So you say you can’t afford cloth diapers.

You don’t have a washing machine?

Oh, you’re dryer’s broken…

No problem!  Seriously.  No problem.

Why?  Well, I’m glad you asked.

You don’t have to have money to cloth diaper your baby.

…and I’m going to prove it!

The Second Annual Flat and Handwashing Diaper Challenge is coming up the week of May 21-27, and I, along with several of my local friends, are joining in on the fun to prove to the world that cloth diapering can be done:

  • on a small small small budget
  • without a washing machine
  • without a dryer
  • with things you having laying around the house
  • by anyone

Yes, when I say “by anyone” that means YOU.

How?  I’m glad you asked that, too!  You see this picture?

This is a stack of flat diapers.  Well, mostly flat diapers.  Some are Jett’s receiving blankets that I will be using as flat diapers.

If I didn’t already have flats (like most people), I would just use blankets from around the house, old t-shirts (cut into single layers), cup towels, old flannel bed sheets (cut into squares), old flannel shirts (cut into single layers) and any other flat absorbent materials just laying around my house.

It’s that easy!  All you need are flats and a few covers, a place to handwash the diapers, and a place to air dry them!

Here are the official rules!

From Dirty Diaper Laundry

Materials Allowed

The following diapering items can be used:

  • Any flat cloth diaper, store bought or handmade.  A flat should be only 1 layer of material for easier handwashing and faster drying.
  • 1 night time diaper per night of your choice although you are asked to make flats work for you.
  • A diaper sprayer.
  • Wet bags/diaper pails for storage.
  • Handmade “washing machine” for diapers such as the camp style washer I made last year.
  • Non Electronic Portable washing machines (must be powered by you and cost less than $100.
  • Commercially available or handmade covers.
  • Commercially available or handmade detergents.
  • Snappi, Boingo, and Pins for closure.
  • Pocket diapers STUFFED WITH FLATS. (note that the potential for repelling on the stay dry lining could make your challenge harder but you can see what happens)
  • Homemade or store bought fleece liners.

Materials Not Allowed

  • Electronic washer/dryer.
  • Pockets with inserts other than flats, AIO’s, Fitteds, Contours, Prefolds, AI2’s, etc.

Rules for Everyone

  • You cannot use your washer or dryer.
  • If for some reason something arises and an exception is made you need to disclose in the Conclusions Survey or on your blog if you are a blogger.

Rules for Bloggers

  • You cannot be sponsored by received free flats or covers to use.  I will send more rules to bloggers who are participating in the form of a .pdf.

If you’re in the Houston Area, sign up at Dirty Diaper Laundry and then join our Event page for this Challenge!

If you’re not in the Houston area, go ahead and sign up at DDL.  There’s a Facebook group to join once you’ve signed up!

I can’t wait!  I think we may see if we can get those in the Houston area together to do a practice day, to prepare before the Challenge week!