Have you or your kids ever noticed that if those environmentally friendlier cellulose packing peanuts ever get wet, they stick together? The folks at Cadaco did, and to their credit, they saw a marketable toy. The result is EnviroBLOX, colored tubes made of that same fibrous, biodegradable puffy stuff. They were a big hit with our family, with Z and her in-laws happily building a variety of random-looking structures and people out of them for an afternoon.

Another big plus: These things are cheap. An "X-Treme Builder" set with 400 small pieces, the best value, runs $15; a "deluxe" set with around 100 pieces costs $10.

Images in this post are courtesy of BoingBoing Gadgets, whose reporter saw these at the 2009 Toy Fair in New York.


I do feel obligated to say that claims for this toy's eco-friendliness, like that of anything made from corn, could be taken too far. Like bioplastics, ethanol, and other corn-based products, things do come down to petroleum eventually, as corn is among the most energy-intensive crops on the planet, demanding (at its current rate of production) massive amounts of chemical fertilizers (produced using fossil fuels), petroleum-driven machinery, chemical pesticides, and other goodies that take a major toll on the world's topsoils, waterways, and environment in general.

I say this not to knock this product - clearly, buying a few packs of EnviroBLOX is a big improvement over a pile of magnetized plastic building rods (for example) that are used for a few years and then discarded. The problems of corn-based products may be years into our shared future, and I look forward to the day when that's the biggest of our environmental problems. But if it's sustainability you want, the answer to A vs. B is often C. (In the paper versus plastic shopping bag debate, for example, it's "cloth."

Have you used these, or used eco packaging peanuts to the same effect?

We're big fans of Green Toys, which produces beautiful, sturdy plastic toys manufactured out of recycled milk jugs. They're adding to their lineup this year with a couple of trucks (pictured above and below), as well as a jump rope and flying disc.


Z is the owner and active user of their Cookware and Dining Set, currently on sale on Amazon.com at $31, down from $40. We "eat" "food" from them on a near-daily basis. Yesterday I had a "parfait" (a word Z learned from Fancy Nancy) consisting of a scoop of ice cream, a slice of cake, and two pieces of chocolate, garnished with a bunch of wooden grapes (brand unknown, not HABA).

We're particularly excited about these new toys for two reasons:

1. We believe recycled plastic toys have a good future and are a part of a healthier, "greener" range of options than what currently dominates the toy market. These new toys are a sign that this young company is finding success, which is by no means guaranteed for a company, even one with good ideas. We watch good companies fail all the time, so it's reassuring to see that Green Toys is charging ahead.


2. The one question Green Toys' previous offerings left unanswered for novices like us was, how bright can the colors get? All of their previous toys use muted pastel hues. The answer these toys provide, at least from the provided photographs, is: "Much brighter."

We'll be reviewing some of these new items soon.

Teensygreen recently reminded us of a very simple toddler activity that makes use of an otherwise wasted resource: Broken or worn-down crayons. Muffin tins and a 170-degree oven are all you need, but Stefani has helpful step-by-step instructions over on Teensygreen.

What's your favorite simple toddler activity these days?

Editors' Note: When we discovered ZRecs reader Lisa Lukis was getting seriously involved in evaluating cloth diapers in preparations for her daughter's November 2007 birth, we hooked her up with a half-dozen additional diaper brands and had her evaluate 11 different cloth diaper designs for an old-fashioned ZRecs Showdown. Read on for Lisa's candid guidance and recommendations for the uninitiated and candid reviews for those interested in branching out.

My first interaction with a modern-day cloth diaper user took place at a hip hair salon. The woman cutting my hair was pregnant and planning on using cloth. At that time I was still a couple of years away from having kids and had no concept of modern cloth diapers. I remember my reaction to the stylist - doubt and disbelief. People still do this?! I wondered. Curious, I spoke with another cloth diaper user and I began to think this might be both doable and environmentally responsible.

When I became pregnant, I decided to officially delve into the cloth diaper world. To be honest, the learning curve was steep. It took some time before all the terms and acronyms made sense to me, so I kept returning to websites that rated or sold cloth diapers just to get a feel for everything. They contained a variety of products and many had advice on what and how many to get, how to wash, and so on.

For the first four months of my daughter's life, we have worked with the 11 diapers reviewed below. We used each of them routinely over months to get used to them and see how they performed over time. In the end, I evaluated each diaper on scales of one to five for its ease of use, durability, effectiveness, comfort (perceived), attractiveness, and value.

In addition to reading this review, I recommend familiarizing yourself with cloth diaper types. If something appeals to you, try it. Eventually you might find a favorite. And, to state the obvious, babies are different. While one diaper might not work for your neighbor's baby, it could be perfect for yours.

Useful Terms

• All-in-one: Cloth diaper consisting of waterproof outer layer and sewn in or attachable absorbent inserts, with fasteners built onto the diaper
• Contour: Shaped cloth diaper without fasteners
• Fitted: Shaped cloth diaper that fastens with snaps or hook-and-loop closure
• One-size: A self-explanatory term, this style of diaper is helpful if you don't want to buy new diapers as your baby grows
• Pocket: Cloth diaper consisting of waterproof outer layer and moisture wicking inner; an opening in front or back is the "pocket" for absorbent inserts; fasteners built on
• Prefold: Traditional, rectangular cloth diaper

Best Bets
First, the short version. Here are the brands and styles with the highest scores in this Showdown, with links to purchase them; scroll down for their reviews, in alphabetical order, along with the other diapers I evaluated for this review.

• Top Pick: bumGenius pocket
• Easiest to Use: bumGenius pocket, Happy Heinys pocket
• Most Durable: Kissaluvs Contour, Fuzzi Bunz pocket
• Most Effective: bumGenius pocket, Happy Heinys pocket
• Most Comfortable (perceived): bumGenius pocket, Happy Heinys pocket, Fuzzi Bunz pocket
• Most Attractive: gDiaper, Blueberry stuffable All-In-One
• Best Value: Chinese Prefolds, Kissaluvs Contour

Buying Used
Purchasing gently used diapers can be an excellent way to save some money; I bought a few this way and always had a good experience, receiving "like new" diapers. If you find a reputable vendor who sells used items and you're comfortable with the idea of a used cloth diaper, I say go for it.

I hope this review encourages you to try cloth diapers. Go forth boldly and have fun!

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Blueberry Diapers
Style tested: Stuffable AIO (all-in-one) front snap, $19.97
Ease of use: 4.5
Durability: 4.5
Effectiveness: 4.5
Comfort: 4.5
Attractiveness: 5
Value: 3
Total Score: 25/30

Extremely cute! I bought the orange dots print and love it. Micro-fleece works well for my baby's skin and helps to wick away moisture to the internal absorbent layers. In all-in-ones, the absorbent layer is built in, which is handy but makes for long drying times. This diaper is stuffable like a pocket diaper which means that you can load it with more cloth for greater absorbency (good for nighttime). The diaper is very easy to use and durable with the snaps. Drawbacks: long dry time and not inexpensive. [Buy|Company]

More AIOs: bumGenius, Bumkins, Imse Vimse, Kushies

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bumGenius
Style tested: Version 2.0 one-size pocket, $17.95
Ease of use: 5
Durability: 4.5
Effectiveness: 5
Comfort: 5
Attractiveness: 4.5
Value: 4
Total Score: 29/30

This is my main go-to diaper. I started off with several of these and added to my stash as the new version came out (old version went on sale). I find the liner to be effective at keeping moisture from baby's skin. Cotton fitted diapers seem to make her bottom irritated even when I'm changing her almost instantly after she's wet.

I love the ease of the hook-and-loop closure, although it is showing some wear; for durability, I prefer snaps. The microfiber insert that is included with the one-size pockets is very absorbent and all the baby needs during the day. Version 2.0 comes with one adjustable insert. The new version comes with two inserts - one for newborns and a one-size insert. This change is very helpful and will allow the diaper to fit better at the smaller end of the size range (you can read more about version 3.0 on the company website).

I started using these one-size diapers when baby was about eight pounds and have been using them ever since. I love that they adjust to fit up to 35 pounds, a huge advantage of a one-size diaper.

Because this is a pocket diaper, you will have to pull out the insert before laundering and once clean, re-stuff the diaper before putting it back on your baby. [Buy|Company]

More Pocket Diapers: bumGenius, BumWear, Fuzzi Bunz, Happy Heinys, JamTots

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Chinese Prefolds
Style tested: DSQ (diaper service quality), $2
Ease of use: 2.5
Durability: 4
Effectiveness: 2.5
Comfort: 4
Attractiveness: 2.5
Value: 5
Total Score: 20.5/30

Traditional rectangular diaper, cost effective, a workhorse. I used the unbleached cotton variety. These must be prewashed several times before they are fully absorbent. They will look fluffy and quilted upon washing. I didn't like the folding aspect and they weren't as absorbent as I wanted, but I appreciate this diaper's simplicity.

Note that prefolds require a cover, sometimes called a wrap, in order to be waterproof. I used Bummis Super Whisper Wraps, Proraps, and hand-knit wool soakers.

Prefolds are versatile and have many uses beyond diapering such as burp cloth, wash cloth, and all-purpose rag. [Buy diapers|Buy covers]

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Fuzzi Bunz
Style tested: Pocket diaper, $17.95
Ease of use: 4.5
Durability: 5
Effectiveness: 5
Comfort: 5
Attractiveness: 4
Value: 4
Total Score: 27.5/30

Fuzzi Bunz has also come out with a new version of its diaper. Check out the website for the new specs. I purchased four of the last version, size small, unused from eBay and paid in the range of $16 apiece.

I reserve these diapers for nighttime and they work beautifully. I stuff the Fuzzi Bunz with its own microfiber insert plus a folded Hemp Babies Little Weeds insert used as a doubler. This combination does the trick for overnight. I find snaps slightly trickier to use than hook-and-loop closures, but they are sturdier. The two rows of snaps allow for more adjustments around the waist and thighs. Another advantage of these diapers is that they dry very quickly. Because this is a pocket diaper, you will have to pull out the insert before laundering, and once clean, re-stuff the diaper before putting it back on your baby. [Company]

More Pocket Diapers: bumGenius, BumWear, JamTots

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gDiapers
Style tested: Flushable diaper with cover, prices vary
Ease of use: 4
Durability: 4
Effectiveness: 4.5
Comfort: 4.5
Attractiveness: 5
Value: 3
Total Score: 25/30

gDiapers offers a thoroughly researched and well-designed hybrid diaper. The diaper consists of an inner absorbent pad which nests into a liner which is subsequently snapped into the “little g” pant (akin to a cover). If you're confused by my description, hightail it over to the company's website which has detailed information in an easy to understand format. Many questions you might have will be answered there. And if the website doesn't address your particular question, the company is happy to take phone calls! I found gDiapers to be quite user-friendly.

Learning how to assemble the diaper for use is similar to any cloth diaper. What frightened me the most was the prospect of flushing the liner. It wasn't that I mistrusted the diaper design as much as I feared the plumbing gods. The gDiaper website has much information on flushing and plumbing which encouraged me to give it a go. In order to flush, pull apart the liner. The absorbent pulpy stuff instantly breaks up in the toilet bowl so I knew it would go down easily. The outer part of the liner I found to be trickier because it is a longer papery piece that doesn't just break apart. Nevertheless, on my flushing attempts, all went down with ease. The dDiaper is an innovative, attractive, and trim-fitting option for your baby.

Price may be a drawback. gDiapers currently run $26.99 for starter kit (2 "little g" pants and 10 flushable inserts), $16.99 for individual “little g” pants, $14.49 for 40 size small flushable inserts, and $52.00 for a case of 160 size small inserts. [Buy|Company]

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Happy Heinys
Style tested: Heiny Hugger fitted, $10.95
Ease of use: 3.5
Durability: 4.5
Effectiveness: 3.5
Comfort: 4.5
Attractiveness: 4
Value: 4.5
Total Score: 24.5/30

Great fabric, sturdy and absorbent, and similar to Kissaluvs' fitted diaper with a more generous fit. Once you've gotten familiar with your baby's size, you may prefer either a generous or a trim fit.

Keep in mind that these diapers (and most fitted diapers made from cotton fabrics) need to be prewashed several times to achieve maximum absorbency. Use with a cover for a waterproof system. [Buy|Company]

More Fitted Diapers: All Together, Bamboozle, Imse Vimse, JamTots, Kissaluvs, Swaddlebees, Thirsties, Under the Nile

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Happy Heinys
Style tested: One-size pocket, $18.95
Ease of use: 5
Durability: 4.5
Effectiveness: 5
Comfort: 5
Attractiveness: 3.5
Value: 3.5
Total Score: 26.5/30

A great one-size diaper on par with the bumGenius one-size discussed above, but with some differences. The hook-and-loop closure is comprised of large tabs that can be overlapped and are highly adjustable, which is useful for small waists and bigger waists as your baby grows.

The microfleece inner liner that touches baby's skin is very soft and lightweight. It “rolls out” by design, which means that when the diaper is on, the fleece will be visible from the outside around the edges. Don't try to mess with it and tuck it back in - wetness doesn't go there, it stays on the insert.

The entire diaper is very lightweight and dries quickly. I appreciate the two insert sizes that are included with this diaper. Because this is a pocket diaper, you will have to pull out the insert before laundering and once clean, re-stuff the diaper before putting it back on your baby. [Buy|Company]

More Pocket Diapers: bumGenius, BumWear, Fuzzi Bunz, JamTots

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Kissaluvs
Style tested: Contour, $6.99
Ease of use: 3
Durability: 5
Effectiveness: 2.5
Comfort: 4.5
Attractiveness: 3
Value: 5
Total Score: 23/30

I found these a bit clumsy to use. While they don't need to be secured by a pin or a Snappi (shown in the photo, sold here), I actually found them trickier to use with a cover than a regular prefold. I also had more leaks with these as opposed to a fitted diaper with elastic at the thighs. Still, these diapers are a great value, use wonderful fabric, have extra fabric where needed, and come in only two sizes (no need to buy three or more sizes as baby grows).

Must be prewashed several times. Use with a cover for a waterproof system. [Buy|Company]

More Contour Diapers: Imse Vinse

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Kissaluvs
Style tested: Fitted, $12.50
Ease of use: 3.5
Durability: 4.5
Effectiveness: 3.5
Comfort: 4.5
Attractiveness: 4
Value: 4.5
Total Score: 24.5

A sturdy and absorbent diaper with a trim fit. Very good for newborns. Snaps allow for adjustability and a decent size range even with the first size (size 0). My husband likes the fitteds because he can toss the whole deal into the diaper pail instead of messing with taking inserts out of pockets. I prefer the pocket diapers for their absorbency and wetness barrier for baby's skin.

These and most other fitted cotton diapers need to be prewashed several times to achieve maximum absorbency. Use with a cover for a waterproof system. [Buy|Company]

More Fitted Diapers: All Together, Bamboozle, Imse Vimse, Happy Heinys, JamTots, Swaddlebees, Thirsties, Under the Nile

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Swaddlebees
Style tested: Organic cotton velour fitted, $15.95
Ease of use: 3.5
Durability: 4.5
Effectiveness: 3.5
Comfort: 4.5
Attractiveness: 4.5
Value: 3.5
Total Score: 24/30

Similar to other fitted diapers, but tweaked just enough to be perfect for a smallish newborn. The front scoops down to accommodate an umbilical stump. This was the first fitted cloth diaper I ever bought and when it arrived in the mail I nearly melted before its cuteness. I don't find fitted diapers in general all that cute, but when they are so tiny and replete with organic goodness...

Keep in mind that these diapers (and most fitted diapers made from cotton fabrics) need to be prewashed several times to achieve maximum absorbency. Use with a cover for a waterproof system. [Buy| Company]

More Fitted Diapers: All Together, Bamboozle, Imse Vimse, JamTots, Happy Heinys, Kissaluvs, Thirsties, Under the Nile

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Thirsties
Style: Fab Fitted, $14.25
Ease of use: 3.5
Durability: 4
Effectiveness: 3.5
Comfort: 4.5
Attractiveness: 5
Value: 4
Total Score: 24.5/30

A very cute fitted diaper, due in large part to the great colors of cotton velour outer layers. Microfleece layer touching baby's skin will probably keep your baby drier than other fitted diapers, although it depends what you want touching your baby's skin and what works for your baby. Some may want to avoid synthetic fabrics entirely. Nicely absorbent inner core. Use with a cover for a waterproof system. [Company]

More Fitted Diapers: All Together, Bamboozle, Imse Vimse, JamTots, Happy Heinys, Kissaluvs, Swaddlebees, Under the Nile

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More Brands
The market seems to be evolving quickly, with companies turning out new and improved products often; some of the products, like the Fuzzi Bunz and bumGenius, were updated even while I was undertaking my review diapering. In addition, many WAHMs (work-at-home moms) sell their own designs on a much smaller scale of operations; finding one of these that works for you would be a great option as well. The choices are endless. I would love to try every cloth diaper, but I probably couldn't have enough babies for the time it would take just to gather all the types out there!

If the above reviews aren't enough for you, the following is a list of other brands you might explore, linked to Amazon.com (if sold there) or a company web page. There are many more brands which seem to lack websites but are offered in online cloth diapering shops.

All Together | Bamboozle | Better for Babies | Blue Penguin | Bumkins | BumWear | CJ Swag | Dream Eze | Drybees | Imse Vimse | JamTots | Little Beetle | Knickernappies | Kushies | Mommy's Touch | Monkey Doodlez | Motherease | Tiny Tush | Under the Nile |

Cloth Diapering Resources
Directories: DiaperPin | HyenaCart
Forums: DiaperPin | DiaperSwappers | The Diaper Jungle
Used Diaper Exchange: DiaperSwappers
Tools: Cost Calculator, Cloth vs. Disposables | Cloth Diaper Sewing Patterns | Prefold Folding Instructions | Wipes Recipes

Comments are welcome, but please confine them to general diapering comments, tips, or resources, rather than the promotion of individual brands.