Flats and Handwashing Challenge: Recap

Last week got very chaotic around here and I wasn't able to keep up with blogging everyday of the challenge, so I though I'd do a recap of my week.

The Stash!
I used a flats stash of:
7 Orange Diaper Co Bamboo toddler squares ($14 each new, I bought used of the BST)      $98
12 Target flour sack towels ($3.99/4 at Target)                                                                        $12
8 T-shirt flats (old shirts from my closet)                                                                                FREE
5 Flannel receiving blankets (left from baby shower gifts/hand-me-downs)                         FREE
                                                                                                                                              -----------
                                                                                                                                                $110

I used a mixture of covers including wool, Flip, TushMate, Best Bottoms and Puddles and Posies. Some of these covers are on their second or third baby so I didn't calculate the cost. The cost of my bamboo terry flats was what really drove up my total, but I LOVE them so!

For closure I have traditional diaper pins, Boingo Baby and Snappi.


Wash Routine!
The poopy diapers were sprayed in the toilet first with my SprayPal sprayer and placed in a 6 gallon bucket of water with some BacOut. Wet diapers went straight to the pail. When it was time to wash, I used a plunger to agitate, dumped them out, rung them out and filled the bucket again with cold water. Agitate again, dump, ring, fill bucket with hot water and some detergent, agitate (VERY well this time), dump, ring, cold water rinse, agitate, dump and ring!

I hang my flats on a collapsable drying rack and 2 Ikea octopus hangers that hang in my sunroom.

I've also been known to tie ropes across my deck! (I can't use anything permanent in our yard.)

Favorite Fold!

Origami! Hands down!

Origami fold with a Snappi closure

A receiving blanket folded origami style

My conclusion!

Everyone can cloth diaper! Your age, work status or financial status don't matter. You can buy the fanciest, most luxurious diapers available or use some t-shirts you already have laying around. No matter what, you're doing something good for your baby and good for our environment!

We're going to keep it up! Last year we used flats and hand washed only for 3 months after the original challenge!

Dr. Venkman used a t-shirt as a cloth diaper for baby Oscar in Ghostbusters 2

Now you see how easy it is even on the tightest budget. Why not give it a try. Leave me a comment and let me know your experience with cloth diapering?

Leah in the same flour sack towel flat at 3 months and 2-years-old!
The only difference is a second FST folded inside now for extra absorbency.