I have a new customer, T, who is due in a few weeks with her sixth baby. I met T at her home months ago when I accompanied my friend Kyla on a diaper consultation. Most of the consults that we go to are to meet with first time moms who are brand new to cloth diapering. T was completely different. She has CD'd for 12 years now and had lots of tips to share. Running a diaper pin across your scalp to lubricate it for a smooth and safe pin job, a wet pail with the leftover lemon pieces from lemonade added in to cut odors and ammonia. She shared her tried and true secrets, we shared the new wonders of pocket diapers, wet bags and wonderful wool (not new, but still cool). It was a great meeting. (All consults are awesome, but it was nice to learn something new myself too!)
I talked to T on Saturday about the wool wraps that she had bought from me. She had read all of the info but still had some questions about airing them out after use and things like that. She also mentioned that since she started using the wetbag that she bought instead of a wetpail, her toddler's diapers stink. Never in 12 years has she had stink. I went through her wash routine and found that she isn't doing a pre-rinse. She has never needed it b/c of the wet pail. I suggested that she try that and if it doesn't work, go back to what she knows does.
Then I got to thinking....maybe I should try the wetpail and see how it works. On Saturday I started a wetpail. I rinsed the dirty diapers with the sprayer into the toilet as usual. Then I used the sprayer to top off the water, making sure that the diapers were covered. I even threw in a couple of lemon wedges for good measure. I usually go for two days between washes and then the pail is full. I managed to have two days without any smell from the diaper pail. Huh, maybe there is something to this.
Today the pail was full, it was time to wash the diapers. Our bathroom and all of our home really is on the main floor. The laundry room is downstairs. I lift the pail, thud! Back it goes to the floor. Holy crap that is heavy! This is a 24L pail. 24L of water weighs about 24kg, which is 52lbs! I managed to struggle the pail down to the laundry room. Thankfully it has a lid. Now comes the lift into the washing machine. I heave the pail up and dump it over the open machine. With a dry pail, the diapers come out nice and slow, one by one, so that I can kind of shake them out and disperse them around the basin evenly. No such luck with the wet pail Woosh they go! All in one big lump on top of the agitator. Blech, now I have to move them by hand into the basin. Once the diapers are in, I notice something yellow. What is that? I don't have any yellow diapers. Ah crap, the lemons! One piece is sitting on the top, easy to retrieve. Of course, the other one is buried under two days of dirty diapers. Oh the joys of digging through soggy dirty diapers looking for a lemon. Finally! Diapers are in, machine is on. I notice that a bit of water dripped on the outside of the bucket, so I grab a rag to wipe it off. I tip the pail to the side to wipe it down and manage to dump the leftover diaper-soak water all over my foot. Awesome.
So, does it work you ask?
Yes. I can smell the difference. It was pouring today and I had to use the dryer. There was no smell, it was wonderful. the wetpail obviously works wonders.....
BUT
T, I need help! I am a wet pail FAILure. I give you so much credit for doing this. I know that you have the same downstairs laundry as me. Maybe I just need to hire your older children to come over and help me out.
For any locals that happen to read this...
If you would like a free in-home diaper consultation, please email Kyla via her website www.TwoPotatoTots.ca
Monday, July 6, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Come enter the fun!
Come on over to dotCA!
I have a Free for Shipping Lottery listed this week for a pair of wool shorties and a HC$ Auction for a pair of bigger kid acrylic shorties.
Not sure what HC$ is? Hyena Cart has chat forums and every time that you post you earn HC$ Wow! Vendors can then offer up items for HC$ if they wish. It's play money and so much fun to be able to buy something without dipping into the bank account.
HC Forums
FFS Lotto
HC$ Auction
I have a Free for Shipping Lottery listed this week for a pair of wool shorties and a HC$ Auction for a pair of bigger kid acrylic shorties.
Not sure what HC$ is? Hyena Cart has chat forums and every time that you post you earn HC$ Wow! Vendors can then offer up items for HC$ if they wish. It's play money and so much fun to be able to buy something without dipping into the bank account.
HC Forums
FFS Lotto
HC$ Auction
July 1st Fun!
We celebrated Canada Day yesterday. James is away with grandma and Derek is away working of course, so it was just Nick and I. On Tuesday I whipped up a pair of board shorts for Nick to wear. He was very proud of his red and white gear and had a great time running around waving his Canada flag!
I'm not very good at this blogging thing.
I am a bad blogger! I'm just not into the habit of doing this yet.
Did you know that NickNaks is on Facebook and Twitter? I know! How cool am I? :)
I am using the FB page to post photos, stocking news, info for lotteries and also discount codes. I'm not a dedicated Tweeter yet and my posts there are a mix of personal and business stuff, but that is my life. Join up and stay up to date.
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/NickNaks/56073922572?ref=ts
Twitter http://twitter.com/selinajean
Did you know that NickNaks is on Facebook and Twitter? I know! How cool am I? :)
I am using the FB page to post photos, stocking news, info for lotteries and also discount codes. I'm not a dedicated Tweeter yet and my posts there are a mix of personal and business stuff, but that is my life. Join up and stay up to date.
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/NickNaks/56073922572?ref=ts
Twitter http://twitter.com/selinajean
Friday, April 3, 2009
Wool FAQ's
How often do I wash my wool covers?
- Provided that they are not soiled with solid matter, wool diaper covers can be washed every 2-4 weeks, depending on the amount of usage. If they start to smell even when dry, it is time to wash them,
Do I lanolize every time that I wash?
- If you use a wool wash that is enriched with lanolin just washing your covers will help to keep the lanolin levels boosted. Some people like to add extra lanolin to every wash but I do not as I find that it makes the covers sticky and they tend to hold dirt easier. I prefer to wash the covers in wool wash and then spray with a lanolin wooly spray on the inside of the cover in the wetzone only.
What is felting?
- Felting refers to the wool fibres being shocked and fusing together. This can occur due to extreme, fast temperature changes such as washing in hot water. It can also be caused by agitation or excessive rubbing. You may find that the crotch of your woolies felt up a bit as your little one sits and plays, causing more wear on this area. Felting is sometimes desired to thicken a cover, shrink it, and make it more leakproof. However most of the time felting is something that is not desired as it leaves you with a too small cover that has little stretch to it.
Do colours bleed?
- Dyed wool can bleed when wet and during washing. Some scented wool washes can make the bleeding worse. If your wool is bleeding, you can set the dye using vinegar and hot water. Place about half a cup of vinegar in a microwave safe dish. Add enough room temperature water to fully cover your wool item. Add your wool and gently squeeze to saturate with the water. Microwave for about 2 minutes, until hot but not quite boiling. Remove the dish and let sit for 2 minutes. Do not stir or agitate! Microwave again as before, let sit again. Repeat again. Then allow to cool fully before removing from the water. Rinse gently and wash as normal.
Can I wash more than one piece of wool at a time?
- Yes. I try to wash like colours together just in case something bleeds and to avoid contrasting colours of wool fluff being stuck on the covers. I find that I can wash about 4 wraps or soakers in our kitchen sink. For longies, I usually only do 2 per sink.
What do I use to wash my wool?
- I prefer a premade wool wash such as Eucalan, Ewe Need It or Blue House Soaps. However, it is possible to make your own using a gentle cleanser like baby shampoo and lanolin such as Lansinoh. I have a post here on how to wash your wool and how to make wool wash.
Is there anything else that I need to care for my woolies?
- I use a sweater shaver to get rid of fuzzies and pills. It keeps the woolies looking new. I bought mine at Zellers for about CDN$10.
- Provided that they are not soiled with solid matter, wool diaper covers can be washed every 2-4 weeks, depending on the amount of usage. If they start to smell even when dry, it is time to wash them,
Do I lanolize every time that I wash?
- If you use a wool wash that is enriched with lanolin just washing your covers will help to keep the lanolin levels boosted. Some people like to add extra lanolin to every wash but I do not as I find that it makes the covers sticky and they tend to hold dirt easier. I prefer to wash the covers in wool wash and then spray with a lanolin wooly spray on the inside of the cover in the wetzone only.
What is felting?
- Felting refers to the wool fibres being shocked and fusing together. This can occur due to extreme, fast temperature changes such as washing in hot water. It can also be caused by agitation or excessive rubbing. You may find that the crotch of your woolies felt up a bit as your little one sits and plays, causing more wear on this area. Felting is sometimes desired to thicken a cover, shrink it, and make it more leakproof. However most of the time felting is something that is not desired as it leaves you with a too small cover that has little stretch to it.
Do colours bleed?
- Dyed wool can bleed when wet and during washing. Some scented wool washes can make the bleeding worse. If your wool is bleeding, you can set the dye using vinegar and hot water. Place about half a cup of vinegar in a microwave safe dish. Add enough room temperature water to fully cover your wool item. Add your wool and gently squeeze to saturate with the water. Microwave for about 2 minutes, until hot but not quite boiling. Remove the dish and let sit for 2 minutes. Do not stir or agitate! Microwave again as before, let sit again. Repeat again. Then allow to cool fully before removing from the water. Rinse gently and wash as normal.
Can I wash more than one piece of wool at a time?
- Yes. I try to wash like colours together just in case something bleeds and to avoid contrasting colours of wool fluff being stuck on the covers. I find that I can wash about 4 wraps or soakers in our kitchen sink. For longies, I usually only do 2 per sink.
What do I use to wash my wool?
- I prefer a premade wool wash such as Eucalan, Ewe Need It or Blue House Soaps. However, it is possible to make your own using a gentle cleanser like baby shampoo and lanolin such as Lansinoh. I have a post here on how to wash your wool and how to make wool wash.
Is there anything else that I need to care for my woolies?
- I use a sweater shaver to get rid of fuzzies and pills. It keeps the woolies looking new. I bought mine at Zellers for about CDN$10.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Recent projects
Just a few more pictures of some recent projects. Enjoy!
L.O.V.E Longies for a Valentine's Day themed stocking on Mom's Boardwalk.
The main part of the pant is made from a 100% wool cable knit sweater. The cuff and applique are 100% wool as well in a purplish-red.
This newborn wrap was for a free lottery that I offered in January. It is mostly decorative, with ribbons as the closures instead of aplix. Perfect for Valentine photos.
Another newborn wrap with aplix closures. I love the colours on this one. It just feels like spring!
I am teaching myself how to crochet. I still haven't figured out how to read a crochet pattern with all of the abbreviations and secret codes! I made these longies for Nick, just figuring it out as I went. They are cute but I definitely need some more practice. Maybe some day I will be able to add crocheting to my list of skills.
L.O.V.E Longies for a Valentine's Day themed stocking on Mom's Boardwalk.
The main part of the pant is made from a 100% wool cable knit sweater. The cuff and applique are 100% wool as well in a purplish-red.
This newborn wrap was for a free lottery that I offered in January. It is mostly decorative, with ribbons as the closures instead of aplix. Perfect for Valentine photos.
Another newborn wrap with aplix closures. I love the colours on this one. It just feels like spring!
I am teaching myself how to crochet. I still haven't figured out how to read a crochet pattern with all of the abbreviations and secret codes! I made these longies for Nick, just figuring it out as I went. They are cute but I definitely need some more practice. Maybe some day I will be able to add crocheting to my list of skills.
dotCA All Canadian Congo on Hyena Cart!
I am very excited to be part of dotCA, the new congo on Hyena Cart which features all Canadian vendors!
dotCA will launch with its grand opening stocking on March 1st, 2009. I am working on some soakers and wraps for the grand opening, and if I manage to drink enough coffee before the end of the month I may have a skirty or two available too!
Other vendors on the congo will include Tree Hugger, Thornbush Pens, Baby Go, Seun Designs, Smartypants Knits, BB Butts Diapers, Bijou Baby Gear, Paty's Loveys, EweWearEms and Real Paper.
The congo is being built as we speak. Make sure to check in for our grand opening on March 1st! http://hyenacart.com/dotCA/
dotCA will launch with its grand opening stocking on March 1st, 2009. I am working on some soakers and wraps for the grand opening, and if I manage to drink enough coffee before the end of the month I may have a skirty or two available too!
Other vendors on the congo will include Tree Hugger, Thornbush Pens, Baby Go, Seun Designs, Smartypants Knits, BB Butts Diapers, Bijou Baby Gear, Paty's Loveys, EweWearEms and Real Paper.
The congo is being built as we speak. Make sure to check in for our grand opening on March 1st! http://hyenacart.com/dotCA/
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