Buying USA made products keeps our money circulating in our own communities and country. This supports everyone in America – including you, your friends, your family, and your neighbors!

We are very proud of the fact that all of our products are USA-made by a group of very talented women, many of whom work in the comfort and convenience of their own homes. Thanks to the support of our dedicated customers, we are celebrating the direct development of new jobs in our area — that’s putting bread on the table for families right here in Colorado! Thirsties is very happy to say that we support our local economies!

We use only the best of USA-sourced components in order to reduce our carbon footprint, to help support domestic textile mills, and to ensure your diapers will last wash after wash.

Thanks for supporting Thirsties!

Sourced from www.thirstiesbaby.com
Written by Sonya Choron 10/27/10

Pure soap is not recommended for use on laundry due to the fact that soaps can leave a residue on your diapers and covers, in the form of soap scum. This makes the diapers repel moisture rather than absorb it, and it is also harsh on the laminates used in your diaper covers, making them absorb rather than repel liquid.

Soap and detergent are both cleaning agents, yet detergents are formulated specifically for laundry and other purposes. A detergent is a synthetic product, meaning the ingredients are processed and mixed together to form the detergent. Soap is made by simply mixing lye with vegetable or animal fats, although other ingredients may be added.

The best choice for washing your diapers is to use detergent on them; however, all detergents are not alike! For cloth diapers, you will want to choose a detergent with no additives such as Brighteners, Chlorine Bleach, Enzymes, Dyes, Fabric Softeners, and Fragrance. Check out the Diaper Jungle website to see which detergents contain these additives. These ingredients can be harmful to your diapering products, your baby’s skin, and/or the environment.

The only detergent we recommend with 100% confidence that it is safe for your diapers, your baby, and the planet we share is our very own. True, Thirsties Pre-Wash and Super Wash can be more costly than store brands, but will keep your diapers clean and looking like new longer!

For other recommended detergents, please go to our FAQs page on our website:

http://www.thirstiesbaby.com/customer-center/faqs/ -> Laundering Tips.

The Duo Wrap is a waterproof cover, and you will need to add absorbency inside. Thirsties offerings for absorbency in the Duo Wrap are the Duo Hemp Prefold, Stay-Dry Duo Insert, and Duo Fab Fitted diaper. One of the benefits to using a two piece system is that you can use the wrap up to 5 times in between washings. This means that you need to buy less wraps than diapers or inserts.

The following is some information about each option:

Duo Wrap + Duo Hemp Prefold:

This combo offers: Affordability, adjustability, durability, absorbency, softness, trimness, and natural fibers.

Prefolds are absorbent diapers that are flat. They can be trifolded for ease of use in the Duo Wrap. You only need 1 Duo Wrap for every 3-5 prefolds.

Cost:

Duo Wrap: $12.25 each for solids, $12.75 each for prints – available in snap or Aplix closures.

Duo Hemp Prefold: $8.00 each

Full stash of size 1 and 2: $405.50- $499.75 (This is for a two day supply.)

Save: $867.19 + over the cheapest disposables!

Duo Wrap + Stay-Dry Duo Insert

This combo offers: Affordability, adjustability, ease of use, trimness, and absorbency.

Stay-Dry Duo Inserts are absorbent inserts that replace a diaper. You will lay them into the Duo Wrap. You only need 1 Duo Wrap for every 3-5 Stay-Dry Inserts.

Cost:

Duo Wrap: $12.25 each for solids, $12.75 each for prints – available in snap or Aplix closures.

Stay-Dry Duo Insert: $7.00 each

Full stash of size 1 and 2: $365.50- $459.75 (This is for a two day supply.)

Save: $907.19 + over the cheapest disposables!

Duo Wrap + Thirsties Duo Fab Fitted Diapers

This combo offers: Adjustability, adjustability, absorbency, softness, and excellent leak protection.

The Duo Fab Fitted is an absorbent, adjustable fitted diaper. This diaper provides an extra barrier at the legs to stop leaks, and is very absorbent. You only need 1 Duo Wrap for every 3-5 fitted diapers.

Cost:

Duo Wrap: $12.25 each for solids, $12.75 each for prints – available in snap or Aplix closures.

Duo Fab Fitted: $17.00 each – available in snap or Aplix closures.

Full stash of size 1 and 2: $705.50-879.75 (This is for a two day supply.)

Save: $487.18 + over the cheapest disposables!

If you would like a one piece system, be sure to check out the new Duo All-in-One Cloth Diaper!

Written by Sonya Choron 1/13/11

What happens to the diapers that are returned to Thirsties? Is that it? Is the diaper doomed to lay in a landfill when they still have life in them?

In most cases, the answer is NO! We care too much about our diapers and mother earth to let that happen! (Of course, the ones that are dead do have to be disposed of.) If you don’t understand my humor, please let me know.

We at Thirsties believe not only in providing the customer with a useful, affordable, and quality product, but we also believe in sustainability. One of the ways in which we do that is repairing the returns (if possible), and donating to those who need them.

If you have submitted a return with Thirsties before, you would receive a response like this:

“We sincerely apologize for your flawed Thirsties item, and we are happy to help! Your satisfaction is very important to us.

We are replacing your item/items. Included in the package will be a prepaid label. Please use the prepaid label to send us our defective item. We will repair the item if possible, and donate to supply needy families with diapers and accessories.

No need to buy a mailer or special envelope to return your item to us. Our Eco Enclose mailers are made to use twice, so simply use the second adhesive strip to close the Eco Enclose mailer, and leave in your box for your mail carrier to pick-up.”

Although we get back less than .5% of sales in returns, it still adds up to a large amount considering how many we sell.

Most of our returns go back to the sewers who repair them, and then we donate them to our local County Health Department to be dispersed to needy families.

Our returns for worn Aplix take a lot of time to fix, and they go to LCDSF!, who generously makes the repairs and donates to needy families.

We are so glad to be able to be recycling used diapers, and passing them on to those who can use them!

Written by Sonya Choron 1/20/12

What? Clean My Washing Machine?

Yes, washing machines need to be cleaned once in a while; just like dishwashers, sinks, bathtubs, and drains. Although most of the soil is washed out with the water, grime and detergent residues can be left inside the washer and plumbing – especially when fabric softeners have been used. These are organic, greasy, and/or soapy deposits; and the coating provides a base for mold, mildew and bacteria which can cause odor in your laundry. They may also damage interior components of the washing machine.

If your laundry comes out of the wash with a mildew smell, it could be due to a dirty washer. Front -loading machines seem to be more susceptible to developing mold and odor (due to the watertight seal on the door), as well as routinely washing on cold.

It is recommended to clean your washer once a month.

1. Exterior
   Wipe down the exterior of the washing machine with vinegar, or your favorite household cleaner. You can use Q-tips and old tooth brushes to get into the nooks and crannies. Never use an abrasive cleanser which can scratch and damage the surface. Use your household window cleaner on any glass.
2. Lid/Door
   Scrub around the edge of the lid/door with vinegar to remove mildew and detergent build up. This includes the seal on front loaders.
3. Tub
   There are commercial washing machine cleaners, or you can use organic household cleaners such as baking soda and white vinegar.
   -If using a commercial cleaner, follow directions on the package.
   -If using baking soda and vinegar: 
   • Pour two cups of baking soda into the tub, and run a hot wash on the largest setting. You can run a Clean cycle instead for machines with that option. After the machine drains the water out, stop the cycle. Do not run the rinse if possible.
     
   • Repeat with another hot wash cycle on the largest setting, this time adding two cups of white vinegar. Use a warm rinse cycle if possible. Let the cycle run through including the rinse.
     
   • When the rinse cycle is finished, use a sponge with a bit of vinegar, and wipe down the inside of the tub. You may need a bit of CLR or a mineral remover for a stubborn mineral ring. Also make sure to clean above the tub where debris can accumulate.
     
4. Dispensers
   Remove the bleach and fabric
   softener dispensers. Soak them in hot water and a bit of vinegar for about 15 minutes, and clean them thoroughly. Clean inside the dispenser area. When the dispensers are dry, return them to the machine. 
   
5. Drains and Filters
   If your washer is equipped with a lint filter, remove all lint accumulation. A clogged drain can prevent the water from draining properly. Remove any build-up in the strainer after each washing cycle.
6. Vacuum under and behind the machine.
   This not only makes it cleaner, but helps to alleviate a possible fire hazard. 
   

Tips:

• To prevent mildewing, leave the lid open after you finish a load to allow the washing machine to dry out.
• For households with high humidity, add one cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle when washing your towels weekly.
• When the wash cycle is finished, remove the load promptly.
• If you have a pet in your house that sheds such as a dog or cat, you may need to vacuum out the washer. After the drum is dry, use your vacuum’s soft brush attachment and vacuum out the pet hair.
• Clean out the inlet hose filters twice a year. You’ll find them inside the water inlet connections.

*Your machine may come with manufacturer’s recommendations on how to clean your machine. If so, please refer to your machine’s owner manual for instructions.

Written by Sonya Choron 1/5/2012