Introducing the new Wool Dryer Discs!

Wool Dryer Discs: a project that's been a few months in the making.  When I first read about using salt in the dryer to reduce static, I wanted to try it and see if it was all the rage the author (and others) spoke of.  Most recommended using a muslin bag tied shut.  I have tons of cotton fabric scraps, so it was quick and easy to make a little bag for the salt.  I used pink Himalayan salt. 
 
I've been using wool dryer balls, which are nice, but don't eliminate as much static as I'd like them to.  They do help cut down drying time, though, because of their ball shape.  So, out went the dryer balls and in went the bag of salt . . . and it WORKED.  Then it began to work a little less, and a little less.  In the article I read, the author mentions the same thing happened and recommended wetting the bag of salt before putting it in the dryer with the wet clothes.  I did that, and it worked again . . . until I realized the salt was dissolving with each wetting and eventually I had an almost empty cotton bag. 
 
So, I thought, I like the wool dryer balls, and I LOVE the salt, now how to combine the two?  Salt is heavy, and I felt balls of salt would beat the clothes too much, especially smaller loads.  And if using yarn, the wool would have to be felted in order for the ball to stay together well.  But felting requires water, which would dissolve the salt.  Then I started to look into wool fabrics, and found some lovely upcycled wool in a beautiful light sage green.  Perfect! 

Wool Dryer Discs

A little experimentation with sewing, and the Wool Dryer Discs were born. Their disc shape helps distribute the salt's weight. Next up was trying out different combinations between using the discs by themselves and also in conjunction with the wool dryer balls. After all was said and done, the best ratio was 6 Wool Dryer Discs with 2 wool dryer balls. The Wool Dryer Discs do a better job reducing static, and the wool dryer balls help reduce drying time. Synthetic fabrics like polyester and acrylic will always have a little static, but it can be greatly reduced by using a combination of Wool Dryer Discs and wool dryer balls. 

I have noticed the resulting dryer lint is less fluffy than usual, which is an interesting side effect.  I don't know why the salt bag by itself worked and then worked less, unless it had to do with being in a cotton bag rather than using wool.  I have not had the same experience using the wool dryer discs, so my assumption is that it has something to do with the fabric used, as wool is already naturally anti-static.

Now as best I can figure out, the science behind it goes something like this: using the Wool Dryer Discs in the dryer cycle heats up the salt, like a pink Himalayan salt lamp. When the salt heats, it naturally generates negative ions. Salt is also hygroscopic (it attracts water). As the clothes are tumbling in the heated dryer, the constant tumbling (where the materials repeatedly come into contact) creates static electricity; an imbalance in positively and negatively charged ions. As the salt is heated, the naturally generated negative ions attract the positive ions and neutralize them, thereby reducing static electricity. 

I do believe the salt will eventually completely dissolve in the wool dryer discs (as is the nature of salt with water), but the wool dryer discs will last much longer if not dipped in water. Using the above 6:2 combination, my laundry has been much easier to work with. :)

Introducing the new, thicker fitted diapers!

And the winner is . . .

 

My testers, from this post.

 

The thicker fitted diaper! 

I'm really excited about this!! I thought I loved my fitted diaper design the way it was - after all, I've been making & selling it the same way for over 4 years.  But, there were things I've been wanting to try, and having tried them, it's time for a change - an upgraded design! 

Serging the edges cut so much time off making a diaper that I could use more layers of better, thicker fabric and still offer the diapers at a reasonable price. I've been testing these two diapers out with heavy use for over two months and the thicker diaper is my favorite for several reasons - most of which boil down to one main reason: well, it's thicker. 

The outer printed flannel remains the cute cotton flannel prints that I've always used, but the inner layers including the pocket are now made with thicker, double-napped diaper flannel.  Making the diaper with 3 full layers plus a pocket means the diaper now offers 7 layers of flannel (5 of which are the thicker diaper flannel) when the front flap is folded fully to the inside for smaller babies.

Having the diaper made with better thicker fabric means it's more absorbent, more durable, and it holds its shape.  The serged edges also offer something else - better poop containment! 

Because the new fitteds hold their shape, the fit will be a bit different; although the same pattern is used, the thicker fabric stretches less.  Speaking of stretching less, the bamboo diapers got an upgrade, too.  The bamboo velour fitted diapers are now made with not one, but TWO layers of double-napped diaper flannel sandwiched between the bamboo velour and the bamboo fleece, giving baby 9 layers of fabric when the front flap is folded fully to the inside for smaller babies.

As usual, absorbency needed depends on baby's age and wetting habits, so there will always be the inner pocket available for stuffing additional absorbency.  The diapers are wide between the legs, but the fabric will relax after a few washes.

My fleece diaper covers will also be changing to serged edges, while the cotton-outer (and fancy floral ones) will remain turn & topstitched for the time being, though that may change in the future.

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In the news again! :)

Last March we started a fundraiser to get a speech device for our son, Kaiden - this is our happy update, aired 12/23/14! :)

KAAL TV 6 ABC News Interview

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What's new!

Two new testers ready for action!

Sewing diapers for 4 years has given me time to test out different fabrics - I mean really test. I've tested the fabric by different wash routines, different detergents, and different drying methods. I admit, as a busy parent most of the time I take the most convenient route and don't treat my son's diapers as nicely as I should, since I can easily make more. I know that both using bleach and putting the diapers in the dryer weakens the fabric, shortening the lifespan of the natural-fabric diaper.  I've been using Cozy flannel for the interior layer & pocket of my flannel fitted diapers, and do not always see equal quality through the entire bolt of fabric. It's one thing if you're treating your diapers nicely, but when you're like me and treat them less-than-nice they just don't last as long as they should and that doesn't make this Mama happy! I pride myself on making a quality product!

 

So, it is time to test out actual "diaper flannel".  Diaper flannel is napped on both sides and is a thicker, stronger fabric than Cozy flannel. And I've been itching to try serging the edges rather than how I make them now, which is turned & topstitched.  Overall, I think turned & top stitched has a neater, cleaner look, but serging the edges takes so much less sewing time that it allows me to use better quality (re: more expensive) fabrics and still offer the diapers at a reasonable price.

 

The two tester diapers above are each made differently - although both have serged edges and use diaper flannel for the interior layers, the dinosaur diaper on the left is made in my usual 3 layer style - 1 layer printed Snuggle flannel, 1 inner layer diaper flannel, 1 inner diaper flannel pocket, while the bears/deer camo print has an extra full inner layer of diaper flannel making it even thicker.

 

Today was their first day in action.  My thoughts so far: having serged edges rather than turned/top stitched made the diapers just a tiny little bit bigger, but that could be pared down by cutting off more of the edge when serging.  The thicker one that has 3 full layers of flannel (1 snuggle flannel, 2 diaper flannel) and the pocket made of diaper flannel - since it's thicker, it looks wider when on the child just because it's thicker overall and is holding it's shape that way. I can't wait to see how they hold shape after repeated washings!  The snuggle flannel scrunches up when dried in the dryer, and I'm hoping using the thicker diaper flannel will eliminate that scrunchiness.

The hardest part about testing the new fabric is going through months of heavy use before being able to make an accurate judgement.  I do think the diaper flannel will be better, but only time will tell!

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Time for the Annual July Sale!

For the entire month of July, get 10% off anything at Greenchild Creations!  Please use Etsy Coupon Code 10OFF at checkout.  :)

The costs of doing business . . .

I wish I had another fun post for you - well, I can tell you about my new diaper covers!! :)  I am incredibly excited about them because they are so soft (and cute)!  I may reserve the blizzard & anti-pill fleece for my "fitted" fleece diaper covers and switch all my side-snap diaper covers to this:  Cotton print outer, soft & fluffy fleece inner, & a hidden PUL panel to help prevent compression wicking. 

What made me want to make this change?  I kept seeing that soft & fluffy fleece in the fabric store and it was calling my name . . . eventually I caved and purchased some.  And boy am I glad I did!  LOVE it!  And there are SO many more prints to choose from for a cotton outer than a fleece outer.  I did slightly revise the design; the front waist tabs have been widened a bit and now feature an extra snap.  When people refer to a cloth diapered child as having a "fluffy butt", this one really fits that name!  So far the above cotton print is the only print I have in stock, but more will come.

Oooooh I just thought of something else fun to tell you!  I have finally perfected a diaper pail spray that goes beyond reducing the ammonia stink, which my current diaper pail spray does.  This new one reduces ammonia, urine, and poop smells!  I plan to offer it in 3 scents: floral, tropical, and fruity.  Hopefully that will be ready for production this summer!  It does use vinegar and essential oils; all of which are safe for Greenchild Creations diapers, covers, & inserts.  However, please always check with your diaper manufacturer as some do not recommend those ingredients to be used on their diapers.

And on to the original intent for this post . . . the rising cost of doing business. Very recently it was signed into law that the minimum wage for the state of Minnesota, where I live, is going up (which I fully support!).  It does affect my business because with current prices, pretty soon I will be making less than minimum wage.  There have been a few times busy enough I've seriously considered hiring outside help, and I cannot pay them less than minimum wage.  What does this mean for the business?  It means prices will go up accordingly.  I've thought about following how the state of MN plans to roll it out over the next two years; whether or not my customers would want to see 3 price increases or just have one and be done with it.  I feel the best course of action is to have just one price increase, which will go into effect in August 2014.

Things like this, among others, make me truly appreciate my customers!  Because of your support, this has gone from a hobby to a real, bona fide business; something I never imagined I would do.  If someone told me 10 years ago I'd design, sew, and sell cloth diapers, I'd have said they were crazy!  It's funny where life takes you  - I am loving this journey!

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Fundraising time!

My little guy has been using a Vantage Lite (LAMP system) loaner unit in speech therapy and is doing fantastic!  He picked it up quicker than anyone thought he would (except me, LOL!!  I KNOW he's a smart little stinker!!).  But, since it's a loaner unit, it's time for it to be used with another child.  These speech devices, while fantastic . . . are not cheap.  We're talking a range of $6000 and up, up, up.  So . . . here we are . . . fundraising time!

Here is our GoFundMe page: http://www.gofundme.com/HelpKaidenTalk  Please go check it out - donations of any size are immensely appreciated, as well as sharing his page via social media.  We're off to a great start, and are so blessed to have so many wonderfully caring people in our lives!

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