Last year just before I had baby number 2, I came across a Facebook group called the "Flats and Handwashing Challenge". This group is affiliated with the Dirty Diaper Laundry blog (http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com) and is basically all about getting back to the basics and showing others that cloth diapers are not only for the wealthy, the old fashioned, or the "crunchy" mamas, but is a wonderful alternative for families struggling to make ends meet and spending money on disposables instead of another necessity. Many families leave their child in a disposable diaper for far longer than is recommended or even healthy. Some families scrape the diapers "clean" and reuse them. This challenge aims to spread the word that there is a better option!
Women from various walks of life come together and spend a week using the traditional flat cloth diapers, with covers, and handwashing the diapers during the 7 days if the challenge. We try to keep our diaper stash as minimal and low-cost as possible, sometimes even free. We use washboards, camp style washers (a five gallon bucket and a plunger), or our hands to scrub the diapers clean. We dry them on a drying rack, clothes lines, crib rails, hangers, or any other item that we can drape the diapers over. We use t-shirts, receiving blankets, flannel material, flat cloth diapers, flour sack towels, and whatever else we can come up with to make a diaper. Pins or other diaper fasteners are optional. Covers can be plastic pants, fleece, modern diaper covers from PUL/TPU, or even coverless around the house.
Rules for the challenge can be found here: http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/sign-up-for-the-4th-annual-flats-and-handwashing-challenge/
Surprisingly the challenge isn't so bad, it can be difficult if you end up with lots of rain and humidity, if you aren't feeling well, if your child suddenly has to poop several times a day, or if you have to travel, but that is also the beauty of it. If someone needs to do this because they can't afford disposables and may not have a washer or dryer, these are all chalkenges they might face. We learn to adapt and come out of it knowing that if we ever needed to, or if we find someone who says I couldn't because...we can say here is what you do.
The Facebook group is where we share our thoughts, struggles, pictures, troubleshoot ideas, and keep in touch during the challenge. Check it out and consider joining is next year for the challenge. If you have friends and loved ones facing financial hardships and unable to afford diapers please encourage them to consider cloth diapers. There are many agencies who provide low cost or free diapers to families in need. You can make a diaper out of almost any piece of cloth. Where there is a will there is a way!
Surprisingly the challenge isn't so bad, it can be difficult if you end up with lots of rain and humidity, if you aren't feeling well, if your child suddenly has to poop several times a day, or if you have to travel, but that is also the beauty of it. If someone needs to do this because they can't afford disposables and may not have a washer or dryer, these are all chalkenges they might face. We learn to adapt and come out of it knowing that if we ever needed to, or if we find someone who says I couldn't because...we can say here is what you do.
The Facebook group is where we share our thoughts, struggles, pictures, troubleshoot ideas, and keep in touch during the challenge. Check it out and consider joining is next year for the challenge. If you have friends and loved ones facing financial hardships and unable to afford diapers please encourage them to consider cloth diapers. There are many agencies who provide low cost or free diapers to families in need. You can make a diaper out of almost any piece of cloth. Where there is a will there is a way!
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