You could say that I am a Rockin’ Green fan and then some.  Since it came out I have been using it on my diapers.  I remember when Kim announced that she was working on a cloth diaper detergent, and BAM!  It exploded into this worldwide brand!  Since their original soap came out she has constantly worked to create new formulas and improve old ones.  Now Rockin’ Green comes in Soft Rock, Classic Rock, and Hard Rock.  She added Shake it Up, a pail freshener, and Funk Rock- the ammonia bouncer, to her line-up as well.

Kim has even been kind enough to help me whenever I felt like my routine wasn’t cutting it.  With her help I realized I need to add a bit more detergent to each wash.  This really helped clear up my stink issues.  When I felt like I was getting a little ammonia smell lingering in my diapers I decided to try Funk Rock.  I went to a local (ish) cloth diaper store and bought some, as well as another bag of RnG.  I ended up getting filmed while I did that as well!  Who knew?

That week I Rocked an Overnight Soak in my RnG, and the next morning soaked my diapers in Funk Rock for an hour.

Holy Heck!  My inserts looked nearly brand new!  Previously they were dingy and not soft at all.  The soak gave them new life, and they all smelled fresh!

As it happens, Rockin’ Green has been a huge supporter of DDL almost from the start.  Without the support of RnG and my other amazing sponsors I might not still be doing this whole blogging gig.  I know they advertise with many other bloggers as well and that makes my heart happy to see them sticking around and supporting not only the big guys, but us little guys as well!

RnG is awesome for so many things.  If you are a fan of green cleaning you should sign up for their 52 Weeks of Clean- a weekly email or text update with cleaning tips using RnG for way more than just diapers.  I know I have used it to clean puke out of a car seat and puke off of my couch!

Since I love RnG and I know most of you do too, I asked Kim of we could do a giveaway, so here goes!

One lucky DDL Reader will win a bag of RnG Cloth Diaper Detergent and a bag of Funk Rock!

I am simplifying all of my giveaways for this week.

Mandatory Entry:

Visit RockinGreenSoap.com and tell me your favorite scent (or one you think would be your fav based on the awesome names they have!).  Leave it as a comment.

Extra Entries:

(1 Entry) Do any of these: Follow @KimRosas on Twitter, follow @RockinGreenSoap on Twitter, “Like” Dirty Diaper Laundry on Facebook, “Like” Rockin’ Green on Facebook.  Let me know that you did.  You can only do one, or do all.  Feel free to tell me which you did as well.

(1 Entry) Do any of these: Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, Subscribe to my Monthly Newsletter, Subscribe to my blog by email, or subscribe to 52 Weeks of Clean from RnG.  Let me know you did at least one, but hopefully you will choose a few more ways to show you care!  Leave it as a comment.

(1 Entry) Tweet about this giveaway and reply to @KimRosas and @RockinGreenSoap and link it.  You can tweet one time a day until the contest ends.

The fine print: Open to US Only.  Sorry .   I use “and the winner is…” to randomly draw winners.  Giveaway is open until April 30.

Recently there was a humongous uproar over a very small segment about Cloth Diapers vs Disposables which aired on CBS’s Eye on Parenting segment.  The reporter, Natali Morris, and her “expert” pediatrician went over the diapering options.  It was clear that disposable diapers were the winner for these two, with nary a mention of the modern cloth diapers available.  There was more talk of pins and prefolds with a brief “but there are diapers with velcro and snaps available” line at the end.  Frankly this whole thing seems poorly researched and a little rushed.  You can view this report here: CBS Eye on Parenting

Well….. cloth diaper users are actually pretty techy (there are only a million cloth diaper blogs, myself included) and we picked up on this report very quickly.  I actually get ALL the cloth diaper news delivered to my email with an alert.  If you write about cloth, I know it!  Unfortunately, the response was overwhelmingly venomous.  Yes, some commenters on the story simply informed the reporter that there are modern diapers and that the report was a little one sided, but the majority of comments were personal attacks on the reporter and the pediatrician in the feature.  There are 370 comments and counting on the original report.

I was very disappointed in this.  I have always known the cloth diaper community to be supportive and kind.  This was an ugly side that I wasn’t proud of.  You always catch more flies with honey!

Regardless, Natali did hear our cry and decided to challenge herself.  She made the decision to try modern cloth diapers for 30 days, on her own terms. Her husband and nanny would not have to use them if they didn’t want, but she would.

Immediately the enterprising cloth diaper makers got on the horn and sent packages of diapers for Natali to try.  She received Softbums, Rumparooz, Fuzzibunz, Rockin Green, and so on.  If nothing else Natali was able to accrue an impressive stash in a matter of days for nothing.  Talk about the money savings involved with cloth diapers!  She was so gung-ho she actually has to start over because she didn’t have everything she needed.

Natali gave it an honest to goodness try with us as her audience, there for the good and bad.  I was watching from the sidelines and rooting her on.  If she failed, we failed.  Cloth would receive another bad write up.  If she converted, we won!  There would be good press for modern cloth diapers from a major news outlet!

Natali traveled with cloth. Her husband even got involved.  I think by far my favorite part of this experiment was seeing the honest and genuine reaction to cloth diapers her husband gave on his webcast show “Daddy on Board.”  In his cloth diaper episode he talks about noticing that cloth didn’t shrivel up his little guy’s balls (what a guy thing to notice, but a valid point and great reason to use cloth, no chemicals!).  He also explained the toggle on a Softbums like a man.  But the best segment came when he talked about his wife watching diaper tutorials.  She told him that she thought a piece of the diaper was missing.  She was confused.  Where was the white strip she saw in the video?!  Well….. that white strip was simply a cloth wipe placed over the baby’s privates.  I loled.  Only an honest to god cloth diaper virgin would get in a tizzy over this.  It was so true and honest and real.  As cloth a cloth veteran this is something I would have never thought of.

Finally, the anticipated follow-up of the 30 Day Challenge aired, which you can view here. Tereson Dupuy, inventor of the modern cloth diaper (Fuzzibunz, the first pocket diaper) flew to NYC to help.  Together, Natali and Tereson discussed MODERN options.  If you want an idea of what went on to get this production together, Tereson posted a note on her Facebook page here.

She showed a Bummis cover with a prefold (this part was confusing because the explanation made it sound like a prefold WAS a cover, but then they briefly showed the inside and then explained a bit better), next came the gorgeous Artist Series bumGenius! Elemental as an example of an All in One, then a G Diaper for the hybrid option, then a Fuzzibunz Pocket diaper.  They also touch on laundering (they showed Rockin’ Green as a diaper detergent) and disposable of the solid waste.

The good news is that Natali is a convert!  She loves cloth diapers now.

I am extremely happy with how things went. Cloth diapers received great publicity.  A few options were presented and explained briefly in a simple way.  Natali is right, researching cloth diapers when you have never seen one or known anyone who uses them, is extremely overwhelming.  I was drowning information 2.5 years ago when I started my journey too.  Every site says something different, especially when it comes to washing.  There is just no easy solution.

Thanks Natali for ignoring the negative and focusing on the message of cloth diapers and their benefits.   I wish you continued success and look forward to your reviews of the cloth diapers you have tried so far on Mommy Beta.

To see all of her posts from the 30 Day Challenge:

http://mommybeta.squarespace.com/blogs/2010/11/5/cloth-diapering-challenge-i-accept.html

http://mommybeta.squarespace.com/blogs/2010/11/11/cloth-diaper-challenge-do-over.html

http://mommybeta.squarespace.com/blogs/2010/11/15/cloth-diaper-challenge-hits-the-road.html

http://mommybeta.squarespace.com/blogs/2010/11/23/cloth-diaper-challenge-update.html

I have lived through 20 months of cloth diapering my son.  To say I have learned a thing or two is an understatement.  Not only have I tried and reviewed over 50 cloth diapers, I have tried all sorts of accesories.  Plus I have real world experience.  I know how to change a cloth diaper on a plane, bench, lap, and how to deal when my son is fighting me for a change.  I have sampled cloth safe diaper creams and detergents and picked my favorites.  And, I have learned how to keep my son relatively still during changes (crucial when in public and there is a nasty poop!)  I am listing what I feel a cloth diapering mom needs and stating my brand of choice where applicable.

A few easy peasy AIO diapers for the babysitter/ diaper bag. Because no matter how much you love prefolds, your babysitter might not.  My favorites are the Drybees Hybrid Pocket AIO and the AMP AIO.

Diaper Sprayer (around 6 months when your baby begins solids)

At least (2) Travel Size Wet Bags. The Wahmies Medium in the Guitar Print is my go to quick trip out, while my Planet Wise Wet/ Dry in Medium is best for a day trip.

(2) Elastic edged pail liners -or- at least 2 Hanging Wet Bags- Wahmies Pail liner is my choice, and Planet Wise Wet/Dry bag in Large for a hanging pail.

Diaper Pail- if you choose one, it should have a pedal for ease of use, especially when you have a dripping wet diaper.  I love my Diaper Dekor, which I modified to accommodate cloth diapers.

1 pack of Snappis

Cloth Friendly Diaper Detergent (I use Rockin’ Green Hard Rock)

Dryer Balls (if you want to soften your diapers or reduce static.)

Flushable Liners- I have found Bummis Bioliners are the softest.  Good to use when on the go to prevent coming home with poop in your diapers.

Drying Rack, clothesline, or gizmo for hanging diapers- I love my Ikea Octopus for hanging covers, but I just throw my inserts over the porch rail for sunning.

Awesome diaper bag big enough for your cloth diapers! I like my Petunia Picklebottom but I am still drooling over the Go Gaga Messenger bag!

Changing Pad- I have a great changing pad from Ikea!

Cloth Diaper safe Cream- My fav is Dimpleskins Bum Balm.  Silky and very effective!

Distracting/ engaging Toy for changes.  Especially good for when you are learning how to put on a prefold or a snapping diaper.

Mobile above changing table when the baby is younger and can’t reach it. It will keep their eyes engaged while you do your thing.

You can find many of these items at my affiliate, Kelly’s Closet, including the Bummis Bioliners, Planet Wise and Wahmies Wet bags, diaper sprayers, snappis, and Rockin’ Green.  Shopping my link supports DDL!  Need a coupon code?  Find them here! Happy Shopping!

What are your must have items to make cloth diapering easier?

BottomBumpers AIO

BottomBumpers AIO

Rumparooz One Size

All diapers together

Mothering Magazine Article

Rockin' Green Sample

Letter to Ellen and DVD of videos

Shake Weight for Babies and Wiggly Giggler

All together

I added a few other odds and ends, including some photographs of babies wearing the embroidered “Ellen” diapers and washing instructions from Kelly’s Closet.  In case you are wondering, the Rumparooz, Fuzzibunz, and Bottombumpers diapers were sent free of charge for the package. I paid out of pocket for the Zany Zebra (Which I wasn’t even supposed to get but there was a mixup so I felt obligated to pay, long story, and why I have 2 cupcake diapers for Ellen’s niece, Eva) and the embroidery on the covers which were used for the video shoot.  The covers themselves were donated by Kelly’s Closet (5 of them).  Kim from Rockin’ Green gave me the sample but she had no idea it would end up in the package.  I bought the Wiggly Gigglers (in case you are wondering, I made a Shake Weight for Babies video to send to Ellen for laughs)

As suggested by the title, this is my last effort for Operation Fluffy.  I have put a lot of time, effort, and money into the operation.  If this doesn’t work, nothing will.  This package is literally being handed to Ellen Degeneres by someone in her staff.  Let’s just say I have a friend, who has a friend, who has a friend that works at the show.  ’Nuff said.

I want to thank everyone who has been involved in Operation Fluffy. It has been a fun ride!  A special thanks to the generous companies who sent in items for the video and the package! And a thank you to Jillian’s Drawers who allowed me to invade their community room to film the video (which is being edited still, it will be in the package.) A VERY special thank you to the moms and dads who brought their babies to be filmed in the video!  I can’t wait to share it with you all.  If these adorable diapers don’t convince her how cool cloth is, nothing will.

We got back from Texas on Sunday.  It was a long day which began at 3:30 am and lasted until 5:30 pm.  2 flights and a 1.5 hour car ride home.  I am lucky that my son is a great traveler and has always been great on the plane.  We visited my husband’s grandmother.  She is having good days and bad days, but unfortunately she doesn’t have a lot of time left.  She was so happy to see my son.  Out of all of her grandchildren he is the only blonde one, hence his name “The Golden Boy.”

We packed for this trip in less than an hour but I still made sure to bring my cloth diapers.  We were staying at family’s so we had easy access to a washer.  I packed fairly light.  Usually I have 20+ diapers, this time I only took 8 diapers, but 10 total since one was an All in Two.  I tried grabbing All in Ones or diapers with inserts that agitated out.  This made laundry easier, so insert to stuff or hunt for.  In case you are interested, I took:

(2) Tots Bots Easy Fits

Drybees Hybrid AIO

Best Bottom with 3 inserts

Smartipants

Bum Genius Organic AIO

Bum Genius 3.0

Thirsties Duo

I didn’t pack detergent because I knew Kim from Rockin’ Green was based in San Antonio.  Speaking from previous experience, no ordinary detergent will do in the mineral heavy, hard water in Texas.  I had repelling issues last trip.  I wanted to buy some samples of Hard Rock for the trip and I did.  I didn’t have any issues and that was wonderful!  It was also a lot of fun to meet Kim, someone I have interacted with for a year or so on twitter.  I am seriously still in awe of what an amazing business woman she is because her company has exploded!

Other than visiting our family, some of whom came from North Carolina, and of course the others who live in Texas, we did the usual touristy stuff.  We took Fletcher to Schlitterbahn and he loved it!  We did some shopping and a lot of eating!  In fact, my OB appointment to check in on little Shrimpy was today and the P.A. said “Looks like your baby had a growth spurt.”  Yeah, we will say it the nice way and not, “Looks like you ate a crap load of tacos in Texas.”

While I was gone I had zero internet access, unless you count my iPhone.  Grandma’s house doesn’t have the internet!  I still have a lot of playing catch up to do.  I was supposed to send out the Operation Fluffy package last week but that will have to come this week.  I hope this will convince Ellen to put cloth diapers on her show.

Thanks for sticking around and waiting out my absence.  I will fix the Katydid video review as soon as I can as well!  Here are some pictures from the trip!

Grandma and Fletcher

Fletcher and his "Cuncle" Leroy

I never in my wildest dreams expected that washing my diapers (and keeping them smell free) would be the biggest challenge for me out of everything that could be difficult.

Worrying with poop, no biggie, I have a sprayer.

Finding a diaper that works?  Turns out my son fits almost every diaper very well.

Leaks?  Nope, hardly ever.

Image: Flickr NaturesDawn

Smells…… well……… that is something that I have been battling.

I bet when most people start thinking of using cloth they are most concerned with what diapers will work best for their family, if they will have time to wash the diapers, and what will they do with the poop?  I didn’t even realize there was a special wash routine until it came time to prep my diapers.  Then I saw the vast amount of literature on washing routines.  It seemed like every person did it differently.  I was overwhelmed.

What detergent was I going to choose?

I did a lot of research and decided to use Tide Original Powder.

I had a lot of leaks in the early days and stripped at least once a month thanks to repelling issues.  However, my diapers never had a smell.  They smelled clean and fresh out of the washer.  It took 6 months before I started detecting an odor.

Crap.  I had read that sometimes microfiber takes time to begin smelling, then the battle begins.

I stripped.  I used vinegar.  I used bleach.  And then I tried other detergents.

I tried Tiny Bubbles, Crunchy Clean, soap nuts, and finally- Rockin’ Green.

All of those eliminated my need for stripping since they left no residue, but the smell continued.

In fact, I began having an intense ammonia odor.  If you don’t already know, diapers can build up ammonia salts from the urine.  Excessive buildup leads to strong odors and even burns.  My son was being burnt by our overnight diapers!

I cried the first time this happened.  I wiped him and his legs shook from the pain.  And when it came time for a bath, he stood up the entire time because it hurt for water to touch his bottom.

I honestly felt like the worst mother in the world.  We began using disposables at night and after stripping the burns stopped so we switched back.

Recently the burns came back.  I stopped cloth at night until I could kill the ammonia again.  (And let me tell you, if it comes to burning my son or using a disposable, I will use a disposable until the problem is fixed. Though rest assured, no Pampers have entered my home, just Earth’s Best)  I have tried desperately to sun my diapers but the damn sun won’t shine!  Hello Summer?  Where are you?

I finally got 2 loads out in the sun this weel and tried my Gro Via AIO first.  I smelled no ammonia!

So happily, I can say the sun really does help with ammonia and odors.  But I don’t have sun very often so I foresee many problems to come with ammonia.

I am going to switch to Rockin’ Green Hard Rock after I finish off my Classic Rock and see what happens.

The fact is, even an experienced cloth diapering parent can have issues.  I hope by disclosing my own battles and the fact that I have kept fighting them (and had to resort to disposables) will help others.  I only wish I had an answer that would fix everyone’s washing problems!

All of us are lucky.  We are raising our children in a time where we have choices. Upmteen million bazillion choices. We can find wonderful products that not only make child rearing easier, but that are for the most part, good for baby and planet.

Of course one of these products is the modern cloth diaper.  I had tons of choices while pregnant.  I looked at them all and made decisions that were compatible with my family and lifestyle.  I chose bumGenius, Thirsties, chinese prefolds, Blueberry, G Diapers, and some WAHM diapers.  These were brands I researched and that already had a loyal following.

Now my son is 1.5 years old and I have seen the cloth diaper industry grow immensely in that time.  In fact, I have seen new brands hit the scene, some of which have EXPLODED! The innovations within the last 2 years are astounding.  I don’t even know if it is possible to keep up the pace that was set.

Once upon a time there was a little brand that popped up on Twitter.  This brand started chatting on the Monday night chats and caught my eye because it looked like an awesome and unique diaper.  The genius of it was that instead of a pocket, there was a sleeve.  This allowed the insert to agitate out. Genius!   The diaper hadn’t been released yet.  That diaper was Smartipants. Now Smartipants is a popular diaper brand with lots of fans and has even been seen on TV.

I fondly remember tweeting with Kim from Rockin’ Green when she was Kim from GADbaby.com who had a yet to be released new cloth diaper detergent.  Now, Rockin’ Green is sold in over 200 stores and can be found in 5 countries!!! I even remember when Kim was announcing that she picked up her first retailer!  Rockin’ Green has quickly become a phenomenon with cloth diaper parents.  The Facebook page is hoppin’ with people posting photos and videos, and there is even a fan video! It is like the Cult of Rockin’ Green. A large part of her success (besides the great product) is the genius of her logos/ website/ and marketing.  The fact that “Rockin’ a Soak” became a cloth diaper term overnight is a testament to the genius behind the brand.  (And FYI, you should really join their Facebook page because I hear she is planning some cool things for her anniversary.)

And then there are the many online and brick and mortar stores that have opened or expanded.  It seems like yesterday Growin’ Green Bums was set to open their online store.  Now Marissa has lots of local and online clients.  In fact, she is going to open up her own retail store in Northwest Florida. She has turned her passion into a growing business.

Last but not least is Jillian’s Drawers.  This online and brick and mortar store was already well known.  But they moved from what can only be described as a closet, to a gigantic store in the heart of downtown Ithaca. I feel so lucky to live so (relatively) close to this amazing store that is doing so much for their local community.  Brick and Mortar stores are such resources for their communities.  If there were more, I can only imagine there would be more cloth diapering parents.  The ability to touch and feel a cloth diaper is more powerful than videos or text could ever be.

I am so proud of these companies and women who are making their own dreams come true, and providing solutions for our everyday lives.  I have such admiration for people who have an idea for a product or business and get it done.  By the time my children are out of diapers cloth diapers are going to be even bigger and better!

SweetBottoms Baby Boutique, a new DDL sponsor, is giving one lucky reader a bag of the new Hard Rock formula of Rockin’ Green.

As you know, Rockin’ Green is one of the (if not the) most popular cloth diaper laundry detergent, and for good reason!

Got hard water?

We got you covered- this stuff was designed to bust through the minerals and grime and leave you with clean smelling, sparkly diapers and clothes! Without the need for all those extra boosters and add-ons that you are used to using. Just a few tablespoons and you are on your way to clean diapers and clothing.

Dye free
Comes in several yummy scents (& an unscented version for sensitive skin)
No fillers
No enzymes or optical brighteners
100% Phosphate free
Vegan
Great for sensitive skin
Easy rinsing formula
Approved for military use
Works wonders on microfiber stink!
Perfect for cloth diapers
HE compatible
Reusable packaging
Economical!

The hard rock version was created with the utmost care and consideration by Kim Webb. You can read all about her journey and hard work on SweetBottoms Baby Boutique.

SweetBottoms Baby Boutique also sells cloth diapers like Bottombumpers, Bum Ware, Kawaii  (brands I haven’t tried yet!), Bum Genius, Thirsties, and will soon be carrying Babykicks Hemparoo fleece prefolds.

If you are looking for baby carriers, SweetBottoms Baby Boutique sells Boba (my personal favorite SSC so far), Sleepy Wrap, and Gypsy Mama wraps.

I love amber teething necklaces, so I was happy to see that SweetBottoms Baby Boutique carries them as well!

As a former NC resident, I was happy to see that SweetBottoms Baby Boutique serves their local community, offering Cloth Diaper Workshops and personal consultations.

Are you ready to enter?

Mandatory Entry:

Visit SweetBottoms Baby Boutique and tell me your favorite product that they sell, other than Rockin’ Green.

For extra entries do any or all of the following.  Leave a comment for each you do.

Follow @KimRosas on twitter and tweet this giveaway. Please tweet, “Stinky Diapers and Hard Water?  Win Rockin’ green Hard Rock from @KimRosas http://6mhw8.th8.us #clothdiapers”  Leave a comment with a link to your status.

You can tweet once a day for the duration of the contest. Leave a comment with your status for each tweet.

Become a fan of SweetBottoms Baby Boutique on Facebook. Leave a comment.

Subscribe to my blog via email through feedburner. Leave a comment.

Follow me through Google Friend Connect or via a reader. Leave a comment.

Grab my button and post it on your blog. Leave a comment.

Blog about this giveaway. Post a link in the comment.

Get Creative: Post about this giveaway on a messageboard or forum. Leave a comment with a link.

New Entry: Become a fan of Dirty Diaper Laundry on Facebook and get 3 extra entries! Just leave your comment as FB entry 1, FB 2, and FB 3.

Giveaway ends on April 19. Winner will be chosen using random.org. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be drawn.

***Open to US and Canada***