{Honest} Diapers: A Better Choice for Baby

We have had quite a winter season with illnesses that bombarded our family like none other year.  From allergies and stomach flues to chronic coughing and runny noses, to a relentless case of hives, I've never before actually LOOKED FORWARD TO the arrival of the Arizona summer heat! Ugh!


So, regarding the hives.  My daughter came down with these, and they lasted a good two weeks.  If you've experienced hives, you'll know that they come and go as they seemingly please, and just when you think they're gone, they reappear somewhere else a little later.  BEYOND FRUSTRATING for a mother!

Of course, we took her to the doctor, where they advised me it was probably a viral infection versus an allergy due to her age (a toddler).  They prescribed taking doses of benadryl to ease the itching and offer some relief to them.  We did use the benadryl, but this did nothing to really prevent the hives from resurfacing.  It did provide some relief from the itching, I'll admit, but nothing to really resolve the {root of the} problem.  So I did what most of you probably do: I went online and started researching natural ways to remedy this pain in the rear the hives.  From that, we tried oatmeal & tea tree oil baths.  Beyond that, "natural remedies," as far as Google is concerned, were a matter of waiting it out.  Using my own rational judgment,  I also switched her laundry back to the baby detergent and got some organic diaper rash cream & lotion for her.  Still, the hives occurred.

The most interesting symptom of the hives was that, in addition to them being all over her body, she also experienced a ridiculously red rash on her bottom.  It wasn't a "normal" diaper rash -- it was somewhat of a cross between diaper rash and hives {sorry - no pictures -- she'd kill me if I ever posted pictures of her like that!}.  Anyway, the rash appeared in the morning, after having slept in her diaper all night long.  This quickly prompted me to look for a "greener" diaper alternative.

Thank GOD {literally!!} for the "Parenting" magazine showing up in my mailbox during the midst of this episode, because there it was, headlined in that particular issue, "The Honest Company."  And what do they do, you ask?  Well, they specialize in "green," safe products -- everything from diapers to cleaning products {shampoo, hand soap, sunscreen, laundry detergent, etcetera}.  It was started by the actress, Jessica Alba, after she had kids and wanted something more safe and natural for her own pipsqueaks.

I immediately ordered their sampler kit and was BEYOND THRILLED with the products I received!  And guess what?  The very next morning when my daughter woke up?  NO diaper rash or red bottom what.so.ever!  Ahhhh-mazing! Needless to say, I immediately signed up for their full monthly delivery plan -- diapers, wipes, healing balm and all!

ice cream diaper pattern my daughter loves!

So this led me to start researching more about diapers.  Mind you, I have actually dabbled in cloth diapers, which my daughter used for her first 6 months of life, in fact.  But as she began to crawl and move more, the bulky cloth diapers became cumbersome, and we made the switch to the leaner disposables.  {If you can get through using cloth diapers, by all means, go for it!  They just didn't work for us}.  The fabulous thing about "The Honest Company" diapers is that they are natural {NO nasty chemicals!!} AND disposable!!  Um, and super cute, too, might I add!  {My daughter now asks for her "ice cream diapers" all the time!}.

So here's the deal on the typical cloth diapers in the industry {as taken from "The Honest Company" website}:

*First off, they are not required to reveal what's inside them {hmmmmm.....}
*There are tons of plastics and chemicals in them
*The plastics emit volatile organic compounds" {VOCS}
*Fragrances and lotions aplenty {made from who knows what?  but many lotions do contain phthalates that are a big no-no}
*Synthetic dyes
*Their bleaching process releases dioxins into the environment

And guess what these dioxins do?  Well, they're known as major cancer causer in us.  Sounds great, eh?  When you actually stop to think about it, it's beyond understanding that these other diaper companies could even consider putting the chemicals they use into diapers.  There needs to be a serious change in the industry!

On top of that, a study suggests there may be a link between these disposable diapers and asthma {hmmm...that would explain the ridiculous increase in asthma in kids}. Another study suggests a possible link between the dyes in diapers and diaper rashes.  That would make sense.

So, all this to say, I URGE you to try to find a safer, better alternative to your baby's diapers!!  As I said, if you can do the cloth diapers, I still think they're the best option out there.  But if those aren't for you {be it time, maintenance, etcetera, then as far as I can tell, the diapers from "The Honest Company" are a top-of-the-line choice for disposable diapers for your baby.

Here's what I KNOW about them::

*chemical FREE
*oil FREE
*plant based
*chlorine-FREE
*perfume FREE
*phthalate FREE
*lotion FREE
*optical brightener FREE
*PVC FREE
*heavy metal FREE
*organotin FREE

You MUST stop to wonder about the rash & hives disappearing when we switched to these natural diapers.  The most important thing I can say here is that these diapers made a DIFFERENCE for us.  I'm not just saying they are good and "green," we actually saw the difference!  And I can tell you, mother to mother, that I feel so, SO much better knowing she is in chemical-free diapers....a part of infancy and toddler-hood that touches their skin day in and day out for 2 to 3 to even 4 years.

Make the switch!!!


{important DISCLAIMER: I was in NO WAY, shape or form paid or given or advised to use "The Honest Company" diapers/products.  I found them on my own, and decided to try them without any others' prompting me.  I HIGHLY recommend these!  Give your baby a better choice and a healthier start!}

Have a product you'd like reviewed?

Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com

www.adamsblankie.com

 

Homemade Cloth Diaper Detergent Recipe

So you finally did it.  You started cloth diapering.  Do you like it? Is it as hard as you thought?  If you're like me, then the answer is a resounding, "No!" Hooray!  However, after the big investment you put into getting a nice CD {cloth diaper} stash, you've discovered you can't use regular detergent to wash them.  If you do?  Then you're bound for some stinky diapers with built-up residue. You need...{drum roll, please}....cloth diaper detergent.  BUT.  It's expensive.  Really. 

So.  Although I'm a definite Rockin Green Soap lover myself, I decided to try to make my own.  Now, mind you I haven't actually done this yet, but I do plan to make it this week using this easy-as-pie recipe:

Equal Parts:

*Borax

*Arm & Hammer Washing Soda {note: it's NOT baking soda!}

*Oxyclean {or other similar oxygen-cleaning powder}

*optional drop or 2 of your favorite essential oil {orange, lemon, lavender, tea tree, etcetera}.

That's it! Just add 1 - 2 Tablespoons per load, and you're set!

Have a product you'd like reviewed?

Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com

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{Seventh Generation} Review & GIVEAWAY! *CLOSED*

I always wondered where Seventh Generation got its name from, and I recently found out. Apparently it was inspired by the Great Law of the Iroquois, which declares, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." This, of course, gives great insight as to the integrity of this company.

I'm sure you've heard of Seventh Generation and are at least familiar with a few of their products, although, I myself must confess, I didn't realize how expansive their line of products was until recently. Along with their household cleaning items, they also carry both a feminine and baby product line.

Here are some remarkable traits of some of the products of this company, which was established 20 years ago:

*non-chlorine bleached products
*recycled products
*phosphate-free cleaning products
*organic products

Essentially, Seventh Generation uses only ingredients that are not potentially chronically harmful to our health and that are environmentally safe. And furthermore, Seventh Generation donates "10% of its profits to non-profit community, health, environmental, and responsible business organizations working for positive change." And I shan't forget to mention that at the time I'm writing this, they have also saved 361,154 trees and 922,000 gallons of petroleum. Not too shabby.

I recently received their Healthy Home Starter Kit on my {somewhat dreaded} "cleaning day" {yes, I have a self-declared cleaning day each week...for now anyway; once baby #2 arrives, that will all change, and cleaning will be done only when it can...here and there}, so I was actually stoked {for once!} to get started cleaning! Whoo-hoo for cleaning inspiration! The Healthy Home Kit includes their Kitchen Cleaner, All-Purpose Cleaner, Glass & Surface Cleaner, Shower Cleaner, Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Tub & Tile Cleaner, Brown Paper Towels and their Tote Bag {phew!}. It's an awesome kit to get your own home up to speed on being green {and clean, for that matter!}, not to mention a fabulous Home Warming gift, if I do say so myself.

Now I had already been using their Glass & Surface Cleaner (which is a delightful scent of Ruby Grapefruit & Herbs}, and I fully love its versatility to clean both glass and surfaces alike. This is such a time-saver for a Mom on the dreaded "cleaning day" since you don't have to start with the glass cleaner, then get the surface cleaner {not to mention a different rag} to clean both the glass items and surfaces. Any 2-for-1 product is always a plus in my books {particularly in the bathroom & kitchen, where you can just clean the {chrome/nickel/etc.} faucet fixtures and countertops at the same time}.

The Toilet Bowl Cleaner was next. It's a natural cypress & fir scent, but very mild smelling - not harsh at all. It was pretty clear {due to lack of dyes} and worked like a charm. It also has a nice tapered spout for easily reaching under the toilet bowl rim. Great to use in small spaces like your bathroom, where cleaning fumes can easily overpower you.

Next I tried the All Purpose Cleaner, and tackled my son's potty chair with it. Now, this may be TMI {too much information} for those of you who haven't dealt with a potty chair yet, but this was a task. Don't get me wrong - I rinse it out, and clean it with product after every "number 2," but it still seems to hold that pee smell. So after some good sprays of the all purpose cleaner, guess what? No smells. And when I say NO smells, that's what I mean. My point being, I wasn't just covering up the bad smell with a good one - all smells were simply gone. The All Purpose Cleaner I was sent was actually from their Free & Clear line, meaning it was free of both dyes and fragrances. And I have to say, it was so strange and eye-opening for me to be able to clean something without some overpowering "cleaning" {chemical} smell taking over me and the room ~ loved it!! {Their products from the Free & Clear line would be fabulous for Moms who are sensitive to smell {obviously} or for pregnant moms with ultra sensitive senses. I would have LOVED to have had my hands on this when I was in my first trimester and every single unnatural scent {i.e., chemical-ridden} made me nauseated!}.

Then I moved on to the Tub & Tile Cleaner and Shower Cleaner. Now, I have to say that being as much of a type-A personality as I am, I never let our showers/tubs get that dirty. We squeegee them down after every shower and all.... That being said, that nasty pinkish moldy stuff still manages to hide under certain crevices, and inevitably there are water spots on the chrome and soap scum on the shelves that hold our shampoos and such. So I took the cleaners to them, and all scum, pink nast & water spots came off, and pretty easily, might I add. The Tub & Tile Cleaner had a natural cypress & fir scent, while the shower cleaner was green mandarin & leaf. The scents were oh-so-mild that, for the first time ever, I actually didn't have to turn on the bathroom fan in order to clean out the shower! And when I was done, the room didn't reak of overpowering chemicals!

Finally, I tested out the Kitchen Cleaner in its {again} very mild scent of wild orange and cedar spice. This was great for cutting down kitchen grease and grime, and worked quite effectively around the stovetop.

All in all, I was really quite impressed with the line of Seventh Generation products I was sent. What an absolute revelation to be able to clean without all those overpowering, unnatural chemicals filling the air! And to know it's getting clean, but not harming my family {or the environment, for that matter} while doing so is just that much more of a bonus.


BUY IT: Visit Seventh Generation today to see their full line of products and to make a purchase there (or find a local retailer by you who carries them).

And now for the part you've been waiting for...

WIN IT: Seventh Generation has generously offered one very lucky Haute Tot and Baby Couture reader their own Healthy Home Starter Kit {valued at $38.99}! To enter, you must be {or become} a HTBC blog follower (1 entry). THEN once that requirement is met, please visit Seventh Generation and come back and comment on either one thing you learned about either the company itself or one of their products, or tell me some fact you learned about conservation {1 entry}. Be sure to leave your email address in the entry so that I have a way to contact the winner! If there is NO EMAIL left, another winner will be drawn. Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be chosen. Entrants can enter through March 17th. Winner to be chosen March 18th, 2010. {Contest open to US residents only}.

Want More Entries??
Once you've completed the mandatory above step, do any of the following for more entries! {Again, please be sure to leave your email address in each entry!}

*Subscribe to our blog (2 entries possible; via google - 1 entry, via email feedburner - 1 entry (must be activated to count as entry)).
*Include our blog in your blog roll and include URL (must leave link to
your blog in comment - 1 entry)
*Sign up for the Seventh Generation newsletter (upper-right hand corner of their site - 1 entry).
*Become a fan of Adam's Blankie on Facebook (1 entry).
*Become a Seventh Generation Nation member to receive coupons and more! (1 entry).
*Follow Adam's Blankie on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway with the following tweet (copy and paste), (1 entry - can be done daily):
"Win the Seventh Generation Healthy Home Starter Kit @adamsblankie! Enter at www.hautetotandbabycouture.blogspot.com!"

(Be sure to leave a link to your tweet/s!).

*Post our blog buttons on your blog and include link to blog. (6 entries possible - 3 for Adam's Blankie Etsy shop button and 3 for Haute Tot Couture blog button).
*Blog about this giveaway and include the link to your post (3 entries).

Please note, I was not paid to do this review.
Opinions are strictly my own, and no one or nothing else has influenced me in my review.

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com

Last Segment of our Natural Cleaners Series

I've so enjoyed bringing you some more natural and cost-effective cleaners that you can make yourself at home, and I certainly hope you've enjoyed them (and used them!), as well! This last segment includes a few random items probably lying around your house that you can use in a few surprising ways!
White Bread - dust an oil painting with a slice of white bread by gently dabbing it over the painting. It will pick up dirt & grime!
Ketchup - You can remove tarnish on copper and brass cookware with this! Just squeeze some ketchup onto a cloth and rub onto your pots & pans. Within minutes, you'll see the coppery finish return. Rinse with warm water and dry.
Rice - Ever wonder how you can clean the inside of a narrow vase? Just fill the vase 3/4 of the way full, toss in a tablespoon of rice, & shake vigorously. Dump out and rinse.
Oatmeal - Scrub dirty hands with your own oatmeal & water paste. Rinse.
Tea - Scour rusty gardening tools with a few pots of strong black tea. Just toss the tools into a bucket and let soak for a few hours. With gloves on (you don't want your hands to get stained!), remove each tool and wipe clean.
Glycerin - Use this to remove stuck-on candlewax drippings from your candlestick holders. Peel or chip off as much wax as possible first (I advise placing in freezer first - this seems to work wonders!), then moisten a cotton ball with glycerin and wipe off until clean.
Cornstarch - use this to clean grease spills from carpets; simply pour the cornstarch onto the spot and let sit 15-30 minutes; vacuum.
Club Soda - Use to make your stainless steel sink shine; just moisten a cloth with some club soda and buff away. Wipe dry with a different cloth afterwards.
Hydrogen peroxide - You can disinfect a keyboard with this stuff by dipping a cotton swab into it to fit into the small spaces between the keys.
Rubbing Alcohol - From finished wood floors or solid-surface countertops, you can remove permanent marker stain by applying a cotton ball that's been doused with rubbing alcohol.

Ideas are courtesy of Real Simple magazine.

Natural Cleaners Part V: Liquid Castile Soap

Part V of our "Natural Cleaners" contines with the natural cleaning power of liquid castile soap. This is a plant-based soap, like others, but is gentler than them so doesn't dull surfaces.

Use liquid castile soap to clean the following (courtesy of Real Simple magazine):
*car - mix 1/4 cup liquid Castile soap with hot water in a bucket. Rub the solution on the car surface, including hubcaps, windshield, and tires. Rinse off.
*floors - mix 1/4 cup liquid Castile soap with 2 gallons warm water. Adding 1/4 cup white vinegar to the mix will help cut grease, as well.
*leather upholstery - add just 2 drops of liquid Castile soap to 1 quart of warm water and apply with a damp sponge.
*marble countertops - stir 1 tablespoon of liquid Castile soap into 1 quart of warm water. With a damp cloth, wipe the surface of the countertops, rinse, and finally dry with clean cloth.
*sinks, showers, ceramic tile & tubs - combine 1 tablespoon liquid Castile soap with 1/3 cup baking soda, and scrub on!
*stovetop - take just a few squirts of liquid Castile soap & mix with 2 cups of hot water. Apply solution to the stovetop, burners & vent hood to rid grease.

Happy cleaning! Stay tuned for next Thursday, June 18th, when we wrap up the series with a few more surprising items from you pantry that are great grease and dirt-fighting stars!

Natural Cleaners Part IV: BORAX

This is the 4th part in our Natural Cleaners series, and today I'm going to bring you ways to implement borax into your cleaning routine at home. Borax is a very useful mineral that is "quite alkaline, so it kills mold and fungus and softens water," says Robert Wolke, Ph.D. the author of What Einstein Told His Cook: Kitchen Science Explained ($16).

Here are some practical ways to put it to use around the house (courtesy of Real Simple):
*baseboards, countertops & walls: dissolve 1/2 cup borax in 1 gallon hot water and pour into a spray bottle. spritz generously, wipe with a damp cloth & let air-dry.
*china: soak china dishes in a dishpan filled with warm water and 1/2 cup borax. rinse well.
*dishwasher: to get rid of the smell from last night's dinner, sprinkle borax in the bottom of the dishwasher, let it sit overnight, & then wipe with a damp sponge. No rinsing required - just run the next load.
*pots & pans: rub borax into cookware with a damp sponge; rinse well.
*toilet: pour borax into the bowl and let it sit overnight. Use a toilet brush & swish around the bowl. Flush the following day.

Happy (natural!) cleaning, ladies! Stay tuned for next Thursday's Part V: Essential Oils

Natural Cleaners Part III: Cooking Oils

We're continuing to bring to you natural cleaners for your house - a good way to not only save some money, but also to provide a safer environment in which your children can play!

All households out there have cooking oils around, I'm sure of it, and now here's a great way to put them to use - especially if they've gone rancid and are no longer flavorful to cook with - what a great alternative to use them up instead of throwing them out!

suggested cleaning uses for cooking oils (courtesy of Real Simple):
*cast-iron pans - make a scrubbing paste with vegetable oil and a teaspoon of coarse salt to fight cooked-on foods; then rinse in hot water
*hands - after a hard day's work of painting, rub your hands with vegetable oil, then wash with soap
*leather shoes - first wipe away dirt from shoes with a damp sponge, and then apply a drop of vegetable oil to a soft cloth and rub the shoe's surface to remove scuff marks. Buff with chamois.
*wicker and rattan furniture - to prevent these from drying or cracking, lightly brush them with vegetable or sunflower oil and rub in with a cloth. warm the oil on the stove prior so that it is a thin enough solution and easier to apply
*stainless-steel - for some shine, pour olive oil onto a cloth and buff
*wood furniture - make your own polish by mixing 2 cups olive or vegetable oil with the juice of 1 lemon. work it into the furniture with a soft cloth. To smooth out scratches in light-colored wood, rub with a solution of equal parts olive or vegetable oil and lemon juice.

Stay tuned for next Thursday as our Natural Cleaners series continues with Borax.

Natural Cleaners Part II: Vinegar

Last week I started a mini-series on our blog about natural cleaners for your house, which is such a fabulous way to cut costs and keep things natural and healthy for your kids! I wrote about the power of lemons as a cleaning tool last Thursday, and today I want to discuss options for cleaning with vinegar.

Vinegar helps inhibit the growth of nasty things like mold, mildew and bacteria, and costs only about $2 for a quart. As long as you can handle the smell, there's absolutely no excuse to not utilize this stuff for cleaning!

cleaning suggestions for vinegar (courtesy of Real Simple):
*coffeemaker - pour equal parts of vinegar and water into the water chamber of the coffeemaker, and turn on the brewing cycle. Halfway through, turn it off and let sit about an hour. Turn it on again to complete the brewing cycle; then run several times with water alone.
*dishwasher - use vinegar to disinfect the interior; pour 1/2 C vinegar into the reservoir and run an empty cycle.
*drains - pour vinegar down them, and wait 30 minutes before flushing with cold water
*floors - add 1/4 C vinegar into a bucket of warm water and start cleaning. (do NOT use on marble or wood, though)
*glassware - add 1 C to the rinse cycle
*showerheads - pour vinegar into a plastic bag and knot the handles over the showerhead's neck, securing with rubber bands. Let it soak overnight, and rinse in the morning with water.
*steam iron - rid the iron of mineral deposits by filling the iron with equal parts vinegar and water; press the steam button, turn off, let cool, empty and rinse.
*windows - mix 1/4 C vinegar, 2 parts water, and a squirt of liquid Castile soap in a spray bottle. Spritz the windows with the mixture and wipe down with newspaper sheets.

Part III of our natural cleaning series will return next Thursday!

When Life Gives You Lemons...

...make lemonade, right? Or how about, just get to cleaning that house! And do so in a way that is SAFE for your children!!

We have a lemon tree in our backyard, so I'm always looking for ways to use them up before they drop and shrivel up on the ground. Of course, even if you don't have a lemon tree, they cost only about 50 cents each, and ultimately offer themselves as better alternatives to the chemical-ridden cleaners you can buy at the store. They provide a cost-effective, all-natural, and wonderfully-smelling, might I add, way to sanitize and make that house shine!

Here are some ways you can clean with lemons (courtesy of Real Simple):

*countertops: cut a lemon in half, and dip the cut side in baking soda; wipe witha wet sponge & dry (do NOT use on marble, stone, or stainless steel, as it may discolor, though).
*dishes: add a teaspoon of lemon juice to your dishwashing soap for some extra kick
*faucets: use to fight the lime scale by rubbing the juice onto the faucet tap and letting it soak overnight. wipe off in morning with a damp cloth.
*garbage disposal: cut a lemon in half (or I like quarters) and run through the disposal
*grout: add lemon juice to 1-2 teaspoons cream of tartar to make a paste; apply with a toothbrush, then rinse.
*hands: after touching raw fish, rub your hands with lemon juice to neutralize the odor
*laundry: to brighten white, add 1/2 cup lemon juice to the rinse cycle
*plastic food-storage containers: use lemon juice to bleach stains from these; rub on the spots, let dry in a sunny spot, and wash.

Each week for the next month or so, I'll be highlighting some different natural cleaning agents and what you can do with them! Enjoy!!