Flats and Handwashing Challenge

With my attempt to be more conscious of my water, electricity, and waste I thought this year would be perfect to take the Flats and Handwashing Challenge.  I hope that I like it and use these more often. 

So, what is this challenge?  The purpose of the challenge is to increase awareness of cloth diapering and to show that expensive diapers are not required.  Flats can be bought new from $1.38 and up depending on what it is made of.  They can also be bought used for cheap as well.  Do not have any flat?  Anything can be used, old t-shirts, receiving blankets, flour sack towels, etc.  A cover is advised to hold in the mess, but not required.   Covers can be wool, fleece, or PUL.

Rules for the challenge can be found at 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 (this diaper must also be handwashed)
• Doublers (not inserts meant to be absorbent enough to stand alone) if you absolutely must.
• 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.
• Iron (to use in order to expedite drying time or sterilize)

Materials Not Allowed

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

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.
• There is no limit on the number of flats or covers you can use. Should you purchase 100 flats for $100 and go a whole week without washing? No. Use your common sense on this one. As a tip the more diapers in your camp washer/ sink/ tub the harder the washing will be.