My week with disposables.

I just got home last night from a 5 day trip to visit family.  We enjoyed family time, fishing, swimming, and riding in our golf cart (it's the best way to get around!).

My boys enjoying the sunset.

Last week I started the 2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge, hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  The first 4 days were fine (you can read about them HERE).  But on Day 5, the day we left for our 6 hour road trip, I cheated because I thought it would be easier.  I wish I had just bought more flats.

I got some Flip disposable inserts to go inside Flip covers to use on our trip. I normally take 100% reusable diapers with us (because I've found it's much easier than I originally thought it would be).  However, the water up at the lake isn't the best, and I wasn't sure about washing diapers in it and dealing with the aftermath.  I mean, I use bottled water when brushing my teeth because the well water tastes horrible (note: we stayed at a different house this time that had co-op water, which wasn't so bad; wish I had known that before the trip). 

I started using the Flip system the day we left, so I didn't have to leave any dirty diapers at home.  I admit it, we also bought disposable diapers.  E was having some funky diapers (still not sure why), and I wasn't able to keep up handwashing the 4 Flip covers in time for them to dry before he needed another diaper.  Plus, the thought of washing out the covers in gas station bathrooms was not appealing.  So we did a mix of the Flip system and regular disposables.  The Flip system is awesome, except the messy poo always got all over the cover.  The disposables ended up being easier because of this reason (of the 2 options we had with us).

I MISSED MY CLOTH. 

We used disposables for 2.5 years (Riley was 2.5 and E was 2 months when we made the switch to cloth).  I remembered this weekend why I always dreaded diaper changes.  Disposables do not contain messy poop very well.  They have chemicals that bothered his already sensitive skin.  They STINK.  And then you have to deal with throwing them away (no garbage man to come curbside -- the dumpster was 10 minutes away).   When you run out, it can be a pain to run to the store (especially if the store isn't close).  They're not cheap.  They got nasty from rubbing on his shorts (the outer part of the diaper).  And let's face it, they're just not even half as cute as cloth.

We used disposable wipes, too.  I was reminded why I despise disposable wipes.  It takes so many to get him clean.  And the chemicals hurt his sensitive skin.  We almost ran out, so I was going to buy more at the nearest place I could (about 10 minutes away, a gas station/convenience store/restaurant; the next closest place was 25 minutes away).  The box of cheap wipes was $4.49 + tax.  I decided to try to make do with what we had (we came home with literally 3 wipes left).

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I have always told people that it is easy to travel with cloth.  Yet many people say they just use disposables, or a hybrid system (such as the Flip system we used) because it is easier.  I gave it a try this time around to make it "easier" on me so I didn't have to worry about washing the diapers while on vacation, then stripping them when returning home (which I was sure I'd have to do with the different water up there).

I will never travel without cloth diapers again.

We are returning to the lake in July for a full week.  We are also taking a weekend trip to Houston in 2 weeks.  I will take the remaining Flip disposable inserts with us, but I will also take our cloth.  I would rather wash diapers than deal with disposables.  It may have been easier in the sense I didn't have to do diaper laundry.  However, it was not easier in so many other areas.  Especially when his bottom was bright red. I wished we had his soft, chemical free cloth diapers with us so many times.

For me, I'd rather "deal with" diaper laundry on vacation than disposables.  Things may have been different if E didn't have nasty diapers the entire time, but it just confirmed to me that disposables aren't always the easier diaper (including the hybrid sytems).  I think they do have their place, and if they work for you, I think that's awesome!  I also understand that if staying somewhere without laundry facilities that 100% reusable diapers aren't always practical (but I would likely use flats and handwash vs using disposables).  I'll just stick with cloth. 

I was so happy to be able to put a real diaper on his bottom last night as soon as we got home!  I am also looking forward to tomorrow when I do diaper laundry (strange as it seems, I don't mind diaper laundry).  After handwashing for the last 11 days (covers and/or flats), and using disposables/hybrids the last 6 days, it sure is a nice change!  I appreciate my washing machine more than ever.  And I am so thankful we made the switch to cloth nearly 2.5 years ago! 

Just for fun, here are a couple of pics of my boys enjoying their weekend at the lake!

Eli "driving" our golf cart. 

Eli throwing rocks, while Riley fished with his Uncle Wes.

This post was written by Brenda.

Flats Challenge: DAY 5

I am participating in the 2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge, hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  I have pledged to use flats, and handwash them, for 7 days.  The Challenge was an idea that came about after numerous articles referenced the practice of reusing disposable diapers.  Families with no money for new diapers were scraping out the solid contents or using a hair dryer to dry the diapers for reuse.  Not only is this unsanitary but it is also extremely dangerous. {read the original article} It was the personal mission of Kim of DDL to educate others that, although not ideal, hand washing the inexpensive flat cloth diapers was an option to families who had no other way to diaper.  No baby should have to suffer when there are ways to diaper for less than $50.00.

A little Flats Challenge humor!
(not sure who made this to credit them)

DAY 5

UPDATE:  We have a TON to do today (shopping, packing, lunch, speech therapy, gymnastics, loading up the car, then a 6 hour car trip).  E woke up first thing with a nasty diaper, then another one soon after (where the receiving blanket leaked even his pee, but fortunately not the poop).  The last 2 days he's had nasty "teething poo", but he's not teething.  Not fun with flats, but I've dealt with it and just washed more often.  But today (and the next 2 days) I won't have time or be able to handwash diapers every few hours.  We don't have enough to go more than 5 diaper changes before I need to wash. 

So I cheated.  And not even with a regular cloth diaper.  I cheated with disposable inserts.  I have them to use on our trip once the Challenge was over, but I'm starting early.  I don't want to leave dirty cloth diapers here for 5 days, so it was the next best option. 

I am still handwashing the last batch of flats and covers.  I knew at this point I could have just thrown them in the washer, but I wanted to at least follow through with that part.  So, I think I am done with the Flats & Handwashing Challenge.  I really wanted to follow through, and I'm a little disappointed.  But, I'm still proud I even did the first 4 days with our busy week. 


The rest of this blog I wrote yesterday, since I wasn't sure I'd be able to sit and blog this morning.  So read on for things I've learned, and some helpful tips!

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I've learned a lot this week.  I've been cloth diapering for almost 2.5 years, done a TON of research, lead our local cloth diaper group, but I have never done anything quite like this challenge.

I'll be honest.... I was this close to backing out last minute.  I have had so much going on recently, and the next 5-6 weeks are just crazy busy.  I didn't want to add using "inconvenient" diapers, and the time to handwash diapers, to my list of things to do this week.  Not to mention the blog posts to go along with it.  And the fact that Day 5 we will be in the car for 6 hours, and Days 6-7 will be out of town.  There were too many good reasons NOT to take this challenge. 

But, I'm glad I did!  I'm glad I have stuck with it so far.  We'll see how things go when we hop in the car later, and spend the next couple of days out of town, but so far it has taught me a lot.



Here are just a few things I've learned so far:

• Pad folding inside a PUL cover is just like using an AI2 style diaper.
• Flats & handwashing are only as difficult as you make them out to be.  I took a simple approach, and found this challenge was much easier than I anticipated.  I think if I had over-thought it (or had a very negative attitude towards it) I would have just made it more difficult on myself.
• I really can cloth diaper my child with things found around the house.  Receiving blankets aren't my favorite diaper, but they work (sometimes;).  So do t-shirts.  Flour sack towels are my favorite.  Granted, not everyone has PUL or wool covers, but they are easy to get or make.  Baby washcloths make great wipes (but I already knew that!).  This is advice I frequently give, but never experienced first hand.  Now I have!
• In case of emergency, I will not have to worry about what to use as a diaper.  I can get creative.  I know how to wash them if I don't have access to a washing machine.
• Don't spend 30 minutes drying and straightening your hair, then wash the diapers.  You'll get sweaty and undo what you just did.... 

TIPS:

• Always have an extra change of clothes when running errands.  I've been lucky with our regular cloth diapers not to have to do this. 
• Be sure the cover goes over all of the flat.  I forgot a few times and the wet flat stuck out of the cover, causing leaks.
• Wash daily, or it's just more work.  I found that 5-8 items (covers and wetbags included) were the easiest for me to wash at one time.  I sometimes washed twice a day, but once a day was usually enough.
•  Line drying outside is much quicker than indoors.  Plus, the sun helps sanitize the diapers, while fading stains.  
• Flats are extremely versatile!  They can be used in ANY cloth diaper.  Plus, they make fantastic cleaning or burp rags.  Also good for spilled drinks!  
• It doesn't take much detergent when handwashing diapers.  I used 1-1.5 tsp to wash 5-8 items, with the bathtub filled about 1/4 of the way.
• When taking diapers off an outdoor clothesline, shake well to remove any bugs. 
• Beat, shake, and/or twist dry diapers to soften them up.
• Don't skimp on the agitating.  When agitating diapers by hand (or with a plunger),  it feels a lot longer than it is.  4-5 minutes worked well for me, then soak, then another 3-4 minutes of agitation before rinsing.  Diapers may stink if they don't get clean enough.
• Moisturize!  My hands have been very dry this week, so lotion has been my friend.  

I will try to update as soon as I am able with how the final days of this Challenge went while out of town.  If I have internet access, I will try to get at least one blog post up.  Here's hoping I don't give up on flats in the last 2 days of the challenge.  My only concern is finding time to handwash the diapers.  [insert sad face here]

Flats Challenge: DAY 4

I am participating in the 2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge, hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  I have pledged to use flats, and handwash them, for 7 days.  The Challenge was an idea that came about after numerous articles referenced the practice of reusing disposable diapers.  Families with no money for new diapers were scraping out the solid contents or using a hair dryer to dry the diapers for reuse.  Not only is this unsanitary but it is also extremely dangerous. {read the original article} It was the personal mission of Kim of DDL to educate others that, although not ideal, hand washing the inexpensive flat cloth diapers was an option to families who had no other way to diaper.  No baby should have to suffer when there are ways to diaper for less than $50.00.

DAY 4


Yesterday E definitely "challenged" me!  We had a playdate at the mall with a friend (who cloth diapers her LO's).  We happened to meet another cloth diapering mama there (her little girl was showing off a Zinnia BumGenius under her dress).  E was wearing a Clementine Flip cover over a pad folded receiving blanket.  While the "flat" wasn't soaked, he leaked out of the cover onto his shorts.  So after that he ran around in a Twilight Flip cover with a pad folded organic cotton flat.  So far, I'm not super impressed with receiving blankets as flats.

After playing, we had some lunch, then went to the car to head home.  As I was getting E in his carseat, he told me he pooped.  Of course he did, and it wasn't "clean". It was a big squishy mess. He had 4 of those yesterday.  Thanks, E. 

After the Flats Fail.

This is my first time to handwash diapers.  I am not a fan of handwashing anything!  I am one of those people who won't buy an item if it's handwash only.  The very few items I have, I still put in the washer on delicate cycle, and just line dry or lay flat to dry.  I don't do handwashing.  The only thing I wash by hand are E's wool diaper covers.  But that's super easy!

Which makes it even weirder (is that even a word?!) that I am taking this challenge!

I don't wash them in any fancy manor.  If he poops, I rinse well in the toilet to get as much off as I can, then add it to the wetbag or bucket until time to wash.  I don't own a sprayer, don't really care to.  I'm not afraid of poop.  I wash my hands anyway, so it doesn't bother me if my hands go in the toilet water a little.  If you're squeamish, then get a sprayer! 

Here's how I handwash in the bathtub:

~  Rinse all items with warm water under the faucet.  I tried the handheld shower head we have, but it's busted (thanks to the kids) and not spraying correctly.  Wring out excess water.

~  Fill tub to cover diapers.  It doesn't take much since I haven't washed many items at a time (about 5-8 total, including covers and maybe a wetbag).  I get the water as hot as I can stand.  Sprinkle 1 tsp detergent (my regular diaper detergent, Rockin' Green) over diapers.  Agitate by hand for about 5 minutes.  Let soak for 30 minutes, or so. I tend to forget, so a couple times it's been over an hour...

~  Check Facbeook, eat lunch, play a game with the kids...  Agitate diapers for another 3-4 minutes.  Drain water.

~  Rinse each item with warm water under the faucet until all suds are gone.  Wring out as much water as possible.

~  Line dry outside.  The sun kills any bacteria, speeds up dry time, and fades stains.  Flats and PUL covers are dry in less than an hour, wetbag and any night inserts used (bamboo) take a little longer.

Day 2 - First day to wash!  Diapers soaking in detergent.
5 flats, 1 small wetbag, 1 PUL cover, & 1 bamboo doubler.

It has been easier to handwash the diapers daily.  Fewer diapers makes it easier to rinse well.  I prefer to wash in the morning so I can line dry them in the sun. 

Had I thought about it ahead of time, I would have bought a cheap plunger to use to agitate so I could use HOT water, and not use my hands.  However, I already mentioned on Day 2 that I didn't prepare well for this.  I am only using items I already had, or needed to buy for future use.  I did not buy anything specifically for this challenge.  While we have a plunger, it grosses me out to think about using it to wash diapers.  I can't be the only one, right?!  If I were to handwash diapers on a regular basis, I would invest in a second plunger just for diapers. 


Handwashing diapers has not been as difficult as I thought it would be.  As with cloth diapering (and later, using wool covers), it was more intimidating than it actually is.  I was hesitant to try it, but then I quickly realized it is easier than anticipated!  That doesn't mean I would want to handwash diapers all the time.... I love my washing machine!  But, I know that I won't freak out if I'm ever without a washer.

Showing off his Cloth Diaper Advocacy Tee, ordered from Gnomes' Naturals.

Flats Challenge: DAY 3

I am participating in the 2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge, hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  I have pledged to use flats, and handwash them, for 7 days.  The Challenge was an idea that came about after numerous articles referenced the practice of reusing disposable diapers.  Families with no money for new diapers were scraping out the solid contents or using a hair dryer to dry the diapers for reuse.  Not only is this unsanitary but it is also extremely dangerous. {read the original article} It was the personal mission of Kim of DDL to educate others that, although not ideal, hand washing the inexpensive flat cloth diapers was an option to families who had no other way to diaper.  No baby should have to suffer when there are ways to diaper for less than $50.00.

DAY 3


My kids woke me up before 7:00 am today.  I knew I needed to wash diapers first thing so he will have some to wear later. Just fyi... 7:00 am is WAY too early to be handwashing diapers.  Or to do anything productive, for that matter.  

So no pics today.  It's too early and I'm too tired.  Plus, E doesn't like posing for me in his diapers anymore!


What is my favorite way to use flats so far?  I love either the Diaper Bag Fold or just a simple Pad Fold.  Or the best of both worlds:  A Diaper Bag fold with a Pad Folded flat as a doubler.  Score!

I am not a fan of using a Snappi or Boingo's with flats.  E is a big kid (a 35 lb 2.5 y/o who wears 3T clothes), so there isn't a lot of material on his hips.  The "claws" dig into his skin and leave marks, so I just don't use them with flats (I love them with fitteds!).  For some strange reason I like using pins with flats.  I can't stand pins with fitteds, or even the very very rare occasion I use prefolds. I find it strange (and unexplainable) that I like flats, but not prefolds.

I'm a conundrum, I know.

I'm hoping to blog the rest of the week, but since we are leaving town on Friday I'm not sure how much I'll be able to.  Vacations with young kids aren't exactly vacations!  They just take more planning, more work, and while fun... the kids are out of routine and get cranky.  But, I'm looking forward to spending time with family this Memorial Day weekend!

Flats Challenge: DAY 2

I am participating in the 2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge, hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  I have pledged to use flats, and handwash them, for 7 days.  The Challenge was an idea that came about after numerous articles referenced the practice of reusing disposable diapers.  Families with no money for new diapers were scraping out the solid contents or using a hair dryer to dry the diapers for reuse.  Not only is this unsanitary but it is also extremely dangerous. {read the original article} It was the personal mission of Kim of DDL to educate others that, although not ideal, hand washing the inexpensive flat cloth diapers was an option to families who had no other way to diaper.  No baby should have to suffer when there are ways to diaper for less than $50.00.


DAY 2

Night 1 in Flats went well!  Here is what he wore:

Organic flat, Diaper Bag fold, with a Sustainablebabyish organic bamboo doubler, and an organic Flat Pad folded.  All underneath Sustainablebabyish wool.  

I will be washing the diapers for the first time today!  Wish me luck!!

I should have been better prepared for the Flats & Handwashing Challenge.  However, I have been slightly preoccupied with planning my soon-to-be 5 year old's birthday party that is in less than 3 weeks.  And we are about to leave town for 5 days; my 2.5 y/o's speech evaluation we've waited 6 weeks for; dog-sitting this week; family is coming in 2.5 weeks so I must clean my house; and well, I have 2 kids under 5.  So this week just seemed to pop up out of nowhere!  I realized just this weekend I only have 5 actual flats (2 flour sack towels and 3 organic cotton flats).  And 2 PUL covers.  Yes, I have wool, but for under clothes PUL fits better. 

Sunday I made a trip to Target and still forgot to buy more flour sack towels.  Whoops.  Instead of going back, I'm just dealing with it.  I may go later this morning, but I had a headache yesterday (again - thanks to horrible allergies/sinuses) and didn't feel like it.  I did make it to a local CD Shop to buy a few more PUL covers (buy 2 get 1 free is awesome!).  I wouldn't have bought more PUL covers just for this, but they will also come in handy next week since I plan on using disposable inserts (for the first time since the water where I'm going is awful!).  So I feel it was worth the investment.

Here is what I have to use this week, as of now:

3 organic cotton flats
2 flour sack towels
3 receiving blankets (though I may pull out some more if needed)
t-shirts I pulled from my closet that I no longer wear
diaper pins
wool covers
PUL covers
wetbag for running errands
bucket to store dirties at home
Rockin Green Classic Rock detergent
clothesline outside (already there;)

That's it!  I am trying to keep it simple.  I didn't want to spend money to do this challenge for only 7 days.  I will be washing diapers in the bathtub, with good old fashioned elbow grease!  I plan on washing daily if I can, but there's a chance it will be every other day.  I am using the bucket to store dirties at home so I don't have to wash my large hanging wetbag that I normally use.  I don't use a diaper sprayer, it's plop/dunk/swish around here!  I do use flushable liners about 75% of the time, but not for this week. 

I finally told my hubby last night I am taking this challenge!  It just never occurred to me until last night to let him know I will be handwashing diapers in the tub all week. 

Flats & Handwashing Challenge: DAY 1

I am participating in the 2nd Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge, hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  I have pledged to use flats, and handwash them, for 7 days.  The Challenge was an idea that came about after numerous articles referenced the practice of reusing disposable diapers.  Families with no money for new diapers were scraping out the solid contents or using a hair dryer to dry the diapers for reuse.  Not only is this unsanitary but it is also extremely dangerous. {read the original article} It was the personal mission of Kim of DDL to educate others that, although not ideal, hand washing the inexpensive flat cloth diapers was an option to families who had no other way to diaper.  No baby should have to suffer when there are ways to diaper for less than $50.00.



DAY 1

You may think it's a little weird to choose flats and handwashing when I have a perfectly "normal" stash of cloth diapers (a fairly large one, at that).  But I'm sure you think it's just insane to choose to handwash diapers for one full week, when my washer is in full working condition. 

So WHY? would I choose flats and handwashing for 7 full days?  Why would I choose to take the extra time when I am busy planning my soon-to-be 5 year old's birthday party?  Why, when I am planning a 5 day trip to visit family?  Day 5 of this challenge, we will be in the car for 6 hours.  Days 6-7 we will be staying with family.  Outside, at a lake, in the woods.  I already plan to use a hybrid system (for the 1st time) the remainder of our trip.  But the plan is to stay dedicated to the Flats Challenge. 

The first reason that comes to mind is so that I am able to share my personal experience with those who could benefit from using flats and handwashing full time.  As the founder of the DFW Cloth Diaper Project, I would love to be able to share my own tips and tricks.  As with all things cloth diapering, I like to be able to give my own opinion, since it adds a more personal touch.  How can I teach someone to handwash diapers if I've never done so myself? 

I recommend that people use flats and covers on trips, since they are easy to handwash.  Since the last 2.5 days of this challenge will be on vacation, I will also be able to give my personal experience with flats while traveling.

First Flat of the Challenge!
Flour Sack Towel, "diaper bag fold", with an organic flat as a doubler.
I only use pins with flats.
My poor little guy was attacked by ants and mosqitoes this weekend:(

Another reason is to simply prove to myself that I can do it.  I admit, I am nervous about handwashing.  I bought flats last year in preperation for the 1st Flats & Handwashing Challenge.  However, I was in a motorcycle accident about a month prior to the Challenge and was not able to participate.  I have never been a prefolds girl, I just don't like them.  But I discovered last year that I actually kinda like flats.  Not my favorite diaper, but there's something nostalgic about using flats and pins.

Another reason I'm participating is the good ol' Boy Scout motto:  Be Prepared!  I have been caught out of the house, running errands, with a poopy toddler... and NO DIAPER BAG.  I used the spare diaper (a Flip cover and stay dry insert) from the car, but he pooped again.  We were at the mall, so I went into a department store and bought some receiving blankets on clearance.  I felt so proud that I was able to think of that!  I can honestly tell you that if that had happened when we used disposables (we used them for 2.5 years before we knew about cloth) that I would have been poop out of luck (pun intended!).  I would have gotten nothing done and just gone home. 

We live in North Texas.  Tornadoes are not common, but also not rare.  Not too long ago we took shelter in our bathroom while tornadoes touched down all over the metroplex (the closest one less than 10 miles away).  If tragedy struck our home, I feel I would be well prepared to use items that are easily found (t-shirts, towels, blankets) as diapers.  This Challenge will give me the tools I need, so that diapering my child is one less thing to worry about in a terrible situation. 

So that's it!  The many reasons I want to participate in this Challenge.  E was actually dry all morning long in his first flat (though he wouldn't pee on the potty, despite several attempts)!  I finally changed him around 1:30, when he welcomed this Challenge with a BANG!  Oh, what fun it is to change nasty stinky diapers in the car....