Tips and Learning Experiences #Flatschallenge Day - 5

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!  

Ashtons Night Time Diaper !! Can you say super FLUFFY ?? 

Day 4 is down 3 more to go!!

Yesterday was a very challenging day for me. I had a lot of things to do. I was very tired and had no energy to wash cloth diapers. I got some motivation in me and found myself washing at 10pm. So I had to dry on the drying rack I have for the inside. After I was done I felt super accomplished and was ready to go to bed. 

I figured I could write the post today instead of yesterday.

Couple things I have learned while handwashing cloth diapers is ..  

Keep in mind that im using a wash board.

• Pre-rinsing them in cold and agitating the crap out of them by stomping on them with my feet in the bath tub works wonders !!
• Wash day by day, don’t let it accumilate because you will have more to wash and will get discouraged like for example last night I had one more flat from the previous night and so it made a total of 8 and I was like “ really one more” !! 
• Just go day by day have fun with it. I was stressed out if I would have enough flats and honestly I have not touched like 11 of them. I’ve been using the same ones over and over and over. Wash & Use. Same thing goes for my covers I’ve only used the sassy flip, blueberry monkey, thirsties hoots that’s it.

I would like to try the bucket and plunger next year, just to see how different that would be. So far im feeling good about this challenge , though I do look forward to my washing machine on Monday.

What have you learned??? Any different you would do?? 

Folds, Folds, Folds Oh My!! Day-3 #flatschallenge

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!  

Yay!! 2 days down 5 more days to go!!

Yesterday went great, it was a beautiful day. 

I did have more flats to wash compared to the first day.

 I didn't have any poopy diapers, which I essence is awesome right??? no poopy diapers ??? Now I should totally brace myself because maybe today he will poop more often. Fun times fun time!!  

Using flats I find myself tracking his diaper changes more often. Bringing back memories of when he was a newborn. Overall yesterday was great just had more flats to wash which was a workout!! 

What folds am I using??

I currently am loving the origami fold with a small padfolded flat for day time. For night time I am using a diaperbag fold with an extra padfolded for overnight heavy wetter. It's working great not having any problems I know that the first day I had a small leak but ever since I fixed the problem I haven't had any more leaks. Night time fold was great this morning he was drenched but no leaks so hey hey hey I must be doing something right??

Origami Fold with a small pad folded flat 

I tweeted this photo yesterday.

Booty Shot !!

Diaperbag fold with a pad folded in between for 

extra absorbency during night time.

Its a bit bulky but it works also used a 

blueberry cover they are nice and wide.

Learning experience is be grateful for everything I have. Sometimes I take things for granted without noticing so I thanked GOD for my blessings.

What folds are you using?? What is your night time solution?

Be sure to check out and follow other blogs participating in the #Flatschallenge!!!

Supplies I'm Using #Flatschallenge Day - 2

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!  

 I didn't have much money to spend on new flats, so I figured I could trade some diapers for some flats which I did on Diaperswapper.com . That being said I did go to Walmart and bought a set of 2 flour sack towels for $1.98 which was great.

So here are my fluffy details:


Flats : 
I will be using a variety of Osocozy, Walmart flour sack towels, WAHM flats.


Liners: 
2 Fleece Liners for night time (Stay Dry)


Covers: 
Flips, Thirsties, Blueberry, Oeko Popo, fleece soaker want to try a few to see how each and everyone works with flats.


Fasteners:
Snappi size 1


Diaper Rash:
(that's) THE BALM


Wipes: 12 Swaddlebee, 12 Thirsties


Rinsing: Water hose


Washing: 
Washing Board that was given to me by my mom because she loves me so much :) She mailed it out to me before the challenge. She's a great supporter!!
Gloves, trash can bought at the dollar tree, Eco- Sprout detergent, Water.

Drying: 
I will be using my Clothes Line outside that hubby made for me.

Be sure to check out and follow other blogs participating in the #Flatschallenge!!!

Reflection on Day - 1

What a beautiful day to start the #Flatschallenge.

First change of the day was 6:14am Ashton was half way asleep and moving around I was not able to get a good snug fit so I had to wing it. After an hour I did experience a small leak on the back side of his thighs. I believe because I did not have it on properly.
So from now on I will do my best to get a snug fit on Ashton.

Second Cloth Diaper Change

At the end of the day around 4pm Ashton pooped for the first time in the day so right after that, 

I decided to go ahead and wash for the day. So I figured I would be better off rinsing Cloth Diapers outside with the water hose. Which was awesome, I didn't have to worry about spraying everywhere.

Before the start of the #Flatschallenge I said I would wash every other day, now that I am living it and experiencing it I will be washing everyday after the poopy diaper. I don't want the diapers sitting out for more then one day. It will get harder for me to wash. 

Rinsing Poopy Diaper Only had one today so not bad.

Spraying poop off cover !!!

Washing Tools: 

Wash board, gloves, eco-sprout, small bucket from dollar tree and my hands of course.

Washing by hand is definitely a work out!! 

My arms are hurting. I found myself second guessing myself if the diapers where clean enough, 

so I kept on washing away on my board. 

Finally rinsed and took outside.

How I washed : 

Sprayed the poopy diaper and cover outside with cold water.

Cold rinse while putting my hands in the get all the nasty's out!!

Hot wash with Eco-Sprout, wash, wash,wash, 

Rinse, Rinse, Rinse !! 

The Outcome!! 

 Line drying my flats and Sassy Flip Cover.

Lesson of the day: 

I am forever grateful for water, washer. 

How was your First Day on the #flatschallenge?? What did you learn?? How did the washing go??

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!  

Flats and Handwashing Challenge Day - 1 Why are you taking it?

Hey, Hey, Hey as you all may know I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry. For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all. You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post. This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!

Today is May 21, 2012 Day 1

When I first heard about the Flats Challenge I thought what an awesome Challenge, but thought to myself "I don't really have the extra money to buy Flats so I think I will pass" but after reading a couple of my friends post on Facebook about the flats challenge and the items they would be using and WHY? they were doing it. I found myself re-evaluated my decision and thought I needed to do this for myself.

Here is why???

1. How does that saying go " Practice what you preach". Yes I want to be able to talk to mamas and say "YOU can do it"on a tight budget without a washer and dryer. If I did it then you totally can. Granted I'm only going to be doing it for 7 days but I'm sure if need be I would definitely keep on doing it. 
2. I want to be able to say "I DID IT". I can't give advice on something I haven't went through or done myself. At the end of this Challenge I will be able to say "I DID IT".
3. I want to be able to see and experience first hand and understand other parents challenges who are doing this on a daily basis.  
4. We are all helping a great cause.
5. I'm always up for a great Challenge!! BRING IT ON!!

For these reasons I will be doing the 

Flats Challenge this year!!  

Stay tuned with me and see what challenges I come across.

Handwashing & Flats Challenge

Are you up for the Challenge??

Kim from Dirty Diaper Laundry is Hosting the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge from May 21-27. 

I personally have not done this, but I want to be able to say

 "If I can do it, You can do it to"

Its easy to say "thats easy anyone can do it " but not really knowing. Well I will be experiencing it first hand. Im practicing what I'm preaching... So if you would like to join me on this Challenge that would be awesome I will be writing a post every day to show my progress and thoughts along with lots of pictures.

Super exciting, GO SIGN UP!!!

If you want more information on it go to Dirty Diaper Laundry to get the low down.