Soap Nuts

Okay, so I promised a post about laundry detergent. Because I have decided to use cloth diapers - which I am addicted to by the way, I spend every evening online researching diapers and diaper accessories - I have begun researching how to care for them. There is so much information out there and everyone has their own way of doing things, so we just have to try it and see what works for us. What is really important however, is that you use detergent without "stuff" which will remain in the diaper and cause them to repel or could irritate baby's sensitive skin and of course use no softener. "Stuff" includes perfumes, enzymes, bleach, among other things.

more info: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentbasics.htm

great comparison of detergents: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoices.htm#pocket%20diapers

what does all this mean? I don't really know yet...I am still doing the research. My issue currently is that I am doing most of the internet research in english, which recommends US products, which is unhelpful to me. So, I am beginning to research in german and trying to find equivalent products. The nice thing is that there are wonderful physical stores (versus only internet products) close to where we live where I can buy eco-friendly (and therefore hopefully diaper friendly) products.

In an effort to keep my washer (and now dryer...a different post) free of detergent residue I have started washing our laundry with eco-friendly detergent. The first thing I tried was "soap nuts." Soap Nuts are actually berries from a tree in India which have soap-like qualities. They are very sticky and in combination with water become soap-like. They are obviously all natural and you need no additional softener. I put about 8 nuts in a cotton sack and put tea tree oil on the sack to add a nice scent. Then, I just pitch the sack into the washer and that's it! I really like the soap nuts so far for most things. They don't seem to be 100% effective on dirty jeans - although this could probably be fixed with some stain spotting or other tweaking to my regimen. I bought other liquid eco-detergent to wash dirty jeans and harder to clean things. The soap nuts have worked great on everything else though!

Here is an informative website from Australia about soap nuts: http://www.soapinanutshell.com.au/

Once you start reading about all the chemicals which can get stuck in your clothing and you wear against your skin everyday, other alternatives start looking very inviting. If you use, or decide to use eco-friendly detergent in the future, I would be very interested in knowing what it is and how you like it!

I'm becoming pretty crunchy, huh? I love it! :)

29w 2d picture

Toys Containing Banned Plastics Still on Market

Today there was an article in the Wall Street Journal about plastic toys that contain chemicals called pthalates. They have been found to be harmful to children, and are being banned in the U.S. as of February 2009. If you are planning to buy for babies (including ours!) PLEASE take this into account during the next few months. Retailers are marking down prices on these toys, making them even more tempting to buy. THEY ARE NOT SAFE.

Articles like this strengthen my desire to raise a plastic free baby as much as possible. Being green is a one day at a time pursuit. I am far from perfect, and I choose one project at a time. My current project is laundry detergent...that is a different post, I promise.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122472242723860917.html

If you are looking for safe toys for babies and children, look for wooden, natural fabric, and metal toys - i.e. sans plastics.

I'm sure you can find local stores that sell good quality toys as well... even large retailers carry them!

Glucose Test

Today I had my glucose test. At the beginning of my pregnancy, I was a little nervous that I'd have gestational diabetes, based on my family history and the PCOS (and it's connection to insulin). However, I passed! I was pretty confident that I would since I've felt fine, but it was nice to have the confirmation.

I know you are all mad at me because I'm slow uploading pictures - I'm working on it, I promise.