Clean Can Be Green and Baby Can Be Comfy! (Giveaway!)

I have children and pets, which means that my house gets messy and dirty. But because I have those children and pets I feel a need to keep dangerous chemicals out of the house. I don't want to wash a counter with a cleaner that my children may set their food upon or scrub a tub with something toxic where there is a chance the residue may later be floating in the bath with the kids. Washing floors with chemicals means that the pets may get chemicals on their paws or the kids get it on their feet. Clean, in this day and age, does not mean safe.

What is a mother to do?

I've written before about making your own cleaners and will write about it again, I'm sure. But as a mother I also enjoy the convenience of ready made products as well. This is where natural cleaning products can fit in. Seventh Generation is my favorite company because from a business standpoint they truly believe in making safe products for both the family and the environment. I've used their dish detergent and fabric softener sheet quite often. So imagine my surprise when upon request Seventh Generation provided me with a "Natural Baby kit" for review.

These cleaners are ones that I feel comfortable using around the family and letting the kids help me clean with as well. And they work! They get the counters, sinks, tubs, and floors clean with botanicals! The disinfecting wipes are a lifesaver in a house with boys where I can just wipe the toilet seat, rim, and around the floor.

While I could do away with paper towels completely and save the earth even more I have to pick my battles and in a busy home I often find the need for a disposable towel more than a rag. I never tried the Seventh Generation towels because they looked stiff and non-absorbent but after getting them in this kit and testing them I will stick with them as they absorb great and are recycled. If you have to have paper towels, at least pick ones that are better for the earth!

Along with cleaners, Seventh Generation makes baby diapers and wipes. While I often use cloth diapers I also use disposables at times and have had great success with Seventh Generation chlorine free diapers. Remember my post about tampons and pads and the dangers of bleached cotton in those products? The same is true with diapers and Seventh Generation diapers are chlorine free. Bleaching cotton products can create dioxin and studies have shown a direct link between dioxin exposure and cancer, environmental and reproductive disorders. Why would we want that on our baby's bottoms for the first two to three years of their life? The wipes are also chlorine free, as well as free of dyes and fragrances. And the natural baby laundry detergent is perfect for sensitive baby skin.

The great part is that Seventh Generation products are easy to be found. I've found them in our local Hy-Vee and I have bought a case of the diapers on Amazon before, where the cleaners can also be found as well. So switching to natural products does not mean that you will be running all over town looking for them; they can also be bought from the comfort of your own home. I highly recommend joining the Seventh Generation Nation on their site where you can get coupons, special offers, tips, and their newsletter.

And now for the best part! One of you will get to win the exact same "Natural Baby" kit as I received above! It includes a package of diapers, tub of wipes, wipe refill, disinfecting multi-surface, disinfecting bathroom, disinfecting wipes, baby laundry detergent, all purpose spray, natural paper towels, and a recycled Seventh Generation bag! All you need to do is leave a comment on this post about whether you have tried Seventh Generation products before and what your favorite product is. Comments will be closed and winner will be picked on Monday, the 24th of May.

And if you don't have a baby, enter the contest anyway! Use the cleaners yourself and pass the diapers onto someone you know who has a baby, or save for an upcoming baby shower. What better gift then to introduce a new mom to healthy, natural products?