A blog for cloth diapering Mammas. Doing our best for our babies and our Mother Earth.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Thirsties Superwash combo


I have always been a simpler is better, cheaper is even better type of cloth diaperer. I do try everyone of the products we carry. How could I sell and promote a product I haven't tested? So, I am using a Value pack at home on our diapers.

Here is the Thirsties information on their Super Wash and Prewash value pack:

Thirsties® Pre-Wash and Super-Wash cloth diaper detergents are custom formulated by a chemist to clean your cloth diapers. The active antimicrobial ingredients in Thirsties® Pre-Wash loosen and rinse away waste and bacteria. This detergent is used during the pre-rinse cold wash to help reduce stains. The Thirsties® Super-Wash is used during the HOT wash. It adds probiotic, a good bacteria, to reduce odor and diaper rash.

Features:
100% biodegradable
Completely non-toxic solution
Zero-residue detergent
Custom formulated by a chemist specifically for use in pre-washing cloth diapers
Washes completely clean; will not leave residue
Highly concentrated to reduce costs and carbon output
HE safe
Use:
Pre-clean with 1/2 ounce Thirsties® Pre-Wash on COLD (if your machine has a pre-wash cycle, use it; if not, use a short cycle). Follow with 1/2 ounce of Thirsties® Super Wash in heavy cycle on HOT with an extra rinse.

Detailed Washing Recommendations
Testimonials

Includes:
Thirsties Pre-Wash: 32 fluid ounces (64 loads)
Thirsties Super-Wash: 32 fluid ounces (64 loads)

MADE IN THE USA

Now I have to admit that my first thought was WOW $31.00 is a lot of money for 32oz of pre-wash and detergent. BUT having tried this on our old dingy diapers I have to say WOW that stuff REALLY works! I normally use the Planet brand detergent on our diapers. While Planet does get them clean, and smelling fresh, the Thirsties Pre-wash and superwash left them whiter, much whiter! Thirsties pre-wash really lifts out even old set in stains, plus it breaks down the bacteria that can lead to diaper rashes. Thirsties created a great product.

In order to make my Thirsties bottles last longer, since it is a $31.00 investment I use this combination on every other diaper load.

Green Pixie Baby gives the Thirsties Value Pack two thumbs up! Thanks Thirsties!

Have a great day,

Marie
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Monday, February 22, 2010

Why? WHY NOT?!

I have been asked many question, and faced many doubts, but I drudge on. Why?
Why do I care to work full time, run a side business, and promote other peoples business? I do these things because I love my family, because I love our earth, and because I love to help other people do what they love.

I have been asked why I only sell American made diapers. There are so many reasons and I will post a seperate blog about this issue. The main reason is why not? There are hundreds of cloth diapers on the market. Why don't we support our own economy? Why don't we support those companies that employ American citizens? Why would we purchase a product made across the globe, feed another countries economy, and then further damage our earth by having to have those products shipped? Why?

Why do I run a cloth diaper business? Because I feel that I was called to. I believe that I can help other families successfully use cloth diapers. I enjoy talking to others about cloth diapers and I'm still learning. I enjoy listening and learning from other Moms. I am thankful for the friendships I have already made during this journey. I did not start this to get rich! I still work a full time 8-5job to support my side business.

Why don't I have have my own retail space? There are so many reason for not having my own space. Retail space costs tons of money, and time. As it is I am working nonstop to promote cloth diapers. I realized early on that a cloth diaper retail business is more about a passion for cloth diaper advocacy than for profit. Once minimum orders are made, spaces are rented, hours are worked, and taxes are paid there really isn't much left to consider a profit. I have a friend who has her own retail space and she is never home. Her husband and children visit her at the shop. I don't want to do that. My priority is my family. I can help other families and spend time with my family by being inside of other retail locations. The set up I have now is perfect for my family and customers. I have three current locations (with a very exciting one opening soon!), I carry a good selection of cloth diapers and accessories which I am constantly adding to. I don't (or won't) have to work store hours away from my family, and I don't have to pay rediculous lease payments, utilities, and insurance. I am able to pass that savings onto my customers. When you have your own store front I feel you limit yourself. I would only have one location, I couldn't work at the consignment sales, speak at events, or volunteer for community events. I'd be at the store. Now I have multiple locations, my customers have access in three differant counties, and Green Pixie Baby can focus on the Advocacy side.

Why do I promote other businesses? I believe in supporting my friends and community. I have met some great ladies who are also trying to get their business up and running. Why don't we help eachother? Work as a team and promote eachother. I am always open to promoting SAHM or WAHM products. People can come to me and know that I will not steal their ideas or try to compete with them. I want to establish a great network of friends who help eachother. I am a firm believer in Karma. Live by good intentions, and your life will be abundent with friends.

There will always be questions, and there will always be doubts. I am blessed to have a supportive family, a job that provides the income to do what I love, and friends whom I love and amazingly they love me back. I know that the Lord has blessed me and that with him I can say WHY NOT?!

Do you have a product you'd like me to promote? I'd love to help, so send me a note!

Have a great GREEN day!

Marie
www.greenpixiebaby.com

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Green Bottoms Up!

Here is a copy of the article on cloth diapers in the Time Daily in Florance, AL

Interesting article, but please note that I would NEVER suggest the use of bleach on cloth diapers. NEVER. But hey cloth diapers in the news is always a good thing! YAY cloth!


Many parents returning to cloth diapers
By Jennifer Crossley,
Staff Writer


Published: Friday, February 5, 2010 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 3:27 p.m.
Most of them are soft, smell like baby powder and favor pastels. That's not a description of infants, but the trendy diapers that pad their bottoms.



Cloth diapers are en vogue for parents choosing efficiency over convenience. But if you imagine those diapers as big pieces of white square cloth, think again. Today’s cloth diapers sport a variety of patterns and colors. Convenient Velcro fasteners do away with the need for sharp pins that too often stick Mom and baby, too.

Daniel Giles/TimesDaily photo illustration
Cloth diapers, once the only choice for mothers generations ago, are en vogue with snaps and Velcro and other added conveniences.

The diapers ride the green wave for families hoping to cut back on the amount of waste they produce. Others turn to them for their cost efficiency, though more expensive diapers with waterproof liners can cost upward of $15.

The Baby's Room in Florence started carrying cloth diapers about five years ago to meet customer wants.

"We did actually have a lot of people asking for cloth diapers for years, and the number of requests got larger and larger," said store manager Angela Kitching.

After the requests piled up, Kitching researched more diapers and added a trendy, colorful alternative to the less-

expensive brand she already carried.

Bambino Mio originated in England, as its packaging labeled nappies, the English word for diapers, proclaims.

From pastel polka dots to green and blue stars, plastic lines the inside of the diapers, which with a squint of the eye could pass for disposable diapers, save their Velcro and soft cotton covers.

For those who picture the bunched-up materials of yesterday molded to their babies bodies when they think of cloth diapers, think again. Most padding consists of thick, quilted rectangles meant to be tri-folded for extra absorbency. Other diapers include pockets to slip in padding and remove to wash.

Trusted baby brands hopped on the cloth bandwagon, too, including Gerber, which makes diapers from organic cotton. The diapers also are big on the Web, with sales of handmade diapers on Etsy and other merchant sites.

Marie Sawyer, of Franklin, Tenn., is one of those moms who sells diapers online. After the birth of her daughter, she wanted to continue the green lifestyle her family embraced.

"We decided when we had a baby we were going to include that into her care, also," Sawyer said.

After searching for retailers selling cloth diapers around Franklin to no avail, she decided to carry different brands on her online boutique, Green Pixie Baby. Diapers on the site by Happy Heinys come in a rainbow of colors and cow and monkey prints. Sawyer even sells cloth diaper advocacy T-shirts on the site.

"We've had tremendous feedback from the community," Sawyer said.

The biggest questions she gets from customers considering purchasing the diapers are "Will I have time to do laundry?" and "What do I do with the poopy diapers?" Enter liners. Some companies that produce diapers also sell biodegradable and flushable liners that look like dryer sheets to slip over padding to catch solid waste.

When it comes to washing and drying, the test of going cloth arises. For parents who choose not to purchase liners, they may wipe what they can off the diaper into the toilet and then rinse, followed by a little scrubbing and bleach in the washing machine and hot air in the dryer. In following with earth-friendly practices, line drying applies in warm months.

For all their advantages, the diapers require compromise, too, mostly of time.

Sawyer, who travels a lot, worried that using the diapers would create unnecessary hassle on trips.

"We were concerned with traveling and were wondering how it would be to travel with cloth diapers," she said.

It wasn't as hard as she thought, it turns out. She just used laundry facilities at the hotel, washing and drying as needed.

It's the constant washing though, that turns some people off to the idea of cloth diapers, despite their evolution.

That's what comes to mind when Diane Willis thinks of cloth diapers. "Wash, wash, wash, wash them and wash them," said Willis, director of First Assembly Child Care and Development Center in Florence, with a laugh.

"I used them because I had to."

She's noticed no children at First Assembly wearing cloth diapers.

"I've been in this business for 27 years, and I have not had the first child in cloth diapers," she said.

The trend took a while to get off the ground at The Baby's Room, but cloth diaper devotees remain faithful.

"It was definitely a slow start, and when they first came in I kept them close to the door and had people asking about them, and I now I have people asking about them because their friends have them," Kitching said.

Jennifer Crossley can be reached at 740-5743 or jennifer.crossley@timesdaily.com.

On the net

greenpixiebaby.blogspot.com

Meet Mr. Mike - Dad, Singer, Cloth Diaper Advocate!

Green Pixie Baby is a proud supporter and member or the Real Diaper Association (RDA). Please check out their blog, it contains great information about cloth diapering. This particular post really is great so check it out! http://realdiaperevents.org/archives/meet-mr-mike

Listen to Mr. Mike's song about cloth diapers. http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/3/31/2386098/I%20Use%20Cloth.mp3

I promise I will try to be better about posting new blogs. Things have been very busy lately. I will be following along with the RDA's 100% Reusable Cloth Diapers Campaign and posting advice to difficulties families may face with cloth diapers.

Have a wonderful day!

Marie Moore Sawyer
www.greenpixiebaby.com

About Me

My photo
Franklin, TN, United States
Hello my name is Marie. I have four healthy, beautiful children. When our latest blessing joined our lives in November 2008 we decided to do the best thing for her and our planet. We went the cloth diapering route. During our search for cloth diapers we found limited availability in our area. We knew that we were not the only family facing this dilemma. Together we decided that we were going to help bring the green trend of cloth diapering to Franklin, TN. So here we are! We specialize in American made cloth diapers and baby products. Spreading the love of cloth diaper fluff and American made stuff one baby at a time. www.greenpixiebaby.com won’t you join us in saving our planet and parenting green?

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