I’m participating in the 2017 Flats and Handwashing Challenge  hosted by Cloth Diaper Revival. This event focuses on the very real and viable answer to cloth diaper your children. 

It’s been a long week, and the Flats & Hand washing Challenge is finally over. Today, we will use Flats all day. I will likely wash a load over breakfast, and do a final load after the kids go to bed (or Monday morning). Check us out on Instagram to stay up to date about what’s on the bum, and what’s just going on.

By the Numbers

1 Over Enthusiastic Mom.
1 Less than Impressed Dad
2 Kids in Diapers
7 Days.
12 Loads of Diapers.
12 Flat Diapers per Load (on Average)
144 Flats Washed.
90 (ish) diaper changes.
1 Boingo Lost.
3 Disposable Diapers.
25 minutes per wash.
5 hours of washing this week.

9 Lessons from the Flats & Hand washing Challenge

1. I actually do have the time. As a busy stay-at-home-mom, I was thoroughly surprised I had the time. It meant watching a little less television, and spending a little less time on social media. Neither of which is a bad thing, but rather enriched my life.

2. I hate flour sack towels and love t-shirt diapers. I might actually use t-shirt diapers again as they were a killer overnight solution for my toddler. However, I’ll shut up about FST as an economical viable alternative to microfibre or fancy inserts.

3. Less is More. This concept applies not only to detergent, but also to everything. This challenge I really learnt less things is easier.

• Cloth Diaper Covers: Except for the days when my kids pooped all freaking day, I didn’t really need a dozen covers. We could easily rotate 2-3 covers in one day per kid.
• Quality flats instead of FST would also save me in fewer flats to wash (because frequent and double layered diaper changes to accommodate the poor absorbency). Perhaps a stash of 10 receiving blankets instead of 15 FST for Little Miss.
• And then there’s the rest of my laundry… There are other areas of my life where I could scale back and do laundry a little less – wear pants a couple more times, use a towel a third time, reuse a sleeper the next night, etcetera.

4. It’s not all or nothing. I know the Flats & Hand Washing Challenge has rules, but that’s because it’s a challenge. But, there’s real world and its okay if shit hits the fan and you can’t anymore. This moment that I tell you, I used 3 disposable diapers during the week and that’s because I was struggling to mom. Don’t think I don’t know that being able to do that comes with privilege, but I needed to for me. It’s okay if you needed to do something for you because that’s real life.

5. I have zero strength or endurance in my forearms and wrists. Day 5 was crash and burn day, and I just couldn’t wring diapers anymore. I tried using a colander, but opted to squeeze and let the sun do the rest.
6. I’m not a vlogger. I tried to film my diaper wash routine, but TWICE I failed to record it. The first time I lost the file on upload, the second time I forgot to turn on the camera. I didn’t try a third time because I’m busy. I might not be a great vlogger, but YouTube Sensation Jessica DeGraff nailed it every time.
7. Humbling. I always finish the Flats & Hand Washing Challenge feeling very humbled. Especially after reading about others experiences and some of the very real struggles many families face to diaper their children. THANK YOU to everyone who shares their stories of struggle, of realization and their eye opening moments.
8. I’m reminded to involve my children more. Diaper laundry sucks, and really I’m the only who can efficiently agitate diapers. But during this week, my little toddler wanted to help and be involved. Its fun to have them ‘help’ and its okay if they make a mess. Involving them, and showing them value in physical tasks is incredibly beneficial and worth the delay, the extra mess, and more.
9. I need to do more things I don’t like. I don’t like hand-washing diapers. I don’t like folding flat diapers. I don’t like painting. I don’t like picking up dog poop. There are a lot of things I don’t like to do. I really just need to things I don’t like to do. It’ll make me appreciate the things I do like to do better.

That’s my list of somewhat serious and non-serious things I learnt this year during the Flats & Hand Washing Challenge. These 9 Lessons from the Flats & Hand washing Challenge have made an impact on my life this week, and I hope you learnt something.

Last Thoughts

I have zero regrets about participating in the Flats & Hand Washing Challenge. I find it very rewarding and worthwhile. Is it totally ridiculous? Yes, but a little crazy just makes life a little more fun.

For next year, I want to remember the following. 1) No FST. 2) Fewer Covers – Hide your others. 3) Get a proper drying rack for outside!  4) Figure out the lid for your bucket to keep from splashing yourself. 5) You got this.

Will you be joining me next year for the Flats & Hand Washing Challenge? How do you support causes you care about?

Finally – One last shameless plug to go be a fan on Facebook! Because tomorrow I’ve got a wet bag to giveaway for hitting 500 fans! For a chance to win, go check me out (and turn on notifications, so you don’t miss it!)