Make it a full load!

Run your dishwasher only when it’s full. Don’t pre-rinse dishes – tests show pre-rinsing doesn’t improve dishwasher cleaning, and you’ll save as much as 20 gallons of water per load. When you buy a new dishwasher, look for one that saves water. Water-efficient models use only about only about 4 gallons per wash.

Read more about using water wisely.

Information taken from www.epa.gov.

Teach your child to turn of the water while brushing teeth. Leaving the water running can waste up to 5 gallons of water per person, per day. Even greener – use a jug or cup to catch the cold water as you wait for water to heat. Drink it (we could all drink more water) or use it to water houseplants.

Some detergent manufacturers say that since their detergent dissolves instantly, you can put it either in the dispenser cup or in the tub of an HE machine.

We’ve been experimenting, and our discovery is that things seem to get cleaner if detergent goes in the dispenser cup.

If you’re using an instantly-dissolving powder detergent such as Charlie’s Soap, Rockin’ Green or Country Save, you can add the powder to the dispenser cup. HE machine send water through the dispenser to distribute liquid and powder detergents.

Disclaimer: Every machine is different, so you may not experience our results. Please experiment with your own washing machine and read the manual to determine what will work best for you.

Got static cling? Don’t load up on chemical softeners like fabric softeners, dryer sheets or static sprays.

The easiest way to reduce static electricity in your clothing is to not over-dry your laundry. Try lowering the temperature setting on your dryer a bit, or reducing the amount of time your laundry is in the dryer.

For our family, a good rule of thumb is that when the waistbands of our jeans and pants are still just barely damp, that’s enough time in the dryer. Any more heat or time and we have tons of static.

The people at Milkies Milk-Saver have put together a fantastic flyer on everything you need to know about breastmilk storage. Click the link below to see the PDF.

Breast milk storage 101

Now it’s time for Advanced Wipes 202.  Settle down class, My name is Heather and I’ll be your instructor today.

Sometimes cloth diapering feels this way in the beginning… like we should be taking a series of classes and stuffing our heads with ALL available information.  Luckily for us, there is plenty of time (despite the urgent urgings of third trimester hormones) to learn all that we need to know and more.  If you are still contemplating the overwhelming number and types of diapers, please feel free to skip this blog entry… it’ll still be here later, when you feel you’re ready.

For those of you who are still with me, welcome!   Many people who come into the store have questions about how to do wipes with cloth diapers.  Some are convinced that they are just going to use disposable wipes, and some just want to know WHAT to do to use cloth wipes.  Like diapers, just to go with the option that makes the most sense to you.  It may be different than what I do, and that’s ok!

I was one who started with cloth diapers and disposable wipes.  We tried to keep a plastic grocery bag hanging from the changing table to catch the disposable wipes while our cloth diapers went into the pail.  We often forgot to replace the bag after taking the trash out, so we were left with nothing to do but leave the dirty wipes in a little pile on the changing table.  We would have the very best of intentions to come back and get those dirty wipes, but our baby was amazing, entrancing… spectacular!  We often forgot.  So the little pile would become a big pile until finally someone would take care of it.  I decided to try cloth wipes, but I was determined that it would be just as convenient at the changing table as the disposables had been.  So I bought a stash of wipes and folded them one into the other so that they would pop up out of our wipes warmer.  Then I made a solution out of 2 cups water, 1 Tablespoon Witch Hazel and 1 small drizzle tear free soap.  I poured this solution over my stack of folded wipes in the warmer and used them exactly like I had been using disposables, except for the mountain of dirty wipes trash.  These wipes went directly into the pail and got washed just like everything else!  We were quick converts.

Image credit The Feminist Breeder. Click here to see her step-by-step photo instructions.

There are several ways to use cloth wipes:

1.  Wipes warmer, wipes, solution – you can fold your wipes or you can just stuff them into the warmer and dig one out when you need one… either way is fine and convenient.
2. Dry wipes, wipes solution spray – this is what I do for in the diaper bag, but lots of people just keep the spray at their changing table and use this for all of their diaper changes.  I have found that I need a bit more moisture for poopy diaper changes, so I usually try to start with a wipe wet with water before I change the diaper.
3. Wipes wet with water in a container at the changing table – you don’t have to use a wipes solution at all… many people just use water, and it works just fine for them!  For the diaper bag, you could just keep the dry wipes and wet them in a faucet before changing baby’s diaper.
4. Wipes in a container of some sort (plastic with a lid) wet with wipes solution – this is what we have gone to with our son… he likes to play with electrical plugs, so outlets in his room are strictly baby safe!

Last minute advice:  anything can be used as a wipe.  The ones you buy are going to be the highest quality, longest lasting.  For a great out and about/possibly disposable option, cut up a t-shirt.  You can wash and reuse if you want or if it’s a particularly gross poop diaper, you have the guilt free option of throwing it away.  Whatever method you choose, enjoy your diaper changing time… it’s the perfect bonding moment for parent and child!

Hello, all! Vanessa here with my top 5 favorite products that you can get at the Green Bambino.

1. The Chico Messenger bag! For less than what most people spend on a purse that’s not nearly as functional, this bag fulfills my every need when it comes to carrying all of my junk. Since my only kiddo left in diapers is 2 ½ now and doesn’t requiring changing nearly as often I can stuff a couple diapers, a wet bag, an extra pair of pants (for him..not me..wanted to clarify), all of my junk, sometimes my camera, and two water bottles all in the same bag. And when I have to carry something bigger when we’re out all day if stuffs itself into a nifty little pouch that’s sewn inside of the bag so I can just unfold it for running into the store really quickly. I also love that it’s gender friendly. While my husband probably wouldn’t be likely to carry mine being that it’s purple, I’m considering getting him one in black for his birthday. (If you’re reading this sorry I spoiled your surprise, Honey.) It would be especially handy for him since he’s still a full time student who bikes to class.

2. Earth Mama Angel Baby Mint Herbal Lip Balm. I’m addicted to all things mint or menthol related. Menthol infused tissues? Buy me a box and they’ll be gone in a day’s time. Mint chocolate chip ice cream? It’s a problem. While neither one of these are related to lip balm in any way, I thought it was important for you to know because part of the reason I love this stuff so much is because of the mint in it. It’s also not goopey at all like your run of the mill chap stick or carmex. I’m one of those people that are turned off by odd textures which is why I can’t stomach raw tomatoes. But this stuff i just nice and smooth. It glides on so nicely and I really do think it heals my chapped lips and doesn’t just act as a 10 minute band aid.

3. The Ergo Baby Carrier. I bought my first ergo nearly 7 years ago and it remains one of my favorite products of all time. While I loved my moby wrap and still use my ring sling to carry my giant 2 ½ year old, the ergo is what I use the most often. The support that it gives is unlike any other baby carrier that I’ve tried. And they’re extremely durable. Even with the constant use and abuse my first ergo has seen, it’s still in amazing condition. While some people are scared away by the price, I have never once regretted buying my ergos. I have two of them.. and would have a third in a Petunia Picklebottom print if it didn’t get vetoed on a consistent basis by my money savvy husband. The fact that they last forever, save my back, and have made it possible to chase two children while knowing the third is strapped safely to my back all make them more than well worth the money.

4. Mother-Ease Diapers. All of them. I started my cloth diapering adventure with Mother-Ease fitteds and air flow covers. They still remain some of my favorite diapers many years later. Their Sandy’s Fitteds are some of the softest diapers around, even with all the wear and tear we’ve put them through. And their absorbency was at times the only thing that would give us a full night’s sleep. I think they’re one of the most under rated diapers, just because they don’t have all the fun prints or bells and whistles, but don’t just write them off without trying at least one.

5. Rumparooz Wet Bag. I love this bag! While part of it is vanity’s sake and I have a weakness for robot prints, it’s also because of the way it’s shaped. With it’s round shape, it holds a massive amount of diapers..especially when compared to most other medium sized wet bags. It’s actually big enough that it can hold a full two days worth of diapers for my 2 ½ year old. With the snappable hook loop on the back I can just hang it from a hook in my laundry room and it’s the perfect size for using as a diaper pail, yet it’s small enough to cram into my bag for day trips outside of the house.

Many people think of Green Bambino only when shopping for babies.  Did you know that without a doubt, my favorite product at Green Bambino is for adults?  It’s the Chico Vita Reusable Shopping Bag.  I have many other reusable shopping bags but they didn’t get used because they weren’t very convenient.  I’d get to the store and realize my bags got left at home or they didn’t hold very much so I felt like I had to take 10+ bags to the grocery store.  I originally bought the large Chico Vita Bags to try them out at our local food co-op instead of lugging around a huge plastic Rubbermaid tub.  Well, they worked great for that, but I never imagined they would make everyday life so much easier.  We have two flights of stairs from the garage to our condo’s front door, so lugging in groceries and shopping bags has always been fun (even more so now with a little one), but these bags are lifesavers! They fold down super tiny so I always keep them in my car or purse, and they hold a ton!  One on each shoulder and I can carry everything in one trip while still holding my daughter’s hand.  My only regret is not finding these bags sooner!

My favorite product for babies and kids is Sophie the Giraffe.  Every baby and toddler should have one!  I had not met Sophie until I started working at Green Bambino and in the beginning I honestly didn’t get it – what was so special about this teether?  Many, many customers raved about Sophie and even though my daughter had most of her teeth, I decided to bring her home when she was cutting her molars.  I still can’t explain exactly what it is about Sophie, but she worked wonders for my daughter and I haven’t met a baby or toddler yet that didn’t just love her.  Even long past teething when all the other teething toys have been packed away, Sophie still hangs around and gets played with all the time.

 Many people ask what my favorite diaper is and it’s difficult to pick just one, but the Tots Bots Easy Fit by Bummis is definitely at the very top of my list.

What I like about it:

• Ease of use:  It’s an all-in-one so you don’t have to match up inserts and diapers and it’s as easy to put on as a disposable (great for babysitters and other caregivers).
• Great fit:  One size fits most from 8-35+ pounds. Has never left red marks, and is a pretty trim fit.
• Absorbency:  We’ve never had leaks (Bummis says it absorbs 17.6 oz).  The attached liner gives you the ability to customize the absorbency by folding to create up to 6 layers where your baby needs it most.  We haven’t used this diaper for nighttime, but with the pocket opening  you have the option of adding extra inserts for heavy-wetters or for nighttime.
• Washing/wear:  This diaper washes great, dries super fast, and the laundry tabs & velcro really work.  Our tots bots diapers have been washed as many times (maybe more) than all our other diapers and they still look brand new!
• Other pluses:  Bright, fun colors & prints (as well as white) and a super soft bamboo lining inside.

Cons:

• Because this diaper contains some natural fibers (bamboo) it took at least 8 washes to reach its full absorbency and if you line dry you may want to toss it in the dryer for a few minutes at the end or it will be a bit stiff.