Going paperless in the Kitchen

I recently started feeling like I really wanted to reduce the amount of money we spend on disposable items, that with a little bit of extra work could be replaced by cloth.  It wasn't until I started doing a little research on it, that I was convinced to really give it a try....read on about "un-paper towels"...and see the end of the article for a one week special offer!

Why Un Paper Towel?

     

Everyone is always encouraging us to "Go Green" it's good for the environment right?  More importantly, it is good for yourself and your family.  Chemicals are everywhere.  The more we can do to reduce our chemical contact, the better it is for our health.  Paper towels typically contain chlorine (Sodium hypochlorite) this is used to bleach them and give them that nice white look.  Unfortunately this bleaching causes the formation of dioxin, an extremely toxic and persistent chemical known to cause cancer and disrupt the endocrine system.  If we can do this one thing and eliminate paper towels from our kitchen we will reduce our contact with this dangerous chemical.  

Using organic material in the place of paper products will reduce the chemicals we come in contact with as well.  Buying organic also sends producers a message that will help reduce chemical use in agriculture.

Here are some ideas for safe household cleaners to go with your un paper towels *

Single-ingredient, common household materials such as baking soda, vinegar, or plant-based soaps and detergents can often do the job on surfaces. Soap and water has been shown to keep surfaces as free of bacteria as antibacterial soaps do. If your carpet needs professional cleaning, enlist a carpet service that uses less-toxic cleaners that are low in VOCs and irritants.

• Baking soda works well to clean sinks, tubs and toilets, and it freshens drains as well.
• Vegetable oil with a little lemon juice works wonders on wood furniture.
• Simmer a mixture of cloves and cinnamon or use vinegar and water as a safe and environmentally friendly air freshener. Consider how you can eliminate odor problems rather than just covering them up.
• Use vinegar and water in a pump spray bottle for cleaning mirrors and shining chrome. Vinegar or soap and water with drying rags or a squeegee also work well for cleaning windows.
• Use reusable unbleached cotton towels, rags, and non-scratch scrubbing sponges for all-purpose cleaning instead of bleached disposable paper products.
• Use dishwasher detergents that are free of chlorine bleach and lowest in phosphates.
• Use bathroom cleaners that are free of aerosol propellants and antibacterial agents.
• For greasy or grimy messes cut up old T shirts for rags that can be discarded after use

As a bonus the average size family can save $100.00 a year by using recyclable washable un paper towels.  

*some cleaning suggestions from reduce.org

Click on either picture to see the organic hemp/cotton unpaper towels in my shop.  For my blog readers only use coupon code UNPAPER for a 20% on a set of unpaper towels  ONE WEEK ONLY! Offer ends June 16, 2012!

Fabric Matters...

    Happy New Year to you and yours.  I hope this year will be blessed one for all.  In an effort to re-evaluate why I prefer organic, natural and sustainable materials, I am going to take a few days to post about the fabric choices we use for cloth diapers, wipes, and our clothes in general.  I think it is important to understand the why behind our choices, and be able to evaluate which areas it is worth spending the extra money for organic, and where it is not that important.
    Lil Stuff was founded on the desire to create cloth diapering accessories that are not only pretty to look at and use, but are made with high quality elements that are safe and as natural as possible.  Several of the fabrics and yarns are also made from things that are sustainable and eco-friendly like hemp, bamboo and wool. 

Baby wipes or washcloths made from super absorbent Hemp/Cotton Fleece

      Today I want to talk about HEMP because it is what I use most in my products that touch the skin.   One of the most valuable parts of the hemp plant is the fiber, commonly referred to as "bast,” meaning that it grows as a stalk from the ground. Other fibers such as sisal, manila hemp and jute are mistakenly referred to as, hemp, yet only Cannabis sativa is considered "true hemp." The growing of hemp does not require the use of pesticides, therefore it may or may not contain the organic lable. Among the characteristics of hemp fiber are its superior strength and durability, and its stunning resistance to rot. Hemp fiber contains a low amount of lignin, the organic glue that binds plant cells, which allows for environmentally friendly bleaching without the use of chlorine. In composite form, hemp is twice as strong as wood. All products made with hemp fiber are biodegradable. 

Waterproof Nursing Pads with Organic Hemp/Cotton

   I use a hemp fleece that is blended with conventional cotton- it is a 55% hemp and 45% cotton blend knit made from certified organic cotton.  Hemp is a great fabric for diapers, wipes or nursing pads as it is highly absorbent, naturally antimicrobial, and is quite durable wash after wash. The fleece is smooth on one side and brushed on the other just like your favorite sweatshirt. Stays soft wash after wash. I use and test this fabric myself, and it really does wash great and stay soft and fluffy wash after wash.  These are some of the reasons I choose Hemp for my wipes and nursing pads.... 


   For lots more information on the benefits of hemp fabric check out HempTraders.com

Meet Viki of PettiBearKIDS

Viki Tiamat is the owner and designer of PettiBearKIDS on Etsy.  She is a very busy mom, as she also has two other Etsy shops; PettiBear, a shop for womens' fashions and accessories all designed by Viki, and TiamatDesign her original Etsy store specializing in graphic art prints, as well as branding, banners, and other graphic design needs. It is obvious by looking at her shops that sewing and designing are her passion.  I spent some time talking with her about her fitted AIO cloth diapers.  

Although her very first diapers were based on a free pattern she found online, her creative ability and sense of style soon tweaked the pattern to better fit her daughter.  Something I admire about them is that they are made with high quality all organic fabrics inside and out.  She uses hemp fleece for the inside layer, and bamboo velour for the outside super soft layer, as she believes these are the best fabrics for her daughters skin, and your babies as well!!  She says, "I owe a HUGE thanks to the free web patterns that got me started".  

She also told me,"I first started to make diapers with the birth of my second baby daughter ,Sheluv. She is fully diapered with mommy's organic diapers and I LOVE it!"  It was when her second daughter was born that Viki decided to open her third Etsy shop just for kids.  I am impressed with the high quality and reasonable prices of her all organic diapers.  

The opening in the front of theses diapers allows you to use the diaper both as a pocket diaper or an AI2 diaper style, by snapping in the insert on top of the lining. They have a Wrap & Snap option for petite babies, ADJUSTABLE button rubber back and a specially designed internal pocket flap to prevent the soaker from slipping out through the opening, and includes one 4 layer hemp fleece inner soaker .

I asked Viki her thought on being and Etsy seller in another country..."I think is the same like having an Etsy shop in the US but with shipping time difference! The only difficulty selling from abroad is that people not always aware of the fact that they buying from Israel and wondering why it takes so long for their item to arrive :) 

Time zones are a bit confusing as well,but with time I learn to understand that if one really like one of your items,he wouldn't mind waiting for a couple of hours till I reply to their questions..At the beginning I was obsessing about answering right away and lost many sleep hours trying to be in the American time zone while in Israel :D But now I know better-I sleep well and answer first thing in the morning!"  

Thanks so much for checking out her cute kids Etsy shop...PettibearKIDS.  No giveaway this week, but please go to the promotions and giveaway page and check out all the sales and promotions for  Black Friday ~ Cyber Monday and  and Small Business Saturday Sales!