The sprayer was a great tool; I just needed to learn how to use it well. My first rinsing attempt lead to a bath, for myself and for the bathroom. As I navigated the gentle tweaking of the valve to get just the right amount of water pressure, the water and organic matter went flying. I tried again, hoping it would get much better. While my next several attempts got much easier, it was still messy.

I decided to bring the dry pail into the bathroom and pull it close to the toilet. This helps prevent dripping (huge move). I also used to lift the toilet seat before spraying. I did not want to get it dirty. However, the lid, actually, helps keep the splatter to a minimum. If you put the diaper sprayer below the level of the toilet seat, it works.

In the end, I learned a few things. Bring the pail to where your sprayer is located. Open the pail ahead of time. Pull out the liner, if it is a pocket, before rinsing off the bulk of the poop. Put the insert in the pail. Then, fold the diaper in half (opening side down) with the inside out. Rinse in a downward motion. Put the sprayer close to the fabric on a lower setting to prevent tones of splatter. It may take a little longer to rinse, but it will prevent bathroom clean up.

If you are using an all-in-one, you will most likely need to wring the diaper. I have heard that you can use tools (aka. tongs) to hold the diaper and press it against the side of the toilet bowl to remove the access water. I, admittedly, have never tried this myself.

My conclusion is that sprayers are great. They take some getting used to, I still am; however, it helps keep the diapers from staining as horribly. Cloth diapering can sometimes be a labor of love, but overall the sprayer makes it a little bit easier.

Ashley Williams is a 24 year old first-time mom to an amazing little boy and wife to a great husband. She is taking a year off school to be a stay at home mom. Before going back to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Ashley considers herself a “cloth diapering, baby food making, sling carrying, warrior momma” and loving every minute.

In her free time Ashley cooks, scrapbooks, goes to a mother’s bible study, watches TV, and sleeps (if she’s lucky).

I’m always looking for ways to continue that love outside of the nursery, to make every day an earth day, and I believe you all are doing the same. I’ll be posting green tips as I find them, but I’d love to hear from you all as well. I’ll group them together and turn them into a one-click online resource for parents who are just getting started on their eco-conscious journey.

Today’s Green Tip: Green Cleaning
When I was growing up, my parents made decisions that were about being less eco-conscious, more about being cash poor. Whatever their motivations, the end result was that we used what we had versus buying expensive disposables. In our house, there were seven kids and only one income. For us, baking soda was akin to a miracle.

• Round one: baking soda plus toothbrush. For the first 30 days or so, it was the combination we used it in our mouths to clean our teeth. Not so tasty but it did the job.
• Round two: scrub around the sink fixtures. A little bit of baking soda and water kept those faucets sparkling clean.
• Round three: Baking soda plus vinegar or lemon juice. Who needs expensive cleansers when you can combine two natural ingredients that do a foamy, fizzy, delightfully clean dance over soap scum and bathtub rings?

We also used baking soda to clean countertops, baking soda to freshen diaper pails and baking soda in our carpet to absorb any smells. With all the chemical options on the shelves, isn’t it nice to know that one of the best and most versatile cleansers is eco-friendly, inexpensive and non-toxic?

Do you use baking soda? Let us know how it worked (or didn’t work) for you!

A wonderfully brilliant friend of mine recently welcomed his very first child into the world – a gorgeous little boy who came out of the womb smiling and seems to be embracing the world with the same gusto as his dad. At a dinner recently, I found myself marveling at their environmentally friendly commitment as we feasted on vegetables from their own garden and washed it down with a delightful home brewed beer. Young Phillip was asleep on a quilt made from his grandfather’s old work shirts surrounded by delightful garage sale finds that had been lovingly restored. Even PJ’s cloth diapers were ” certified pre-owned cloth diapers.”

“You guys sure are green.” I confided to the host. “I’m impressed.” He tossed me that characteristic smirk, held his hand up rubbed his thumb across four fingers and said, “oh,yeah. We’re green alright.”

He’s absolutely right. The average parent using disposable diapers will rack up a bill of approximately $2500 buying and tossing disposable diapers from birth to toilet training. Even if you clip coupons and buy generic you’re still forced to keep replenishing your supply whether your budget can handle it or not. In contrast, a cloth diaper supply can be had for as little as $100, although the average parent spends approximately $3-400. With one size diapers and diaper covers that grow as your baby does, your savings are even greater.

Seems my friend is motivated by a different kind of green; the kind of green that’s going to give his little boy a better life in more ways than one. Every week my friend calculates his savings and stashes that money in PJ’s saving account. The only footprint my friend is worried about is the one his boy will make on a college campus and the green he’s most motivated by is the one in his wallet. Brilliant.

We’d love to hear from you about your diaper savings – ways you’ve saved, how you’re stretching your family dollars. Whether you’re just starting out or just washing your last diaper…are you still all in?

Knowing there is a demand for classes on all the different types of cloth diapers available, and how to use them, BabyKicks is proud to announce they are hosting their first ever LIVE ONLINE CLOTH DIAPERING WORKSHIP WEBINAR on how to use cloth diapers.

Finding a time that can suit everyone’s unique schedule is too difficult, so the BabyKicks cloth diaper workshop is going to be hosted online and live – anyone wanting to learn about cloth diapering, and have questions answered, can do it without leaving the comfort of their own home! It is FREE to watch – all you have to do is sign on to your computer!

Spread the word and help BabyKicks get an opportunity to educate more parents about cloth diapering and its many benefits. BabyKicks recognizes that “the world of cloth diapers can be overwhelming for anyone considering cloth for the first time. And, even after starting to use cloth diapers it seems like more and more options are out there.” They built their CLOTH DIAPERING WORKSHOP WEBINAR to familiarize parents and caregivers with all the different options and routines available.

DETAILS…DETAILS

Date: Wednesday July 21, 2010
Time: 2:00 pm (EST)
Place: Your home computer, laptop, ipod, or anywhere with web access
Website: BabyKicks Ustream Channel (www.ustream.tv/channel/babykicks)
RSVP: BabyKicks Facebook page – Leave a comment on their wall letting them know you will be attending the class ~or~ Send an email to gina (at) babykicks (dot) com.

Questions and Answers

During the class anyone can ask questions through a chat box and the host will answer them right away. It is just like any other chat, but it will be in the same room with live video streaming. Everyone will be able to see and hear the host, but not each other. To watch the webinar, simply follow the website link provided above or go to http://www.ustream.tv and key in “BabyKicks” in the search box in the top right hand corner. This will take you to the BabyKicks broadcasting channel.

ANYONE can watch, but if you would like to comment or ask questions, you must create an account (it is quick, painless, and FREE) and then you will be able to chat with the host and other users. The class will start promptly at 2:00 PM (EST) and will also be recorded and posted for everyone who is unable to join in at the scheduled time.

BabyKicks would like to make the Cloth Diaper Webinar a recurring event, perhaps even monthly, but in order to do so, they need participants to get on board to make it happen! So please join them and invite everyone you know that might be interested in using, or learning more about, cloth diapers!

Like I mentioned yesterday, the world wide web has busted wide open with cloth diapering information – whether you are looking to buy cloth diapers or simply want to learn about them, Google is your oyster!

Once parents have decided they do want to use cloth diapers they have several more decisions to make – first, “What kind of cloth diapers do I want to buy?”, and then, “How many cloth diapers do I need?” Over at Diaper Junction we have comprised an archive of Cloth Diapering How To’s to assist parents when navigating this information for the first time. We present you with how to how to choose cloth diapers for your baby or toddler and how many diapers are needed to cloth diaper your baby full-time.

The Cloth Diaper Report

There are several mommas out there sharing their own experience and information about cloth diapering in their own blogs and today I want to point you to The Cloth Diaper Report. This momma started a blogging series on How to Build a CD Stash, this past Tuesday she began with Week 1: How To Build a CD Stash where she answers the question, “How did you decide on what styles and brands of diapers to purchase?”.

Other Helpful Cloth Diaper Articles

• Cloth Diapering Definitions and Terms for Cloth Diapers and Cloth Diaper Accessories
• How Many Diapers Should I Buy to Cloth Diaper My Baby?
• How Do I Find the Right Size Cloth Diaper for My Baby?

Next Tuesday, The Cloth Diaper Report will blog about “How many cloth diapers are in an ideal stash per child? What is your reality?”. Check out Emi’s cloth diaper reviews or visit our online cloth diaper store and scroll to the bottom of any cloth diaper or cloth diapering product we sell to read personal customer reviews.

How many cloth diapers your baby needs is directly related to the type of cloth diapering system you choose, the age of your baby, and how often you want to wash.

We recommend washing every 2-3 days.

Why?

A diaper that sits is a diaper that stinks. It will be to your advantage, and your diapers’ durability and longevity, to stock up enough cloth diapers to wash every 2-3 days.

We recommend the higher quantity indicated for babies 0-9 months and the lower quantity for babies 9 months and up.

• Cotton Prefold Diapers
  • Quantity per size: 24-36
  • Diaper Covers per size: 4-6
• Fitted Diapers
  • Quantity per size: 18-24
  • Diaper Covers per size: 4-6
• One Size Diapers – We recommend more one size diapers. Since they last from birth to potty training, they will get more use. A bigger supply will reduce wear and tear.
  • Quantity per size: 30
  • Diaper Covers per size: 4-6
• Pocket Diapers – Basically just a diaper cover, pocket diapers require an absorbent prefold or insert stuffed inside. You will need to purchase an equal number of cotton prefold prefolds or diaper inserts to stuff the pocket diapers.
  • Quantity per size: 12-18
  • Diaper Covers per size: N/A (when stuffed, pocket diapers are a diaper and cover in one)
• All In One Diapers
  • Quantity per size: 18-24
  • Diaper Covers per size: N/A
• Contour Diapers
  • Quantity per size: 24-30
  • Diaper Covers per size: N/A

It is a simple equation to figure how many cloth diapers you will need. Are you ready for it? Take the number of diaper changes you will make per day and multiply that number with the number of days you would like to go without doing diaper laundry.

The more cloth diapers you have, the less often you have to wash – and we all know mommas have enough to do as it is, right?

Come to Diaper Junction‘s GRAND RE-OPENING and take advantage of our FREE SHIPPING on orders of $75.00 or more!

Many parents who have already cloth diapered their children for the past several years are already familiar with Diaper Junction, an online cloth diaper store that has helped families make GREENER choices for babies & toddlers for over 5 years now!

At Diaper Junction you will find quilted and absorbent, Diaper Service Quality, 100% Cotton Diaper Rite™ Prefolds. These prefolds are custom-made in Pakistan using “Indian” cotton and cut shorter than standard prefolds to fit perfectly inside most cloth diaper wraps! That’s right! You can cut the bulk of your cloth diapers considerably with Diaper Rite™ Prefolds!

Of course all the other recognized brands you’ve come to love are available at Diaper Junction; we carry Fuzzi Bunz, bumGenius!, Bummis, Kissaluvs, Thirsties, and Rumparooz to name a few.

Earth-friendly, quality cloth diapers, diaper covers, and cloth diapering accessories are the foundation of our store, but there is so much more…like cloth diaper pails and wet bags and cloth diaper washing supplies available for purchase in our store.

At every turn we make choices; some choices are truly inconsequential, but other choices, like whether or not to buy cloth diapers and diaper covers for our babies and toddlers, have long-term effects.

Choose wisely…let us help!