Cloth Diaper Care Part 2: Detergent

This is our second instalment on cloth diaper care. One of the hottest topics regarding cloth diapers is what detergent to use when washing them. There are a number of options available from mainstream detergents to ones specifically geared to use on cloth diapers. Our clients always want to know "What detergent should I use on my diapers?" Read on to find out the answers!

We did a great deal of research on this topic and want to acknowledge a wonderful resource in Shirley Murdock at Bummis. She has a background in chemistry so any questions we have on detergents, their ingredients and suitability for use on cloth diapers can be successfully answered.

Some of the science behind detergent, key ingredients to look for, recommended varieties for use on cloth diapers and local sources of recommended brands will be shared.

As we noted in our first instalment on cloth diaper care, location and water hardness will be a factor in how well detergents will work. What works for some may not work for others but this is intended to be a guide that will give you a great place to start on developing a successful care routine.

Water hardness will be a very large factor in doing any type of laundry including diaper laundry. Variations in pH will be evident from province to province, city to city and even from household to household. There may be a detergent that works well for your neighbour but not at all for you simply because they may have a slightly different routine or some other factors that contribute to laundry success. If they have a water softener and your house does not, that will impact on how detergent performs.

The Science Behind Detergent

Let's start with some of the science behind detergent and highlight some key ingredients that can be very good and in turn, very bad.

Ingredients in detergents may include the following:

Sodium Carbonate– is known as a builder and is an ingredient that you will want to have in your detergent. Sodium Carbonate is a surfactant as these help to dislodge dirt from fabric and hold it in suspension so that it is not redeposited on the fabric during washing. Builders are water softeners. These chemical compounds are agents that remove calcium ions by complexation or precipitation. Typical builders are sodium carbonate, complexation agents, soap, and zeolites. They function by sequestering or precipitating the problematic ions.

Sodium Bicarbonate – is problematic if detergents use too much and it can be harsh on finer fabrics like bamboo. Tots Bots does not recommend detergents that contain Sodium Bicarbonate for use on their products. If it is not completely washed and rinsed from the fabric, residual sodium bicarbonate will attack fabric in the dryer.

Sodium Percarbonate – is an acceptable oxygenated bleach component as long as it does not have any other components combined with it for that purpose. If used sparingly or in moderation it will work well for most fabrics. You will want to ensure it is completely rinsed from fabrics. It may be safe to use but if not completely washed out of fabric before drying, it will break down all fabrics, not just those that are sensitive or delicate.

Enzymes - The enzymes used in laundry detergents act on materials that make up a variety of stains and soils so that these materials can be washed away more easily. These enzymes are named after the materials they can act upon, for example, proteases break down protein based stains, lipolases break down lipid (fat) based stains and amylases break down starches and other carbohydrate based stains (amyl is Greek for starch). Since one enzyme molecule can act on many substrate (i.e., soil) molecules, a small amount of enzyme added to a laundry detergent can provide a big cleaning impact according to manufacturers. However, enzymes can cause rashes, blisters and sores for some babies if they have sensitive skin or if it is not completely washed out of the fabric and becomes reactivated by urine or bowel movements causing a skin reaction.

Fragrance – either natural or synthetic, these additions to detergent are not essential cleaning ingredients and for those with allergies or sensitive skin, they can cause reactions in some.

Optical Brighteners – these chemicals are added to some detergents to help bend or refract the light to make clothing appear cleaner or whiter. They can be problematic in that they will cause build up over time in the fabric and lead to leaking or wicking problems with diapers and insert material.

Fabric Softeners– either built into detergent, added as a liquid or used in the dryer in the form of dryer sheets are not recommended as they will cause build up and leave a residue which will cause leaking. Items like dryer balls will help reduce static in the dryer if you wish to dry your diapers in that way. Even if you use fabric softener on other laundry and not in the loads of cloth diaper laundry, it can still leave a residue in your machine and dryer which can be transferred onto your cloth diaper laundry when it is being washed and/or dried.

Pure Soap– despite being a more natural cleaning component, pure soaps will leave a scum or residue on fabric and it will build up over time leading to leaking and repelling issues. Detergent which states it contains soap will not be the best choice for cloth diapers.

If you have a solid wash routine and a good detergent choice, then laundering cloth diapers can be successful for everyone.

Detergent Information Listing
For a detailed listing of recommended cloth diaper detergents please check out Bummis detergent information here.

Local Sources of Recommended Detergents

Here are the locations in Humboldt, Saskatoon and area that carry the following brands recommended for use on cloth diapers:

Humboldt:
Nature Clean and some varieties of Seventh Generation - Causeway Natural Health

St. Brieux:
Nature Clean - Lifewise Body Systems

Saskatoon:
Nature Clean - Dad's Nutrition, Nutters on Primrose Drive, Sangster's, Superstore
Country Save - London Drugs
Nellie's Laundry Soda - London Drugs
Seventh Generation - Delicate Care variety only is recommended for use on cloth diapers - Dad's Nutrition has some varieties of Seventh Generation

For Watkin's Laundry Powder contact your local Watkin's area representative.

As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us. We love to hear from you. If you need troubleshooting tips or laundry fixes, we can help!

Now that summer's here you can also hang those luvly cloth diapers on the line to dry. They'll smell so fresh and clean and the sun will naturally bleach out any stains.

That wraps up our second instalment on cloth diaper care. Our next topic in this area will address how to keep your diaper pail smelling fresh - even in summer. Now that's going to be sweet!

Baby Luv Boutique
http://www.babyluvboutique.com
(306) 682-5746
1-866-231-5135

A Day to Honour Dad

Today is Father's Day and I'd like to extend my very best wishes to all of the special Dad's in our lives to have a wonderful day with your family.

This year Father's Day is a bittersweet one for me. I and my children can celebrate the day with my husband, their Dad, but it will be the first Father's Day where I won't be able to see or talk to my own Dad or have my children pass on good wishes to their Grandfather since he passed away earlier this year. I can fondly look back with a smile at the times spent with my Father and remember the man he was and all that he did for us growing up. Those are the things that will keep him alive in our hearts every day.

I can also marvel at the man who is the father of my children and celebrate all of the great things he does in our family every day. I admire him for the many wonderful qualities he possesses and I feel blessed to have him as my husband and partner in raising our children.

Strength and patience are qualities that leap out at me when I think about what kind of a Father my husband is. He's a teacher and a leader and has this amazing quality that just draws children to him - I think that's why he's such an awesome hockey coach as well. He's fun to be around but strong when he needs to be and those are just some of the things I love about him.

So how will you be spending your day with Dad? Breakfast in bed? Homemade gifts? A fishing trip for the day? Whatever it is you know Dad will love it, that's just the way Dads are.

Happy Father's Day!

Baby Luv Boutique's Swing Into Summer Contest

Summer is on the way (we hope) and we thought it would be great to have a contest with some awesome prizes that will get you and your little one all decked out for the season!

The contest terms and conditions are as follows:

If you don't already, "Like" Baby Luv Boutique on Facebook and post your comments on how you and your family do your part to help the environment. It's World Environment Day on June 5th so please post your comments from now to the end of our contest date: June 24th. Every small act adds up to make a huge difference at the end of the day. Every year we feel it's important to recognize the contributions we can all make to help the Earth and our environment. A little greener today means a little greener tomorrow for those who come after us.

All qualifying orders placed from June 1st to June 24th will receive double the entries so when you purchase products from us you will get at least two entries into the contest.

Refer your friends to sign up for our monthly newsletter. If your friends sign up, make sure they tell us you sent them and you will both be entered into the contest.

What can you win? Our Swing Into Summer Contest winner will receive a prize package valued over $100! It will include products that you can use all summer long from Buzz Away, cer'8, Bummis, Matter Company, Banz & thinksport.

We will award 1 - 60ml Buzz Away, 1 box of 24 Mosquito Patches by cer'8, 1 Swimmi from Bummis, 1 tube of Baby Sun Care Creme from Matter Company, 1 pair of Kidz Banz and 1 - 750 ml thinksport Sport Bottle.

Baby Luv Boutique will verify all entries prior to awarding the prize package. This contest is open to Canadian residents only.

We're looking forward to a great summer contest so if you have questions please be sure to contact us: inquire@babyluvboutique.com

Client Loyalty: Baby Luv Bounty

Baby Luv Boutique has always had a Client Rewards Program right from the time we started our business. We are honoured that our clients refer their friends and family to shop with us and experience our commitment to superior client service.

What better way to say "Thank you" than to offer a Client Loyalty program as well to honour those who support us each step of the way.

We have developed a fun way to reward our clients for shopping with us. For every $1 spent at Baby Luv Boutique before shipping and taxes, you will earn one unit of Baby Luv Bounty.

Units of Baby Luv Bounty can be redeemed for gift certificates as follows:

225 units = $10 gift certificate
500 units = $25 gift certificate
750 units = $50 gift certificate
1000 units = $75 gift certificate

Some conditions do apply to the Bounty redemption:

Final Sale or Clearance items are NOT eligible.

Gift Certificate purchases are NOT eligible.

Bounty is awarded to the original client purchaser and is not transferable or able to be sold. If this takes place, any associated order will be cancelled and the Bounty units will be disqualified.

Bounty units redeemed for gift certificates will be awarded 30 days after original purchase(s). Cancelled or returned orders will not be eligible for Baby Luv Bounty.

This loyalty program is subject to change without notice.

For more details or to begin earning Baby Luv Bounty, visit us at:

Baby Luv Boutique or email us: inquire@babyluvboutique.com

Thank you to all of our wonderful clients and we hope you continue to share the luv and in return we'll show you some luv with Baby Luv Boutique Bounty!

To All Moms: Celebrate Your Special Day...

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and it's one of my favorite days of the year. It's the day when I get extra hugs and kisses from my three children and receive a host of handmade gifts crafted with love. My own Mother passed away a few years ago and although she will always hold a special place in my heart, my Mother's Day now focuses on my own children and the time we spend together.

I can't wait until tomorrow morning to see what those young minds and hands have created. It seems like only yesterday when each one was born and spent most of the day sleeping, nursing and needing diapers changed. Now they are all in school, playing sports and growing up way too fast it seems.

For all the advice and anecdotes we hear when we prepare and become parents, none have rang more true than the following phrases: "Time goes by a lot faster once you have kids." Then it's: "Wait until baby number two arrives - it's goes even faster," and my current mantra: "If you thought time flew by before, just wait til they're in school."

Life is always busy it seems and no one is busier than you are as a Mom. We have numerous roles to fill each and every day from spouse to career woman to sister, daughter and Mom, but on this day take the time to cherish those fleeting moments, enjoy those handmade presents and celebrate all that you do.

No matter if you have yet to begin your journey into Motherhood or if you are well on your way, our experiences bond us on this day. Only a Mother and parent can know unconditional love and each of us will have the footprints of our children forever in our hearts and minds.

To all the wonderful Moms out there - Happy Mother's Day!

When Life Happens...

For some time now I have felt the need to post an entry on our blog explaining the absence of consistent communication, for lack of a better phrase. In early March my father passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. I wanted to take an opportunity to write a blog post that wasn't about a company event or new product or even cloth diaper care instructions.

Life happened over the past few months and I wanted to share a bit of the personal experience I and Baby Luv Boutique have been through recently.

As a business owner your time is divided between family, business, and self with all three vying for top spot at times. Dealing with the terminal illness of a parent is a consuming, overwhelming time and even though my family has been through this before, it certainly does not get any easier. One distinct difference this time is that my children were all a bit older and definitely experienced the illness and passing of their grandfather with varying levels of understanding and acceptance.

When you are trying to deal with your own grief and all that goes with the impending loss of a parent, so too are the little people in your life. When the hour is the darkest the wonderful innocence of a child can shed some much needed light on your own perspective.

We tried to prepare our children as their grandfather's health deteriorated as much as we could but when he passed away, the reactions were as unique as each child. My youngest was the closest to my father and I expected a huge display of sadness from her. Despite her grief, she was able to confidently say that we didn't have to worry about Grandpa anymore since he was in heaven with Grandma now and his cancer was gone. Our own words echoed back to us with a calmness and confidence that can only make you wonder in awe at how mature a young child under the age of 6 could be. Whenever I was emotional throughout his illness and had had a tough day, my youngest would bring me a tissue and say "It's OK Mom." Wait a minute, isn't that supposed to be me doing that?

Our children deserve much more credit than we give them at times; their understanding can be much deeper than we know. I feel blessed that all of my children got to meet and spend some time with their grandparents, albeit some amounts far too short for some, but still opportunities to create memories.

I just wanted to shed some light on the quiet times with our business the past few months. Life happened to us and we needed to spend some time with family that would not be possible going forward. We are fortunate to have wonderful clients and we are looking forward to the change in season and all the hope and promise spring can bring.

We just wanted to share a bit of the good and bad we've been through these past few months. The overall result is good as I'm reflective and awestruck as always by the love in a child's heart. Even when their own heart may be heavy, they can always see the true good in everything. I'm grateful for the time with my father and I'm even more grateful for the time I spend each day with my children. As parents we often see ourselves as the teacher, but every now and then we can learn from our children as well.

The Great Cloth Diaper Change Around the World

Baby Luv Boutique is the official Saskatoon host for The Great Cloth Diaper Change taking place on Saturday, April 23rd, 2011 at 10am CST. We are one of over 400 locations around the world taking part in this event.

What's all the fuss about? In celebration of Earth Day, cloth diaper retailers and cloth diaper advocates alike are hosting locations around the globe where families will simultaneously change their baby into a reusable cloth diaper. All those taking part hope to set a Guiness World Record for the most cloth diapers changed simultaneously around the world. If all locations have the minimum number of baby/parent pairs taking part, that could be over 10,000 babies being changed into a cloth diaper at the same time.

Not only does it represent setting a World Record, but it represents a much larger goal. For that moment around the world, all those families will make a statement and place their child in a reusable cloth diaper product eliminating a disposable diaper from entering the landfill. It's a very fitting event to help celebrate Earth Day.

This event is not just for cloth diapering families. For those families who currently do not use cloth diapers but are interested in taking part, you can! Happy Nappy Cloth Diaper Service has graciously offered to provide cloth diapers for families to use for the change event. If you are a cloth diapering family, you must use a commercially manufactured cloth diaper sold in an online boutique like Baby Luv Boutique or some other retail outlet. Homemade cloth diaper products cannot be used during this event based on the Guiness guidelines.

There are a number of rules and requirements surrounding the event that Guiness has provided so Baby Luv Boutique is taking a smaller scale approach to the event. We have space for 35 registered babies/toddlers to attend with a parent. Children must measure 39" or less in order to qualify to take part.

To take part you must pre-register and we ask that attendees arrive on time if not a bit early in order for your registration to be processed. Baby Luv Boutique wants this to be a fun filled event so we are working with a number of suppliers and local businesses who are providing door prize items. Registered participants will be eligible for the door prize draws so to take part, be sure to register early. There will also be a FREE Cloth Diaper Workshop taking place that afternoon as well. We know it's Easter weekend but what a great way to start the holiday celebrations - set a World Record and celebrate the renewed hope that spring brings to us all!

Witness volunteers are needed to help with this event. If you are interested in taking part, please contact us by phone or via email. Phone: (306) 682-5746 Email: inquire@babyluvboutique.com.

To get more information and to register visit our website here.

Happy Easter and Happy Spring! Let`s make some history and set a World Record right here in Saskatoon!