Simple Diaper & Linen

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The Cloth vs Disposable Debate is BACK

The Christian Science Monitor came out with a succinct and straightforward article about what eco-minded parents are gearing towards these days. Looks like what the world (or at least America) needs now is more mainstream parents to hop on board the cloth train as well.

Right now in America, 95% of diapering families are choosing disposables. Lets hope people recognize that cloth these days is just as convenient as throw-away diapers (especially when a service drops them off and cleans them for you!), and can minimize our exposure to toxins from cradle to grave. CHOOSE CLOTH!

Friday, January 23, 2009

WebSite Launch!

We couldn't be happier to announce the beginning of something great. With incredible diligence, design work, and collaboration my husband has taken Mother Herb to the next step in its growth towards fruition.... OUR WEBSITE! We invite you to explore, and make Mother Herb a part of your family.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Gentle on the Environment and Your Pocketbook

Here's some great cost analysis from a diaper service based in the Hudson Valley. Turns out we can be stewards of the earth and save money at the same time!

Mainstream Diapering is GOING GREEN

It's an exciting time. Finally a trend that can feed style and fashion as well as serve to better our environment! Cloth diapering is gaining more attention and glory as we are finally figuring out better ways to improve upon the long-standing tradition of the past (cloth diapering) to make it more functional, easy, and successful. Mother Herb Diaper Service aims to provide that same ease with our system of high quality hemp/cotton blend diapers and wool wrap covers to make your diapering experience not only good for you but good for the environment.

TIME Magazine put out an article on Jan 21, 2008 that speaks to this trend and its savings to your pocketbook as well as the Earth.
Read the article here.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Don't Green Wash your Holidays

If the spirit moves you to look at the holidays this year through eco-colored glasses, why not go green beyond just how you shop or create gifts. Here are a couple of resources for Recycling your Christmas Trees or how to Green Your Menorah. Even if you aren't celebrating either of those specific holidays, you might get some ideas or at least your creative juices flowing through surfing the web on this topic.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Healthy Toys this Holiday Season

Dangerous chemicals like lead and arsenic are not healthy for anyone, especially for developing children. Yet, when the Ecology Center, a Michigan-based nonprofit, tested over 1,500 popular children's toys for lead, cadmium, arsenic, PVC and other harmful chemicals, they found that one in three toys tested were found to contain "medium" or "high" levels of chemicals of concern.

Let's make sure the toys that are purchased this season are safe and healthy for our children. Please take a look at the information that MomsRising has collected to help clarify and to share the message with others.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

What's In Your Milk?

Most of us are familiar with the "rBGH free" stamp of approval on a variety of dairy products we see while shopping. Curious to know more facts about what that really means? Take a quick look at the Cancer Prevention Coalition feature article about Samuel S. Epstein's new book exposing industry and government cover-ups on the DANGERS of Genetically Modified Milk consumption. I whole heartedly agree with the idea of cancer prevention as opposed to the model of "finding a cure."

About Simple Diaper & Linen

Simple Diaper & Linen (formerly Mother Herb Diaper Service) is a Northampton, MA based business driven by a passion for working with communities to benefit the environment, family health, and our economy. We are cooperatively-owned and mother-operated. We provide diapering alternatives that reduces waste and improves the comfort and health of your children. Our energy-efficient machines, chemical-free laundering, and local delivery by bicycle supports our mission of eco-sustainability. Our services include:

cloth & compostable diaper services
commercial linen service
100% chemical & fragrance fee laundering
Pickup and delivery to your door step!

SAVE RESOURCES BY USING SIMPLE DIAPER & LINEN

PICK-UP and DROP-OFF

Services to customers within Northampton will be provided by bicycle pulling a trailer when seasonally possible and weather permitting. Otherwise, pick-up and delivery will be provided via van or trailer.

CENTRAL or REGIONAL DROP-OFFS?

As some of you know, we are in the process of expanding! Contact us to see if you're in our service area.

In order to make this service a viable option for families living in towns outside of Hampshire County, we are needing at least five families to commit to the service in any of those surrounding towns.

REUSABLE WATER-PROOF BAGS

As part of the start-up cost of the service, Simple Diaper Service will be providing water-proof re-usable pail liners, instead of plastic trash bags that would be thrown away every week. These liners (or bags rather) will be laundered every week and a clean and fresh one will be returned to you with your diapers. The liners fit a typical 54 quart or 13 gallon trash can/pail with a 53" circumference, so you could use a regular trash can for your diaper pail.

We also provide have day-size travel wet bag to keep your baby's soils in while you're out and about for you to keep.

WHY CLOTH?

It's a debate, thank you Procter and Gamble, and it's a recent one. Paper diapers were only introduced into our waste-stream and advertising hurricane in the 1960's. Even now, we're still wondering if it's better for the environment or not. Like any decision, it's best to make an informed one, so please take a look at these facts:

My favorite: (or least favorite, for that matter) Disposable diapers make up the third largest solid-waste stream in our landfills. In a house with a child in diapers that's 50% of their household waste. This has inspired us to focus on promoting landfill conservation awareness and to investigate the possibility of municipal grants from the waste commission for alleviating some of the waste stream of disposable diapers, which we will then apply to provide lower rates to low-income and/or single parent households.

HERBAL BABY CARE PRODUCTS

Mother Herb will also be crafting herbal baby products including:

Heal-all Salve which will include healing oils of plantain, comfrey, calendula, and st. john's wort which is a topical remedy for diaper rash, cuts, scrapes and irritated skin.

Baby Bum Powder made with arrowroot, clay and comfrey that is non-irritating and can be used daily to keep moisture away from baby's skin without the use of harmful talc which is included in most commercial brand baby powders.

Bath Salt Blends to heal and comfort moms (and dads) after birth or just after a long day

Birth Bundles including a collection of herbal preparations for moms-to-be: nourishing tea blends, perineum message oils, and other strengthening and pampering items!