Day five of the Flats Challenge has come and gone, and I’m really loving it!  I’m loving all of the attention flats diapers are getting, and I love seeing all of the photos on Instagram and Facebook!!

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Flats Challenge 2013

Flats Challenge Question of the Day

Dirty Diaper Laundry asks: What is working for you?  What isn’t?

Between the Kids replies: I’ve NEVER been a huge fan of pocket diapers.  Like I’ve said before… I’m a lazy cloth diaperer, and even though I am a huge advocate and teacher of cloth diapering for families, I don’t want my dad to have to revolve around prepping for diaper changes!  Therefore, I hate to stuff diapers.  I’m too claustrophobic for that.  I can’t stand the feeling of my hand being down in the pocket (or bread bag, or chips bag, or garbage disposal if needed).

HOWEVER… I love pockets for night time with flats!  One pocket a day isn’t going to kill me, and because I have to use stay dry liners with Jett, a pocket is a great way to insure that the liner won’t bunch up and move for the 10 or so hours that he’s in bed tossing from one side to the other.  I usually use a receiving blanket in them overnight (one of the larger ones), and that’s that!

Flats Challenge

I don’t remember who it was, but someone pointed out on the Facebook group, the other day, that handwashing takes far less time than actual machine washing.  It’s actually been pretty great to handwash, this week, because it has kept my washing machine open for the loads and loads and loads of clothes that need to be washed!

Handwashing Cloth Diapers Routine (that works for me)

I wash the diapers as I change him, unless I am in the middle of something, or he’s at the sitter, then I usually only wash two or three at a time.  Whether I’m doing one or three, it seriously only takes about 2-3 minutes of washing time.

First Step (skip if diapers aren’t poopy)

  • Throw the flats and covers in the sink
  • Fill the sink with just enough warm water to cover the diapers
  • Walk away
  • (Whenever I remember to come back, or I need the sink) Drain water and press out excess

Second Step (first step if not poopy)

  • Add the same amount of hot water and 1 tbsp of detergent
  • Swish, swish, swish for about a minute or so
  • Drain sink and wring out diapers
  • Refill sink with cold water with just enough water to cover the diapers
  • Swish, swish, swish for about a minute or so to rinse the diapers.
  • Drain and wring

Third Step (second if not poopy)

  • Hang on clothesline or on hangers/rack in laundry room

 

Flats Challenge

I think I need a a little color on those flats, don’t you?  These were really, really crummy flour sack towels that I bought with the intention of handing them out at the Great Cloth Diaper Change.  They ended up being thin and very… rectangular.  I didn’t think that it would be good for people who have never used flats, but once I started using them, I learned to just use two at a time for more absorbency, and they have turned out to be great flats!

I’ve also found that I really like the airplane fold, especially with a larger receiving blanket!

Flats Challenge

I’m participating in the Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.