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Why Hemp
We use hemp because of its durability, absorbency, and it's natural anti-microbial properties. This means your baby will be protected naturally from bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus.
Furthermore using hemp, instead of cotton, really is better for the environment. Hemp does not deplete the soil; in fact hemp leaves return nitrogen back to the soil, which improves soil fertility, therefore requiring less fertilizer for subsequent rotated crops.
Interesting Factoids about Hemp:
Did you know ...
- Hemp can displace cotton which is grown with massive amounts of chemicals harmful to people and the environment. Fifty percent of the world's pesticides are sprayed on cotton.
- Hemp fibers are longer, stronger, more absorbent, and more mildew-resistant than cotton. The original Levi Strauss jeans made for the Sierra gold miners were made of hemp sailcloth.
- At a volume level of 81%, hemp oil is the richest known source of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids (the “good” fats). It is quite high in some essential amino acids, including gamma linoleic acid (GLA), a very rare nutrient also found in mother's milk.
- Hemp is good for the soil in which it's grown, as opposed to other crops that deplete the soil of nutrients.
- You can't get high from industrial hemp.
- Industrial hemp actually poses a threat to marijuana growers by cross-pollinating with their high THC plants, and greatly reducing the THC level in subsequent generations.
- George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew hemp.
- Ben Franklin owned a mill that made hemp paper.
- Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper.
Care Instructions
BabyKicks Hemparoo® Care Instructions
BabyKicks Hemparoo® Diapers and Joey-Bunz are made from 55% hemp and 45% cotton.
Please wash your diapers three times in hot water with detergent, drying them each time before you first use them. They'll continue to increase in absorbency with use, but that should be enough to get most of the natural oils washed out.
Washing your hemp
You may use any detergent that does not contain enzymes (as enzymes can eat away at your baby's skin once he or she wets, causing a painful rash). If you use a soap product, be sure to do a second cycle with 1/3 cup baking soda to avoid build-up. You may also want to try using 1/4 cup vinegar in the rinse.
Our suggested washing routine:
Wash once in cold water with an enzyme free detergent. Then wash once in hot water adding 1/3 cup baking soda. Last comes a rinse cycle. Tumble dry on medium heat to reduce wear on the fibers.
What to do for “stinky” hemp:
Since hemp is such an absorbent material it sucks everything right to the core of the fiber. This causes smells from a residual build-up once your baby wets. You may not ever experience this, depending on your water type and wash routine.
There's a couple of things you can try to solve this:
- Try washing your diapers or Joey-Bunz in hot water with no detergent, 1/3 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup vinegar. Do this a few times until the water no longer looks soapy at the end of the cycle.
- If the smell remains, you may want to try boiling your hemp for five minutes.
- After you get the smell out of your hemp, be sure to use baking soda on a regular basis to keep.
- Hanging to dry in the sun will also help remove stains & smells.
History
BabyKicks has been designing and manufacturing superior hemp diapering products in the USA since October 2000.
Krista, the original founder and owner of Babykicks was inspired to start BabyKicks after finding the new world of WHAM-made diapers on the internet which did not exist when she had her first three kids in the cotton Gerber prefolds.
In February of 2007 Krista decided to sell BabyKicks to two young entrepreneurs who share her passion for the environment and are in love with the BabyKicks product line-up.
As a result of the new Family based ownership BabyKicks re-located from Chicago, IL to the eastern shore of Maryland and plans to introduce exciting new products that make use of the many benefits of hemp based fabric. Furthermore, BabyKicks will utilize its partnerships with mothers and producers around the world to bring exciting and novel products to North America.
The current day-to-day business is run by Patti (our Customer Service Manager and mother of two young children ages two and six) while the new owners ensure the production quality and oversee product innovation and development.
In addition to doing our small part to help the environment - hemp based materials are much less straining on the environment then cotton only material - BabyKicks strongly believes in social responsibilities. As a result BabyKicks has started to move some of its production (particularly the cutting and sewing) to be done by local disabled workshops and we could not be happier with the quality and commitment.
Info Source: www.babykicks.com
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