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Monkey Doodlez Wipe Cubes- The Reusable Wipes Solution NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK!
Monkey Doodlez Wipe Cubes are the fast, frugal and fuss-free way to make wipes solution for your reusable wipes for your baby! Simply dissolve one cube in 500ml (2 cups) of warm water and pour over your wipes, or bottle it and use as needed. Made with natural, gentle ingredients, theyre kind to your babys delicate skin and kind to the environment.
Each jar contains approximately 80 cubes which will yield about 40 litres of solution! Save your jar and simply refill with our refill packs! When it’s time to discard, your jar is ready to be recycled!
Monkey Doodlez wipe cubes are firm favourites for many ‘cloth nappying/ diapering’ families. However, they have not been available to purchase in the UK as of yet…Mums Baby Magazine are proud to announce that we stock Monkey Doodlez Wipe Cubes in our online shop!
Sun, Sand and Swimming with Little Ones, We review the Monkey Doodlez Swim Nappy.
A day out swimming is the perfect past time especially during the hot summer months. However, taking a toddler swimming can be difficult at the best of times, make your day a little less stressful by investing in a reusable swim nappy.
Why reuse?
Would you throw away your swimming costume after you had used it only once? No… So why waste money upon disposable swim nappies when you could offer your child a comfortable and more affordable option?
Let’s look at the comparisons
| Disposable Swim Nappies | Reusable Swim Nappies |
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If you plan on swimming regularly with your child then the benefits of using reusable swim nappies far outweigh those of disposable swim nappies. Mums Baby Magazine put the Monkey Doodlez Blowfish Swim Nappy to the ultimate test:
We took two toddlers (one wearing a disposable swim nappy and the other wearing a Monkey Doodlez reusable nappy), a paddling pool and a range of floating toys out on a sunny day in the UK. Firstly, we ensured that both children were wearing children’s waterproof SPF Factor 50 sun protecting lotion, we then fitted the nappies onto the toddlers and added sunglasses, a protective sun shirt/ swim suit and sun hats. We then put up an oversized parasol to ensure that the toddlers were shaded during the afternoons play in the sunshine and then filled the paddling pool with floating toys to keep the little ones entertained while we watched and waited…
Disposable VS Reusable Swim Nappies at play
The first toddler (wearing a disposable swim nappy) entered the paddling pool with little hesitation, within minutes she decided that she wished to get out of the pool for a play in the sandpit. However, the disposable swim nappy was soaked and due to the ‘absorbent core’ in the nappy the nappy remained wet until removed five minutes later.
The second toddler (wearing a reusable Monkey Doodlez swim nappy) entered the paddling pool with and sat down in his reusable nappy. Upon noticing that his companion had left him for a sandpit, he decided to follow his friend and he too had a rather ‘wet bum’. However, after five minutes the reusable nappy had dried and the toddler wearing this item was able to continue water and sand play outside without being changed.
Disposable VS Reusable Swim Nappies when in water
The first toddler (wearing a disposable swim nappy) had now been changed into a new disposable swim nappy and once again wished to enter the padding pool to fill her watering can. We took this opportunity to take a closer look at the disposable nappy when in water and found that it seemed quite stiff and uncomfortable. We also found that it seemed to become bulkier when in water.
The second toddler (wearing a reusable Monkey Doodlez swim nappy) once again entered the paddling pool and sat down enabling us to investigate the reusable swim nappy when in water. We found that the material of the Monkey Doodlez Swim Nappy (bathing suit material) still felt soft and had plenty of give so that the toddler was able to move around happily without discomfort.
After twenty minutes of water and sand play, we took both children inside to get changed. We put two disposable swim nappies into the bin and then we took the reusable swim nappy and popped it into a waterproof bag along with the protective tee-shirts and hats ready for the wash.
What’s the difference between Disposable and Reusable Swim Nappies in terms of design?
It is worth considering that neither disposable or reusable swim nappies are designed to absorb urine, as if either of these nappies were to absorb moisture they would become heavier in the water, thus weighing the child down. Disposable swim nappies do have some absorbency but will not absorb swimming pool water. Some reusable nappies have a waterproof layer (similar to pair of plastic pants within the nappy) to try and withhold fluids whereas others have a simple mesh layer which allow fluid through but retain any solid materials from escaping. Both the disposable and reusable swim nappies are designed to contain solids.
What do I need my child’s swim nappy to do?
Swim nappies need to have snug-fitting leg gussets and waistbands in order to contain any solid materials when in the water.
What are the price comparisons?
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Disposable Swim Nappies (Pack of 12) |
Reusable Swim Nappy x 1 |
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If we were to imagine that you took your child swimming every week for three months then the average price comparison per week between disposable swim nappies and reusable swim nappies would be a saving of £6.45 if you chose to use reusable swim nappies!
| Disposable Swim Nappy | Reusable Swim Nappy |
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Mums Baby Magazine were impressed with the Monkey Doodlez Swim Nappy. The toddler who wore this Monkey Doodlez Reusable Swim Nappy (Blow Fish Design) seemed to get along swimmingly in comparison with the toddler who wore the disposable swim nappy and required several changes which interrupted play and therefore got the thumbs down both us and our little tester!
The sizing of the Monkey Doodlez Swim Nappy seems accurate, the leg gussets are elasticated and soft for comfort and protection. The designs are bright and colourful, the nappy inner is lined with soft polyester mesh fabric to prevent any ‘little accidents’ from escaping and the Monkey Doodlez Swim Nappies can be washed easily along with other laundry at forty degrees Celsius.
Mums Baby Magazine give the Monkey Doodlez Swim Nappy 10/10 for comfort and protection in the pool. The Monkey Doodlez Swim Nappies are available in a wide range of sizes, colours and designs. Monkey Doodlez is a Canadian brand. However, this brand of Reusable Swim Nappies can now be purchased in the UK for £12.50 per swim nappy through www.cheeksandcherries.co.uk
Making ‘Eco-Easy’ with Monkey Doodlez ‘Wipe Cubes’ for Cloth Wipes
We as parents are the ones who have responsibility for our children. We are humans are the ones who have responsibility for our planet. Being Eco-friendly isn’t necessarily easy, especially when we have become accustomed to the ‘convenience lifestyle’ where we are at ease with throwing away most of the material goods which we purchase once we have made use of them.
Today’s World is a fast pace, it seems we have less and less time to carry out the household chores such as washing up or laundering our clothes. If you were given the choice to simply throw away a nappy or to put it into the washing machine, which would you choose and why?
Those parents who do choose to make use of reusable, cloth nappies soon find that the effort and extra work that they expected to come with cloth nappying is far less than they first imagined. The sheer cost of throw away nappies and bin space that dirty nappies take up far out measure the negative aspects when in comparison with the effort it takes to put a cloth nappy into the wash. Those parents who choose to use cloth nappies with their little ones make savings of up to £2000 (or even more if the nappies are used with another child) throughout birth- potty training!
Another saving with parents can make for their pockets and the planet is to ‘go eco’ with wipes. How many wipes do you use a day? How many packets of wipes do you buy at the supermarket each month? No doubt, it’s at least £10 a month… Rather than continuing to ‘bin your cash’ why not try using cloth wipes?
Cloth wipes needn’t be purchased, they can be made from old flannels or towels by cutting them up into wipe size strips and then sewing a hem along the edge to prevent fraying. If you aren’t ofay with a sewing machine then cloth wipes are purchasable in many baby stores or online. Cloth wipes can be stored in a wipe box/ container just like disposable wipes, they can be then be thrown in the wash once used along with your usual laundry (there is no need to put wipes to wash on a separate cycle).
Rather than just using baby baby and oil products along with water to soak your wipes, try using Monkey Doodlez Wipe Cubes. These cubes are designed specifically for cloth wipes. Mums Baby Magazine put the Monkey Doodlez Wipe Cubes to the test. Here is a quick guide on how to prepare your cloth wipes, this will take you the amount of time it takes to make a cup of tea, in fact you could even make a cup of tea whilst your doing it!
Boil the kettle- Fill a jug/ container with 500ml of water
- Add your Monkey Doodlez Wipe Cube (for instant dissolving the water needs to be at boiling temperature).
Put a pile of cloth wipes into your wipe box and open the lid.- Once the Monkey Doodlez Wipe Cube has dissolved, pour the solution over your wipes.
- Cloth the wipes box and leave to cool
- Use the wipes as and when (discard any wipes which haven’t been used after seven days).
Alternatively, you can make up the solution and then store it in a bottle which can then be poured upon/ sprayed upon wipes as and when needed.
Mums Baby Magazine made two batches of wipes using the Monkey Doodlez Wipe Cubes. We found that the wipes had a sweet and fresh smell to them (even after several days). Upon using these wipes (once soaked in the solution) we found that they left babies skin soft and clean.
In comparison to using disposable wipes, cloth wipes seem to remove more of the dirt whereas disposable wipes somehow tend to smear it in (especially when cleaning a child who has had a soiled nappy). In reality, the Monkey Doodlez Wipe Cubes actually made the cloth wipes smell very similar to disposable wipes. However, they don’t leave babies skin feeling dry as disposable wipes often tend to.
Mums Baby Magazine give the Monkey Doodlez Wipe Cubes 8/10. Monkey Doodlez Wipe Cubes are a Canadian product which are $10 for a 100g jar (refills and sample packs can also be purchased if required) from www.monkeydoodlez.com
Monkey Foot Designs The Ideal Wet Bag For Multipurpose Use.
Monkey Foot Designs design and create a variety of wet bags and nursing covers in a range of unique materials.
Mums Baby Magazine put the Monkey Foot Extra Large Double Pocket Wet Bag to the test for a day out to the swimming baths with a toddler who uses cloth nappies. This bag is ideal for carrying spare and wet clothing as there are two pockets, both of which can be used to store wet items. However, we used one pocket in which to store clean clothes and one pocket in which to store the wet clothing, towels and nappies.
We found that that this bag kept all moisture and odour tightly zipped into the pockets and we were impressed with the size of the bag and the space within the pockets. The Monkey Foot Designs Extra Large Double Pocket Wet Bag features two large zip pockets with a waterproof lining made from Procare, the seams are sealed to eliminate odour and moisture from wet clothing/ nappies/ towels from escaping the bag. The larger main zip pocket measures 16” wide by 22” tall with a 6” gusset, the smaller pocket measures 16” wide and 20” tall.
The Monkey Foot Designs Extra Large Double Pocket Wet Bag also features an adjustable shoulder strap which can be removed quickly and easily using two ring and clip clasps.
We managed to fit the following items into this bag:
- 2 x large towels
- 1 x swimming costume
- 2 x swimming nappies
- 1 x All in one soap/ shampoo wash
- 2 x spare bamboo cloth nappies
- 1 x spare wrap
- 1 x pack of wipes
- 1 x wallet
The Monkey Foot Extra Large Double Pocket Wet bag is ideal for using as a swimming bag, beach bag, sandwich bag, drinks/ snack bag, sports bag, cloth nappy wet bag, short stay hospital bag, or it can also make a useful cool bag. These bags are that good that they are even used by NASA’s astronauts on the space station!
Mums Baby Magazine were really impressed with the Monkey Foot Designs Wet Bag and have therefore given it 9/10. We love the material and the design, the quality of the bag shows excellent workmanship and the multifunctional possibilities for this bag make it the ideal bag for travel.
Monkey Foot Designs wet bags are available in a wide range of sizes and designs from http://monkeyfootdesigns.com.
Cloth VS Disposable: The Great Nappy Debate
It’s entirely up to you what type of nappies to use on your child, it’s the parents decision and is down to individual choice. Before making your decision try to read up on the facts and ensure that you make the right decision for your little one.
Cloth Nappies are now widely available upon the market, there are literally thousands of websites and shops which retail cloth nappies for a reasonable price. There are also a wide range of sizes, designs and particular types (such as all in one, stuffer nappies, popper nappies and two part nappies). Often parents become bamboozled when first looking into using reusable nappies as they find themselves perplexed with the many varieties that are now available.
Before you spend any money on nappies for your little one, take into consideration some of the facts included with each option and be sure to make a ‘Happy Nappy’ choice.
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The Argument for Reusable Nappies |
The Argument for Disposable Nappies
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Using reusable nappies can be costly initially (when first buying your nappies, wraps, inserts, liners, washing bucket etc). However, once the initial purchase has been made you can now begin to save your pennies! |
Cloth nappies also require inserts or liners, sometimes cloth nappies also require boosters and wraps so have more parts to them than a disposable nappy. |
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Disposable nappies do not biodegrade easily and can take literally hundreds of years to degrade. |
Disposable nappies do not require electricity or water for cleaning. You therefore have lower electricity and water bills than cloth nappy users. |
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Landfill sites are filled every year with disposable nappies. |
Disposable nappies do not take time to wash, dry and sort. |
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Cloth nappies are more breathable thus reduce nappy rash. |
Disposable nappies have specific sizes on the packets which are easy to understand in regard to the weight and size of the baby. |
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Cloth nappies DO NOT contain chemicals. |
Disposable nappies can also be covered (if the parent wishes to do so) with funky wraps. |
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Cloth nappies are as absorbent, if not more so than disposable nappies depending upon which material you choose to purchase. Bamboo is said to be the most absorbent material for cloth nappies. |
A disposable nappy is said to take less changing time. This all depends upon whether the tabs snap! |
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A parent requires 20-25 reusable nappies per child, this is 5,525 nappies less than disposable nappy users! |
Once used a disposable nappy can go straight into the bin, there is no need to wash and dry a disposable nappy. |
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It costs as little as £300 to wash cloth nappies, as apposed to £800 spent upon disposable nappies. |
When out and about disposable nappies can be put straight into a bin once used unlike cloth nappies which are then stored in a wet bag until you arrive home and are able to wash the nappy. |
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Two tonnes of landfill are used PER CHILD when using disposable nappies. |
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It takes between 200-500 years for a disposable nappy to degrade! |
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Disposable nappies contain perfumes, bleaches, dyes and chemicals which can cause nasty reactions and even chemical burns when against your child’s skin. |
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You no longer need to soak cloth nappies, simply wash them at 50 degrees Celsius! |
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Reusable cloth nappies now come in a range of colours and patterns to suit individuals needs. Cloth nappies are now very cute! |
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Cloth nappies are softer on baby’s skin. |
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Wearing disposable nappies can cause baby’s skin to sweat. |
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On average a child is in nappies for approximately 2.5 years. During this time you will use up to 5,500 nappies! That’s an awful lot of rubbish to put into the bin and a large amount of landfill site where toxins will degrade. It’s also a hefty bill too! |
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Reusable nappies no longer require origami folding techniques. Although traditional towels are still available for sale, cloth nappies are now shaped just like a disposable nappy. |
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| Cloth Nappies have easy to use size systems, nappies can be purchased to fit size birth right through potty training. Sizes can be altered using poppers saving even more money! | |
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Reusable nappies can now be purchased at a reduced price as local councils are offering voucher schemes for those parents who choose to be more environmentally friendly. |
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Cloth nappies do not have tabs which rip or snap like many disposable nappies do. Cloth nappies are strong and stretchy. |
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You no longer need to use safety pins to fasten a cloth nappy. ‘Nappy Nipper/ Grippers’ are far safer and have replaced the traditional pin. There is now no risk of accidentally pricking your child whilst putting on a cloth nappy. |
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Children who use cloth nappies are far easier to potty train as they are more aware of their bodily functions. |
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Many children who use cloth nappies can begin the process of EC (elimination communication) at an early age and are far more independent with their bodily functions. |
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