diy cloth wipe solution

I have written about cloth diapering and how I use cloth wipes as well. Before you call me crazy, hear me out. I think it is easier. You toss the cloth diaper and the cloth wipe into the diaper pail and call it a day. No need to separate out a disposable wipe (and risk touching...well...all the crap)it just all gets washed together.

There are dozens of wipe solution recipes out there but this one is so stupid easy I have just never ever tried another (lazy much?!)

{THE SOLUTION}

1. Dr. Bronner's baby wash - 2-3 squirts. The baby wash is so mild its perfect for cleaning sensitive little baby bottoms.
2. Tea Tree Essential oils - I buy mine at Whole Foods, but everyone and their mama is selling oils right now so just look to your left...and to your right...and I'm sure your neighbor and all her friends can sell it to you also. ; ) 3-4 shakes. The tea tree oil prevents mold, prevents diaper rash and soothes any rash that does crop up. It is potent if used directly on baby's skin. *
3. H20 - enough to fill the tupperware you choose            

*I DO NOT RECOMMEND USING UNDILUTED TEA TREE OIL ON BABY'S SKIN*

That's it. So simple. 

I keep my tupperware in the fridge and the solution lasts about 2 weeks. About every 2-3 days I wet a stack of cloth wipes and divide them between 3 Lunch Skins (aka reusable sandwich baggies). One for the diaper bag, one for her changing table and one for my purse. 

I love Lunch Skins (the yellow one below) because they are the perfect size for the wipes, fit easily in any baby bag or purse and their patterns and colors to choose from are fab! Also they double as a tiny wet bag for the wipes if need be so I always carry an extra empty one for that reason! 

 I exclusively use Family Cloth Wipes sold on Etsy. They are the best IMO. Perfect size, thickness and shape. I love, love, love them. The small ones also fit perfectly in my tupperware so - score!

There you have it. The easiest cloth wipe solution ever. Perfect for a busy mama like me!

 (and all of us really...what mama ISN'T super busy?!)

cloth diapering

There are SO many posts out there about cloth diapering, I want to throw my 2 cents in, if I may.

I always planned to cloth diaper, not really for any strong, convicting reason (I mean I love the earth, some might call me a little crunchy) other than I like the idea of it. It has been great for us and over the last 6 months I have been mildly successful at it so I thought I'd share my thoughts and go to essentials!! Disclaimer I do use disposables at night to prevent prolonged exposure to urine on sensitive baby skin so I digress I am not perfect. ; )

The Essentials

THE DIAPER

We exclusively use gdiapers - an Oregon based company. Really only because a friends used them on her daughter and I liked them. I don't know all the weird cloth diaper lingo but they have a cloth cover, a snap in liner and cloth or flushable inserts (we almost always use the cloth ones). Its important to use a cloth diaper that fits YOUR needs. Try a couple different ones out, check out what friends are using and see what fit your schedule and kiddo the best. Gdiapers work best for us. Try it and see how you like it! 

THE DIAPER PAIL + CLOTH LINER

At first the price is a little shocking...but UBBI really is the way to go if you are cloth diapering!! The metal frame seriously keeps the stinkiest of stinky diaps from stinkin up the room! They are clean, modern looking and its one of the only pails that you can use a cloth liner with that meshes with the

whole cloth diaper deal! I LOVE our Ubbi, we have one in white. The little door on top is super handy too when your hands are full just press down and push and in the diaper goes!

THE WASH

Honestly I am probably the worst cloth diaper rebel ever...shhh don't tell...I don't really use special cloth diaper detergents. Whoops. I use plain old Mr's Meyers laundry detergent and Nellie's laundry soda. Now before you slap my wrist let me say - I do an extra rinse and a second wash so the diapers get thoroughly rinsed (the have a tendency to get clogged up with detergent - much like towels do) and Mr's Meyers and Nellies are very gentle and natural on their own. I don't think I would use a standard commercial detergent on my diapers. Ive never had a problem with clogged up diaper liners so I have never switched or tried to find an alternative.

THE WIPES

My theory is - if you are gonna do cloth diapers why not just do cloth wipes too?? For me it just makes sense, I toss the cloth wipe in the diaper pail with the cloth diaper and voila. Done. No separating at all. For me it is easier, not the other way around. I discovered the best cloth wipes ever before I gave birth and I went a little nesting crazy and bought 60. Yes you read that right I bought 60. 6-0. And I'm glad I did! (although I could get by with much less!). I exclusively buy my wipes from Family Cloth Wipes from Etsy. They are fab. They have 2 different sizes, tons of colors, the thickness is perfect. I can't say enough nice things about them. 

wipe solution:

{in a square tupperware}

*couple squirts Dr. Bronner's baby wash

*couple shakes tea tree essential oil

* fill the rest up with good old H20

{tutorial to follow}

I keep my wipe solution in the fridge in a small square tupperware container. I use those reusable sandwich bags to store my wipe in. and make enough wipes for about 2-3 days. The tea tree oil keeps the mold away. I make 3 bags. One for the diaper bag, one for Piper's changing table, and one for my purse just in case.

THE WET BAG

Ok so I saved the (usually) most hated part of cloth diapering for last. The dreaded wet bag. So you are telling me I have to change the poop and then lug it around with me for the rest of the day...no thanks! Ha...I know what you are thinking but it really isn't that bad! Wet bags are designed to hold the smell in and I have never had a problem with them. I use Planet Wise wet bags and I love them. Tons of colors and patterns to choose from and different sizes too! I use a medium one in my diaper bag and it is plenty big enough to hold 3-4 diapers at a time.

So there you have it! My cloth diapering essentials. I do not have a toilet diaper sprayer although I would love to try one out sometime!

I don't have tons of time on my hands or more than 24 hours in a day -  I am a busy working mama who loves cloth diapering and have really made it work for me and my hubby! Believe me if I can do it - you, whoever is reading this you can to! 

I mean is there any thing cuter than a cloth diaper front butt? ; )

8 winter essentials for dry skin

One of my biggest pet peeves is having dry skin. I hate the way it feels against the blanket in bed, the way my hands look after I wash them, that tight feeling your face gets after a shower, just yuck! So needless to say I am a slave to my moisturizing regiment, especially in these cold, dry winter months!

I thought I would share some of my absolute favorite and go-to items for fall & winter. 

They are by no means the most expensive, luxurious items but I have done my research and have tested many, many products in the search for soft and supple skin! Ha! So this is what works for me and my skin, and as you can tell I have no brand loyalty! 

1. EOS Chapstick: This is my everyday go-to chapstick, I have about 3 in my purse at all times, all in different "flavors". I love that they are now selling them with UV protection! 
2. Burt's Bees Hand Repair Cream: I use this for heavy duty moisturizing. I keep this bad boy in my purse, because as a nurse I wash my hands constantly! 
3. Rose Salve: I love the way this looks and it is more of a salve so it does better repairing cracked or extreme chapped lips. 
4. Vaseline Total Moisture: Nothing fancy, not expensive. This is the body lotion I use religiously when I get out of the shower, and it has a nice mild scent which I love.
5. Bag Balm: Once you get over the smell...which can be a bit shocking and medicinal at first you realize what a savior it is in the dry winter months. I use this on my elbows exclusively. Haha, so silly to have a special salve just for one area but they get SO dry!
6. Olay Complete: I have used this for as long as I can remember and my mama uses it too! It is an after shower ritual and it contains SPF 15 so I know it is helping protect my skin from harsh UV rays! Even though it is overcast these days does not mean your skin isn't being sun-damaged.
7. Burt's Bees hand cream: If you can't tell I am a bit obsessed with not having dry hands! But again as a nurse I wash my hands so constantly that it is a big problem for me! I used this before bed on my hands AND my feet.
8.  JR Watkins hand lotion: This sits by my sink to avoid the dreaded dish pan hands! 

So there you have it! Keep moisturized and supple during this dry, windy season! Also feel free to play around with different products, It is better to do what works best for your skin rather than stick to one brand for everything!