The EcoChic

To Spray or Not To Spray – That is the Question!

For 15 months we chose not to use a diaper sprayer out of pure frugality – I didn’t see the need to spend any money when our ‘system’ for dealing with poop was still working.  Then one fine day a Knickernappies Diaper Sprayer (thanks Diapers, Etc) showed up in my mailbox and I HAD to give it a try.  I immediately assumed my gender neutral position and decided that I could install this simple piece of plumbing equipment, right?  Neither hubs or I are incredibly handy but the diaper sprayer came with all of the pieces and simple, easy to follow instructions to install. 

I stepped into the bathroom and conducted a test – I turned off the water supply from behind the toilet and flushed to see if the tank emptied as the directions said it would.  Then I flushed again, and again – HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM!  We’ve feared for months now that we may have had a slight leak in the toilet (house was built in the 80′s and the bathrooms are ANCIENT!) – this confirmed my fear.  We’ve talked for months about completely over hauling both bathrooms to make them a little more modern (and a little less Florida Grandma style) but we are stingy with our money and keep putting it off (OK – we’re lazy)! 

So for weeks this beautiful diaper sprayer sat in a basket above the toilet waiting for the day I would fix our leak.  Oddly enough about a month later we experienced another leaky situation – our kitchen sink sprung a leak that needed to be repaired immediately!  When talking with the repairman (who happens to be a family friend) I asked about the other leaks in the house and how difficult it would be to fix those while we’re at it.  So one fine summer day we finally got all of our leaks repaired – and a new kitchen sink to boot!  He was even kind enough to install my lovely diaper sprayer for me – which according to him “took him seconds to install.” 

The Aftermath:

Now I have a diaper sprayer that still sits peacefully in the bathroom waiting to be used.  It’s installed but it rarely get’s used – at least to the capacity I would have anticipated it being used.  There are two issues that arise really:

1. My daughter RARELY poops at home!  She is at a babysitters house all day and LOVES to poop at her house.  She will honestly hold in her poop all weekend when she is home with us so she can poop at the sitters.  It’s actually not a bad problem to have – afterall no one really enjoys poop do they?

2. FORCE!  The force behind the diaper sprayer is actually incredibly strong.  It seems like everytime I use it I struggle to keep the water IN the toilet – leaving me with a wet messy bathroom to clean up.  This is actually a ”Like” and a “Dislike” – the extra force really helps remove that sticky nasty in-between solid poop. 

I guess I’m a “No Spray” girl - we normally use flushable liners in our diapers, especially if she’s been holding it in for a while.  That way most of the poop can be removed with a simple plop into the toilet.  Then whatever is left gets rinsed off in the sink (and yes, I’ll sanitize the sink when I’m done) before I put the diaper in the dirty pail.  Maybe if we had started with the sprayer in the early days of easy, breastfeeding poop it may have come in handy.

Diapers, Etc:  I realized after doing some homework on Diapers, Etc that they are actually a local company – they are located in Lutz, FL.  They sell a variety of cloth diapers, diapering accessories and an assortment of organic and eco-friendly baby products.   

BUY IT:  Want to buy your own diaper sprayer and judge for yourself, visit Diapers, Etc.  The Knickernappies Diaper Sprayer sells for $43.99 – add a few new cloth diapers to your order to be eligible for free shipping on orders over $75.

WIN IT:  Want to win your very own Knickernappies Diaper Sprayer – compliments of Diapers, Etc.?  To be entered to win you MUST leave me a comment below telling me how you handle the poop in your house – do you spray, dunk, swish, etc?  Be sure to tell me WHY you want to win a diaper sprayer in your comment and leave your email address so I can contact you if you win. 

BONUS POINTS:  Earn one extra bonus point for each of the following – leave a comment for EACH bonus step you complete. 
1. Twitter Love to @TheEcoChic, @DiapersEtc, and @EcoChicParties
2. Check us out of Facebook – and if you ‘Like’ what you see then ‘Like Us’
3. Tweet about this giveaway including a link back to this post. 

RULES:  Winner must be over the age of 18 and a resident of the continental United States.  Giveaway will close on September 15th, 2010.  Winner will be contacted using the email address they register with and must confirm their winnings within 48 hrs of notification.  Prize is provided by Diapers, Etc. 

Disclosure: In case you didn’t realize it already – Diapers, Etc. provided me with a Knickernappies Diaper Sprayer for review.  Your results may vary and you may fall madly in love with your diaper sprayer.  Either way - show a little love to Diapers, Etc because they are nice people. 

I can’t wait to tell you more about my partnership with Rump-a-rooz!

Disclosure: This fluffy pile of goodness was provided in exchange for services that I will be providing to Rump-a-rooz in the coming months.

The answer SHOULD be YES!  As I began planning for my #BlogHer10 experience I had originally planned on bringing the entire family along with me.  I researched NYC diaper services and had set up a batch of diapers to be delivered right to our hotel.

Over the past month our plans changed.  We were still planning our family trip to Disney (before our annual passes expired) but then the family was going in many different directions.

We packed up last weekend and headed to Orlando – complete with our stash of cloth diapers.  My first trip to Disney with the baby we packed disposables, hybrids, and cloth because I really didn’t know HOW to travel with cloth diapers.  I found out quickly that it’s NOT much different than at home.  This trip to Disney I only packed the fluff!  The only time it was a little less than pleasant was the 3rd day (when my DD had held her bowl movements for 3 whole days) when she decided to poo while at the water park.  Thankfully cloth holds in the solids BUT the water parks are NOT known for having great changing stations.  In fact they down right SUCK! So on a small bench in the changing room I changed a gross, nasty, 3 day poop that had just been mushed in by a baby sitting in the pool!  Anyways – as gross as it sounds it was actually quite painless – after I changed her we walked across the room to the toilet and dumped the evidence!  FLUSH!  Stuff the cover in the wetbag and then back in the locker – now back to playing.

After our Disney adventure it was time to leave the DD at Camp Grandma/Grandpa.  I even left my mom the bag of dirty diapers – which she called to tell me were all clean again.  I’m sure like last time she won’t be able to figure out which insert goes with which diaper but that’s not really too important.  And like last time the snaps will sit in the bag unused while Grandma prefers the velcros!  The point is that Grandma does cloth diapers and is just as proud as I am about it.

Really – traveling with cloth diapers isn’t much different than at home.  But if you aren’t lucky enough to have a Grandma to do your diaper laundry check out these great tips for the Real Diaper Association’s (RDA) Travel Tip Sheet.  The RDA is still fundraising for their $3500 in 35 Days campaign to keep their Executive Director.  For more information on the RDA please visit them at www.realdiaperassociation.org.  If you like their tip sheet or any of their other work please consider donating to the $3500 in 35 Days campaign so they can continue to advocate for cloth diapers on every baby – all the time!  And if you join the RDA (as low as $25) you will receive a quarterly newsletter and a great button to show your support!  I’ll be wearing my button this week while at #BlogHer10!  If you see me don’t be afraid to “Ask me about cloth diapers!”

I’m a little excited – last night I finally did it – I opened my very own Etsy shop!  Right now there is one lonely little dress waiting for the perfect home – but more items will be added soon.  I have 6 more dresses on the sewing machine right now waiting for me to get sewing!

You may have seen the dress before – my little one has been spotted in this open backed, reversable, a-line dress before on here.  The peak-a-boo back is perfect for showing off that cute cloth diaper!  The patterns vary and I try to coordinate the colors to match the popular cloth diaper colors.

Here are pictures of my first listing on Etsy – available in newborn (0-3 month) size.  I know you may not all have newborns so don’t worry – more sizes are coming soon!  AND – I take custom orders too!  Just send me a conversation on Etsy and we’ll find the perfect pattern and size for your little darling.  This dress is available from newborn all the way to 24 months – and I’m working on a larger pattern too!  The last images are our prototypes that Lil’ B is enjoying.

Want to own your very own cloth diaper dress? I’m going to giveaway ONE dress when I get to 100 ‘hearts’ on my Etsy shop!  So go take a look at the shop and tell me what you think.  Come back here and leave a comment if you ‘hearted’ my shop (along with your Etsy username) and you’ll automatically be entered to win!  Once I get to 100 ‘hearts’ on the shop I’ll randomly select one of the comments and you’ll be among the first to receive this unique cloth diaper dress!  (*Available up to 24 months at this time)

My Etsy Shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheEcoChic?ref=top_trail

Every morning (afternoon and evening too) I flip through blog after blog looking to see what’s new in the world.  Looking to connect – looking for find people with similar interests.  One of my favorites recently has been tout-est-des-roses.  Sara Sophia and I met on Twitter and her writing is so beautiful – so poetic.  You know me – I’m not really a writer – I just blog!

Anyways – please go read her post from today “Crazy Hippie” and see why she is one of my favorite reads!  Her words have set the course for my day.   

“Like my gramma always said, pretty is as pretty does.” – tout-est-des-roses

This guy knows how to have fun! Join us Thursday night at Eco Chic Parties for a Rump-a-Rooz Twitter Party where the winners of the YouTube video contest will be revealed.  Have you sent in your video yet?

I hope that for my readers you don’t get sick of me talking about BlogHer 10 for the next month.  In August I’ll be celebrating my 3rd year Blog-iversary and this will be my very first blogging conference ever!  A little over a year ago my blog took a turn in a new direction when I decided to sign up for Twitter – and my life hasn’t been the same since.  I’ve met so many wonderful readers, bloggers, companies, and more – I feel so blessed to be where I am today. 

Why do I want to go to BlogHer?  I have had so much fun this past year with my blog, Twitter, and especially with the creation of Eco Chic Parties that I want to see what else is out there.  What am I doing ‘wrong’?  What could I do better?  What are other bloggers doing?  In past years I’ve read blogs and tweets about others experience and the wildness that occurs when 2000 mom bloggers unite. 

But doesn’t it cost money to go?  Yes, it’s not a cheap trip.  The conference ticket alone was a few hundred dollars + hotel and expenses.  Thankfully we have connections and don’t have to pay to fly – just have to fly standby with our fingers crossed that seats are available. 

AND – I’ve had a little help with my expenses.  I have a few sponsors that I’d like to introduce to you – and officially THANK for their contribution to my trip. 

1.  Franklin Goose, Bamboo Bums, and Teething Bling/Smart Mom Jewelry all sponsored me financially. 

2.  Lillunia LLC and Rockin Green Soap both purchased ad space that I used to help with my trip.

3.  Eco Chic Parties accepts payment for some parties – and that money has been used for trip expenses as well.

4.  Mommy Doodles is my one and only graphic designer and technical expert.  Melanie is AWESOME and always willing to help me (sometimes I even pay her) with my blog(s).  She even designed my awesome business cards for me!

Why did I get sponsors?  I’ve worked with these great companies over the past year with blog reviews and Eco Chic Parties and have formed a great relationship with these ladies.  Their sponsorship will allow me to take my blog to the next level.  During BlogHer there are 2 FULL days of workshop sessions and I will be B-U-S-Y from 9am – 5pm each day + networking with new companies, companies I’ve already worked with, and other great mom bloggers.  I hope to bring back some valuable information that will improve our relationships – and better the quality of my blog. 

What does this mean to you?  I have some surprises in store for you during BlogHer – including a few giveaways from my sponsors.  Giveaways will be for both BlogHer attendees and those of you who can’t attend this year.  I’m super excited to share my experiences with you - afterall why should I keep all this knowledge to myself?  I want to see each of you grow your blogs and achieve your goals too!   

I’m on the BlogHer Green Team.  That’s right – I decided to join the Green Team and help ensure that the founders and organizers implement environmentally friendly elements to the conference.  In past years green bloggers have been upset because of the excess waste and bottled water – I’m happy to announce that the organizers are addressing these (and other) issues.  There will be water refilling stations throughout the event for bloggers to refill their reusable bottles at.  There will be a swag recycling event to recycle (donate) unwanted swag – I hear there is a TON of swag!  Other Green Team members include Summer from Green and Clean Mom, Beth Terry from Fake Plastic Fish, Jennifer from Naked Jen, Lisa from Condo Blues, Diane MacEachern of Big Green Purse, and Jenny from Conscientious Confusion.  I feel so honored to be part of the team and can’t wait to meet these influential green bloggers at BlogHer!   

Isn’t BlogHer sponsored by some BIG non-green and controversial companies – like Nestle?  Yes – like any conference they need sponsors to keep the prices reasonable – and companies like Nestle are sponsoring the weekend.  While I haven’t personally jumped on the Nestle ban I do understand the controversy – and respect your feelings towards this and other sponsors.  For me the biggest sponsor of interest is Proctor and Gamble – the makers of PAMPERS!  As a cloth diapering advocate I’m using BlogHer as a platform for me to share cloth diapers with other moms who might not know who easy they are.  Not all attendees are green bloggers – and if I can reach just one more person with the cloth diapering message my mission will be accomplished!  I’ll even be wearing an “Ask Me About Cloth Diapers” t-shirt that will be provided by the Real Diaper Association – a non-profit cloth diapering advocacy group.  I’m even bringing my family along with me to show just how easy it is to travel with cloth diapers – I’ve decided to use a local cloth diaper service while we’re there. 

What can I do for YOU?  As my loyal readers I wanted to ask YOU what you want to hear about?  What other green bloggers would you like me to interview or meet?  How can I help you improve your own blogs?  This isn’t just an opportunity for me – it’s an opportunity for me to share with you!  AND – are you going to BlogHer?  If you are – I would love to meet up!  Let me know and I’ll be sure to hunt you down!

A few weeks ago I worked with Vilate from Nifty Nappy on launching her new website with a Twitter Party (over at Eco Chic Parties). I was a little intimidated because I don’t use wool or fitted diapers – until now. Vilate gladly sent me a Nifty Nappy fitted along with their nappy inserts (made of organic bamboo and hemp). I don’t however have a wool soaker or any other wool covers/longies/etc. I’ve been pairing our fitted along with a Flip or EconoBum cover for now.

Fit: I love how nicely (and trim) the Nifty Nappy fits and I absolutely love the adorable pattern (Pretty Paisley). The pattern was so cute I hated to put a cover over it – I wanted to show it off.

TIP: Fitteds need diaper covers because they don’t have any PUL and aren’t water-proof.

Fabric: The other key feature that I really liked about our Nifty Nappy is the softness of the fabric and the insert. The outer layers are cotton knit, there is a layer of hemp on the inside, and the inside is a soft microfleece that helps to wick the moisture away from your baby. The inserts again are made of organic bamboo velour and hemp fleece – both superior in absorbing moisture.

Closure: The Nifty Nappy has cross over snap closure so it will fit a skinny baby or a chubby baby quite well. The snaps are color coordinated to match the fabrics and are very durable.

More about Nifty Nappy – Vilate is very active online offering support and guidance to the cloth diapering community. She is a regular on Twitter chats and parties @MyNiftyNappy and is also on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/niftynappy). The new website if amazing – there is a new video tutorial section that provides tips and tricks for using cloth diapers and wool. My favorite is “How to lanolize a wool cover” – especially since I’m still intimidated by wool.

After working with Vilate on her Twitter Party and talking with her about wool I’m a little less intimated by the idea. So much that my next purchase is going to be a wool cover or longie for Lil’ B. I’ll be sure to share my experience with wool once I take the leap.

Interact with me – leave your comment below. Do you use wool? What are your favorite features?

My wonderful family will be joining me at BlogHer 10 in August. I have an awesome husband who doesn’t mind traveling the world with me while I work – but this is different. Usually when we travel it’s for my day job and I HAVE to work. This trip – while I consider it work – is really more of a hobby. I’m looking to network and learn how to make my blog work for me – and maybe one day be my day job. Of course I say that with hesitation – because I have a really good job and it would take a LOT for my blog to replace that income.

So – back to cloth diapers and my husband. He’s really patient with me and my desire to travel with our fluff but we’ve always driven when we’ve been gone for more than 2-3 days. We’ve never packed our fluff for a plane ride. I mean how does that work? I’m staying at a hotel and don’t really want to do laundry (more likely HE would have to do it – and that’s NOT happening while on vaca) OR carry dirty diapers back on the plane. I would NOT do that to the airport employees – can you imagine a screener at the airport having to inspect THAT bag? NO – that’s not an option.

Here are my options as I see them today (I may change my mind after I hear your input):

1) Pack all our fluff in our suitcases (which I hear will be full of swag on the way home) and have to ask the Hilton to use their laundry facility to wash fluff at night after everyone is asleep. **Really this doesn’t sound appealing to me.

2) Find a diaper service in NYC and use pre-folds and covers – which we’ve never really used. I’ve played around with them but not hubby.

Did you know you can search for diaper services? The Real Diaper Industry Association (RDIA) has a list on their website.

Here are my fears with using a diaper service:
- Pre-folds scare me – I’m a spoiled pocket girl.
- I only own 2 diaper covers – but I guess I could use my pockets as covers, right? Services don’t include covers.
- Will daddy be open to trying something new while we are away – and he’ll be the primary diaper changer? I have horrible memories of a blow out that occurred in New Orleans while he was out on the town with the kids – let’s just say it wasn’t pretty!

Here is what excited me about using a diaper service:
- I can pack less and still use cloth diapers.
- I don’t have to do laundry for 4 days!
- I don’t have to use disposables (saving money, packing space, and the environment)
- As an advocate for cloth diapers I really SHOULD try this and make it work.

I decided to call/email www.DiaperKind.com and inquire about their services for travelers.  <Thanks Heather for the link>  Shortly after my email I received a great response from Sarah.  Diaper Kind will deliver a stash of pre-folds, some loaner covers, and a loner diaper pail at my hotel for me – for all 4 days that I’m going to be in New York – and for less than $40 total.  I’m super excited that they have some loner covers because I only have 2 covers in my stash – I didn’t really want to invest in covers that I don’t really need.  Now – to get daddy on board with my plan!  I do have an EconoBum on hand for him to practice with before we leave.   

What are your experiences with traveling with your cloth? I’ve mastered it for short trips and when staying with friends/family – but not hotels and airplanes.

Want to read more about traveling with cloth diapers?  How about an article by the Real Diapering Association about traveling with cloth…in a rain forest!  Really – it’s quite inspiring!