask you something I have been wondering about: the effects of dryer time on diapers.

Background: I live in a rental. We have an underpowered dryer- not sure if it’s because of age or what, it takes forever to dry clothes even on high heat, even with using 5 dryer balls. I am not allowed to hang dry clothes outside due to HOA regulations. I can and do sometimes hang dry inside, but the air conditioning is broken and not likely to be fixed anytime soon, and it’s terribly humid here- so to hang dry items completely would take days.

So- I put my diapers in the dryer all the time. Not the covers or pockets- just flats, cloth wipes, fitteds, Flip organic inserts, hemp doublers, and organic BG Elementals. I usually do 70 minutes on medium but then have to do another 30 minutes on high to get the heavy stuff- fitteds, BG’s, hemp- even close enough to dry that I can hang dry them the rest of the way.

My main question is, what’s more damaging to diapers- dry time or heat setting? I was wondering if I dry them 2 cycles on medium, or 1 cycle on high vs. my current 1.5 cycles on med/high- which is better/worse? Or am I choosing between 2 bad options since I already know drying wears out diapers?

Thanks for reading…sorry I am so wordy! 🙂

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