The Inner Workings of My Brain: 05.2012

5.28.2012

2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge: Day 7

So I'm finally posting about the end. I could do this full time if I had to. But I don't. It was hard to find the time to wash them. It was hard to find a place outside for then to dry.
If I was without electricity, I doubt I'd have access to as much water as I used. I had to soak, rinse, hot wash, hot rinse. Another two rinses after that. The last rinse water was saved for the next loads soak. I used all hit water because I had it, but I'm sure cold water would have worked, but needed more rinses to get the soap out.
I don't have any more pics, except this one at the end. I couldn't to this and work like I do. Too much time between washings would elapse and I would, and did!, have too many to wash at once.
I whole-y support buying the flour sack towels from Wal-Mart or Target vs the diaper flats. $1 each or 12 for $20. Either way, they're both cheap.
So, I did it. Did you? Could you?

5.26.2012

2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge: Day 6

So I missed days 4 and 5 because I was working. And now today I caught up on all my washing. What an appropriate topic, my wash routine!
I drop a wet diaper in a bucket of water. I keep the bucket in the tub. When I have several diapers I use a designated spoon to agitate the diapers, but I think using my hand works better. Then I wring and refill the bucket with hot water. One more rinse, then a table spoon of Rockin Green for a load, which ends up being 4-6 diapers. I tried using 1/2 tbspn, but they were still stinky. Then I do two agitating rinses with hot water and wrong between each one.
Between wringing diapers and taking the stairs at work (the elevators were on the fritz) I'm going to be so muscular!!

I rolled each diaper and cover in a twirl and had my "assistant" help stomp them! But that was kinda dumb. Now I have a pile of wet towels!

And then I hang them up! Outside if it's a morning load, inside around the house if it's a nighttime load. I'm still waiting for a clothes line, so I improvise :)

I'm mobile so I can't post the links of the other bloggers, but you can visit Dirty Diaper Laundry for them! http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/2nd-annual-flats-and-handwashing-challenge-day-6-going-out-babysitters-and-husbands/

5.23.2012

2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge: Day 3

So, Day 3. In case you've just stumbled on my blog, I'll let Kim from Dirty Diaper Laundry explain.

Today is the third full day of the Flats and Handwashing Challenge. As a reminder, this is a 7 day Challenge where participants can only use flat cloth diapers and have to ditch their washer and dryer in favor of good ol’ fashioned handwashing. We are close to 500 participants this year and many are blogging their journey. You can find their posts linked at the end.

Why? Because almost every parent has had to buy diapers for their child. Some families can't afford diapers as often as needed, so they choose to either leave the baby in a diaper longer, or let bills go unpaid to buy diapers. These participants are showing everyone that, with a little bit of work, you can diaper a baby for less! If I had to do only flats, I would probably upgrade my bucket and spoon to a bigger bucket and some sort of plunger/paddle, or even a washboard.

How am I using my flats? I mostly fold them in half, then in thirds then in half again to make a pad that fits in my covers. It's quick and easy for my baby that likes to flip and scoot away if you happen to take your hands off of him! I do like to fold them origami style, and use my snappi. I watched a few other folds on YouTube and I'm going to branch out.

For night time, I pad folded one and put it in a pocket diaper. I'd rather not have a wet cloth against Gavin's skin all night long. The pocket diaper keeps him mostly feeling dry.

I'll try to update with some pictures, but if I don't blog now, while he's napping, it won't ever happen!
Check out these other bloggers and participants!

2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge: Day 2

So, it looks like I was supposed to save what supplies I'm using for today. Opps. Here they are again.

20 Flat diapers (12 Diaper Rite, 8 flour sack towels (4 Walmart brand, 4 Target brand)

2 Fleecie covers

3 GroVia covers

2 Applecheeks envelopes (I'll be using these as covers, don't worry!)

assorted wipes and wipes solutions

5 gallon bucket (currently in the shower holding a diaper)

Rockin' Green laundry detergent.

But I forgot to mention my wipes drops. I think what I have are Bummis Bum drops. Not sure because I only have a ziploc with them in it. I'm going to repurpose something to swish my diapers with, because I'm not sticking my hand in there and I don't have a new plunger. I'm sure I can find something.

*UPDATE*
I meant to post this last night, Tuesday, but as I was making my rounds on the kids, we had a poo accident that involved sheets and walls and clothes and hands and feet. So instead of blogging about day 2, I got to clean up my sleeping toddler. He would have slept through it, except that I woke him up to plop him in the bathroom.

5.21.2012

2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge: Day 1

Back: 2 fleecies, Grovia cover, AppleCheeks cover, Grovia cover
Front: Thirsties cover (with my snappi) Grovia cover

What a way to break the hiatus, huh? Today marks the day that I use flat diapers for a week! I'm kind of thinking I'll be struggling by the time Sunday rolls back around, but let's see.

I've got to talk to the hubs to get him onboard for when he changes the baby's diaper before I get home from work.

I'm just including Gavin, because Brendon only wears diapers at night, and usually it's Pull-Ups (have I mentioned that I despise Pull -Ups? but that's a discussion for another day!)

Here's (most of) my supplies. I have another 4 flat diapers still in the laundry pile, a few lost snappies, and another Thirsties cover. And not pictured are the accessories, a bucket, drying rack (a saw-horse), detergent--stuff like that.

20 Flat diapers (12 Diaper Rite, 8 flour sack towels (4 Walmart brand, 4 Target brand(
2 Fleecie covers
3 GroVia covers
3 Applecheeks envelopes (I'll be using these as covers, don't worry!)
assorted wipes and wipes solutions
5 gallon bucket (currently in the shower holding a diaper)
Rockin' Green laundry detergent.

Today's topic of choice is why I'm choosing to do this challenge. I switched to cloth diapers to save money. While it can be debated that cloth diapers actually save money vs theoretically (because the diapers are so cute, addicting and scream BUY ME!!), I want to prove that you can cloth diaper on a low budget and save money! I'm going to list the prices of the covers and flats and accessories. Although most of what I have has been bough used, I'm going to list the retail value.

And, as a work-out side the home mom, I'd like to show you it can be done!!

Flats: 12 for $17.50 (Diaper Rite), 8 for $8 (Walmart and Target)

Fleece covers: $6-9 each (the camo cover I made, and the blue one was bought used, but I think you can find a new one for about $8

GroVia covers: $16.95 each (the seaside I bought new from GroVia, the owl I bought from BabySteals, and the nature I bought used)

AppleCheeks covers: $20.50 for the print (pictured) $19.00 for the solid. Not pictured.

Snappi: $3-5 (depending where and what size. Mine is a toddler size, was $4.95)

Wipes: free--repurposed from scraps

Bucket: free--left here by previous tenants

Rockin' Green Detergent: $13.50 but I got mine on Black Friday, so there was a sale.

Thirsties covers: $11.50 for the blue (sz small) $13.50 for the owl cover (not pictured. it's gone missing...) But I won it from Thirsties giveaways.

Retail Value is $175.35. While that is quite a bit of money for a "simple" diapering system, I actually only spent about $100 on all that. I fully advocate for used cloth diapers. Yes, it's a little disturbing at first (it was to me!), but I brought them home and washed the snot out of them! lots of hot water and sun!