cloth diapers

6 bags full... you got to be kidding!

2018-02-14T08:51:00.002+02:00

You know I have tried all the different cloth diaper types that are available in the market.

My dearest of all, especially for newborns are the Flat/prefold. These are the square towels with which you cover the baby and then use a waterproof cover.

The same type of cover is needed when you use fitted diapers (the ones that are like aν underwear but still needs a waterproof shell.

Usually these two types of diapers come in naturtal fibers (cotton, bamboo, hemp). But there is some difficulty to choose the cover. I have found fleece covers, or covers with PUL but my favourite is wool!!!

No they are not hot, no they do not scratch (read here more info about wool and its characteristics).
ΑIf you serach for wool diaper covers you will see that they might seem to be a little expensive but they really worth it.

I did try to make some by myself but I could not find old wool sweaters... I also tryed to knit some , I even bought an expensive knitting pattern, but it was too complicated. I do have a friend, though who knitted a very easy pattern and did really enjoyed using it as a diper cover!

(you cabn find here more details)

Then one day Heidi came into my life!
Heidi ows 6 bags full. She is doing what I did not manage to: she takes 100% wool and cashmere sweaters and she turns them into cloth dipaer covers. She was even so kind to send me one for testing! (of'course I gave it to a friend since we 've ended using diapers a year now...).

First of all, when I picked it up I cried.... I cried because I do not have a sweater so soft, not a diaper cover! This is what Heidi sent me and I took picture from the inside and the outside:

My very experienced cloth dipaer friend after using it agreed that there is nothing like woolies! Imagine during winter to use only a long wool cover, instead of a normal pair of pants or leggings on your baby!

Wool needs specila washing care with green sopa and lanoline, once in a while. Find more at the bottom of this article.

Check out some 6 bags full covers:

ΑIf you want to buy some you will find them on etsy or on facebook. No, they are not constantly available. You can find out when some new ones are being released athe the 6bags ful mamma's club!

The hard part now: The shipping cost is about 11,5 euro and the covers cost about 15-25 euro, depending on the size, the type and the style.
The good news: after stop using them you can resell them on the used group Unofficial 6 Bags Full BST & Chat.

No matter what questions you might have, Heidi will answer you and clear everything out, exept from Friday to Sunday sunset when "I set this time apart for God and family", as she mentions. (Great idea for all of us, busy mamas...)

Have a nice try......

(Then you run into these juicy thighs with the raffles all around and you just get crazy!)

Booroi

2012-04-04T13:37:00.002+03:00

An Australian company that makes All-in-two nappies. With great cooton baby wipes in lovely wetbags.

I liked:

I think that these are the nappies with the greatest fabric I have seen! On one side they have a layer of 100% Bambοo fleece (very soft and keeps all the moist away from your baby)and on the other side a layer of 92% Bamboo and 8% polyester. In the middle they have an extra layer that absorbs everyhting! On the small babies you can use them as a nappy:

When they grow up, you fold them on three and just stuff it inside the waterproob cover:

Ι have washed them so many times but still, nothing happened to them!
The covers are very comfortable and, although on sizes, you will use them for a long time.
The covers are waterproof but they are very soft and they do not remind at all the word "plastic".
Not many colours and designs for the covers but they arejust great!
When you order baby wipes or nappies you get them in the very qute wetbags!

I did not like:

I am having some trouble with the side closure!
That I can only buy six packs of the nappies instead of one at a time...

I would change:

I would like some covers with afront closure!
I would like to be able to buy from the same company the special clips that are used on the nappies as a closure (instead of pins).

Cost: One nappy and one cover costs 16,8 euro and you need only 5,32 euros more for the shipping cost (from Australia!!!)

Giveaway No5! Bio-D nappy fresh!

2011-12-05T14:34:00.001+02:00

Some time ago a sample of Bio-D Nappy Fresh came to my hands. An "antibacterial, germicidal sanitizing powder for the safe, effective cleansing of re-usable textile nappies at low, energy-efficient temperatures".

I have to admit that I liked it, although I did not have lots of it to test!

As I was searching I run onto the greek e-shop sunny side.

(I was looking for dresses but looked for anyhting relating to cloth nappies as usual!)

I asked Elina for more info and we ended up to this giveaway!

Since she has been using cloth nappies as well, she added also the Bio-D washing powder, to the gift package.

Bio-D is an independent, family-owned, ethically motivated British company, dedicated to promoting the use of hypoallergenic, environmentally responsible detergents that have a minimum impact on the ecosystem both in their use and in their manufacturing process. Where possible, all raw materials are plant-derived and are obtained from renewable sources.
They operate a strict policy whereby none of our raw materials or finished products are tested on animals. We have a fixed cut-off date of 1988. All raw materials are free from genetically modified ingredients; animal by-products and we are subject to scrutiny and approval by The Vegan Society, Naturewatch Trust, BUAV and The World Wildlife Foundation.
These detergents do not contain enzymes, or brighteners, so we can try them on our cloht nappies!

So, you can participate in this contest through Rafflecopter, in the greek version of the blog. Only open to those living in Greece....
Good luck...

Results of the 4th giveaway

2011-11-21T09:52:00.001+02:00

So, another giveaway has finished!

Thank you all so much for liking, following, commenting!

The Rafflecopter gave us a winner:Anna!

Congratulations!

As soon as she will contact me,
I will email DIVA CUP so that she will get her gift!!

The rest of you can buy a menstrual cup directly from DIVA CUP or get more info on their webpages!

(I have to remind you that I did not got paid from the company to try their menstrual cup or to talk about it!)

Well, girls, buy for now. I will be back!

Giveaway No4! Menstrual cup!

2011-11-10T11:01:00.001+02:00

I am very curious and I am always searching for...anything! So I decided I wanted to try some cloth menstrual pads. Such nice colours and soft fabrics!As I was searching I discovered the menstrual cup! Never heard about it! Never even imagined that it could exist! The Greek translation is a little difficult! "Antitampon", "multiple use tampon"...
The menstrual cups first appeared 30 years ago in the US and Canada (where else?).

So, I found 4-5 companies. One of them, the DIVA CUP from Canada accepted to send me a sample to use and write about it and one more for one of you! (Of'course I did not got paid for the testing nad reviewing!)

First impression, when I opened the envelope: all this much? My sister's reaction was: "Are you crazy? You are really going to put all this ..."inside"?"

The truth is that I am so curiοus (as already mentioned) that I could not stop myself from using it!

So the perfect time to use the menstrual cup, came! I had washed it in some warm water and a little bit of white vinegar and I have washed my hands really-really well! Of'course I have memorised the instructions! I sat on the toilet, Ι folded it in half and pushed it in my "interior"! I cleaned the "details" and got up.

I did not dare to cut the "steam" as I was supposed to! I was fealing it a little bit so I was going to cut it as soon as possible!
After one hour I got it off. There was some leakage but maybe they were the "leftovers". I am sure that it was not pushed as much inside as possible! So, I touch the steam and pinch the cup.

Oh no, it is stuck!!!!
Wait, I have to pinch a little bit more, so that there will be enough air through the little holes on the top! It makes a ...noise and it gets out! There where lots of liquids inside! But I did not like the liquids on my hand! The all experience was so much easier than expected!
Second time was so much better! I cut the steam and made sure that I pushed the cup much more inside! This time things where so much better. Only a few leakage and I did not feal it as much as the first time!

I was only going to try it a) when at home, b) when I had lots of menstruals and c) when my sweet little girl would leave me alone...So I did not had lot of chances to use it again! I think that next month things will be so mush easier!

So, girls, if you want to buy one try an e-shop from the Store Finder or form the Buy Now-page of the company. On the DIVA CUP webpage you can find isntructions and answers to all of your questions!

Since I would love to have someone else to test it with, you can win one DIVA menstrual cup right here, through the Rufflecopter:

(Please go back to the form on the Greek page:)

http://yfasmatinespanes.blogspot.com/2011/11/4-mesntrual-cup.html

Nightripping 4

2011-10-27T14:19:00.000+03:00

My daughter is now old. 15,4 kilos and 2 years nad 7 months old. But she does not want to get rid of her diapers! Εspecially now that she sent her pacifier to the fairy it is not possible to take them off!

Now, she is "a heavy weter toddler", as our english-spoken friend say.

At this point, at nights, I use fitted diapers. Especially Aimee's, the angel bean, are so absorbent that in the morning I do not have to change her night dress and her bed sheets!

Absorbent soaker of
Wonderoo

The only pockets that have made it where the Wonderoo V2. They have on their own very absorbent soakers but you can also stuff inside somε more, just to be sure!

Zookies

2011-10-26T10:02:00.001+03:00

Handmade diaper covers from U.S.A., coming in wonderfull colours. Ready to ship or made just for you.

You can find them in snaps or velcro. Mine is "one size" but you can choose even specific sizes. Outside they have cotton fabrics in great colours and inside PUL. In the summer you can use them as a swimming suit!

I liked:- The great fabrics and colours

- That they are cotton on the outside

- They dry so quickly!
- You can choose sizes, snaps or velcro, even
the colour of the binding
- That you can "add" flaps or panels, when ordering
a new one, for those using flat nappies.

I did not like: Mine was a little wide but I read that Michele has made them a bit smaller.

I would change: I would find a representative in Greece, or at least in Europe!

Cost: 13,60 euros, from Zookies.

The cheapest diaper in the world!

2011-10-25T13:01:00.000+03:00

So, here it is... The cheapest diaper in the world. It costs only 0 euros.

The non-diaper!
No diaper at all...
Nothing...

Just to get my point, take a look at these cute litlle chinese wlking around with their bottoms open in the air...

I got most of the info from thw webpage of Wade Shepard who is traveling around the world the last 12 years and is writting his experience in the

In China, people think it is disgusting to get your underwear dirty! Even if you are a baby. So, weeks after being born, after feeding or sleeping, they keep the baby over...anything and they make specific sounds meaning the two different types of baby-bottom-exit. Until they reach the result they want. After sometime the baby itself reptoduces these same sounds, so that grandmoms, nannies moms etc know when they want to use the "bathroom", wherever they prefer.So, many babies and toddlers walk around wearing their "kaidangku" trousers, so that they can "express" themselves anytime, at anyplace!

In China this old habit is being left aside at the growing areas. On the contrary, the "potty training from birth" is a brand new trend on the West!
You can read all about it on the greek freediaperbabies.blogspot.com

Yes, we have been published!

2011-09-19T12:21:00.000+03:00

Yes, we have been published (me and my blog)!

The girls from the magazine

added my diapers on their new articles...
Do you want to read it? "Click" (where else?) on the photographs of the sweet diapers hanging to dry...NIce reading (I am sorry, it is only in Greek. But I will translate it soon!)

Hamac

2011-09-16T08:03:00.071+03:00

A French company with very special diapers, technologically! I have already talked about them in a previous post.

I liked: -The colours (especially of the Limited edition which is full of

French style!)

-The design. Fashion...(that is why you can find articlea about them in

Elle and Madame Figaro)

-Τhat it is so thin!

-You can use a disposable soaker...

-Τhe reusable soaker is from cotton-hemp and is very thin and

very absorbent.

-Τhe cover dryes...right away!!

-All fabrics are according to the Oeko Tex Class 1 standard.

I did not like: - The polyurethane membrane on the cover is tightening with an

elastic thread that is leaving marks on the thighs
and bottom... Just like wearing tight socks.

-The cover is a little narrow!
-It did not succeed at night with my toddler.

I would change: - It bothers me that a "plastic" polyurethane is

touching my baby... I would rather have something

more "cotton-like"

-I would use bigger velcro pieces at the closure.

Cost: 32-34 euros. Every box has a wrap, 1 reusable soaker, 2 disposables soakers and 1 liner! You might think that the price is high but you will need so much fewer covers that the cost is reduced significantly...

(Remarks from Hamac:

- our products are certified Okëo Tex Class 1 which is the highest level of certification for the fabrics.- the Hamac is comparable with Gore-Tex, which means this is leakproof and breathable,and our Hamac® is much more breathable than other materia.)

Diaper reviews. Why this way?

2011-09-15T08:19:00.000+03:00

I think that I have to clarify to all of those reading me, why do I write my reviews this way.

First I have to clarify that the diapers I own and review are either bought by myself or send to me by the manufacturing companies (you can see them on the right side of my blog).

I do not sell cloth nappies or make money from this blog. I am doing it just because I like it! I need to share my opinion about them with someone and nobody around me wants to talk about them (a big tear is falling at this point...)

Besides, after 10, 20, 30 years I might be giving interviews to Oprah (or her grandchildren) about my help to promote the cloth-diaper usage to the entire world!
(I am a very humble person, as you can see....)

When I write a review I want to do it without judging the type of the diaper. I know that if the nappy is all-in-one, pocket or flat it has advantages and disadvantages by each design!

Nevertheless each mommy (and daddy....should I dare to say it?) has their own preferences. So, I try to present all the special characteristics that I see and I cannot add marks or any other kind of measurement of the diaper's quality...

So, I hope I will help you a little bit, this way...
(Oprah should know all about this...)

New stuff...

2011-09-14T10:55:00.001+03:00

I have been starting some new stuff and I need your help and opinion:

1) We have a facebook page: marigoulaandclothdiapers. To get organised and to talk easier to each other...

2) I am trying to find a way to give/share/sell cloth diapers/nappies that you do not fit you or do not need them anymore!

Any ideas?

Fabrics, inside-out!

2011-09-12T10:32:00.003+03:00

So far, I have found cloth diapers with cotton, hemp, bamboo... Ok, I think I know what these are! But what is PUL? What is the consistency of microfiber? Who knows anything about jersey?
This is it! I am writing and explaining everything about them:

Waterproofing materials:

PUL: Polyester (the most familiar form is the PET, ie the plastic bottles of water!) coated with a polyurethane film after a special chemical process which removes all the toxic gases used for the production of the cloth.
TPU: Polyester that has been laminated with a thermoplastic polyurethane using a heat bonding process, not chemicals. This process is low in toxicity. Both the TPU laminate and the polyester fabric the laminate is applied to are biodegradable. When composted they will biodegrade in 4-5 years. (Information from Rumparooz which is using this material).

Fabric of the absorbent diaper

COTTON VELOUR:

A super soft absorbent and stretchy fabric which feels like velvet. It stays lovely and soft, wash after wash.

MINKEE: 100% polyester.
This is the softest, cuddliest fabric we have ever touched. 100% Polyester and best washed cold and line dried or dried on low in the dryer. This fabric is not bulky, it is like the softest velvet but with a flat pile, it washes beautifully.

CUDDLESOFT: 100% polyester and VERY similar to Minkee.

(I have chosen this photo so that you can understand that the same fabric is used in many-many different products)

MICRO-FLEECE: 100% polyester fleece, when used as an inner for a nappy fleece acts as a stay dry layer, letting moisture though to the absorbent layers underneath, but keeping your babies skin lovely and dry. Micro-fleece is thinner than regular fleece making it better suited for nappy inners.

Differences between Minkee, Cuddlesoft and Micro-Fleece:

Minkee and Cuddlesoft are very similar (They are sourced from different companies, the Cuddlesoft is slightly cheaper but with less colour options. They are both 100% polyester and are beautifully soft to the touch). All 3 options act as a stay dry inner (i.e. the wetness travels through the fabric into the absorbent layers underneath) to keep your little one dry. Some people say that Minkee/Cuddlesoft does not keep their little one as dry as micro-fleece, and is more likely to wick/leak moisture to the outside of the nappy. Minkee/Cuddlesoft is super soft against your little ones skin, it washes well and stays newer looking over time (whereas micro-fleece will bobble a bit in the wash). Notice that, for Cuddlesoft and Minkee inners they may have residues from the finishing agents used on the fabrics, and therefore it is very important for the first washing to be at 60 degrees, using the full quantity of washing powder recommended by the manufacturer. You can wash it and wash it, and rinse it and rinse it, but if you don't use the full recommended amount of detergent in your wash, you will not remove any oily residues that may be on the fabric. These fabrics are very good to reduce your baby's irriation, since it does not stay in all that moisture... Trust me, I have a personal experience about it!

HEMP FLEECE:
55% hemp and 45% cotton. Will need several washes to reach full absorbency, it is natural fabric, highly absorbent, slim and environmentally friendly but the fabric may stiffen if it is not tumble dried occasionally. (like mine...after one day in the sun it comes out like cardboard). This is why companies that use this material, (like HAMAC) are using 3 layers of hemp and one layer of microfleece, that is touching your baby and is very soft.

MICROFIBER: It is made from 80% πολυεστέρα και 20% polyamide (these are the natural Fibers of wool and silk, that are also made artificially). A Man made fabric which is absorbent, slim, and quick drying. Microfiber does not need to be washed to reach full absorbency. It stays lovely and soft wash after wash.

Lycra binding

Fleece

FLEECE: 100% polyester. When used as an inner for a nappy fleece acts as a stay dry layer, letting moisture though to the absorbent layers underneath, but keeping your babies skin lovely and dry.

LYCRA: Lycra binding is used on our nappies to keep the outer fabric from touching your babys skin and adding extra funkiness.

SUEDE CLOTH:
It feels like suede leather but is 100% polyester. It is thiner than microfleece but with the same capacity to axclude moisture from the baby's skin.

COTTON JERSEY: Of'course, 100% cotton.

"Jersey" is the typical knitting type. This fabric is very soft, absorbent and stretchy, making it an ideal fabric for washable nappies, eco sanitary pads, clothes, bedding, the list goes on.

ORGANIC COTTON JERSEY: Same as above but this fabric is also organic. Organic fabrics are produced without the use of hazardous chemicals which can be harmful to the environment and the health of the people involved in the manufacturing process.

TERRY:

100% cotton. The fabric that is used for towels. Very absorbent and very cheap (of'course not organic!)

BAMBOO TOWELLING: 90% bamboo and 10% polyester. I have to make something clear hear:
1) Pure bamboo is an environmentally friendly material, completely biodegradable. On the contrary of cotton, it can be cultivated without pesticides.
2) The bamboo fabrics are made after the chemical treatment of the bamboo, so that the big fibers will cut down and it will be possible to make them thread (many thanks wiki!). In Canada and the USA, since 2009, it is obligatory to use the term "rayon from bamboo", instead of "bamboo". Rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber that is produced after the chemical treatment of the wool and other plant fibers.
3) Studies are being made regarding the antimicrobial action of the bamboo fabric. There are two different opinions, regarding this claim. Some diaper (and other clothing) manufacturers say (Green Earth Bamboo) that it is antimicrobial. They even appear evidence about this action staying vivid even after 100 wash-cycles. At the same time, other researchers (Federal Trade Commission) claim the exact oposite, because the chemical treatment of the bamboo-particles, is destroying its antimicrobial property ...
4) It has a much higher absorbency than cotton, more than 60%, and it dryes 20% faster (I have not found the proper bibliography for these two...).

LUXURIOUS BAMBOO TOWELLING: 65% bamboo 28% cotton and 7% polyester backing for durability. This fabric has all the great qualities of our regular bamboo towelling, and is lovely and soft to the touch. It looks like normal looped towelling on one side and on the other side (the right side) it looks more like Minkee, in that it has a straight cut pile.

ORGANIC BAMBOO VELOUR: It comes from 70% bamboo, 28% cotton and 2% polyester backing for durability. A super soft absorbent and stretchy fabric which feels like velvet. It stays lovely and soft, wash after wash.

I think this is it...
I wrote about everyhting.
If I forget anything, I will be back...

(NOTICE: Most of the evidence come from Weenotions, a small family business making cloth nappies at request!
(I haven't been able to get one yet...)

Baba + Boo

2011-09-05T14:19:00.005+03:00

One more mother starting a nappy-producing company! I think this is the cheapest pocket nappy in the market! It has a PUL cover and comes with two microfiber inserts.

I liked: - Their price....

- Their snaps close very easily and they fit very well around legs of

many different sizes. I have not seen any leaking yet!

- You get it with two inserts that absorb many "stuff" and have

snaps to make them smaller, when neccesary.

- That you can get "limited edition" paterns! The collection changes
constantly!

- The great service from Eve!

I did not like: - That after a while I have seen some colours fading!

- I found in some nappies, when I opened the package,

many threads and other, very small, left-over cloths.

-Ι saw the same paterns in many small nappy companies,
in fabric selling e-shops etc.

I would change: I would put in the package, one microfiber and one bamboo insert!

Cost: 9,98 euros from the company's site. Calculate the shipping cost, which is very low. (The shipping cost from UK is generally very low!)

loveybums

2011-08-26T13:55:00.002+03:00

This family company is located in the U.S.A. and all their products are produced there with local materials.

I tryed the Pull-up Wool Cover and this was the first wool cover that I ever got. The covers are made from hand-dyed wool and the ends (at the waist and legs) are from undyed/untreated wool. This was a unique experience!

I liked: -The transparent organza bag in which I got the cover.

-The lanoline sample that they send me that will last for 2-3 months.

-That the wool cover is soft and you could not feel it "pinching" at

the skin at all!

Even at summer I used it without any hesitation! Or any irritation!

-That you do not have to wash it very often. Even after 2-3 washes,

although I thought that the lanoline will be rinsed off, the cover was

still waterproof.

-The perfect fit at the legs and the waist. It is very elastic, without
leaving any skinmarks.

-It covers enough body area so it can be used succesfully with any

fitted diaper.

-The thread does not break, no matter how much you stretch the
cover.

I did not like: With the fitted diapers the result is a little bulky. But aren't there all-in-one diapers that are bulky as well; (I really tryed hard to find something negative to mention...)

I would change: I would add some more vivid colours...Although I know that the result would not be as "pure" for the baby!

Cost: 22,87 euros from the company's e-shop. Do not forget to add the shipping cost.

Summer vacation with cloth diapers

2011-07-19T10:13:00.000+03:00

Have you ever been on a summer vacation with cloth diapers? For me this was my first time, so I want to share the experience with you.

I packed our things for 3 days in a house next to the seaside, in Greece of'course! I decided to take only cloth diapers with me. I had to support my decision of using them and I wanted to contact the experiment and face the challenge! I was very curious of what to expect.

To begin with:

I took with me 17 diapers (closed with the liners and everything) and 3 wet bags, just in case (I needed one for the wet bathing suits). Imagine the volume of all these!
The minute we arrived at the house, I searched for the perfect spot for the dirty diapers: no sun and not close to anyone or anything that can smell them.
I asked to make sure if the sewage system was capable of accepting lots of paper. As I expected it did not, so I had to through the liners with all their dirty carriage (the apricot jam...) elsewhere.

The all experience was not at all bad. Let alone that I love watching my daughter with her little dress and the flowers underneath.

My only difficulty was that she did the...hard stuff on every beach we visited! If it was organized I had to through the liner on the rubbish bin, otherwise we could be blamed for calling earlier the "greedy" (the septic tank)!

On the not organised beaches I had to carry with me the "valuable" carriage and deal with it later at home. Lousy experience! This was my one and only problem!

I did not mind at the end of the vacation that I had to carry with me the dirty laundry! Thank god my husband did not mind too!

When I returned at my home, the first thing I did was putting the diapers in the laundry machine. Washing at 60 degrees with detergent form the prewash. Beware of the ammonia because I almost fell down when I opened the mesh bag! No matter how much you try to avoid heating, with 40 degrees it is difficult to keep the dirty diapers cool!

To conclude, I deffinitely declare that I am going to do it again!
Either we use cloth diapers or not!

How about you?

Green soap and cloth nappies

2011-07-13T11:11:00.000+03:00

When I bought my first cloth nappies, I was trying to find out with what should I wash them. My first choice was the greek well-known green soap "Arkadi", considering that such a natural and pure product would be nothing but proper for the job.

Wrong wrong wrong....

The residues built up, the nappies were smelling very bad and I had to do my first stripping!

I asked the company that produces this soap for info but the people there had no idea about cloth diapers, so they couldn't be more specific with them...As I was searching, I found very specific information regarding the use of green soap for washing cloth nappies, on an expert's site:

(You see I am using only the "nappies" word at this article... Because of The Nappy Lady...)

Here comes the analysis:

Pure soap flakes, rather than detergent, give a much softer feel to nappies and wraps. They are particularly useful when washing wool wraps, because they retain the wool fat, or the lanolin we add.

Soap flakes leave cotton very soft to the touch, but not as absorbent, as well as with all the other nappy materials. Here comes the reason why:

Soap is primarily made of fat, animal fat, or vegetable oil (e.g. olive soap) and sodium hydroxide. This explains why soap is alkaline and not great for sensitive skin.

It can leave a film that can affect absorbency. But the main factor seems to be hard/soft water. Hard water will leave a "fatty scum" on the fibres, no matter how much you rinse, and that will affect absorbency. Soft water is better, as the soap disolves more completely.

As for clogging the machine, it's back to the hard/soft water thing. It shouldn't be a huge problem in the dispenser drawer, but can be in the waste pipes, because you are getting rid of the scummy water at that stage. The inside of the pipes can get clogged until they are totally blocked.

However, a good dose of very hot water and washing soda crystals does wonders for that. It declogs the machine as well as the pipes.
Too much froth in the washing machine inhibits the cleaning process, which is why you should be really sparing when using soap flakes instead of detergent. Adding them direct to the drum rather than in the dispenser drawer makes sure that all the flakes get to the nappies rather than stuck on the path from the dispenser drawer.

If you have a toploading machine, there is less of a problem, presumably because there is more room for the froth to get to the top of the water and out of the way.

My conclusion: just do not use green soap to clean cloth nappies!

ImseVimse

2011-07-11T11:33:00.001+03:00

A Swedish company with many social and environmental sensitivities. The diapers are produced in the European Union.

All-in-one

This is an All-in-one diaper with PUL on the outside. On the inside you will find a soft cotton layer but also two boosters sewed on the diaper only at their edges. One of them is 100% organic cotton (exactly like my favourite extra boosters that fit everywhere and are superabsorbend) and the other has the same cotton on the one layer and polyester on the other.

On the photo you can understand exactly how the diaper is!

I liked: - The great boosters from 100% organic cotton.

- That it dries considerably quickly (for a cotton diaper) since you

open it completely when hanging.

- The special way it fits on the thighs that keeps everything inside.

I did not like: -That they do not have a one-size edition. Be careful at

the sizing because they come a little bit bigger than expected.

- You cannot fix the velcro tighter on the waist! So the diaper is very wide

This is why I sewed an extra velcro on the waist, at the front of the diaper.

I would change: The designs of the fabrics. There are only few and they are a little bit boring!

Cost: 19,95 euros, from Greece or from abroad.

Giveaway No 3

2011-07-07T08:43:00.002+03:00

Yesterday I got a washing powder from Canada, the eco-friendly cleaning powder for cloth diapers, RockinGREEN.

I saw it in many e-shops and I really wanted to try it. So the company send me some samples, each for a couple of washes. On the package it says that it can be used for stripping as well as for normal washing.

Two of you will win 2 packages each of this ...wild detergent for cloth diapers, to check it out.

All you have to do is complete the competition form following untill Wednesday 13/7, with the correct email. Do not be afraid by the greek. The questions are:

1) Do you use cloth nappies?

2) Name

3) Where are you from?

4) E-mail.

The winners will be chosen with the Research Randomizer, as before.

COMPETITION FORM

(Just to be clear and correct, the winners will be contacted through email. If it will not be possible to reach them within a week, I will get in touch with the next one)

Wonderoo

2011-06-28T09:48:00.001+03:00

A Βritish company that makes the nappies in Turkey.

The Wonderoo V2

It is a pocket nappy with PUL on the outside, although with not at all a plastic texture either on the minky fabric, nor on the smooth one. Inside you will find two inserts, one made from bamboo that folds in three parts and one from terry. This way you can use anything you like, according to your own baby.

I liked:- The bamboo insert because it is very absorbing and dries

respectivelly quickly, since you unfold it

-The very soft PUL

-It has a single row of snaps and they adjust very well

on the baby

-You can buy bids from the same fabric and colour!

I did not like: Around the legs, if you do not take care, sometimes the fabric turns inside-out, leaking a little bit.

I would change: The sewing at the edge of the inserts, because after some washing cycles the thread gets loose and then it goes off.

Cost: 18,80 euros, from Greek e-shops, with a better price when buying a large quantity

Velcro or snaps for daddies?

2011-06-27T21:12:00.000+03:00

As I was reading the Tots Bots webpage, I show this:

Aplix fastening – so no excuses for dad!

So the question popes out: how easy is it for a daddy to implement in the "cloth nappy" situation?

From my personal experience, I know that:

1) they never choose the cloth diaper instead of the...normal one (It has to be lying next to them in order to get it)

2) they do not want to have anything to do with the dirty diaper, not even through away the clean liner!

3) of'course they prefer velcro from snaps.....

I have been trying to convince any daddy to write his point of view... Is there anyone available?

Autumnz

2011-06-26T07:44:00.000+03:00

A diaper from Malaysia, where many companies produce cloth diapers.

Autumnz - PUL Cloth Diaper

It is a pocket one size diaper with PUL outside and soft microfleece inside.

I liked:- That the "pocket" has a closure going on the inside:

- That it has only one row of snaps and it is very easy to adjust them.

-The best fabric ever! So soft even after so many washes!

I did not like: -Everytime I put the booster inside the "pocket" they stick

on the PUL. All the outside wrap seems to be a little more

"plastic than what I would prefer!

- It says to wash at 30o C. I contacted Sue form Autumnz

and she said that this is not correct and they are going to

change it. (Anyway, I wash them at 40-60o C and nothing

happened...yet)

I would change: The distance between Greece and Malaysia, so that it will be a more approachable market...

Cost: 10 euros, but we need a retailer in Europe to know exactly the shipping cost.

"Diapers" or "Nappies"?

2011-06-24T23:19:00.002+03:00

I had this question while searching on internet!

Well, I got it! (thanks to wikipedia, yahoo....)

In North America it is diaper and nappy is in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and many Commonwealth countries.

This is one more difference of the commonlanguaged residents of the two sides of the Atlantic Ocean...and the lowest of the Pacific!

Here is something very relative and very interesting from yahoo answers:

Garbage or rubbish? Diapers or nappies? Color or colour?

Honor or Honour...?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I Throw out the Rubbish.

Change babies Nappy.

Love the Colour purple.

And Honour good will to all me.

Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner.

The apricot-jam-rinsing process...

2011-06-16T11:06:00.008+03:00

I use cloth nappies 3 months now. I really like them! It is not too long but it is long enough to get used to the difficulties. One thing I can not get used to is the dirty cloth diapers with poo ...

Close your eyes and imagine.
ATTENTION, instead of poo use apricot jam on your mind, so that it will not get too heavy to think about ...

Well, we are wearing a pocket diaper. Without folds without anything. We have the liner and all is good ...

"Mamaaaaaaa my bottom is burniiiiiing" the alarm of the filled diaper, with apricot jam, rings!

You clean the tooshie with baby wipes, if necessary wash it as well, put on the clean diaper with the pink flowers and send your sweetheart to continue playing.

Here comes the difficult part ... You go straight ahead to the bathroom. You throw the wipes in the trash bin, the liner in the basin and you stay with a diaper full of apricot jam on the edges ... With toilet paper you just cannot get it of! So you follow the correct methodology saying that you flush it directly into the toilet with the shower water (there are specific devices connected to the toilet that do so, why not trying?).

You try to loosen the apricot jam with water, not to splatter the toilet and not to get your feet dirty with the jam. Once you've made it (beware not to be seen by your husband and start whining that he is disgusted with the toilet now!) wrap carefully the diaper, drain as much water as possible, walk/run all the way to the balcony where you have the pail bag with the dirty laundry and then take a deap breath ...

If you have used an all-in-one diaper, with a million folds for the apricot jam to hide, you would lose, in adition, two pounds of sweat.

If you have used washable cloth wipes, you should just forget about it ....

If you made the mistake and did not use a liner, then start the washing machine right away, do a general cleaning of the house and take a shower with disinfectant for yourself ....

Definately with a baby which is exclusively breastfed, things are easier since that apricot jam is soluble and you can wash the cloth diaper without rinsing it first.

But my daughter is 2 years old and I do not have this luxury ...

I hope you understand why I still cannot get used to the apricot-jam-rinsing process... How about you?

Bumgenius organic

2011-06-14T08:56:00.000+03:00

This is the first organic diaper I write about! I have to say that "organic" gives it extra points...

bumGenius Organic One-Size All-In-One

It is an All-in-one diaper and the company that makes them (cotton babies) is located in USA with a factory in Egypt too.The same company produces Econobum, Flip and FuzziBunz. There is also a non-organic diaper, but I will talk about it next time.

I liked:- That it is full of organic cotton!

- I have to admit that it fits very well!

- I love the way it is sewed around the thighs! it is made in a way

that it does not leave the soaker to come out and leak!

- When my daughter is wearing them, her daddy does not say that

she has a "Brazilian" bottom! I mean that it does not have a big

volume!

I did not like: That the soakers are sewed... This means plenty of time to dry and you cannot use the extra soakers you might have! But there is a solution: remove the seam from the one side (check out how here). (Many thanks again to Chrysa from the forum of parents.gr)

I would change: Remove the stitches that attach the soakers on the wrap, of'course! Maybe also low their price a little bit....

Cost:22 euros, from Greek e-shops

Bumgenius Organic

Check it out ...open

cloth diapers

6 bags full... you got to be kidding!

You know I have tried all the different cloth diaper types that are available in the market.

Booroi

Giveaway No5! Bio-D nappy fresh!

Some time ago a sample of Bio-D Nappy Fresh came to my hands. An "antibacterial, germicidal sanitizing powder for the safe, effective cleansing of re-usable textile nappies at low, energy-efficient temperatures". I have to admit that I liked it, although I did not have lots of it to test!

Results of the 4th giveaway

Giveaway No4! Menstrual cup!

Nightripping 4

Zookies

The cheapest diaper in the world!

Yes, we have been published!

Hamac

Diaper reviews. Why this way?

New stuff...

Fabrics, inside-out!

TERRY:

Baba + Boo

loveybums

Summer vacation with cloth diapers

Green soap and cloth nappies

ImseVimse

Giveaway No 3

Wonderoo

The Wonderoo V2

The Wonderoo V2

Velcro or snaps for daddies?

Autumnz

Autumnz - PUL Cloth Diaper

"Diapers" or "Nappies"?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

The apricot-jam-rinsing process...

Bumgenius organic

bumGenius Organic One-Size All-In-One

Some time ago a sample of Bio-D Nappy Fresh came to my hands. An "antibacterial, germicidal sanitizing powder for the safe, effective cleansing of re-usable textile nappies at low, energy-efficient temperatures".

I have to admit that I liked it, although I did not have lots of it to test!