DIY Diaper Sprayer

by MyGreenNest | Jan 1, 2015 | Cloth Diaper Accessories

I’m not going to lie, I probably wouldn’t love cloth diapering if it wasn’t for my diaper sprayer. I know there are a lot of hardcore mothers out there that dip and dunk but I prefer the luxury of my sprayer. In this tutorial I am going to show you how to make your own (SUPER EASY) DIY diaper sprayer. Go ahead and grab your screwdriver, a few other tools, and let’s put your mad plumbing skills to the test!

Making a diaper sprayer yourself should only run you about 25-35 bucks. Diaper sprayers are the perfect accessory to have when cloth diapering. They help to clean your diapers, prevent ammonia build-up, and combat stink issues.

What You Will Need

*Sink Sprayer with Hose
*Metal Crimp Tee 3/8
*(20 Inch) Toilet Connecter with PVC 3/8
*Stainless Steel Clamps #4 (1/4 to 5/8)
*Ball Valve 3/8
*Flat Screwdriver
*Box Cutter

I hope I have inspired you to stretch your DIY muscles! If you got something out of this video please share the love! 🙂

Check out my new series on dealing with poo, where I show you all of my favorite *Poop Avoidance accessories!

My Story

by MyGreenNest | Dec 17, 2014 | Cloth Diapers

This picture was taken when my son was a month old. I switched to using cloth diapers about a month later.

After going through two major layoffs then becoming a new mother, I was trying every trick in the book to cut costs. I started out using disposables not realizing that there were better and more sustainable options. People would always talk about how expensive diapers, formula, and babies were. The expense was one of the main reasons I waited so long to have a child. I saved around $500.00 specifically for diapers/wipes when I had my first son, Asher. Luckily, I hadn’t dipped into it yet because people gave us several boxes of diapers at our shower.

One night I stumbled upon a YouTube video about cloth diapering. It was intriguing but also seemed a bit overwhelming. As I looked further into it, I started to seriously consider taking the plunge. We had $500.00 in cash just waiting to be spent. Why not use the cash on reusable diapers instead of throwing money out the window? The more I thought about the more excited and nervous I began to get. After telling my family of my plans to switch to cloth, everyone thought I was crazy including my husband. It took a little bit of convincing to get everyone on board. I did a lot of research and read review after review. Once I felt confident in my choices I went on Amazon and ordered several diapers in different styles and brands. I wasn’t sure how this new journey would go so I kept my disposables as a backup.

When all of my glorious fluff mail finally came in, I was instantly sold! I fell in love with all of the different options, styles, prints, and patterns. I continued using nothing but cloth diapers on Asher until he was completely potty-trained. My backup disposables ended up collecting dust and Asher became the first “official” cloth diaper model for MyGreenNest!

The Birth of MyGreenNest!

When I was pregnant with Asher I was working in the oil industry and planned on using disposable diapers and going back to work within two months. Boy, how things change! Once I experienced the joy of motherhood for the first time I wanted to continue staying home with my son. My family graciously offered to help us for one year so I didn’t have to leave him in daycare for 9+ hours a day. We were very blessed to have the support of our family.

After discovering cloth diapers, I realized that we as mothers have so much more options than what is written in the birthing class pamphlets. Because I had no prior experience with babies I would scour Amazon and Youtube reviews every night after work to learn what we needed. Searching the internet for the perfect baby products for hours a day was a job all on its own. I decided I wanted to create a place where new moms could learn about natural baby products and bypass all of the dreaded searchings! In November of 2014, I started this blog, originally naming it ClothDiaperEasy. I eventually changed the title to MYGREENNEST so I could expand on more subjects other than cloth diapers.

It’s funny how something as simple as changing diapers shaped my life into what it is today. Because I decided to choose cloth, I opened my blog which made it possible to stay home with my son and meet a lot of awesome people. Cloth diapering has also inspired me to look for other ways to cut waste and reuse. I hope MyGreenNest makes a difference and inspires other moms to live a greener lifestyle.

If you enjoyed my story and want to start living the crunchy life, I’d love for you to become one of my “Nesties,” by subscribing. I’ll only hit your inbox when I have a cool new piece of content to share or a giveaway!

Cloth Liners vs Disposable Diaper Liners!

by MyGreenNest | Dec 15, 2014 | Cloth Diaper Accessories, Cloth Diapers

Are you looking for an easy way to clean the poo without having to wash the entire diaper?

If you’re thinking about using diaper liners but not sure what type to go with, you’re in the right place!

In this post, I’m gonna break down the pros and cons of reusable and disposable diaper liners.

Hold onto your butt cause this is gonna be magical.

Affiliate Disclaimer:

This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on any of my fun-little-links and purchase something, I'll make a small commision at no extra cost to you. It's a win-win for both of us right?

Reusable Diaper Liners

Most Reusable Diaper Liners (Amazon aff link) are made from fleece. You can buy them online or make them yourself. They will wick the moisture away from your baby, helping him or her to feel dry.

I use these with almost every diaper, especially with my Cotton Prefolds. (aff link) These will help prevent diaper rash and stains.

Liners Act As A Barrier:
One of the main benefits of using a liner is being able to use a non-cloth diaper safe cream with your cloth diapers.

The liner will act as a barrier, protecting the diaper.

Zinc Oxide is the main ingredient that causes cloth diapers to repel water. Unfortunately, some stubborn rashes won’t go without using that type of diaper cream.

This is where reusable or disposable diaper liners come in handy!

Sometimes the main reason I use a liner is if a bad rash crops up. I’ve always been a fan of Buttpaste (amazon aff link) because it always seems to zap the rash – but feel free to use what you like.

They have a more eco-friendly version available now that I’ve reviewed if you’d like to check out that Review.

Cleaning A Reusable Liner:
A lot of times you’ll be able to just spray the liner instead of the entire cloth diaper. They can then be thrown in with your diapers for washing.

You can also find fleece liners with cute prints on Etsy for around 5-20 bucks. That’s where I found mine!

How many you need will depend on how often you plan on using them. I have one for every diaper but you may only want to use them for overnight and nap-time.

I would suggest starting with a 6-10 pack and then getting more if you decide you like them.

Disposable Diaper Liners

Many cloth diaper companies make Disposable Diaper Liners (aff link) but most of them do the same basic job.

These are a great option for when you’re traveling or you have an idea of when your baby is going to “go.”

Disposable liners are the consistency of a dryer sheet. They can come in a roll of around 100-200 sheets. You simply tear one out and lay it over your diaper. The liner will catch the poo and you can plop it in the toilet or trash.

Disposable Liners Are NOT Flushable!

I can’t remember the source, but I know that these things along with disposable wipes have been clogging up septic systems.

When I used to use disposable diaper liners, I’d drop the poo in the toilet and dispose of the liner in the trash.

When To Use Them:
You can sometimes reuse disposable liners once or twice as long as the baby has only peed.

However, I wouldn’t suggest using disposable diaper liners until your baby starts on solids.

My babies were both almost 100% breastfed and their poo ran straight through these things!

Wait until your baby’s poo is solid enough for the liner to catch it.

Also, If you choose to use the liners, you’ll have the extra step of prepping your cloth diapers with them. I still think it’s definitely worth it If your baby is going to daycare or visiting family.

You don’t have to put them in every diaper, you can use them strictly for traveling, babysitters, etc.

Click the image above to play the video.

If you liked the Diaper Dawgs products from the video you can click my affiliate link image above to see more!

Which One Takes The Cake?

I’m definitely Team-Reusable when it comes to diaper liners…or anything.

Sometimes my disposable liners would crinkle up in the diapers and miss the poo, defeating the purpose. Reusable liners were less likely to do this because they’re a bit thicker.

I’m not a fan of trashing up the earth but if you’re looking for a quick-solution disposable liners are less harmful to the planet than using disposable diapers.

Reusables – on the other hand – also have the added benefit of wicking moisture away from the baby’s bum.

They come in loads of cute prints and different styles – which is totally necessary!

Honestly, if you get a really bad poopy you can toss the reusable liner. They are so cheap and easy to replace.

If you do end up making them yourself, you can customize them to fit your baby’s bum or cloth diapers.

What do you think? Will you be using a reusable or a disposable diaper liner? Let me know in the comments below!

I hope this helps answer any questions you may have on the difference between the two types of diaper liners. If you found this post helpful, please share! 🙂

Click the image above to see my next post!

Snaps Vs Velcro!

by MyGreenNest | Dec 14, 2014 | Cloth Diapers

Which one is better, snaps or velcro?

When deciding to purchase cloth diapers for the first time you have a lot of decisions to make. Which brand, style, system and what type of closure do you get?

The truth is they both serve a different purpose and not all are types of velcro are equal either.

Here is a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of snaps/velcro so you can make a better decision with your stash.

Affiliate Disclaimer:

Snap Closures

Best Selling Point: DURABILITY – Snaps do a lot better over the long haul and they tend to wear very well.

Pros

You don’t have to worry about your toddler taking off his or her diaper. Snaps are simply more secure.

You don’t have to remember to fold down the tabs (for the washing machine) as you do with velcro. Snaps don’t catch onto things in the washer.

Snaps generally look nicer and wear better, especially over time.

Cons

They’re a little bit harder to put on. Not the best option for a lot of night-time changes or people who have bad hands or low dexterity.

It is harder to get that perfect fit when the baby is in between the snap sizes.

My Personal Favorite Snap Diapers?
I’ve been cloth diapering for over 5+ years and I can tell you that I’ve never had an issue with snaps wearing out no matter what brand of diaper.

It’s always the PUL or the elastics to go first.

However, my favorite cloth diapers would have to be Thirsties Snap Covers (Amazon aff link) and GroVia One or Hybrid Cloth Diapers. (Aff link)

I’ve also noticed the GroVia snaps are more secure and stronger than the snaps I’ve seen in other diapers.

Velcro or Aplix Closures

Velcro is actually a brand of aplix. Aplix or hook & loop is the actual name of the closure.

Best Selling Point: EASY – They’re stinking easy, anyone can throw on a velcro diaper!

Pros

They’re perfect for the newborn night changing stage. The less work at 3:00 a.m. the better!

These are a great option for the babysitter because they’re so similar to disposables.

Hook & Loop is easier to replace or repair than snaps.

Cons

They wear out easily over time. (Especially GroVia which we will talk more about in a second.)

If you don’t remember to close the tabs they will stick together or on other things in the washing machine, creating a diaper train! (very annoying)

They’re not as aesthetically pleasing to the eye as cute colored snaps.

It can be a hassle to un-velcro the tabs while trying to change your squirmy toddler.

Curious toddlers can easily un-velcro their cloth diaper. Or disposables for that matter!

My Favorite Aplix Diapers:
I’ve used quite a few brands of diapers that had hook and loop closures over the years. Even though I highly recommend GroVia diapers I don’t like their velcro. In the beginning, it’s super strong but then it becomes useless over time.

My two favorite brands of diapers that feature hook & loop are again Thirsties Hook & Loop Covers and Tots Bots Diapers (Amazon aff links.)

I like Thirsties because they are made here in the USA and have stood the test of time. I like Tots Bots because their velcro is superior to anything else I’ve used.

So there you have it, the pros and cons of both closures.

I honestly enjoy snaps & aplix and advise purchasing both closures to try out.

I tend to use snaps more because of their durability.

If you prefer one over the other, you can just continue to purchase that type. I hope this gives you a little insight into choosing your first cloth diapers!

If you enjoyed my post, here is an image you can pin or share! 🙂

Check out my next post by clicking the image above!

10 Cloth Diaper Accessories That Make Life EASY!

by MyGreenNest | Dec 14, 2014 | Cloth Diaper Accessories, Cloth Diapers

As a cloth diapering mom going on 6 years, I’ve found a few accessories that have made my life easier.

Let’s face it, Cloth Diapering wouldn’t be the same without our beloved accessories. They help to simplify our lives and best of all, most of these are 15 bucks or less!

Affiliate Disclaimer:

1. Spray Bottle

Awe the good ol’ multi-purpose spray bottle. I used to keep one of these at my changing station and in my diaper bag to spray my cloth wipes. You can make a fancy-smanshy homemade solution or just fill it with plain water.

You can also keep your wipes pre-moistened in a wipes warmer but you have to be careful about mold growth.

Pro Tip: Fill another spray bottle with a vinegar/water solution to wipe things down in your nursery when needed. It’s cheap and non-tox, win-win! 😛

For around a buck a piece, spray bottles are nice to have.

2. Disposable Diaper Liners

If you’re traveling or have an idea when your baby needs to “go,” just slap one of these babies on top of the diaper. When they do their business all you have to do is plop it in the toilet or trash it. You won’t have to spray your diaper off, making traveling much easier.

I wouldn’t suggest these for 100% breastfed babies because the poo runs straight through them. The liners are the consistency of a dryer sheet so wait until your baby starts on solid foods.

You can find Diaper Liners (aff link) on GroVia or other cloth diaper sites for around 8-15 dollars. They also have reusable cloth diaper liners.

Check out-out my post: Cloth Liners vs Disposable Diaper Liners if you want to learn more about those.

3. Small Tub Or Bin

I’ve got a very small changing station area and grew tired of putting dirty diapers on the floor. I found this small tub at the dollar store and use it all the time. Now I have a nice place to put all of my dirty diapers/wipes without getting anything else dirty during a change.

I use it to dump wet diapers in the diaper pail and carry it to and from the restroom when a diaper needs to be sprayed. No need to worry about dripping water anywhere and best of all, it only cost a buck!

Click the image above to play the video.

4. Finger Guards

Click the image above to play the video.

These are one of the niftiest cloth diaper accessories I have seen! Diaper Dawgs are great for pulling soiled inserts out of your pocket diapers and holding onto your dirty diapers when you are spraying them off.

I also use these when dumping dirty diapers into my diaper pail to keep my fingers clean. Sometimes they even double as finger puppets. 🙂

They’re small and easy to store, I just hang them over the diaper tub when not in use. They go in with the diaper laundry every now and then to keep them squeaky clean. (Aff link) Diaper Dawgs are super cute and also affordable, costing around 8-13 bucks.

5. All-In-One Diaper Sprayer

If you are planning on cloth diapering I absolutely recommend this all-in-one diaper sprayer from Diaper Dawgs. It may be a little bit of an upfront cost but makes cleaning cloth diapers sooooo much easier!

Once your baby starts on solids you’ll need to spray the majority of the poo off into the toilet, which is where a good diaper sprayer comes in handy. (Aff link) The Diaper Dawgs Diaper Sprayer Combo is the only one on the market that comes with its own spray shield aka (Spray Collar). The spray collar is small, clear, and attaches directly to the diaper sprayer for your convenience.

You’ll never have to re-assemble it like you would with the Spray Pal sprayer shield. This spray collar prevents you from spraying water all over the place, keeping the mess in the toilet where it belongs. It does take a little bit of practice to get the hang of, but once you do it’s awesome!

Click the image above to play the video.

The diaper sprayer is also very powerful, I don’t have to go over and over the diaper to get it clean like I did with my homemade sprayer.

I could go on and on about the awesomeness of this sprayer combo but I will save you some time. If you are interested in my full review of this product, and why I rate it as one of my number one recommended cloth diapering products… you can click Here!

6. Snappi & Boingo Diaper Fasteners

Click the image above to play the video.

If you decide to diaper with prefolds, flats, or some fitted cloth diapers then you must use a Boingo or Snappi fastener. They are MUCH easier to use than safety pins! Yes, you can still use safety pins like your grandmother did, but who wants to deal with that hassle?

(Amazon Aff link) Boingos’ are not only practical but they come in a lot of funky colors and last from birth to potty. (Amazon Aff link) Snappi’s stretch very nicely across the front of your prefold or flat, keeping it nice and secure before putting on a waterproof cover. You can also bring the rubber part over the claws or grips when not in use.

Boingo’s and Snappi’s are very affordable, you can purchase these diaper fasteners for under 15 bucks. If you want to learn more about these two diaper fasteners, you can check out my post: Snappi Vs Boingo.

Click the image above to play the video.

7. Wet Bags

Where would us cloth diapering moms be without our wet bags? They are extremely convenient for traveling and storing your soiled cloth diapers or clothes. They come in a variety of styles/prints and they come in different price ranges, closures, and sizes.

Wet bags (aff link) are pretty much fancy plastic bags that you can use over and over. They lock in the stink and moisture from your dirty diapers and some of them even have a dry pocket to put extra things.

They’re a must for traveling and not only for soiled diapers! You can store dirty clothes, pumping supplies, cloth pads, and other items that you don’t want leaking out in your diaper bag.

When your baby gets older you can use them to store wet clothes, swimsuits, wet wipes, or snacks. I recommend having at least two wet bags so you can rotate them. You can find affordable wet bags on GroVia, Amazon or order custom ones on Etsy.

8. Double Dooty Wipes

Click the image above to play the video.

Again, here is another fabulous product from Diaper Dawgs that makes cloth diapering easier! These are no ordinary Cloth Wipes (aff link), they feature a pocket which helps to protect your hand from getting dirty during diaper changes.

These bad boys are made out of a soft bamboo blend and come in a set of six. They have a longer sleeve on one side that you can easily grab to turn inside-out. This keeps the poo contained within the wipe. Turning it inside out also prevents any poo from getting all over the inside of your wet bag or from touching anything else.

Double Dooty cloth wipes are also very versatile, you can clean more than bums with these suckers. I like to use these for wiping down toilet lids and ceiling fans as well.

For around 10 bucks for a set, I believe every cloth diapering mom should have a few of these in her diaper bag!

9. Poopoose “Wiggle Free” Changing Pad

Click the image above to play the video.

This is seriously one of my favorite baby products on the market. I received one of these to review some time ago and it has made cloth diapering so much easier! I realize this isn’t exactly a cloth diapering accessory, but I thought I’d add it to the list because it makes diaper changes in general much less of a hassle.

The (Amazon Aff link) Poopoose Changing Pad has a strap that can be removed for washing which is convenient. The strap is thick, soft, and comes with adjustable velcro which keeps your child from wiggling around during changes.

Most changing pads have a thin strap that doesn’t keep your child properly secured causing changing table accidents. The Poopoose keeps them from wiggling around, making diaper changes safer. It takes a few extra seconds to secure cloth diapers and this strap gives you that and allows for additional grooming.

With my old changing pad, my child would wiggle and scoot himself backward, making a huge mess. Once I started locking him down in this sucker, it seemed to calm him down and now he would enjoy playing with the strap while I’m changed him.

If you’re expecting or know someone who is expecting, I strongly recommend registering for your own Poopoose changing pad! You can check out my full review here: Poopoose Review.

10. Clip Hanger or Drying Rack

I use my clip hanger every single time I do diaper laundry and even regular laundry. I strongly encourage getting one or a drying rack of some sort. When you cloth diaper sometimes you will want to air dry your diapers to save on energy or to protect your more delicate diapers.

Clip hangers allow you to hang diapers or clothes in one convenient location within your house. They’re also portable so you can move them outside or close to a window if you are looking to sun your diapers. I like to use these for my covers, diaper pail liners, and wet bags, inserts, cloth pads, and delicate clothes.

There’re many types of clip hangers and drying racks to choose from, I chose to use the (Amazon aff link) Witmor Clip & Drip Hanger and it’s held up for over 5+ years! I’ve ordered two and strongly recommend them!

Clip hangers are a great space saver if you live in an apartment and like to air dry a lot of your clothes. You can hang them on your shower rod in the bathroom if you’re short on space.

For under 15 bucks each, the price is well worth it! (Amazon aff images)

LOFTi™ is a clothes drying rack that suspends from the ceiling by an easy-to-use pulley system. This is another great option for drying your diapers or clothes inside without taking up a ton of space!

So there you have it, my top ten cloth diapering accessories that have made cloth diapering much easier. I hope I have helped you discover some awesome accessories. Have you used any of these mentioned above? What are your favorite cloth diaper accessories?

Let me know in the comments below!

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