Nestled comfortably in the awkward silence between winter and spring. At at time in which we most ache for warmth and sunshine. Some call it “Sprinter” but we all know it goes by a different name. It’s when the calendar says spring but the local weather advisory has us expecting sleet and then sunshine. It’s when winter viruses are on their blessed way out, but spring allergies have been entering our houses. It’s when all of that snow, and there sure is a lot of snow this year, is melting and has to go somewhere. Slow or fast, all of that snow has to give way to mud. New England’s fifth season is Mud Season!
I’ve been doing my own laundry since I was 13, but I was so ill-prepared for just how messy young kids get, day after day. With money stretched tightly – I can’t just throw out their clothes every time they get dirty, like I am sometimes tempted to do when it’s bad! I also can’t stop them from from being the wonderful and active kids that they are – mud season and all.
My mom can tell you about the time we threw all of Des’ beautiful new baby clothes in a wash with something very red and very not meant to be machine-washed. All of his beautiful clothes were stained a sickly pink and he was about a week away from being born! That’s when I learned that good laundry methods can salvage the beautiful clothes that mean so much to us.
Enter in All Free Clear products. Des particularly has sensitive skin when dry skin season turns into allergy season, and the All Free Clear products are the #1 choice by Dermatologists, Allergists and Pediatricians. The products are free of dyes and perfumes and are strong enough to fight our muddy stains (and marker..and food..and everything), but gentle enough for all four members of our family. Even the dog, who has been known to lie in mud and requires a towel for every walk we go on!
…All Free Clear lets them be little, and lets them be free. It’s gentle for their skin, but strong enough for their many stains. Through our messiest season of all – Mud Season – but also through winter, spring, summer and fall. My kids are New England kids, mud season and all. And they have ridiculously awesome wardrobes. I like to salvage their clothes for as long as I can!
We beat the SCURGE!
We did, with you as my inspiration!!
Clorox 2 and a belief you can do it! Although we always used All when you were kids and the new versions look wonderful.
I remember! We had the dark blue bottles. You are my laundry guru!
Nice! With three of my own, I can definitely use some All Free Clear. Especially since my youngest son has some pretty bad environmental allergies. Good timing, too, with soccer and lax just starting up…
Yes, I figured the timing was awesome! It smells good too – subtle. Cassidy hates the smells of strong cleaning or laundry products so I was happy this wasn’t the case here.
I never heard the term Sprinter…but it’s so appropriate! I seem to have developed allergies so I think I need to try this!
Sprinter is a new one here! And with it being April 9th, and the sleet we got last night? Sigh. It just seems fitting.
Sorry about the allergies! I feel like it gets us all eventually, somehow.
I have to use fragrance free detergent if I don’t want red blotches all over my skin, so I will have to give this a try. I hope it’s strong enough for teenage boys’ stinky socks…phew!
Yeah, I hear you! Cassidy is sensitive to chemical smells and I only am when I’m pregnant, but it sort of stayed around past its welcome at this point.
Very cool, I love the photos that you put together to promote such a great product! You deserve to be paid double! xo
Thanks!! I hope they agree! I really do use the product, so this was no stretch at all.
I am a big fan of All Free & Clear for years! I don’t want to smell like a thousand smells. I pay a lot for my perfume, I don’t want all my soaps and cleaners to compete with it.
I hear you about the thousand smells! Perfume should be front and center. I bet it smells dreamy!
I remember “Sprinter”… and the sludge. I do not mIss the sludge. Unfortunately the allergies did not stay in IL, they are in full force here in SC (they have even taken me hostage, I did not have allergies in IL).
Your pictures are so lovely! That first picture of Scarlet is PERFECT.
XOXO
Oh dear. I had hoped allergies would get away from the south. I will admit that I don’t have them in Cape Cod or in California. So, there’s that.
Thanks about the photos!
Yep, we use this product for out twins.
Wow, I like hearing this from so many! We are all using the good stuff.
I always use either All Free and Clear or Tide Dye Fee – which ever is cheaper:)!
Awesome! And priorities. It seems like you win either way.
I hear you on allergy season. It has hit me hard this week. I use a fragrance free soap too to help combat them. Have not tried All yet though, will look for it in the store. Mud season sounds really fun from a kids standpoint! Mudpies are the best!
Mudpies are tasty, aren’t they?? Des loves to stomp in mud puddles, with or without his boots!
We only use All Free and Clear because it is fantastic and doesn’t affect our sensitive skin! My kids love the mud too and believe me, the mud loves them! Your photos are amazing, as always!
That makes me so happy you use it too! Des gets itchy arms otherwise.
Thanks about the photos!
Oh man!! Would you tell All that I use their Free and Clear EVERY DAY and have been FOR YEARS!!!!! I would GLADLY do a sponsored post for them!! What SO funny, is that I JUST went and bought 7 (yes seven) bottles of the stuff this morning at the Kroger because when they are on sale (and I have coupons, cause ALL ROCKS with the coupons) i hoard like crazy!!
I’m so serious, I just might take a pic and tag you on FB!! Send the pic to All, would ya? 🙂
Yes!! You should be their star spokesperson then! Seven bottles, eh? Now THAT’s the good stuff.
Love it: Mud season! I used to love playing in puddles in mud, so I can totally understand your kids. And you with reference to the laundry mountains 🙂
Du to sensitive skin, I have actually used All Free Clear before and liked it, too.
Des really can’t stop with the mud puddles. And sometimes he’s not wearing rain or snow boots! Oops.
Glad you liked the product!
We totally use this product here too as my girls are definitely dirt and mud lovers, too! 😉
It seems to be par for the course, huh? Scarlet has to come home from school and change her pants every day because she likes to climb the dirty snow mountain next to the school. Lovely.
Love the photos. My daughter loves the mud!
I remember loving the mud too! Now, not so much!
I was getting so very close to mentioning in one of your upcoming blogs or posts how well dressed Des and Scarlet are in your pictures of them. I just love Scarlet’s rosy red cheeks! I wish that Free And Clear All could work its magic to keep away everyone’s colds and flu and springtime allergies. Now that we are a week into April I hope the lingering winter is finally giving way to some much nicer weather where you are.
Aw, thanks! They have great clothes. A lot of gifts and hand-me-downs.
I wish the same – the colds and flus and allergies and rains are not fun anymore, and never were! It looks like warm sun is finally coming here over the weekend!
If only we could find a product that would fold the clothes and put them away too…
I know!! A Robot Maid? Like in The Jetsons? That needs to happen.
It is horribly muddy here too!! We only have two seasons in Canada and that’s winter and summer. Whatever happens in that sliver of a transition it always tends to be messy.
Clothes, my floors, walls…nothing is the same until it’s over!
Does All come with a maid?
Yes, messy spring. We do have a glorious fall, though. Somehow New England hasn’t managed to screw that up yet, which is a miracle.
And yes, the maid comes after a year of use! You have to show your proofs of purchase, though.
True, your kids have awesome wardrobe! Ugh, I hate it when my clothes get combined with other colored clothes in the washing machine. I have lots that I had to just hide in the closet because of that. Hope you at least enjoy the muddy season though, or not? Either way, hope the weather gets better!
The muddy season can be fun, as long as it’s not snow and then mud and then snow and then mud. It’s supposed to be 70 and sunny by next week, but today? We had new snow! Fall! From the sky! Help!
Yes! Sprinter. It’s a tease. We love All Free and Clear and have been using it since the boys were little. They have super sensitive skin and this doesn’t ever irritate them.
Oh, I’m so glad to hear!
And last night we got about a half inch of sleety snow. I mean… I have no words.
Absolutely agree!! We used free and clear since the boys were newborns. Just makes more sense all around!! Smells good too 🙂
I remember trying to find a good one when Scarlet was born. We had Dreft but I couldn’t stand the smell. Then we used a few organic brands but they were blah.
This has been a good change!
I have a bottle of this in my laundry room as I type! This is the brand I usually buy, and always Free & Clear!
Awesome! I love everything about it.
This is all I use, seriously! For the same reasons you do and plus allergies and all. My laundry is a hot mess, thank you very much 4 children, hubs and all of the animals, but All does make it easier!
My mom used All when I was a kid! And she had five kids and a dog. Yeesh!
My son and husband both have allergies and sensitive skin. I’ve never tried All, but I always see coupons for it and wondered how well it works. Glad to know that it works out well for those with sensitive skin.
Let me know how it works out if you use it! The skin is worse than ever during this endless winter, but after that, it’s more about stain fighting all the mud!
I’ve always been very careful with my kids clothes, because I pass them down from one to the other and then on to my nephew. I haven’t tried this detergent before, but I am going to go buy some since both of my boys have sensitive skin.
I hope it goes well for you! And we depend a lot on hand-me-downs so I keep that in consideration with saving clothes for me to hand down to future nieces and nephews.
Oh man I want it to be sprinkler season!!! And laundry? I do it every single day of my life so anything that helps me, I’m all for it!!
I just save mine up so badly that I’m wearing pants that have holes in the crotch! True story!
Oh, the mess! Yesterday we made mud and planted seeds. It was some good messy fun. I find most things come out in the laundry, but there are some clothes that are stained beyond repair. And I’m so ready for spring. This seems like the winter that just doesn’t want to end!
There are definitely clothes that go beyond repair. I can’t even speak of some of those moments because it was worse than dirt and mud!
I think winter is ending this weekend!! Finally!
I wonder how the stuff stands up to soccer mud and blood …
You MUST take great care of Des’ T-shirt collection. Amen.
Oh, I do. I really do. Yesterday he wore a Superman shirt to daycare, his choice, and it revealed his stomach. Why? It’s a shirt for 12-18 months size. We must take too good of care of his clothes because that shouldn’t be around anymore!
Two of my girls cried when their favorite shirts didn’t fit them anymore.
I feel your pain! Allergies starting and it snowed last night and this morning AGAIN! Did you have snow out West? Our dog is white. I wish when he comes in from the yard I could just throw him in the washer with some Free and Clear!
We didn’t have snow out west in the city but definitely in the mountains around it. But you could pick and choose whether you wanted to see it or not! For me it’s not!
My childhood dog was pure white, unless you saw her next to snow. And then she was more off-white!
I remember mud season – when we lived in NH and the backyard was basically a mud pit – lol
Sounds like a good product and I like the free and clear products too 🙂
Yup! We’re in that season right now. It’s terrible!
Glad you like the products!
I love this post! I could see this in an ALL ad 🙂
Melanie @ meandmr.com
Thank you! I hope they agree!
oh, that sprinkler photo has me aching for summer!! There have been so many times I’ve looked at something Roman has worn that day and been so tempted to throw it out rather than deal with attempting to clean it!! 🙂
Ok I do have to admit that when Scarlet was a baby, there was a diaper incident that went up her back and you could hear us yelling, “Help! How do we get her oneie off! Cut it off her! Cut it off and throw it away!!”
My in-laws all have very sensitive skin and allergies. They swear by this stuff!
Nice!! I don’t have sensitive skin so much, but I think it affects the kids in the winter. This weather is just so terrible! I’m stamping my foot right now.
We’ve been using Free & Clear products since T was diagnosed with Eczema as a little one. I’ve never had a problem with anything that’s come out of the laundry while using it. And I say enjoy the mud while it lasts…I just hope it comes with some warmer temperatures too!
I think it’s supposed to be warmer soon. Today was frigid after a frigid week. Tomorrow looks better – 55 and sunny. Sunday? 66 and sunny! Monday? 70 and sunny!!!
I have never heard the term Sprinter, but here in Florida I guess we have Sprall instead. Lovely Pictures!
Thanks so much!
And Sprinter is a new one for me. We’ve had an AWFUL winter and a pretty terrible early spring so it’s been thrown around. We’re expecting better weather this weekend. Whew.
Great post Tamara! Your photos always captivate me (even when I have a blind allegiance to Ecos Detergent! lol) <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
haha! You make me laugh. Thanks for making me feel great.
Your photos are beautiful. Enjoy your “splinter.” We have a little bit of a splinter going on here as well. But in the midwest our splinter consists of a day of cold 45 degree weather followed by a day of 70 degrees and thunderstorms. Mother Nature can’t make up her mind.
My in-laws are headed to Minnesota soon and they’re worried about it being too cold. I told them it would probably be fine! (it’s still a few weeks away)
These are awesome products for little ones with sensitive skin. Wish we had them when my kids were little.Nice pics!
I know! I was just remembering harsh products from my youth. It’s nice to have such variety these days.
Love the little superheroes! I think I need to check out this detergent, too 🙂
Thanks! And the detergent is great. I’m very picky about what I use.
We don’t have a mud season!!!!!!!!! OMG. That sounds amazingly cool- and…yet I still need some amazingly thorough detergent because Dylan ROLLS ON THE GROUND. And I just sit there like, “Okay son, do you!”
Maybe you don’t need mud season when everything is so gorgeous and better on the west coast!!
I can’t believe he rolls on the ground. That’s.. fantastic. Have you ever joined him?
We definitely use ALL Free & Clear for our sensitive skin, If I don’t make a DIY laundry detergent batch! You need to frame that photo of Athena or just author that Photography book and include her!
That makes me happy that you use it too! We’ve used some form of All products since as early as I can remember. Definitely when I was learning to read.
Thanks about Athena! Maybe as a birthday gift for Cassidy.
Congratulations for the sponsorship! You did a very good advertising and review, I mean the tone even in my silent reading is really a commercial written review! I’ll remember the name since I am not attached to any liquid soap of a particular brand. My son has a sensitive skin getting eczema once in a while, this soap is really worth trying! Thanks!
Thank you!! I was a little nervous. I’m not usually a sponsored girl but I figure if you believe in it, and you put the work forward, well rewards are great!
My son gets slight eczema on his arms if we don’t keep it in check. Certainly worth a try!
You nailed this post with the pictures! Amazing as always. I used to use All free when Adrian was a baby and I loved it. It might be time to try this one!
That means a lot, Ida! I was a bit clueless about how to get the message out but I guess if you believe in it, people will be able to tell.
It’s good stuff!
I’ve never tried All, much less All Free Clear. I will have to check it out and see if they have it at Costco. That’s where I do all of my laundry shopping.
I bet they will! I find it at our local corner grocery but I had originally looked at Rite Aid with no success. It’s good stuff!
I am glad that the All Free Clear helped so that they can enjoy the outdoors.
Thanks so much! they’ll enjoy anyway but it’s me not worrying so much about their dirty clothes!
Love all the pictures!! I remember hosing my boys off outside many times after mud, chalk (for some reason they thought sidewalk chalk was better for chalking each other) and other messy playtimes!!! There were actually a few times that I just tossed things but mostly it was always washable:)
I remember last summer, that they actually really liked being hosed off! They made a whole game of it.
I’ve been using regular liquid ALL for years, but recently switched to the free & clear floral scent…LOVE IT!
Yes it smells so good! I like things with a little bit of a scent.
Love the photos and just love how mom and dad made us do our laundry as kids!??? Thanks for the idea too I’ve been looking for new detergent! Looks like a good pick!
I used to think it was a little mean of mom and dad, but now that I have kids, I wonder if age two and age 5 is too early to teach them?
We use All Free & Clear and it really gets the job done. Before we had my son I used Tide with Febreze, but since it’s heavily scented I didn’t want to use it for my son’s clothes. I refused to buy two different detergents, especially needing one that was going to rid his little clothes of stains and such, so the All Free & Clear is a happy medium. It’s also more reasonably priced than Tide and I can totally appreciate that!
I had a lot of trouble picking out detergents after my kids were born. A lot of the baby ones smell terrible to me. And I agree about the price of Tide!
Never was the search for powerful, yet gentle, laundry detergent more important than when I started having kids. Because you know they are just basically noise with dirt on it! LOL
We have to use “Free” products here too because my daughter will turn lobster red from neck to toes if we use anything scented or with chemicals.
We have Mud Season here too. we are in the thick of it now. har har
I’ve been using the stuff for a few weeks, and I love the smell. I also love that you said that your kids are noise with dirt on it. I feel the same.