Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Miss Lily's Washing Powder Review & Giveaway!

 
 I love doing laundry. There, I said it... I love doing laundry! I love that you can take dirty, stinky clothes and diapers, put them in the washing machine with a scoop of detergent and voila! Clean, fresh clothes! I love laundry fresh out of the washer - slightly damp and smelling oh-so-fresh! I am pretty picky about my detergent when it comes to our families clothes, sheets and towels and SUPER picky when it comes to little man's cloth diapers, because, well, they're an investment and I want to take care of them to the best of my ability for long term use as well as taking good care of little man's tushy. I use, well, let's say, "Brand X" cloth diaper detergent and I am pretty happy with it. I find that my diapers come out pretty clean, I only occasionally feel like a load still comes out "stinky" and then I do a soak. One of my biggest issues with it though, is that sometimes I feel like I have to rinse and rinse and rinse so much to get all the suds out. Maybe it's our uber hard water or maybe I am just using too much or maybe it's that darn he machine that barely seems to use a splash of water. Little man has had two rashes under the care of "Brand X" and they were pretty bad - not sure if the detergent had anything to do with it, but his sensitive skin is something I definitely take into consideration when choosing the best detergent for his diapers and clothes. So, since his last rash, I have been a little more open to looking for a new cloth diaper friendly detergent to try and I came across Miss Lily's Washing Powder. I read wonderful reviews about how great it was for sensitive skin and how well it removed stains and the stinkies. I was intrigues! I contacted Miss Lily's Washing Powder and was so excited when I got the opportunity to do a review of Miss Lily's Washing Powder!

Miss Lily's Washing Powder is natural, enzyme-free, soap-free, clean-rinsing laundry detergent. Jill is the woman behind behind Miss Lily's and she is a WAHM of four kids and a cloth diapering mama! Her youngest is Lilyana (aka Miss Lily) and she is who the detergent is named after! Jill's goal is to provide a clean and fresh-smelling laundry without the chemicals found in the other detergents. Jill got started making Miss Lily's after reading about cancer-causing agents in popular detergents.  She started trying out other "green" detergents, but wasn't satisfied with any of them. Jill knew there had to be a better way -- a way to make a natural detergent that is effective on stains and odors. So, Jill started working on her very own formula and when she felt like she had gotten the perfect formula down, she had some friends try it out ...and, they loved it! So, Miss Lily's Washing Powder was born and Jill decided to start selling it. 

I was sent a small bag of Miss Lily's Washing Powder to review and I have to say, for a small bag, it lasted forever! A little bit goes a very long way! I read over the directions before I put Miss Lily's washing Powder to the test ...I couldn't wait to get a load of little man's cloth diapers in the wash!

The directions for use can also be found on Miss Lily's Washing Powder's Facebook page: 
  • Directions for clothing use: Use 2-4 tablespoons of Miss Lily's per load, depending on the size of the load and how soiled it is. HE users need only 1-2 tablespoons. Usually, only the smallest amount is necessary. Run a heavy wash cycle, if possible. For extra smelly clothes, a soak might be a good idea (see stinky diaper directions).
  • Directions for diaper use: Run an extra large load size, cold water rinse first. Then, run a warm or hot heavy duty wash cycle using 2-4 tablespoons of Miss Lily's, half that amount for HE users. Rinse well, using a warm water rinse if possible, or double rinse.
  • Directions for stinky diapers or diapers with build-up: Fill washer or tub with warm to hot water, add 2-4 tablespoons of Miss Lily's and your unsoiled diapers. Allow diapers to soak for 1-2 hours or overnight, depending on the odor problem. Rinse well, then run a normal diaper hot wash using no detergent.
  • Stain removal: For stubborn stains, remove as much as possible with cold water. There are two effective pretreatments. They are: 
  1. Make a paste of Miss Lily's and water. Apply to stain, gently rub with gloved hands or rub fabric together. Allow paste to sit on stain. Launder as usual with the warmest water possible. Repeat if necessary, being sure not to dry garment in the dryer if stain is still present.
  2. Soak the garment using 1-4 tablespoons of Miss Lily's and warm water. Allow garment to soak 1-2 hours or as long as overnight. Launder as usual with the warmest water possible. Repeat if necessary, being sure not to dry garment in the dryer if stain is still present.
  • (Sunlight works very well at removing stains. Putting your diapers/clothes outside to dry in the sunshine is a great way to get rid of stains, and it makes them smell great.)
  • Nothing removes all stains, individual results may vary.
  • Do not mix with bleach.

I found these directions to be very helpful and I also talked to Jill about the correct amount of Miss Lily's Washing Powder that I should use with our hard water and the he machine that I have. Jill let me know that she also has hard water and that I shouldn't have to use any more than the directions stated. She did mention that for those with soft water, you may find that using less works just as well.

Little man's diapers being washed with Miss Lily's Washing Powder!

So what did I think? I used Miss Lily's Washing Powder on little man's cloth diapers, on towels, sheets and on clothing. Many loads of laundry later, I am still impressed! I think that my favorite thing about Miss Lily's Washing Powder is how clean rinsing it is. I actually sat and watched a load of laundry go through the entire wash cycle. (I know, I'm a nerd, but little man is always so entertained by his colorful diapers spinning around!) Miss Lily's Washing Powder was very low suds-ing and when the laundry was done, I opened the door, sniffed, stuck my head further in and sniffed again and... nothing! It smelled like clean, wet cloth diapers. I hung my diapers out in the sun and have not noticed any stains that dared to sick around on little man's diapers. I am also happy to report that little man's bum has not had any rash issues and his sensitive skin seems to like his cloth diapers being washed in Miss Lily's Washing Powder! I also feel like my load of whites came out just a wee bit whiter after a spin with Miss Lily's Washing Powder. I am a super happy with the results from Miss Lily's Washing Powder, it really is perfect for cloth diapers and all of your laundry!

No residual suds during the rinse cycle...Yay!

Interested in getting some Miss Lily's Washing Powder for your laundry room? You can BUY Miss Lily's Washing Powder here and just take a look at all those yummy scents! I think Miss Lily's Bamboo and White Grapefruit and Miss Lily's Lemon Sugar sound just like what my laundry room needs for spring!

-OR-

  You can WIN a full sized bag of Miss Lily's Washing Powder in your choice of scent!
Here's how to enter:
Mandatory Entry:
  • First, you must publicly follow my blog via GFC and then visit Miss Lily's Washing Powder and let me know what your favorite scent is!
*This mandatory entry must be completed for the rest of your entries to be valid. I will be checking/verifying your comments, if you say you signed up for something or did something, you do need to actually do it for it to count as an entry*
 
Extra Entries:
  •  "Heart" Miss Lily's Washing Powder on Etsy and leave your Etsy name in your comment. (1 entry)
  • Follow Miss Lily's Washing Powder on Facebook (you can thank her for the giveaway from @The Little Hedgehog if you would like) (1 entry) 
  •  Make a purchase from Miss Lily's Washing Powder from now until the giveaway ends on 5/10. I will verify your purchase with Jill. (5 entries)
  • Add my button to your blog and leave me a link (2 entries)
  • Follow The Little Hedgehog on Facebook. (1 entry) 
  • Follow me on Twitter: @lttlehedgehog then, comment here with your Twitter ID to get your entry. (1 entry) 
  • Tweet about this giveaway. Comment with a direct link to your tweet so I can see it to get your entry!  You may use this tweet or make up your own:  #Win a bag of Miss Lily's Washing Powder on the @lttlehedgehog blog! Safe for #clothdiapers! http://bit.ly/lUSBZh {Ends 5/10} #giveaway  (1 entry per day)
  • Sign up to receive The Little Hedgehog emails via feedburner and have your subscription verified. (2 entries)
  • Blog about this review/giveaway. Be sure to include a link to this review/giveaway. Comment with a link to your blog post to get your entry! (2 entries)

*Don't forget to put your email address in each comment so I can get a hold of you if you are the lucky winner! If I cannot get a hold of you, I will have to draw another winner! Also, I will check to make sure that the winner filled out the mandatory entry.

***Open to the US with shipping included. The giveaway is open to those outside the US, but the winner must cover the difference in shipping. Jill will cover the first $5, and the winner (if outside the US) would cover the remaining $8.95.***

I'll accept entries until Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at Midnight PST. I'll select a winner using random.org's random number generator, then email the winner. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email and if I don't get a response, I will have to choose another winner. Again, make sure you leave your email address in your comment!


*
Miss Lily's Washing Powder will be sending the winner’s prize item to them directly. 
Thank you to Jill of Miss Lily's Washing Powder for providing me with the opportunity to host this review and giveaway at no cost to myself. The items were sent to me free of charge for review and has not influenced my opinion of the product. I have sought to give my honest opinions and experiences on this product. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Thank you again to Miss Lily's Washing Powder for sponsoring this review and giveaway!

89 comments:

  1. I follow you via GFC. And although I prefer unscented (I'm sensitive to smells), the apple mango tango sounds great! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I follow you on FB.

    lindanuhawes@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I receive your emails. (entry 1)

    lindanuhawes@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I receive your emails. (entry 2)
    lindanuhawes@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like Miss Lily's Washing Powder on FB.

    lindanuhawes@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. follow via gfc
    black raspberry vanilla
    newlanjoyatgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  7. added shop to favorites in etsy
    newlanjoyatgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  8. follow you via fb
    newlanjoyatgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  9. subscribe via email
    newlanjoyatgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  10. subscribe via email
    newlanjoyatgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  11. I publicly follow your blog.
    I think Butt Naked and Lemon Sugar sounds great!
    alison(dot)logan(at)Yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I <3 Miss Lily on Etsy!
    alison1378
    alison(dot)logan(at)Yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I "like" Miss Lily's on FB
    alison(dot)logan(at)Yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I made a purchase on 4/28
    alison1378
    alison(dot)logan(at)Yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I "like" you on FB
    alison(dot)logan(at)Yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I receive your emails
    alison(dot)logan(at)Yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Follow you via GFC.(Leann)
    Love the Apple Mango Tango & Baby Bee.

    ziggy28028 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. "Heart" Miss Lily's Washing Powder on Etsy.(ziggy28028)

    ziggy28028 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Follow Miss Lily's Washing Powder on Facebook.(Leann LaPresti)

    ziggy28028 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Follow The Little Hedgehog on Facebook.(Leann LaPresti)

    ziggy28028 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Email subscriber to your blog.(1)

    ziggy28028 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Email subscriber to your blog.(2)

    ziggy28028 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. follow you through GFC -- I think the Apple Mango Tango sounds great :) ngiraldi @ gmail . com

    ReplyDelete
  24. "Heart" Miss Lily's Washing Powder on Etsy ngiraldi @ gmail .c om (same name)

    ReplyDelete
  25. like you on FB ngiraldi @ gmail . com

    ReplyDelete
  26. tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/MissOsMom/status/65113472886779905
    ngiraldi @ gmail . com

    ReplyDelete
  27. signed up for your emails ngiraldi @ gmail . com #1

    ReplyDelete
  28. signed up for your emails ngiraldi @ gmail . com #2

    ReplyDelete
  29. I would try the vanilla lavender I think but my scent choices change from day to day!

    ReplyDelete
  30. also became a fan on fb of miss lily

    ReplyDelete
  31. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Blog Follower via GFC
    I'd love to try the Baby Bee or Fairy Dust Scents!
    rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. "Heart" Miss Lily's Washing Powder on Etsy
    GottaLoveLife0506
    rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Like Miss Lily's Washing Powder on FB
    Rebecca Smith
    rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Like The Little Hedgehog on Facebook
    Rebecca Smith
    rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Follow @lttlehedgehog on Twitter
    @LilyBearLove
    rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/LilyBearLove/status/65401530567757824
    rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Email Subscriber #1
    rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Email Subscriber #2
    rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. MMMMM....lemon sugar!
    mmjohnson555@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I subscribe to emails. Entry #1.
    mmjohnson555@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I subscribe to emails. Entry #2.
    mmjohnson555@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. i follow on gfc as becca scott
    i would like the scent baby bee
    beccascott0312@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. i like the little hedgehog on FB as becca scott
    beccascott0312@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. i like miss lily's washing powder on FB as becca scott
    beccascott0312@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. i subscribe to the little hedgehog via email #1
    beccascott0312@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. i subscribe to the little hedgehog via email #2
    beccascott0312@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. gfc follower.
    SondraMama

    My favorite scent is: apple mango tango.

    muloove at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. <3 Miss Lily's Washing Powder on etsy.
    sondramama

    muloove at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. i like Miss Lily's Washing Powder on fb.
    Cassondra Law

    muloove at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. i like The Little Hedgehog on fb.
    Cassondra Law

    muloove at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. i follow @lttlehedgehog.
    @sondramama

    muloove at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  53. http://twitter.com/#!/sondramama/status/65870332271140864

    muloove at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. email subby.
    babyshotty1769 at hotmail dot com

    muloove at yahoo dot com
    01

    ReplyDelete
  55. blogged;
    http://mamaspassions.blogspot.com/2011/05/giveaways-0504.html

    muloove at yahoo dot com
    01

    ReplyDelete
  56. blogged;
    http://mamaspassions.blogspot.com/2011/05/giveaways-0504.html

    muloove at yahoo dot com
    02

    ReplyDelete
  57. http://twitter.com/#!/sondramama/status/66197615804559360

    muloove at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. http://twitter.com/#!/sondramama/status/66521380010733568

    muloove at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I follow you via GFC as onesockmissing and I would love to try the black raspberry and vanilla scent.
    Thanks!
    michelleminorwhite(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I added to my favorites on etsy as onesockmissing.
    Thanks!
    michelleminorwhite(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I now like Miss Lilys on FB.
    Thanks!
    michelleminorwhite(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I added your button to my blog #1.
    http://onesockmissing.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  63. I added your button to my blog #2.
    http://onesockmissing.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  64. I follow you on Twitter as playingturtle.
    Thanks!
    michelleminorwhite(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I tweeted!
    http://twitter.com/#!/playingturtle/status/66609950109081600

    michelleminorwhite(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I subscribe via Feedburner #1.
    Thanks!
    michelleminorwhite(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I subscribe via Feedburner #2.
    Thanks!
    michelleminorwhite(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I follow via GFC. I'd love to try the black raspberry. vmvazquez83@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. http://twitter.com/#!/sondramama/status/67320922524229633

    muloove at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. http://twitter.com/#!/sondramama/status/67616709065969665

    muloove at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  71. Following via GFC & my favorite scent is the Baby Bee
    Sweet20j at Yahoo dot Com

    ReplyDelete
  72. Favorited Miss Lily on Etsy as Sweet20j
    Sweet20j at Yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  73. Liked Miss Lily on Facebook
    Jessica King
    Sweet20j at Yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  74. Liked The Little Hedgehog on FB
    Jessica King
    Sweet20j at Yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  75. Following you on Twitter
    @JessicaSvitak
    Sweet20j at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  76. Tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/JessicaSvitak/status/67998056070647808
    Sweet20j at yAhoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  77. Subscribed to emails 1
    Sweet20j at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  78. Subscribed to emails 2
    Sweet20j at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  79. Grabbed your button 1
    http://the-drama-kings.blogspot.com/
    Sweet20j at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  80. Grabbed your button 2
    http://the-drama-kings.blogspot.com/
    Sweet20j at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  81. GFC as forget shyness reviews

    my favorite of her scents is melon mist

    littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m

    ReplyDelete
  82. i like mis lily onfacebook as emily ev--t

    littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m

    ReplyDelete
  83. i like you on facebook as emily ev--t

    littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m

    ReplyDelete
  84. i follow you on twitter as @forgetshyness

    littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m

    ReplyDelete
  85. tweet - http://twitter.com/forgetshyness/status/68126511198248960

    littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m

    ReplyDelete
  86. email subscriber

    littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m

    ReplyDelete
  87. email sub 2

    littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m

    ReplyDelete
  88. new follower prefer lemon sugar

    Please follow my blog, http://momsfocusonline.com/time-to-follow-blog-hop-for-july.html
    and let me know to return the favor

    rajee@momsfocusonline.com

    ReplyDelete