My Frugal Baby Tips

Image: The Jo Fold - How to Fold a Flat Diaper, by Green Mountain Diapers

I know that it probably isn't new to anyone but me, but I am completely amused with it!

I had all of her cloth diapers in the dryer, so I took one of her flannelette receiving blankets and fashioned it into a diaper.

I think it is the cutest thing, she fought because she wanted it to wrap one of her dolls in, oh well

The butt covering is more important than a doll being wrapped up in 80 degree weather...

Made a very pretty diaper too!

Thanks to Dawna for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: The Jo Fold - How to Fold a Flat Diaper,
by Green Mountain Diapers
Some rights reserved

Recycled wool wrap, by Ashley Barrett on Flickr

You could test your baby's used wool covers by dribbling some water on them.

If the water beads up, they are still good.

If it spreads out or soaks in, you need to relanolize them.

To do this you need to get some Lanolin, (you don't have to pay the $$ for Lansinoh).

Dissolve a small amount in a cup of hot water, then fill a sink full of warm water.

Pour the water and dissolved Lanolin into it, then put the covers in.

Pharmaceutical Grade
Lanolin

Squeeze the covers to get the Lanolin to penetrate.

Then squeeze the water out and lay flat to dry.

You might also want to put a bit of baby shampoo in the water, to clean them.

I am not a lanolizing expert, so am not sure if the shampoo would have any effect on the lanolin being effective.... anyone else know?

If you did this, you would want to rinse them in some clear water first.

Eucalan No Rinse Delicate Wash

Another option: I use Eucalan which is a special wool wash which already has lanolin in it.

You can add additional Lanolin, which I recommend for the first wash since they are gently used.

Then every so often, maybe every month or two.

Thanks to Scarlet for this frugal baby tip!

Image: Inside diapers, by MissMessie on Flickr

QUESTION: Where can I find free diaper and cover patterns?

ANSWER: In my opinion, it's easiest to trace a diaper or cover you like, or a diaper you like, and make it from that.

I've done a couple of diapers and covers that way, and it may take some fiddling to get it just the way you like it.

Photo credit: Inside Diapers,
by MissMessie on Flickr
Some rights reserved

But I think it's the most reliable way of getting what fits *your* baby the way *you* want.

Of course, you can always use most diaper patterns to make diaper cover as well.

It's probably been posted before, but my favorite info page is:

Sew Your Own Diapers | Cloth Diaper Patterns and Resources

Image: DDNB stack, by MissMessie on Flickr

Super directions and suggestions for making your own diapers, covers, and menstrual pads.

Thanks to Sophie for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: DDNB stack,
by MissMessie on Flickr
Some rights reserved

Sodium Hexametaphosphate

I wanted to share my cleaning article - Keeping Your Home Clean and Safe

You might be able to get Sodium Hexametaphosphate in most natural food, environmental or alternative stores, or Amazon.

OK, here's the article...

-----------------

#1 - Laundry Bleach
--Sodium Hexametaphosphate doesn't work like a chlorine bleach to get your cloth diapers, bedding and clothing white.
Rather, it disposes of the dull, shabby, dim or yellow film that develops on your clothing after several washings with soap or detergent.
Indeed, you will be shocked to see all the suds discharged from your clothing and bedding you thought were spotless.
By using sodium hexametaphosphate every wash, it will keep away that dull film and keep your whites and colours bright.
How much you should use depends upon the hardness of your water.
Begin with 1/8 of a cup per load.
Add more, a bit at a time, until the water feels slippery.
To get rid of years of dull film, run your washer load through an entire wash cycle using twice as much sodium hexametaphosphate as you would onormally use, without any soap or detergent.
After that, add sodium hexametaphosphate first, then just half the amount of soap or detergent you normally used.

#2 - DISHWASHER DETERGENT
-- Sodium Hexametaphosphate is going to be the best substance you use in your dishwasher.
It cuts oil and will leave your dishes spotless, acts as a scale inhibitor and will even clean your dishwasher with each washing.
Use the same amount of Sodium Hexametaphosphate as dishwasher detergent and watch your dishes sparkle!

#3 - DISHWASHING LIQUID BOOSTER
-- As a water conditioner, it will boost the cleaning activity of your soap or detergent.
Simply add a couple of tbsp. to your dish water (use the amount that makes the water feel slippery) and half as much dishwashing liquid.
No more water spots on your hand-washed dishes either!

#4 - WINDOW CLEANER
-- Works as well on your windows as it does on your dishes.
Simply add about a tsp. each of Sodium Hexametaphosphate and liquid soap with warm water in a spray bottle.
Use this solution on glass shower doors to dissolve mineral build-up (if really bad build-up, make the solution a little stronger).

#5 - BUBBLE BATH
-- No, Sodium Hexametaphosphate won't froth up into bubbles on it's own, however what it will do is make a little liquid soap foam up even more.
Add a little at a time, letting it dissolve in your bathwater till the water feels slippery.
A wonderful bath recipe is: Sodium Hexametaphosphate, liquid soap and a couple of sliced lemons.
Gives you a fragrant, luxurious bath that will make your skin softer and smoother than ever before.

#6 - HAIR RINSE
-- Do natural shampoos leave your hair feeling sticky?
Try rinsing with a solution of Sodium Hexametaphosphate and that dull soapy film will rinse right out.

Thanks to Cathy for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Handmade Coconut Milk Body Wash

These recipes were in The Dollar Stretcher this week, hope they help...

Liquid Hand Soap #1

1 bar Ivory soap, grated
1 cup washing soda (NOT baking soda)
1 saucepan
1 bucket

Put soap gratings in pan, and cover with water.
Heat on medium heat until the soap has dissolved.
Stir constantly and do not let boil.
Add soapy water to 3 gallons of hot water in the bucket. Stir, then slowly add washing soda.
Keep stirring until all is dissolved.
Put into pump when cool.
Shake before using.

All Natural Handmade Goat Milk Soap

Liquid Hand Soap #2 (from Miserly Moms)

1 bar hand soap (any type), grated
1 cup boiling water
1 T. honey
1 tsp. glycerin (available at most drug stores)

Put grated soap and boiling water into a blender and whip.
Add honey and glycerin and stir in blender.
Let it cool for 15 minutes and whip again.
Add cold water until the mixture reaches the six-cup mark.
Whip again.
Pour into a storage container, and let cool for one hour with lid off.
Shake before using.

Other uses for leftover soap bits are marking hemlines (instead of chalk), rubbing gliders on drawers to glide more smoothly, and running over metal zippers to ease the pull.

Whipped Soap

Other recipes for soap, including shampoos, can be found at:

• Bar Soaps Basic Bar Soap
• How to Make Completely Magical Moisturizing Whipped Soap
• DIY Foaming Hand Soap
• DIY Homemade Liquid Hand Soap
• How to Make Natural Homemade Shampoo
• Making Your Own Laundry Soap

Thanks to Cynthia for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Image: Organic Bamboo Reusable Cloth Menstrual Period Pads | SAVE the environment and money within TWO MONTHS these pads will pad for themselves | you'll be able to use them for YEARS!

I used cloth pads for about a year before I got pregnant. I LOVED them.

I will definitely go back to using them, and take some of the bigger ones along to the birth center with me when I have my baby.

They are soft, super absorbent, and I no longer get that terrible rash (not mention all sorts of other unmentionable things with disposables -- UGH.)

And in my opinion, cloth smells completely different, much more earthy, not at all fishy like disposables.

I soak mine in cold water for a day, empty, then put them in a dry bucket and wash them with my underwear when I wash laundry once a week (that'll change as soon as the baby comes, I know).

Image: Hesta Organic Cotton Reusable Cloth Menstrual Pads | 100% soft organic and pure cotton without toxic chemicals

I have PixieCup Bamboo pads which are black, so stains are hardly noticeable.

I prefer dark colours, which won't show stains like unbleached cotton does.

I like PixieCup, but I haven't tried others. I saw one site on the web for ones you could even wear as a thong!

The only thing I don't like is if I run out and have to use a disposable ---- ICK!!!! I was about to buy more when I got pregnant, so... I'll get some before March.

If you liked the look of these pads, you can find instructions for making your own look alike ones: Make Your Own Cloth Menstrual Pads Pattern

Thanks to Kathryne for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: Amazon
All Rights Reserved

Image: Arm + Hammer Baking Soda has been a natural and affordable way to clean and freshen all around your home | Made with no harsh chemicals, it's a natural, gentle cleaner perfect for use around kids, pets, and even food.

Got a stinky diaper pail?

This frugal tip works for both cloth and disposable diaper pails!

Pour some baking soda at the bottom of the diaper pail.

Then add a sprinkle now and then (over the diapers) in between washings helps keep odours down.

Thanks to Mary for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: Arm + Hammer Baking Soda on Amazon
All rights reserved

Image: ice on the windshield, by Anni and Bryan's (anniandbryan) from PhotoBucket

I guess this isn't really a baby tip, but when you have the kids already strapped into their carseats in the middle of winter, and the windshield is frosted over, anything that gets you moving quicker is a good idea!

What I did was fill a small spray bottle that I bought at the Dollar Store with windshield washer fluid good to 45 degrees below zero.

We start the car, have the heat settings on defrost, high and hot and I spray the windshield quickly before strapping in the kids.

Once I am done, the ice scrapper does a quick job of any remaining ice.

Another idea: Cover your windshield with an old bed sheet when snow or ice is in the forecast.

Hold the sheet in place, by closing it in the door on each side. In the morning, just peel the sheet off the windshield.

Thanks to Cathy for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: Ice on the windshield,
by Anni and Bryan's (anniandbryan) from PhotoBucket
Some rights reserved

Image: Photo credit: Cambio, by Daniel Lobo (Daquella manera) on Flickr

QUESTION: What do I do for staining on my baby's clothes and cloth diapers?

ANSWER: You might try equal parts of Cascade dishwashing detergent and Clorox 2 powder in very hot water.

I found this tip in The Tightwad Gazette, and it works like a charm for me.

I will usually soak the clothes in this solution overnight, and then wash as usual.

I haven't tried it on diapers yet, and I always use the brand name detergents.

I don't know if store brands would work also.

I have even removed stains (probably food, formula, breast milk stains?) from second hand items, and who knows how long those stains have been there?!

Thanks to Joyce for this Frugal Baby Tip!

Photo credit: Cambio,
by Daniel Lobo (Daquella manera) on Flickr
Some Rights Reserved