I survived the 2016 Flats and Handwashing Challenge!

 When I started this journey (yes, it sure has been a journey! I’ve learned a lot along the way), I thought I’d be trying a bunch of different folds, envisioning my early-teen-origami-phase skills put to the test. Then reality hit me, like a baby rattle upside the head. I just don’t have time for that! Combined with the fact that my diapers just do not dry in a nice square (or rectangle- not really sure what to call the shape they dry in) and it just drives me bonkers that my corners don’t meet or my lines aren’t straight.

I soon gave up on that. The stress surely was not worth it. I mean, really, all these things have to do is absorb pee and not allow poop to go everywhere. We found two folds that worked the best for us. Origami (ironic) and pad fold. Boring but hey, they work great for us so I’m sticking with it.

For now.

I am bound and determined to perfect this “art” of flat folding and I know I will someday. It may be just in time to diaper my grandkids, but it will happen.

I have always loved my OS Blueberry Coveralls/Capris, usually using them with prefolds and fitteds. I was sure I’d like them for this challenge so I put two in my “challenge stash” despite being a higher-priced cover. They didn’t disappoint. By far my favorite! I love my AI2 diapers (Best Bottom/Buttons) normally and although they work with flats, the Blueberries fit my little girl like a glove. If I was switching my whole stash to flats and covers, Blueberry would win, hands down.

As far as washing goes…. The first day started out great! I was all Little House on the Prairie(ing) it {if they had a bathtub, plunger, running water and Tide}. I mean I am Modernly Old-Fashioned, how hard can this be?! Well it wasn’t hard, not at all. I was right! The process is easy and went smoothly, I had clean diapers on the line (thank you unpredictable Wisconsin for giving us beautiful weather this week) in no time! But the novelty wore off. Fast. Like the next day. What?! I gotta do this again? So soon? I’m glad I learned how to do it though, I sure have a new found appreciation for those who hand wash all the time!

I did notice my diapers got so clean with so little detergent! Definitely will be tweaking my washing machine routine after this.

So washing diapers by hand every.single.day is just not my thing. Maybe if it wasn’t planting season and I didn’t have a zillion and one other things to do…. nah. Not even then. I mean you all know I love saving money and drying my clothes on the clothesline. I have learned however, that’s where I draw the line when it comes to laundry. We can’t do it all, right? I’m giving myself grace on this one. No worries, I’ll complete the challenge and do it every year until Miss Loretta is potty trained (and I’m sure I’ll be lurking even longer), I just won’t be adding it to my permanent routine.

The best thing that happened during this challenge was that I snapped outta the “gotta have it all!” cloth diaper addiction. It is very easy to get wrapped up in all the adorable prints, new styles, etc. and oh so easy to justify “well I would be spending even more if I was using sposies!” But in all reality, when you get sucked into it, you end up not saving as much as you really could. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with having a large stash, all the prints you want, etc. If that’s what floats your boat and you can afford it- by all means, go for it!

When I saw how I easily cloth diapered Loretta for 7 days on this tiny sliver of my stash, I realized I need to downsize. Big time. Plus, my husband just got laid off (construction- it’s the nature of the beast) and we were already scraping the bottom of the barrel. Why shouldn’t I sell a bunch of these and help my family out? They sure aren’t paying the bills (no matter how pretty they look!).

So off I go to thin out the oodles of diapers we have acquired… and give my washing machine a big hug!

See you again next year Flats and Handwashing Challenge!