Flats and Handwashing Challenge

I have posted before about how much I love flats. They are cheap, trim, and easy to care for. Well I have decided to challenge myself a little bit.

A while ago, I heard about some parents who were trying to save money so they rinsed out their disopsable diapers and reused them and their kiddos got sick. One article is here if you want to read it. So to make others aware that there is still something cheap and easy to use that won't make kiddos sick, Kim, from Dirty Diaper Laundry is hosting a challenge to only use flats and a few covers and handwash them for 1 week: May 23 - May 30.

Why am I doing this?

I started using cloth diapers because they were pretty expensive when Little Sister was born.  Then add Baby Sister with Big Brother not quite potty trained and that adds up to a lot of $$$ for 3 sizes of disposable diapers.  Plus add to the fact that flats are one size and dry faster than other diapers, I can use the flats for the 2 Sisters in cloth full time.  I also make most of my diapers to save even more money. I think that handwashing the diapers in my really hard water may actually get the diapers cleaner than it does in my HE front loading washer.  So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm taking this challenge to save a little more money by making some flat diapers and not using my washer or dryer.


I have only 6 actual flat diapers but I did just pick up some flour sack towels from Walmart and I have some receiving blankets that I use. I also have a lot of flannel that can easily turn into flats. I sorted out the girly flannel that would be big enough and Little Sister has been asking me to cut her "blankies" but was excited when I told her they were going to be pretty diapers. I think I have enough to diaper the Sisters for a day so if I wash every night it might work.