Eco-friendly Eco Nuts: Eco Nuts Soap Review/Giveaway

Along the lines of being eco-friendly in out house we have started looking for a better alternative to laundry soap.  I hate that all the soaps out there are scented, and have chemicals in them I can't pronounce.  AND if they don't and are organic then they cost more than I can afford to pay.  See, with 6 kiddos we do LOTS of laundry!  Really those of you with one or two don't realize how much laundry they can make when they out number you!  LOL!  
I can't remember how I found out about Eco Nuts Soap, I think it was a Cloth Diaper chat on twitter, but boy am I glad I did.  

I love them!  I now recommend them to anyone that asks!  I think they are amazing and the fact that they are a natural soap just makes me thrilled.  

See, I have been making my own soap for about a year now and it works and we like it.  It is cloth diaper safe and never aggravated my baby's bum.  I was content with it.  BUT then I got my sample of Eco Nuts Soap!  Now I want more.... 
So let's see what we can learn about Eco Nuts Soap k?

What’s an Eco Nut?

 Eco Nuts™ are completely sustainable dried fruit shells that come from the Sapindus mukorossi tree in Nepal, India and Indonesia. The ones we harvest come from high up in the Himalayas and are the highest quality "soap nut" on the market. These fruit shells have been used in India and China for centuries, and are now gaining popularity in America and Europe as a renewable, biodegradable and organic alternative to chemical  detergents and expensive “Green” laundry soaps.

 Eco Nuts™ contain saponin, a natural cleaner that works as a surfactant, breaking the surface tension of the water to penetrate the fibers of your clothing, lifting stains from the fabric and leaving dirt suspended in the water that is rinsed away.

Eco Nuts™ are gentle on both clothes and skin, making them ideal for those with sensitive skin, eczema, allergies and psoriasis. Because they are so mild, they are perfect for baby clothes and cloth diapers. The antimicrobial properties of Eco Nuts™ also make them great for septic and grey water systems. But don’t expect these shells to foam up like commercial soaps, which have artificial foaming agents. Foam simply does not represent cleaning power.  
Strong enough for washing regular laundry
Ideal for baby clothes and cloth diapers  
Beneficial for septic and gray water systems
Gentle enough for neoprene wetsuits
Can be made into a multipurpose cleaner with many household uses  
Eco Nuts™ was conceived as a company that could transcend the cleaning industry in becoming a leader in environmentally responsible practices.  We are environmentally friendly in our operations and socially responsible in dealing with our customers, partners and suppliers.

All our products are cruelty and paraben-free, vegan, tested only on humans, and utilize recycled or recylable packaging! 
So now wanna see some pics?

You simply take the nuts and you put them in this little bag.  Then you toss them in the wash with your laundry.  Simple right?  You better believe it!  These lasted us longer than they said.  We wash in cold water and they say 10 washes.  I think we got a good 20 or 25 out of it!  Awesome huh?  They you can just compost them!  I Love this!  If you have more questions about them you can visit their FAQ's page.

Can't wait to try them out?  You can buy some NOW!  You can go HERE and buy some.... or I share a common retailer with Eco Nuts and I will plug her here.  Little Squigglers sells Eco Nuts also.  So next time you order Nifty Nappy diapers from her have her throw in a sample of Eco Nuts.  You won't be sorry you did.    

So, wanna try to win some?  You get to WIN one box of Regular Size (50 hot, up to 90 cold loads) Eco Nuts Soap 

IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!    <------

• I can't contact you unless you leave contact info.  So you either need to leave your mail address in each entry , or you have to have contact info on your profile!   If I can't contact you I will pick another winner! 
• Also you must leave a comment for every entry separately.  ex. If you If you comment on my blog you need to leave 3 separate comments saying where you commented!  
• for the tweeting entries leave your URL... don't know how to do that?  After you tweet click on your profile then under you tweet there is a time thingy saying how long ago you tweeted, click on it.  There is your tweet, copy the URL and come back here and leave it in your comment. 
• I will check the winning entry!  If it isn't legit I will pick another winner!  

REQUIRED entry: this is all one entry and goes in one comment.  

You must follow my blog!  You must vist Eco Nuts Soap come back and comment on what you like the most! 

EXTRA entries: if it says 3 entires you need to leave 3 separate comments!  
2-entries: Like(since it isn't fan anymore -LOL) Eco Nuts Soap on facebook
2-entries: let's spread the word...grab an Eco Nuts button and put it on your blog

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4547726887_113e1cce9d_o.jpg" alt="Eco Nuts soap" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4250403507_4669e73497_o.jpg" height="150" /></a>


1-entry: follow Eco Nuts on twitter @EcoNuts 
1-entry: follow me on twitter @myniftynappy
2-entries: original tweet about this giveaway... tweet this  
 
Be more Eco-friendly this year! Win a box of @EcoNuts in the #SPRINGFLINGEVENT on @myniftynappy http://bit.ly/EcoNutsGA #clothdiapers RT!

1-entry: you can get 1 entry twice a day! -leave the URL
3-entries: blog about this giveaway and come back and leave a link
10-entries: make a purchase of Eco Nuts from either Eco Nuts or Little Squigglers!
1-entry: let's spread the word...grab My WEBSITE button and put it on your blog  *I have a NEW one!  
1-entry: even more word spreading...grab My BLOG button and put it on your blog
1-entry: Follow Nifty Nappy on Facebook
1-entry: follow me on twitter @myniftynappy
One more little plug here!  
5-entries: follow and enter the Cloth Diapers in Hospitals Giveaway 

This giveaway has ended! 

Thanks for entering and good-LUCK!

Happy Diapering

Vilate Thacker
vilate@niftynappy.com
http://niftynappy.com

Eco-friendly Produce Bags: 4 Girls Designs Review/Giveaway

Welcome to our Eco-Friendly Earth Week giveaways!  
I have become a little more "green" over the years... who wouldn't using cloth diapers.  LOL! 
As this has happened I have noticed how much stuff in this world just plain isn't good for us... or there are some that we just plain don't know what the effects will be!  
We have the opportunity to grow an amazing garden where we are right now.  With the sowing comes the harvest!  I love fresh veggies... I even love them after I have spent hours and hours bottling them too!  
I just don't love veggies but I love fruit too.  My only problem is I don't really live where I can grow all the fruit I like.  So we go to the store and fruit stands and pick up our fresh fruits.  In the mean time... what do you store your fruit in?  Well I found a store in my searching for a better alternative.  
Wanna see?
4 Girls Designs
So, let's get to know a little more about this eco-friendly shop. 

Who is the mastermind behind your products. Who is the inspiration?

I tend to focus on creating products that I need or others request for their own personal use. My four girls are the inspiration for many of my products.  It is a joy to design things for them and that spills over into new shop items if I think others may like them too. I like making my products eco-friendly as well.
How long have you been selling your product? I have been selling Reusable Produce Bags for the last two years.  I wanted a produce bag that I could offer in different sizes, would be durable and long-lasting, see-through material for scanning (so I would not have to see my tender produce be removed from the bag in order to scan it at the register), and what I came up with has surpassed my expectations.  I have gotten very good feedback from all my customers with this product!
How has your product evolved from the first time you made it? Has it changed in design or anything? I have made the bags pretty much the same as my original design.  I have altered the material for the cord from time to time.  Otherwise, I see no need to change the construction.  I offer additional sizes for those wishing to purchase items in bulk but want smaller bags.
What do you like most about your product? I really like how lightweight, yet durable,  they are. They are easy to carry to the store, purchase my produce, store it, and wash it all in the same bag. And it means no more grocery store plastic bags.
What makes your product better than the rest? *brag about it, it is ok : ) My Reusable Produce Bags are lighter, stronger, virtually see-through, and chemical free.  My bags are made of no-see-um netting, a very tightly woven material.  It is the chemical-free way to prevent even those tiny no-see-um bugs from getting through. It is a very smooth material that won't damage the tender fruit you buy. They are available in many sizes and I am happy to make any custom size requested.  The triple-stitched seams and cord are heavy-duty.  I fill my large bag with apples every week and have been very happy with it.  The clerk can scan the produce right through the bag so there is no need to remove it to read the code on the stickers. I prefer to have my produce handled as little as possible, so that was important to me.  I love being able to buy my fruit in the bag, take it home, wash it and store it-all in the same bag. And then I just rinse the bag and hang it to dry and it's ready to use again.  I feel so much better about using these Reusable Produce Bags instead of the plastic baggies at the grocery store.  Be prepared, others will stop you and ask you where you got your bags!  My shop name and website are right on the product tag, along with washing instructions.

So did I like them?  Do I use them?
-AND HOW!  I couldn't have done better.  She really has found the perfect fabric.  I have to tell you a little story. 
We got given a whole bunch of really ripe fruit from a friend.  I mean it was really ripe.  Pineapples and cantaloupe.  They were yum, but they brought on fruit flies like no other.  You know how hard it is to get rid of fruit flies.  I tried everything.  I set the traps for them using vinegar and dish soap.  I made the little traps using containers and plastic wrap over them.  I searched and searched for how to get rid of them.  We started putting all the fruit in the fridge.  This turns your bananas black!  :(   
I had these bags in the package still.... dumb huh?  I decided to give them a try.  I sent them with hubby the next time he went to the store.  I left the fruit in them on the counter.  Guess what?  After about a week.... no more fruit flies!  I was elated!  I can't sing their praises loud enough - or to enough people.  
So, wanna see them?

I love the draw string.  Easy to close, and easy to open!  Also handy to carry.

I love that they are light and don't add to the weight when I use them in the store.

See those bitty those holes are?  They are awesome!  No fruit flies for you!

At my house of course we need the big ones!  I have to tell you I really do love these things.  In fact I need more.  Do you need some?  Well I am going to go over to 4 Girl Designs tomorrow and buy more with the AWESOME 10% discount that she is offering to my lucky readers. 
 Just use the code: NIFTYNAPPY in the comments to seller at checkout and she will refund you 10%.  **valid only this week! 4/19-4/26 

So you have a chance to win some too!  4 Girls Design has offered to my readers a Large Produce Bag and a Medium Produce Bag to help you be more eco-friendly!

IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!  <------

• I can't contact you unless you leave contact info.  So you either need to leave your mail address in each entry , or you have to have contact info on your profile!   If I can't contact you I will pick another winner! 
• Also you must leave a comment for every entry separately.  ex. If you If you comment on my blog you need to leave 3 separate comments saying where you commented!  
• for the tweeting entries leave your URL... don't know how to do that?  After you tweet click on your profile then under you tweet there is a time thingy saying how long ago you tweeted, click on it.  There is your tweet, copy the URL and come back here and leave it in your comment. 
• I will check the winning entry!  If it isn't legit I will pick another winner!  

REQUIRED entry:  *really you HAVE to do this!  I check for this one.
visit 4 Girls Designs Shop on etsy and come back here and tell me what sizes her produce bags are available in.

K, now for the extra entries: if it says 3 entires you need to leave 3 comments!  

2 entries: heart 4 Girls Designs Shop on etsy
3 entry: visit 4 Girls Designs blog and become a fan!  

2 entry: visit 4 Girls Designs blog and leave her a comment, then come back and leave me one "FACT" from there. 

2-entries: let's spread the word...grab the 4 Girls Designs button

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/4girlsdesigns"><img border="0" width="150" alt="4 Girls Designs" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4384580959_d70eb79408_o.jpg" height="150" /></a>

1-entry: follow me on twitter @myniftynappy
2-entries: 1st Tweet about this giveaway... tweet this  
 
Win an Eco-friendly produce bag for #EarthDay week in the @myniftynappy #SPRINGFLINGEVENT http://bit.ly/eco-1  #ecofriendly  #gogreen RT PLS
 
1-entry: you can get 1 entry for 2 tweets a day-must be at least 4 hrs apart 
*leave tweet URL!
5-entries: blog about this giveaway and come back and leave a link
1-entries: grab my blog button
1-entry: grab my webpage button
10-entries: Make a purchase from 4 Girls Designs Shop! 
*don't forget the 10% off code!

This giveaway Has ended! 

Thanks for entering and good-LUCK!

Happy Diapering

Vilate Thacker
vilate@niftynappy.com
http://niftynappy.com

Notes of Worth!

I am super sorry ladies I lapsed in my giveaway schedule.  I just got swamped with orders and didn't feel I had the time to sit and blog.  :(  I will be getting another posted tonight though.  This week I am focusing on eco-friendly products for Earth Day!  I will also be closing out the 2 current giveaways I have going on so don't forget to enter!  
Just a couple notes of business though! 
#1- My retailers I have listed here are all going to be having a SALE this week on their Nifty Nappy's!
         *note-I am not having a sale on my website....if you want the deals visit my retailers!  :) 
Here are their links for convenience:

Little Squigglers

Sprouting Up

Sugar Dipes

and for our Canadian fans:

Little Money Store

I hope you will visit them and take advantage of there great sales!  

#2- the other BIG news!  

I have gotten involved in a great cause!  I want you to join too -if you haven't already!

I just threw out the idea on twitter the other day that we needed to make a push to get cloth diaper used in hospitals again.  My suggestion took on a life of it's own, and I have had some major help from some awesome ladies!  

We have a FB page and everything.  If you feel you have anything at all to offer, ideas, info, or photos please feel free to let me know!  We are going to be having a HUGE giveaway event too next week...so join us!

http://facebook.com/ClothinHospitals

So I hope you continue to come and check out my blog from time to time!  :)  

Thanks for being so awesome!  :) 

Happy Diapering

Vilate Thacker
vilate@niftynappy.com
http://niftynappy.com