Hand washing

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!   

The kids and Grandma stopped by to see me at work 

T and her night time fluff

The problem diaper

So far hand washing hasn't been that bad. It's honestly quicker than using the washing machine and I think they have been getting cleaner. Yes, my arms and shoulders have been getting a workout but that's not a horrible thing. They air dry pretty fast too!! I have either been doing 2 loads per day ( one during nap) or washing before I go to bed so they can dry over night. They are usually dry or pretty close to when I get up. We have been using the flats with covers and its been working well. Wednesday and Friday the kids are spending time with Grandma and I am stuffing flats that have been pad folded into pocket diapers. This means waaaay more washing as I now have to wash a cover for every diaper she wears. Still the pile wasn't too horrible. I did end up washing the covers separate from the flats after the initial rinse. Hubby helped and we got it all done and hung up in decent time. We did seem to have better luck getting the Bum Genius 4.0 pockets cleaner and stuffed with a flat easier than some of the others. I had one Fuzzibunz diaper (that of course she pooped in) that after using the diaper sprayer (which I hardly use) now has poop imbedded into it. I blame the diaper sprayer!! I keep washing it but honestly think it will need a washing machine to get clean. I think hand washing all the time it totally do able but I would probably occasionally throw them threw the washer or use a washboard to make sure they are clean. Like that cover.... it would just live in my wet pail until I went to the laundry mat if we were living that way. Instead it will keep getting worked on until tuesday. :) Although the diapers look the same (because she just sees the pre stuffed pockets)  my Mother in Law did notice and comment that they seemed to not need changed as often and seemed to be more absorbent. :)