Natural Household Products Review

Staples Sustainable Earth Multi-Purpose Cleaner Review

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sustainable earth
When I think “Staples,” I think of office supplies (love office supply stores by the way, I’m weird, I know.)  I really don’t think of cleaning products, let alone earth-friendly products.  Staples does sell things like coffee, snacks and bottled water, as well as cleaning products, to make it a one-stop shop for an office or small business. 
They have just introduced a new line called Sustainable Earth.  The products are ammonia and phosphate free, and meet the Green Seal Environmental Standard for household cleaners.  The line consists of Mult-Purpose Cleaner and Glass Cleaner.  32 oz bottles sell for $2.99 and one gallon refills sell for $9.99.
I had the opportunity to try the Sustainable Earth Multi-Purpose Cleaner.
earth friendly cleaner
I used it to clean my counters, vanities and sinks.  All of my surfaces were clean with no streaks.  I used it with a microfiber towel that I received with a diaper (I prefer to use sewn inserts in my diapers.)
I ended up going on a bit of a cleaning frenzy and dusted everything, including our wood blinds.  They are so hard to get dust-free but it worked!

sustainable earth

It didn’t work as well on glass, so I’d recommend using the glass cleaner instead!
sustainable earth
I tried cleaning it again with a clean rag, but it was still streaky.
staples sustainable earth
I ended up using windex (shame on me, I know!) to get it clean.  I’d be interested to see how the glass cleaner performs, since the multi-purpose cleaner worked so well on other surfaces.  I never have good luck with multi purpose cleaners on glass!
The Sustainable Earth Multi-Purpose Cleaner contains Bio-based ingredients, and the ingredients read: Water, cleaning agents, corn-based ethanol, fragrance and colorant.  It has a mild scent, but I think it would be fine without the fragrance or colorant.  I’m also very curious as to what the cleaning agents actually are.
I am always happy to see affordable, “greener” options in mainstream stores, I think it’s a step in the right drection!
FTC compliance: I received a 4 oz. sample container of Multi-Purpose Cleaner for review purposes.  All opinions are my own.  I was not compensated for this post.
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Friday Giveaway Linky Giveaways Linky

Weekly Friday Giveaway Roundup for September 17th, 2010

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giveaway

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:

The Cloth Diaper Whisperer
$1000 Super Stash Giveaway (several winners) from The Cloth Diaper Blog/Diaper Junction (ends 10/13)

GroVia Diaper from Wishing Penny (ends 9/25)

Moo Moo Kow Diaper from Mama to 3 Blessings (ends 9/27)

Peculiar Notions Diaper from Coping with Frugality (ends 9/20)

Babee Greens Diaper from Organic Girl (ends 10/14)

Pbutterjelly75 Cloth Wipes from Love Lives Here (ends 9/22)

Katydid Diaper from The Small Town Mom (ends 9/27)

Little Comfort One Size Bamboo Diaper from Dirty Diaper Laundry and Otter Babies (ends 9/27)

Ittybittybums A12 from Biehl Adventures (ends 9/20)

Tot Wraps Trainer from Arizona Mama (ends 10/2)

Ergo Baby Carrier from Simply Stacie (ends 9/27) Open to the U.S. and Canada

BabyKicks Organic Fitted from Biehl Adventures (ends 9/21)

Planet Wise Hanging Wet/Dry bag from Natural Baby Giveaways (ends 10/13)

Thirsties Duo Diaper from Hot Tips 4 U (ends 10/6)

Babee Greens Diaper from The Cheap and Choosy (ends 10/15)

Mother-Ease Sandy’s Fitted Diaper from your World Healthy & Natural (ends 9/30)

Knickernappies Superdo Insert from The Cloth Diaper Report (ends 9/24)

Thirsties Duo Wrap, Dup Hemp Prefold and Stay Dry Duo Insert from The Shopping Mama (ends 9/30)

Sage Diaper from The Review Stew (ends 9/30)

Mother-Ease Diaper from Biehl Adventures (ends 9/23)

Giveaways still running from last week:
mother-ease clith diapers
Ergo Baby Carrier from Mama B (ends tomorrow, 9/18)

WHAMies Pail Liner from The Cheap and Choosy (ends 9/30)

Thirsties Duo Wrap & Hemp Prefold from Chubby Cheeks Thinks (ends 9/21) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Snap EZ diaper from Organic Girl and Dapa Diapers (ends 10/4) Open to the U.S. and Canada

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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Baby Wearing Coupon Discount Review

Boba Baby Carrier Review PLUS Coupon/Discount Code!

 boba

NAP, inc. makes both the Sleepy Wrap and the Boba Baby Carrier.  The Sleepy Wrap was a lifesaver for us.  I love it so much that if I could marry it, I totally would.  So logically, when I was looking for a soft structured carrier, I looked at Boba.  The Boba is designed for babies 15-45 pounds; if you have a smaller baby, you will love the Sleepy Wrap!

My post in October on  The Village of Moms is on Babywearing, so look for that to read more about the Sleepy Wrap and why I love it, along with photos and video of it!

boba carriersoft structured carrier
 
babywearing

I received the Organic Carrier in Aspen (retail $118), which is a nice, neutral color.  The box it came in is really nice, I felt like I was opening a present!!  It also came with a helpful instructional booklet, though you can also get information on their website.  Boba recently released the Classic Carrier Collection.  It is the same great carrier in fabulous colors, but comes with a lower price tag of $100 to go along with the non-organic cotton.

boba baby carrierboba carrier
 

The Boba has a wide, padded waist band, and thick, cushy shoulder straps.

boba baby carrierbabywearingBaby

The sleeping hood attaches to the shoulder straps to support a snoozing baby’s head.  It’s completely removable and tucks away neatly when not in use.

Boba

Unique to the Boba are the fully adjustable (and removable) foot straps, that provide proper leg support for older children (usually age 2 or so) and hold their knees up at hip level.  They also slide along the waist band so you can get them perfectly adjusted for your little one.

babywearingnapbabywearingsoft structured carrier 

Measurements above show: (clockwise, left to right) carrier height, carrier width, waist band height, strap width.

Baby

The Boba is highly adjustable, and will fit a wide range of sizes.  The adjustments are sturdy straps that come with the excess neatly folded up.  Aside from the foot strap and hood adjustments, you can adjust the waist, chest/back clip, move the chest/back clip up and down, and there are two adjustments for the shoulder straps themselves (seen above).

Below is a quick video demonstrating all of the adjustments on the Boba.  I did this video when I first received the carrier.  It becomes easier over time to adjust the straps, and I’d recommend sliding each one back & forth many times when you first receive it, before trying to adjust it while wearing it.

The carrier was a little intimidating at first with all the straps, but it was so easy to put on!

baby carrier

I did most of these photos and videos with my camera on a tripod while my husband was watching my son, so I had to recruit a model to help me out!  Obviously, he is a little smaller than the minimum 15 pound baby the Boba recommends.

babywearing

boba baby carrierboba soft structured carrier

Clip the waist belt and adjust the strap.

boba

bobaboba carrier

In the pictures above, I had one strap on my shoulder before I picked Manny Bear up.  Normally, I could pick up my son and hold him against my belly.  Supporting his bottom with one hand, pull one shoulder strap up.  Switch hands, supporting his bottom with the other hand, and putting the other shoulder strap on.

boba carrierboba baby carrier

Fasten the chest/back clip and tighten.  I had a little trouble tightening the back clip, and with NAP Inc.’s help I discovered it was easier to tighten this all the way before putting the carrier on, and tightening the shoulder straps instead.  I am far more petite than the average petite person (I measured my shoulder width at about 15″) so I need most adjustments all the way tightened to feel secure.

babywearing carrierboba babywearing 

Below is a quick video showing me putting the carrier on:

I will admit that it took quite a bit of playing around to get the fit just right, but once I did, it was wonderful.  I didn’t know about all these awesome babywearing products when my daughter was small, so my babywearing experience with her was limited to the baby bjorn.  Not only is the front facing carrier not recommended for several reasons, but it put so much strain on my shoulders that I couldn’t carry her for more than a few minutes, even when she was tiny.

boba babywearing carrier

boba soft structured carrier

boba carrier

One of the most important things about the Boba (to me) is that my son is sitting the same way he would be if I were holding him.  His legs are held in a natural position.

boba

My husband is more average sized, and the carrier fits wonderfully on him as well.

boba carrierboba baby carrier

bobaboba babywearing carrier 

My husband also tried him on his back, but it was about bedtime and my son was not happy that I was taking pictures of him instead of holding him!  We’re happy with the front carry right now with my son’s size and development, but the fact that we can use it in a back carry is great!

babywearingboba babywearing soft structured carrier 

In conclusion, we LOVE the Boba Baby Carrier!  My son is so happy when he is in it, and it’s very comfortable.  I was sad when he seemed to be getting too big for the Sleepy Wrap, but now I can grocery shop, vacuum and do everything else I need to do in complete comfort.  Woo-hoo!

Discount: Use coupon code Boba10 to get 10% off any Boba Baby Carrier.

FTC Compliance: I received the above product at no cost in order to review it.  I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.  I was not requested or required to write a positive review.


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Baby Legs Deodorizers Detergents Giveaway Made in the USA Review WAHM made

Kickin’ Creations Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 9/21)

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kickin creations
I originally contacted Mandy of Kickin’ Creations to buy some wool dryer balls.  As it turned out, she was not happy with the new method she was trying (at the time) for making them, and didn’t want to sell any to me until she was pleased with how they ended up.
We got to chatting and I agreed to review her cloth diaper safe laundry detergent, deodorizer powder (pail powder) and baby legs.  (She also sells sugar scrubs, burp cloths and more!)
kickin creations
Kickin’ Creations items are normally shipped in nice, heat-sealed bags.  Since mine were samples, they were shipped in regular baggies. 
kickin creations packaging
I received the detergent and pail powder, both in Wild Cherry Blossom scent.  Other scent options include: Sweet Pea & Jasmine, Lavender Essential Oil, Apple Cinnamon, Fresh Linen and Unscented.
cloth diapers
I’ve had such a hard time with detergent, that I was really surprised and impressed by Kickin’ Creations.  Like the other scented detergents I’ve used, the scent was very strong.  I could smell it as soon as I opened my mailbox!  I’m a little more sensitive to smells than others, so I put the detergent and pail powder in an OXO container for storage.  Like that, it made my laundry room smell great!
cloth diaper safe products
Each bag of detergent contains up to 70 wash loads, and sells for $15.00 plus $4.95 shipping.  A half-batch sample pack sells for $8.00 plus shipping.  The instructions are to use 1-2 tablespoons (3 to soak, less per load for an HE machine.) 
kickin creations
The first time I used it, I used a little more than I needed to.  After that, I used a little bit less, and while the laundry room smelled great while washing, the diapers rinsed clean.  When they were finished, they had a faint scent, but just smelled clean.  I used the whole bag (it lasted at least a week, I should have kept track!) and it worked wonderfully.
I use a Planet Wise large hanging wet bag as a pail, and don’t have a lot of stink issues.  However, since I’ve started washing every other day, things get a little…eh…”gamey” by wash day.  The Stink Be Gone All Purpose Deodorizer Powder is available in the same scents as the detergent, and a 10 ounce package sells for $5.00 plus shipping. 
If you used it in a shaker bottle (relabeled for safety!) like an empty baby powder or spice container, it would be very easy to sprinkle a bit in your diaper pail or trash can. I just shook a little bit out of the bag onto the diapers as I added them to the pail & noticed some stink.  It really did a good job of neutralizing the odor.  My laundry room (where I keep my pail!) smelled fresh, not like flowery dirty diapers, hee hee.
baby legs
Last up are the baby legs.  You really have to cut me some slack on my pictures.  Lately, trying to photograph my son feels like trying to photograph a squirrel on redbull.

baby legs

The pair I received are navy blue, and like other WAHM baby legs, they are made from knee socks.

kickin creations baby legs

Mandy also makes a “Tiny Legs” version of baby legs for 0-3 month olds.  They sell for about $5.00 plus shipping.

kickin creations baby legs

I am looking forward to using these when the weather gets cooler and he gets that chilly gap between socks and pants!

kickin creations

Kickin’ Creations sells both in the Cuties with Cloth Booties Congo (CWCB) on Hyenacart and the Bliss Congo.  Her CWCB store stocks tomorrow, September 15th.

Giveaway: Mandy is offering one reader his/her choice of any one in-stock item!  (Value up to $15.00)


Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below.  Feel free to leave a comment about the post, or simply to remind yourself that you entered however, comments will not be counted as entries.  Mandatory entries include name, email address and the item you like best after visiting the Kickin’ Creations CWCB store.  You may “like” the Kickin’ Creations Facebook page for a bonus entry, and double your chances!  This post will be updated daily (or so) with the # of entries received, for those of you who like to know your odds.


I will accept entries until Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 at 9 P.M. Eastern.  I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email.  View my giveaway rules page for complete details.  This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

# of entries as of September 21st, 2010 at 8:30 P.M.: 116

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dGU1UERuRFczdnBUUTNqeXVjMWo3aVE6MQ

FTC Compliance: I was provided with review samples for the cost of shipping, and a giveaway winner will receive a free item as well.  I was not otherwise compensated for this post; I was not required or requested to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

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