Success!!!!
We are at the end of our Flats and Hand Washing Challenge!!! We made it!!!! There were a lot of ups and downs through the challenge, but I am able to say that I learned quite a bit. Here are my top 10 things I learned this week...1. I am a pretty good agitator (when using our camp style washer, not in relation to my husband ;) ).
2. Drying flats takes considerably less time than I thought it would. It took about an hour inside, which would be about 10 minutes in the sun...if we had any...
3. Flats are very inexpensive and easy to acquire.
4. Your child WILL leak through their diaper if you don't pack extra clothes....see that story here
5. If I can fold and hand wash diapers, ANYONE can
6. Snappis aren't as intimating as they look.
7. Flats don't protect the cover as well as the regular Rock-A-Bums inserts (when it comes to poo).
8. It might take a few tries to figure out what combination of absorbency/folds work best, and that's not super easy to do on a wiggly toddler.
9. Flats are incredibly trim
10. I feel pretty confident that I can successfully learn anything on YouTube, origami folding diapers included.
As an added bonus, I do consider hand washing to be a work out, therefore I was able to get a work out in every day this week, that's something doesn't commonly happen :)
I am very glad that I participated in the flats challenge this year, as it was a great learning experience for me. I have had multiple people tell me they want to cloth diaper, but live in apartments with no washer or dryer. I am very thankful now that I have first hand experience in a way they can still manage to cloth diaper their children. It will be good to refer them back to my journey through this challenge, and show that it is actually possible to cloth diaper your child on a minimal budget and without the use of a washer/dyer.
Now.......let the FUN begin.....
We are CELEBRATING our accomplishment in making it through this challenge and so we are GIVING AWAY 3 Rock-A-Bums covers, a Wet Bag, AND 10 Flour Sack Towels. This will be a GREAT starter set for the lucky winner!!!
On the giveaway, the first one is supposed to be a "Blog Post COMMENT" :) Thanks!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Ok, here goes at the blog post comment! Heck yes I know I could do the flats challenge. I may even do mini versions this summer, just so I can show others other variations of cloth diapering on the cheap and easy. After all, I've got friends in Haiti who wash their cloth diapers in a river.
ReplyDeleteYay for a mini version this summer! YOu will have to keep us posted on how that goes!!! - Rock-A-Bums
DeleteYes, we did complete the challenge. Well, actually there is a few hours left. We did it though! I never used flats before. I thought it would be impossible but even with 3 kids I did it.
ReplyDeleteIMPRESSIVE! I thought it was hard and I only had one! Well done mama!! - Rock-A-Bums
DeleteNo I didn't do the challenge this year. Would I consider next year, honestly probably not. I'll have a 24 month old and a 4 month old, so the use of the washing machine will be key to my sanity!
ReplyDeleteSanity is REALLY important! :) We need that, especially as mothers :) - Rock-A-Bums
DeleteAlso, congrats on the pregnancy :) - Rock-A-Bums
DeleteI participated, and the handwashing was the toughest part for me. We only had 10 flats and it was not enough! I was washing 3 times a day: sometimes more than 3 times.
ReplyDeleteOH my goodness, I couldn't imagine only having 10 flats! What brand did you use? You go girl! - Rock-A-Bums
DeleteI am so excited to participate next year. I will have a 6m old ! I am also considering using flats once a week and habd washing and I am also trying to get flats to keep for energancies like hurrican season, sever weather, or washer breaking. I am due in september!
ReplyDeleteWOW, you are amazing!! So smart to be prepared for anything! Congratulations on the pregnancy :) - Rock-A-Bums
DeleteI did not participate as our first child is due this coming August! I would definitely consider the challenge next year. I'm slowly building up our cloth diaper stash in preparation for him :)
ReplyDeleteYAY, another pregnant mama! Congratulations!!!! The challenge is very fun, and kind of empowering :) I now know that I can cloth diaper without a washing machine! It's totally doable! - Rock-A-Bums
DeleteI participated in the Flats and Handwashing Challenge! I think that the part I liked the least was the handwashing. It was time consuming and a little tough with a toddler who wanted to help wash all the dirty diapers, haha! I found a big love for flats though and for line drying. I am definitely keeping flats in our diaper stash and am going to keep up with the line drying!
ReplyDeleteSarah, I agree, the hand washing was the worst part! I'm glad you loved your flats though, such a great way to save time (drying) and money! - Rock-A-Bums
DeleteNo I didn't do the challenge this year but I have enjoyed reading about it in the many blog posts & also learning about it. I have only been cloth diapering for a few months-- I am a new mommy of a 3.5 month old. I am not sure if I will participate next year...we shall see!
ReplyDeleteKristi, it has been fun reading everyone's take on their flats challenge journey! Love all the different experiences! Keep us posted if you do it with us next year <3 - Rock-A-Bums
DeleteNot this year but I did last year!
ReplyDeleteYay for doing it last year! Did you enjoy it? - Rock-A-Bums
DeleteI didn't participate....no baby yet. I'd consider it next year!
ReplyDeleteWho knows, you might fall in love with flats :) - Rock-A-Bums
DeleteI would consider it next year. This year was a bad year. No money period and custody issues with the ex coming up, plus potty training the 2yr old. Nightmare! Lol
ReplyDeleteYou do have a lot on your plate, Melissa! I hope it has since eased up! - Rock-A-Bums
DeleteI didn't participate this year, because baby's on her way... but I'm excited for next year! Flats are probably not something I'd try otherwise!
ReplyDeleteI did not participate this year. I am pretty new to cloth and honestly wouldn't feel comfortable yet. Next year... I will consider it! I don't have a ton of flats but who knows what I will have by then :)
ReplyDelete