CleanWell

*I am talking hand sanitizer here, not antibacterial gel...

I've been looking for a safe, non-toxic hand sanitizer/wipe that I can use on Emily when we are out and about. I'm a big believer in hand washing but there are situations where I'm not able to wash my hands or Emily's. For those times, I do use hand sanitizer.
I often cringe at the sight of kids and toys getting slathered with blobs of alcohol based gels or wipes. But I also understand the paranoia a parent feels at the thought of their kids catching some icky virus.


Those hand sanitizers that are loaded with alcohol, and soaps that are brimming with the chemical Triclosan. Yes, those products work to kill germs, but they can also make your children sick. Unfortunately, alcohol-based hand sanitizers can poison children who ingest them, and it turns out that Triclosan may be a pretty nasty endocrine disruptor (you know, the stuff that makes children go through puberty well before their time) and may possibly make bacteria resistant to antibiotics.
Because Emily always has her hands in her mouth, I'd rather she not ingest alcohol. ;)

CleanWell Facts Kills 99.99% of harmful germs on contact. Including MRSA (resistant Staph), E.Coli and Salmonella. Safe for Kids. No ingestion risk. Made with a revolutionary green technology that is a patented blend of essential oils lab-proven to kill 99.99% of germs. A safe and all-natural germ killer with no toxic chemicals. Free of toxic chemicals such as Triclosan, Benzalkonium Chloride, and Alcohol. Biodegradable active ingredient, which means it breaks down quickly and completely without upsetting the natural balance of the ecosystem. Certified cruelty-free. Not tested on animals.

The wipes are my top pick for us.  It feels like we can really get our hands clean with the wipes. I've also used the Orange Hand Sanitizer Spray and I will probably continue to buy it to carry in my purse. CleanWell products are available at Whole Foods Market, The Vitamin Shoppe, GNC, Amazon.com, select Target stores, and a growing number of retailers.

I went into two Target stores and our local Henry's and they did not have the wipes. I ordered mine online through amazon.com with free 2day shipping! :)     Click here for more information: http://www.cleanwelltoday.com/# I also emailed the company regarding whether they recommend their products (specifically the wipes) for children under 1 year old.  They promptly emailed me back and assured me that they are safe to use on my little one.  :)

Natural Teething Remedies

Emily is teething and I've searched for some natural remedies to help her cope. We are trying to stay away from products like this. And we've found some awesome natural teething remedies that work for Emily and I thought I would share.

Boiron Homeopathic Camilia:
This stuff is our go-to remedy when Emily is in obvious discomfort. And it WORKS!!! Right before bed we will give her 1 dose and it helps ease her restlessness and gum discomfort.  The doses are pretty easy to administer and it really doesn't taste like anything (which is a plus in my book).
It is 100% Natural-  alcohol-free, sugar-free with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
I notice a difference within minutes.

You can get it from Henry's or Amazon.com.
                                                                       

Viburcol:
This stuff is expensive! We paid 14.99 for 10 doses from Henry's but it works! I think it works much faster and better than Boiron Camilia but Josh things they both work equally.  If it wasn't so expensive I would probably use this instead of Boiron's Camilia.
It is pretty much the same thing and is adminstered using the single dose packages as well.
This will be my go-to product when she is fighting a minor infection or fever.





I've also tried the natural teething gel from Hylands and it wasn't really easy to administer. She would let me put my finger in her mouth but the stuff got everywhere but on her gums! :)
Hope you find something that works for your little one!

The many uses of Chamomile

You all know I love my coconut oil but I also am a big believer in the use of Chamomile.

For more info on why chamomile is so great, check out this site: http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-chamomile.html




Here are some ways I use chamomile:

• I try to drink at least 2 cups of day so that I will pass it to Emily through my breast milk
• If I know Emily has an upset stomach or digestive issues, I give her about 1 ounce of brewed tea in a bottle.
• Teething pain: I soak a clean wash cloth in chamomile tea and let Emily suck on it. It really helps soothe those sore gums. If it's a hot day, I will freeze the soaked wash cloth and then let her chew on it.
• We have a humidifier we rarely use, but when I do use it, I make sure to drop a bag or two of chamomile tea in the water tank to help create a calming environment. 

Chamomile is one of the few substances that can be given to babies with an unsettled stomach. "When chamomile tea for "colicky" babies is given 3 times in a week, bouts of colic may not be noticed after a month. This herbal tea is definitely by far the safest remedy to stop a baby's colic problems".
I really think chamomile tea has helped Emily stay happy and content. I think it's a great natural alternative.

Teething Bling

Emily has become a very distracted nurser.  It is so hard to nurse her because she would rather see the world around her than to sit still and have a great meal. :)
Just recently I've been searching for a way to keep her focused on the task at hand. And I think I may have found it! Teething Bling!

Teething Bling^® is a cool necklace made for mom but safe for baby to chew and grab. Of course it is non-toxic, phthalate, BPA, PVC, latex and lead free! For more about their commitment to safety, click here.

It is one of the only "nursing necklaces" that is safe for babies to chew on.  Emily loves to chew on it

and I think it feels good on her teething gums.

Want one?
Click here to check out their website. Or check them out on amazon.com (free 2 day shipping with Amazon Prime)


Do you have a distracted nurser? Click here to read more about it.

Did you know that some babies can become so distracted during daytime feedings that they don't take in enough milk and then have to make up for it with more frequent night feedings. One study showed that older babies can consume as much as 25% of their total daily intake of mother's milk during the night, probably partly because of daytime distractibility.

And here are 10 tips for nursing a distracted baby.

Introducing solids to baby

Definition from Wikipedia:

Baby-led weaning (often also referred to as BLW) is a method of introducing solid foods. It allows a baby to control his solid food intake by self-feeding from the very beginning of the weaning process.

Baby Led Weaning is the emphasis of giving the baby control of what and how much she wants to eat. Solid foods are offered as a complement to breastmilk or formula starting around 6 months, while the baby continues to nurse or drink formula until at least 12 months.

With baby led weaning, there's no need for weaning spoons or "baby food". Baby led weaners generally skip purees altogether. Instead, the baby eats finger foods or the same foods as the rest of the family (with a common-sense approach to avoiding choking hazards). Sometimes baby led weaners offer runny or pureed foods, but allow their babies to handle the spoons on their own or with a little help, or use "edible dippers" (like pita bread).

A leading child-care expert has spoken out against pureed baby-food. Gill Rapley, deputy director of Unicef's Baby Friendly Initiative, claims that the foods are unnecessary, reduce the nutritional benefits of breast milk, and that babies fed on them are slow to acquire chewing skills and become picky eaters.
"In 2002, World Health Organization-backed research found breast or formula milk provided all the nutrition a baby needs up to the age of six months. That research said feeding a baby any other food during their first six months would dilute the nutritional value of the milk and might even be harmful to the baby's health," she says.

Baby Led Weaning is not new, it is practiced all over the world in countries where formula is not available and was in this country before formula companies told 1950s mothers that their breast milk was no good...so they started feeding formula. The 1950s formula wasn't able to sustain a baby and so weaning and introducing food had to be done sooner (3-4months) which meant purees for babies. 
Which made sense that you would HAVE TO supplement with pureed baby foods so early.

However, formula these days can now sustain babies and if your breastfeeding you never have to worry about not giving your baby enough.  Breast milk changes it's content as baby grows...pretty cool huh.

So, why do so many parents introduce solids at 4months?? Because they are still relying on outdated information or old school theology. However, World Health Organisation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Health Canada, Health Insite - Australia and the Department of Public Health (U.K.) as well as the CDC all recommend that babies receive nothing but breast milk and/or formula for the first 6 months of age. 

There has been a large amount of research on this in the recent past, and most health organizations have updated their recommendations to agree with current research. Unfortunately, many health care providers are not up to date in what they're telling parents, and many, many books are not up to date.

I recently asked my pediatrician when they recommend we start Emily on solids (kind of a trick question because I was hoping they wouldn't say "right now"). And he said 6months! He said most parents like to start at 4months of age with rice cereal or something similar but it is unnecessary and can be damaging to baby's digestive system and increase the risk of food allergies!!

Reasons for delaying solids:

• Delaying solids gives baby greater protection from illness. 
• Delaying solids gives baby's digestive system time to mature. 
• Delaying solids decreases the risk of food allergies.
• Delaying solids helps to protect baby from iron-deficiency anemia.

With all that being said, we are going to start to introduce finger foods to Emily around 6months or a little sooner if she shows interest (which I think she will). We are going to bypass the whole puree stage.

We are going to offer her a selection of soft finger foods that can be easily grasped (cooked vegetable sticks, boiled or steamed broccoli florets on their stems and softened apple and pear sticks or banana pieces).

As Emily becomes more adept at moving food to the back of her mouth and swallowing, we will increase the range of foods and textures we offer (sticks of cheese and soft meats, etc.).

Babies who do BLW tend to eat a wide variety of foods, learn to feed themselves quicker, benefit with being more involved in mealtimes and tolerate textured food. Some puree weaned babies go on to refuse lumpy food.


I think it's going to be so fun to introduce finger foods! Although, I have to admit that I am a little bummed out because before I started researching this topic, I planned to make all of Emily's pureed food using organic produce and veggies.  And I was looking forward to it! But I am slowly getting over it and can't wait to start introducing finger foods.  Emily is already reaching for food (on my plate).  I think she will be ready at 5months.

For more information on BLW see the following links:
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/babyledweaning.htm
http://babyledweaning.blogware.com/
http://www.netmums.com/food/Baby_led_weaning.2028/

I am "Crunchy"!

Crunchy.... this is a new phrase for me that I have come across these last couple of months. This is the definition I found of "Crunchy":  

An adjective describing persons or things relating to any or all of the following: vegetarianism; herbs; all-natural and organic products (such as food, skin and hair care products, etc.); recycling; protecting and preserving the environment; natural medicine; etc. People that are earthy-crunchy are sometimes called tree-huggers or hippies.

And Crunchy Mama is defined:

Mother who supports, breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, co-sleeping, etc. One who questions established medical authority; tends to be vegetarian and/or prepare organic foods.

If you would have told me in high school that I would become a "crunchy" person/mom someday, I would have laughed in your face!  lol

I don't think I am fully crunchy though.  I guess I would consider myself semi-crunchy as far as "crunchiness" goes.

I cloth diaper, babywear, breastfeed, make my own cleaning products, buy organic as much as possible, use natural non-toxic organic products, hang my clothes to dry, use herbs and natural medicines, considering homeschooling, plan on making Emily's baby food, delaying all vaccines, and the list goes on....but I had no idea that making choices like these earned me a new title.

I am totally ok with this whole Crunchy thing, in fact for me it is a compliment.... it means I did my research and I am making important informed decisions and not just following mainstream society and expecting someone else to tell me what works for us....bring on the granola and Birkenstocks! lol

Coconut Oil

Oh my, how I love my Coconut oil!!  I use it for everything.

Coconut oil has been called the “healthiest dietary oil on earth.”

Health benefits include:
- Promotes weight loss ;)
- Provides an immediate source of energy
- Supplies fewer calories than other fats
- Supplies important nutrients necessary for good health
- Is highly resistant to spoilage (long shelf life)
- Is heat resistant (the healthiest oil for cooking)

According to Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife:
- Protects against heart disease, cancer & diabetes
- Acts as an antioxidant in its resistance to attack by free radicals,
protecting against degenerative diseases, in general.
- Protects from a range of infectious diseases. Fife lists 28 infectious
and degenerative disease conditions that coconut oil can help to relieve,
reduce or prevent.
And the list goes on…

I thought  I would share some ways that I use it.

Baby massage: After researching what type of oil to use for Emily's daily baby massage, I knew that coconut oil was the best choice. It is excellent massage oil for the skin. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. But unlike mineral oil, there is no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin with the application of coconut oil. Coconut oil is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaky skin (Emily had flaky skin when she was born). It also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections.

Rash Cream:
Emily hasn't really had a diaper rash but if I do notice her bottom getting a little tender or pink, I dab a little on.  It’s easy to apply and melts into her skin, providing natural protection and healing.

Cradle cap:  I've read it helps relieve cradle cap.  I remember Emily had a little dry skin on her head (I had to dig deep through all her hair..lol) but I did notice a few flakes here and there.  I would rub coconut oil on her scalp and the flakes went away.

Stretch marks:  I use to slather coconut oil on my growing belly.  Not sure if it actually prevents stretch marks but it sure did feel good! :)

Lotion/moisturizer: I use it all over my body.  Especially on my feet.  If I have really dry feet, I rub in the oil and immediately put socks on.  In the morning I have super soft feet!


Make-up remover: I dab some coconut oil on a cotton swab and I use it to remove my make-up..usually just my mascara.  It is great for your face!

Chapstick: I dab a little on my lips and it works wonders! It is healthy for you too...no parabens or other yucky stuff you find in chapstick!

Deodarant: I've mentioned it before, but I make my own deodorant. I use coconut oil with cornstarch and baking soda.

Cooking: I've used it to cook before.  I don't use it often. I've used it to grease baking sheets, fry tortillas and I've added it to pancake mixes.  You can't really taste a difference.
*Use 1 cup to 1 cup ratio when replacing other oils/butter in recipes with coconut oil.

There are so many beneficial ways to use coconut oil but I just haven't gotten around to trying them all. Oh, I used to take about 2tblspoons of coconut oil by mouth a day...but I got tired of doing it.  I should start again!
I am looking into using it as a hair conditioner and I've read it is a good alternative to gel.  I am going to see if Josh will give it a try.

I only use Organic Virgin Coconut oil.  I've tried several brands and I don't notice a difference in any of them.
This is a great brand : tropicaltraditions.com
 More more info click here

Amber teething necklace

Emily started drooling around 2months old but now her drooling is in my opinion, excessive! lol  She drools like crazy and I have to change her clothes frequently because she soaks her tops with drool (I just pulled out the bibs).  She also is chewing on her hands and fingers any chance she gets.  I really didn't think it was teething because she is not fussy at all and I don't see any teeth poking through her gums yet and she is ONLY 3 months old! lol.  I figured teething = fussy baby.  But I guess not all baby's get fussy while teething.  I am assuming there are different stages in teething and perhaps we are in the beginning stages.
So of course, being the cloth diapering, breastfeeding, natural momma I am... I researched a no medication, no teething gel, no mess, just natural healing way to help Emily cope. And I found it!
It's an AMBER TEETHING NECKLACE!

Amber Teething necklaces provide natural pain relief and soothing analgesic support during teething. Amber is associated with sunlight and warmth and the unique properties that can boost the immune system, reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing process. Commonly known as "teething jewelry," Baltic amber has been a natural and traditional remedy for teething discomfort for hundreds of years. Learn more about amber teething necklaces and bracelets.


Baltic Amber has:
•Immune boosting properties
•Anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties
•and is recognized by allopathic medicine as a natural analgesic

Baltic Amber has some of the highest concentrations of Succinic Acid found in nature, and this is what makes it so special.
Amber is a natural analgesic and when worn on the skin, it releases healing oils that helps babies to stay calm and more relaxed throughout teething. Amber necklaces are a great natural remedy and can eliminate the need for over the counter drugs.

I ordered mine from  http://www.amberartisans.com/
To learn more visit http://www.amberartisans.com/articles.html

I have yet to receive it..but when I do, I will let you know how it works! :)

Green Dishwasher Detergent

As you know, I am on a mission to completely replace all my products with naturally healthy green products.  And I've finally switched out my dishwasher detergent to a more natural one that has no scary chemicals or toxins in it.
I am using BabyGanics Dishwasing dazzler and I like it! I've used it several times and it leaves my dishes sparkly clean! I've read some reviews regarding some awful residue it leaves behind but I haven't had this experience at all.  Maybe it depends on the water or type of dishwasher you have?  It works for us and you can buy it at Babies R Us and some Walmarts.  :)

Find the BEST sunscreen!

"Your favorite sunscreen may not be all it’s advertised to be. EWG’s research team found that 92 percent of brand name sunscreens either don’t sufficiently protect skin from sun damage or contain hazardous chemicals — or both.

Ingredients matter - learn if your brand leaves you overexposed to damaging UVA rays, if it breaks down in the sun, or if it contains potential hormone-disrupting compounds. Find your sunscreen, and possibly better choices, in EWG’s sunscreens database. "

Check out EWG's 2010 Sunscreen Guide
Find your sunscreen here and see what it's rated.

California Baby is a great brand for the whole family!!! :)

Raw Milk...really?!

Some are still fascinated or probably disgusted that we drink Raw Milk.  Lol!  It's okay though, I've done my research and talked to the company I get our Raw Milk from (Organic Pastures), and I've decided it's best for us. 

The milk that you buy in the store, put in your coffee, and feed to your kids is pasteurized.  It has been heat treated to nearly beyond recognition.  Its best qualities have been killed.

Pasteurization goes hand in hand with factory farmers.  They raise unhealthy cows on grain (cows should only naturally eat grass), pump them full of antibiotics and hormones, then heat treat the milk to kill "potential pathogens" that they create on their dirty farms. They have to pasteurize because their process is so dirty and their cows are so sick that it would be unsafe for anyone to drink the milk they produce.

Raw milk is a complete food from healthy, well-cared for, grass-fed cows, full of valuable enzymes, beneficial bacteria, good fats, and much more.

Please read more here, including an eye-opening interview with organic pastures' founder Mark Mcafee.  They are a great company that sells raw milk, kefir and more.  I buy it locally at my Henry's or Sprouts market but they also ship.
 Click here for a raw milk facts site.

Oh, if you are worried about the taste...well, to me it tastes the same as pasteurized milk.  But some say it has a more "natural" taste.  I do buy the Whole Raw Milk which is really thick but Josh prefers the Skim Raw Milk because it is obviously thinner.
I've stop drinking Raw Milk in my 3rd trimester of my pregnancy but I still try to find a better alternative to "normal" milk.  If I am not buying Raw Milk (sometimes Sprouts is out of Raw milk so I have to buy an organic brand), I go for  Organic Valley Milk or Stremick's Heritage Organic Milk.

And of course, I am not one of those people who stay completely away from "normal" super market milk.  I will always indulge in a big cup of milk or bowl of cereal using supermarket milk (if I'm craving it) at a family or friends house.  I can only try to control what is in my house but I refuse to be one of those people who turn their nose up when offered something different.  So there! lol  :)

Organic can be EXPENSIVE!

Anyone else noticed that buying organic fruit and veggies can get expensive fast!? I  try to buy organic at my local farmer's market, or Henry's/Sprouts but it can get expensive. Because we can't really "afford" to buy all organic all the time, I usually only try to organically buy the 12 fruits and veggies treated with the most pesticides.  Check out this updated 2010 list below of which 12 fruits and veggies are treated with the most pesticides and should only be purchased organic. The list also tells you the top 15 that you could purchase non-organic if you need to save money! :)

And why is this stuff important: For MANY reasons...but recently a study showed that ADHD is linked to pesticide exposure. Finally, some people are realizing that pesticides have serious effects on our health. 

MUST Buy Organic (Highest Pesticide index)	Lowest in pesticides (SAVE Money – Don’t need to buy Organic)
1.       Celery	1.       Onions
2.       Peaches	2.       Avocado
3.       Strawberries	3.       Sweet Corn
4.       Apples	4.       Pineapple
5.       Blueberries	5.       Mangos
6.       Nectarines	6.       Sweet Peas
7.       Bell Peppers	7.       Asparagus
8.       Spinach	8.       Kiwi
9.       Kale	9.       Cabbage
10.   Cherries	10.   Eggplant
11.   Potatoes	11.   Cantaloupe
12.   Grapes (imported)	12.   Watermelon
	13.   Grapefruit
	14.   Sweet Potato
	15.   Honeydew Melon

Laundry Detergent...

For the past few years I have been using Seventh Generation Free & Clear and Method Free & Clear exclusively. And I am very satisfied with both laundry detergents. However, I am on the hunt for one laundry detergent that is safe for baby and works great for all of our family needs (especially for Josh's uniforms and other items that need to be cleaned really good).

Although I would continue to use Seventh Generation and Method detergent, I want something more human friendly for us and baby without Enzymes, Brighteners, Dyes, Fragrances, Softeners or Bleach and something that doesn't leave detergent residue. The detergents I am currently using have some enzymes and brighteners....which is okay for our not so sensitive skin but probably not good for baby.

Why Avoid these Ingredients?
Enzymes: Enzymes attack organic matter and help dissolve stains when activated with water or moisture. Sweat, urine, and feces are all organic matter so there is a risk that these substances that are lingering on baby's skin will be a target for these enzymes. In particularly sensitive children, these enzymes can cause blistering, bleeding, sores and rashes.
Fragrances and Dyes: These are harsh and unnecessary chemicals for a baby's laundry. It is best to avoid them. Artificial fragrances are often made from petroleum. Many do not degrade in the environment, and may have toxic effects on both fish and mammals. They can cause allergies, asthma and skin or eye irritation.
Optical Brighteners: These are actually tiny particles that stick to the surface of your clothes after washing. These particles make colors appear to be brighter by absorbing invisible ultraviolet light and re-emitting it as blue light. Although these optical brighteners may make your clothes appear brighter, they are chemical residues that are intentionally left behind on your clothes and may cause skin irritation or other allergic reactions.
Fabric Softeners: Fabric softener, either in liquid or sheet form – leaves a water-repelling residue on your laundry. When left on clothes, cloth diapers (and towels), this residue makes them less absorbent and useful in the very purpose that they serve.

Dryer Balls also help soften laundry. A new product is The Static Eliminator Re-Usable Dryer Sheets. These sheets contain no chemicals and are hypoallergenic. In addition, they don't affect the flame resistance of clothing (which is very important to us, especially for Josh's uniforms as well as baby clothes).

What Is Detergent Residue?
Detergent Residue is a film that is left behind on clothing (or on my cloth diapers). Why is this a problem? Detergent build-up and residue can lead to repelling or beading of liquid; leaks and wicking; skin rashes and irritation; dulling of colors in fabric. Residue problems are usually caused by additives in your detergent such as brighteners, fabric softeners, natural additives like citrus extract or grapeseed extract, soaps, and stain guards.

Here is a list of some of the leading detergents for comparison:

Image	Detergent	Enz- ymes	Bright- eners	Dyes	Frag- rances	Soft- eners
	*Mountain Green Baby Detergent A PETA acceptable product	No	No	No	Yes	No
	*Mountain Green Free and Clear	No	No	No	No	No
	20 Mule Team Borax	No	No	No	No	No
	All Free and Clear	No	Yes	No	No	No
	All Baby Care Plus	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
	All Small and Mighty	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
	Arm & Hammer FabriCare	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
	Arm & Hammer FabriCare Free	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
	Arm & Hammer Essentials Free Note: The Mountain Rain edition has fragrance and dyes	No	No	No	No	No
	Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin	No	Yes	No	No	No
	Bio-O-Kleen Laundry Powder	No	No	No	No	No
	Bio-O-Kleen Premium Plus Laundry Powder	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
	Charlie's Soap Charlie's Soap Caution: Some burns and rashes have been reported by users of this detergent. Note: see “Do Detergents Disinfect?” at bottom of page	No	No	No	No	No
	Charlie's Soap Charlie's Soap Caution: Some burns and rashes have been reported by users of this detergent. Note: see “Do Detergents Disinfect?” at bottom of page	?	No	No	No	No
	Cheer Cheer	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
	Cheer Free and Gentle	Yes	No	No	No	?
	Country Save Country Save Liquid	No	No	No	No	No
	Country Save Country Save Powdered Detergent	No	No	No	No	No
	Dreft Dreft	Yes	Yes	No	No	?
	Earth Friendly Products Baby Hypoallergenic Laundry Soap Vegetable & Coconut Based Soap...may not be strong enough to launder cloth diapers	No	No	No	No	Yes
	Ecos Free and Clear Liquid	No	No	No	No	No
	Ecos Powdered Laundry Deteregent	No	No	No	No	Yes
	Ecover Non Bio Laundry Vegan Approved	No	No	No	Yes	No
	GAIN GAIN	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
	GAIN GAIN HE Powder	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
	Ivory Snow may not be strong enough to launder cloth diapers	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
	Kirkland's Kirkland's Signature (Costco brand) This product is nearly identical to Tide	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
	Kirkland's Signature Environmentally Friendly contains vegetable based surfactants including those derived from coconuts	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
	Maggie's Soap Nuts Maggie's Soap Nuts Note: 100% natural - Grows on Trees!!!	No	No	No	No	No
	Method HE Laundry Detergent	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
	Method Baby Laundry Detergent	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
	Method Free and Clear	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
	Mountain Green Original Citrus A PETA acceptable product	No	No	No	Yes	No
	Nature Clean All Natural Laundry Liquid	No	No	No	No	No
	Nellie's Nellie's Laundry Soda contains coconut oil based ingredients.	No	No	No	No	No
	OXY-PRIME OXY-PRIME Powder	No	No	No	No	No
	Penguin Sport-Wash Restores factory applied waterproofing (DWR). Contains biodegradable vegetable surfactants	No	No	No	No	No
	Planet Ultra Powder	No	No	No	No	No
	Purex Purex	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
	Purex Baby	No	Yes	?	Yes	No
	Purex Free and Clear Note: Many moms have expressed satisfaction with this detergent.	No	Yes	No	No	No
	SensiClean SensiClean Note: Some burns and rashes have been reported by users of this detergent.	No	No	No	No	?
	Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Baby	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
	Seventh Generation Free and Clear contains vegetable based surfactants and enzymes including those derived from coconuts	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
	Seventh Generation Natural Laundry	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
	Sun Free Note: Many moms have expressed satisfaction with this detergent.	No	Yes	No	No	No
	Sunlight Ultra Sensitive Skin	No	Yes	No	No	No
	Sunlight Ultra Sensitive Skin HE	No	Yes	No	No	No
	Surf Surf	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
	Surf Aloha Splash	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
	Tide Tide	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	?
	Tide Free	Yes	Yes	No	No	?
	Tide HE	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	?
	Trader Joe's Cleanliness is Next to Godliness	No	No	No	No	No
	Wisk Free Clear Ultra	Yes	Yes	No	No	No

I was leaning towards Mountain Green Free & Clear for all our laundering needs...but then I stumbled on what looks to be an amazing product created by a WAHM (Work AT Home Mom) ROCKIN GREEN DETERGENT. I've read nothing but great reviews all over the internet and it is reasonably priced.

My only concern was the "scents" she offers are made from synthetic oils...not natural oils. I emailed my concern and she said that the NEW all natural scents line is replacing the old line and should be available in a few weeks!! Great timing, right!

Rockin’ Green is:

• Dye free
• Comes in several yummy scents (& an unscented version for sensitive skin)
  
• No fillers
  
• No enzymes or optical brighteners
  
• 100% Phosphate free
• Vegan
• Great for sensitive skin
• Easy rinsing formula
• Approved for military use
  
• Perfect for cloth diapers
• HE compatible
• Reusable packaging
• Great for all water types
• Economical at .13 cents a load!

I am going to order my Rockin Green Detergent in a few weeks. I can't wait!!!!