Merry Fluffy Christmas #Giveaway #FluffyXmas

Welcome to the 2nd Annual MERRY FLUFFY CHRISTMAS Cloth Diaper Giveaway Event!  This is my first year participating and I am so thrilled to be.  I love cloth and I love sharing the fun with you!

How the Merry Fluffy Christmas Event (Blog Hop) works:

• You will have until 11:59pm EST on December 5th to enter to win each prize package.
• There will only be ONE winner for each participating blog.
• Please remember to read ALL instructions on each blog, as each blog’s entry methods are different.
• And don’t forget to visit ALL OF THE PARTICIPATING BLOGS for more prize packages to win! You can find the Linky at the bottom of this giveaway post.
• That’s it!  Good luck!

So what can you win here at The Eco-Friendly Family?!

Your choice of an AppleCheeks Little Bundle, a bag of EcoSprout's Cloth Diaper Detergent,a tube of Grandma El's Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention and a set of 3 Fuzzy Wuzzy Dryer Balls in Gunmetal!  I reviewed each of these items earlier, so let's recap!

AppleCheeks diapers are now on my lists of favorites.  As I mentioned in my highlight, it's no easy task to get on my list of favorite diapers.  I want my diapers to do it all - have snaps (or amazingly durable hood & loop), work for days and nights, be cute, easy to use and durable.

I chose the Delicious print Little Bundle and it is simply adorable.  I tried it out overnights right away and was quite pleased.  This versatile diaper can be used as a cover or as an envelope (pocket) style diaper.  I love it and I know you will too!

Also, I highly recommend fanning AppleCheeks on facebook!  They are closing in on 10k fans and will be having a huge fan celebration that will include a ton of their retailers (with LOTS of chances to win diapers and other awesome items!)  Don't miss it!

Another amazing find is Eco Sprout's all natural, biodegradable cloth diaper detergent.  Washing cloth diapers seems to be one of those things where a detergent either works or doesn't.  For me, most seem to not work, so trying a new detergent always has me expecting the worst.  With EcoSprout, I was pleasantly surprised by perfectly clean diapers the very first time, and every time since (for about three months now!)  I am thrilled to have a detergent that I can recommend, knowing that it's easy to use and works.

Last but certainly not least is Grandma El's Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention.  It is phthalates, parabens, dye and preservative free.  Hypo-Allergenic and free from all harmful chemicals.  This rash cream (I think it's more of a salve) works great and is safe for use with cloth diapers.  Apply a thin layer of  Grandma El's to your baby's irritated bum and you're good to go.  A little really goes a long way.  As a bonus Grandma El's is also great for use on eczema, heat rash, burns, sun burns, cradle cap and chapped lips or cheeks.

Want more?  Fuzzy Wuzzy Dryer Balls decrease drying time and increase fluffiness and softness with natural, wool dryer balls!  Dryer balls replace the need for dryer sheets so you can have help with static without chemicals and animal by-products. Healthy for you, your family and mother nature. Dryer balls also reduce your drying time to help lower your energy consumption. Fuzzy Wuzzy Dryer Balls go through a felting process and are washed in a eco-friendly laundry detergent.

Good luck and Merry FLUFFY Christmas!!!

Don't forget to look below the entry form for the full list of participating blogs!

Be sure to check out the rest of the amazing blogs participating in this event for your chance to win some simply amazing cloth diaper packages!

Grandma El's: A #FluffyXmas Highlight!

Sometimes, no matter what we do, our little ones get diaper rashes, though using cloth diapers is a big help.  In my experience, it is most often food related, and sometimes figuring out the cause was not so simple!  We once had a somewhat persistent irritation that turned out to be all of the apples our daughter was eating.  Who would have thought?

So what's a parent to do - especially a cloth diapering parent?  We all know that you can't just slap on any rash cream, and if we have to put something on our baby we want it to be safe, effective and, of course, cloth diaper safe - Grandma El's fits the bill!

Grandma El's Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention does not contain phthalates, parabens, dyes, or any harmful ingredients whatsoever.  It's also hypo-allergenic!  To top it off, a little really goes a long way.  Apply a thin layer of Grandma El's and rub in gently to aid the healing of your baby's irritation.  Grandma El's is a salve like cream (not a thick white cream) with a gentle, natural scent.  In addition to being a great rash cream, Grandma El's is great for use on eczema, heat rash, burns, sun burns, cradle cap and chapped lips or cheeks.

This stuff is super gentle and it works.  It was one of the very first cloth diaper safe rash creams that I ever tried when I first started cloth.  I was so pleased at the results and I am happy to be sharing it now, with you!

Be sure to come back here December 1st for a chance to win your own tube of Grandma El's during the Merry Fluffy Christmas event!

AppleCheeks Diapers! A #FluffyXmas Highlight!

I love cloth diapers and finding a new brand that makes it's way into my heart and permanent stash is no easy task!  I love a good fit, easy to use, appealing design and full functionality.  I have plenty of favorites, so joining those ranks requires a pretty great diaper.  Lucky for me, and you, AppleCheeks diapers fit the bill!

While at the ABC Kids Expo this past September, I was able to get my hands on one of these adorable diapers to try out for myself.  Not only were the AppleCheeks ladies super sweet, but their diapers rock.  I am so in love with their Little Bundle with bamboo insert in the Delicious print (as seen below).  It is so adorable and works great!  I like to be risky and put diapers to the 'real test' right away - overnights that is.  If a diaper doesn't work for me overnight, it's not going to make it's way into my permanent stash, simple as that.

The night came and I laid my bamboo insert inside of the cover.  To accommodate my two year old I used a second insert under the bamboo insert, but I found in the morning that it wasn't need.  The bamboo insert worked beautifully, though each baby is different and some can soak even the thickest diapers, so do what you need for your little one, but know that this cover worked well.  I have use it both as a cover and as a pocket type diaper and I had zero leaking either way.

AppleCheeks diapers come in two sizes - 1 & 2.  Size 1 fits approx. 7 - 18lbs, and Size 2 fits approx. 18 - 35lbs.  We are using size 2 with room to grow on our two year old.

To the right you can see the inside of the AppleCheeks design.  It has a super soft micro-fleece lining, all snaps (love snaps!), an easy to use pocket opening and, of course, a waterproof outer shell.  Due to the positioning and size of their envelope design, you do not need to remove inserts before washing.

You will love this diaper.  If you aren't already a fan, I highly recommend fanning AppleCheeks on facebook!  They are closing in on 10k fans and will be having a huge fan celebration that will include a ton of their retailers (with LOTS of chances to win diapers and other awesome items!)

Be sure to come back here December 1st for a chance to win your very own Little Bundle from AppleCheeks during the Merry Fluffy Christmas event!

EcoSprout Detergent: A #FluffyXmas Highlight!

#FluffyXmas?  Oh yes!  If you haven't heard yet, there is a huge Merry Fluffy Christmas blogging event that will be kicking off December 1st.  There are more than 40 blogs participating, and at each one you will have the chance to enter for some amazing fluff packages.  Over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be telling you about my sponsors in these #FluffyXmas Highlights!  You'll learn about some great products, and then have a chance to come back during the event to win my Merry Fluffy Christmas package.

Today I am introducing you to Eco Sprout's 100% natural & biodegradable cloth diaper detergent.  It is also is free from dyes, brighteners, enzymes, phosphates and is SLS free.  

I have to admit that when they contacted me about a review, I was way more than skeptical.  I've used a lot of detergents and more times than not we end up with a rash, ammonia burn, stinky diapers or repelling (back when I used microfiber).  I am always nervous when I try out a new detergent, and this time was no different... until I used my first overnight diaper!

G's diapers had been in need of a good washing, as she is older now and ammonia seems to sneak up on us from time to time due to random foods she eats.  Every few washes or so I tend to add an extra hot wash or rinse, which does the trick, but Eco Sprout kicked it out all on it's own, no extras!  I put a very thick overnight diaper on her that night and when she woke in the morning, there was not a scent to be found, and her diaper was FULL of pee.  I'm talking this girl had to go!  I'm such a skeptic, I never really expect to love a detergent, but I was amazed by Eco Sprout.  I can tell you in no uncertain terms, that this rarely happens.  

Washing was simple.  I followed my regular routine, cold wash with or without detergent, depending on if they are really dirty or not and then my hot wash with detergent.  With Eco Sprout I use 2-3 scoops in my top loading machine, sometimes I'll use a scoop or two in the cold wash if I've gone too long between washes.  I have been using Eco Sprout now for a couple of months and it has worked well and predictably.  I would recommend it to anyone.  

As with any detergent, especially if you are having diaper issues, you're going to want to do a good heavy wash the first time to get rid of the issues caused by your previous detergent.  Eco Sprout includes instructions with this in mind, as well as easy to follow standard wash instructions.  I have found this detergent to be very easy to use, no fussing and worrying over using enough or too much.  I've had others where a flat scoop vs a rounded scoop would make a difference, so this is a welcome change.

Eco Sprout runs $24.98 for 192 HE loads, and there are other sizes available as well.  The detergent comes in unscented and scented varieties (Not sure which to get? Get a sampler!).  The scents are gentle and pleasant, and won't scent your diapers (you really don't want leftovers!)  While you're browsing, be sure to check out their Pail Freshener, Bottom Balm & Bottom Spray.  I haven't had the chance to try them, but if they are have as well thought out as the detergent, I'm sure they'll be great!

I hope you try Eco Sprout's detergent, I am loving it and I'm sure you will too!

Be sure to come back December 1st for your chance to win a 24oz bag of Eco Sprout Detergent during the Merry Fluffy Christmas event!

If you have any questions, please post them below and I will be sure to answer them.