I'm a little late on summarizing, considering my patchy blogging in the past, that I'm even remembering to DO this is a big accomplishment, so here goes.
Seeing how easily flats dried and the more intensive wash cycle and backlog of laundry we had when we were using just fluffy fitteds, well the challenge made a huge impact. I haven't unpacked the fitteds yet. Carl and I have each improvised our own folds we prefer on the baby and are still using flats the majority of the time. I have started using the pockets I had set out as backup during the challenge but didn't use. The inserts dry in almost the same amount of time as a flat and stuffing is very easy.
What I disliked about the challenge, really the only issue I had, was the crunchy diapers. I tried both liquid and powdered detergent, it was just the line drying that made for the crunchiness. And the rain was a bit prohibitive towards the end with line drying - I could hang them above the washer but we would run out of space quickly the way Elowyn pees.
At the very least, I expect we'll be sticking with flats through summer. Cutting from two dry cycles down to one is a huge energy impact in the house. They get so clean and now that we have the hang of them, it's just not an issue to keep using them right now.
I'm glad we ended up doing the flats challenge. I like feeling comfortable handwashing now, and DEFINITELY feel like I can handle it camping or traveling in general. I do really appreciate having the washing machine back though!
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
The challenge continues ... with a stomach bug :(
So Thursday came and went, and it's almost midnight and I'm just now sitting to write out how it's been going. Eep! Bug barely slept last night, waking up every 45 minutes to comfort nurse, and she was just too overheated.
Carl ended up doing yesterday's wash routine, the baby was so dehydrated from the heat that there wasn't much to wash. Almost all of the diapers we had were poopies, and I thank goodness for the diaper sprayer. It is truly the most valuable diapering tool imaginable, and makes the actual washing SO much easier. We've been using a Home Depot bucket and a plastic plunger from Fred Meyer, that I drilled holes in. It cost a total of about $8, and it took me somewhere around a minute and a half to drill the holes.
Today's pictures brought to you by Pi :)
We normally use liquid Costco sensitive detergent on diapers, so we just use about 1 tsp of the soap for a batch of diapers, put in hot water from the tub, agitate for a few minutes. Then rinse, re-agitate, and repeat until there are no real bubbles left. It takes 2 or 3 times rinsing, and seems to work as well as, or better than the washing machine for getting them clean. I'm not sure if it saves any water, with the extra rinses, but you can really SEE how clean they are.
For drying, we have this clothesline from Amazon. The way our yard is setup, there is no good place to hang a long clothesline, we have a lot of shade from our fruit trees and had to just pick a sunny corner to use, so this is what worked for us. It's only taken an extra 15-20 minutes a day to do this routine, and it's very organic feeling to go through this process. If I could find a way to keep the diapers soft while on the line, I'd probably continue this indefinitely. The one downside is the stiffer/rougher diapers. Cleaning really is a breeze.
Carl ended up doing yesterday's wash routine, the baby was so dehydrated from the heat that there wasn't much to wash. Almost all of the diapers we had were poopies, and I thank goodness for the diaper sprayer. It is truly the most valuable diapering tool imaginable, and makes the actual washing SO much easier. We've been using a Home Depot bucket and a plastic plunger from Fred Meyer, that I drilled holes in. It cost a total of about $8, and it took me somewhere around a minute and a half to drill the holes.
Today's pictures brought to you by Pi :)
For drying, we have this clothesline from Amazon. The way our yard is setup, there is no good place to hang a long clothesline, we have a lot of shade from our fruit trees and had to just pick a sunny corner to use, so this is what worked for us. It's only taken an extra 15-20 minutes a day to do this routine, and it's very organic feeling to go through this process. If I could find a way to keep the diapers soft while on the line, I'd probably continue this indefinitely. The one downside is the stiffer/rougher diapers. Cleaning really is a breeze.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Flats Challenge is under way!
Day 2 of the Flats challenge and things have been going spectacularly well! The wash goes very quickly and the kids think it's so interesting they keep asking to help. (I'm sure if this was a real every day occurrence, they would not be so keen on it, but it still doesn't take much time at all).
So far we've barely made a dent in our flats, although I'm keeping on top of the laundry. A smaller load is easier to wash, so I'm not going to let it build up.
Here is the view of today at the clothesline. I went ahead and washed 2 of Elowyn's longies that needed it because it's so nice and warm out, they will dry up quickly.
So the question of today from Dirty Diaper Laundry is "What's in your stash and how much did it cost?"
Well I shared a stash shot before we started the challenge but I'll share the picture again:
They've been accumulated over a long period of time so this will be a bit difficult but here goes:
-2 dozen regular flats, bought through a coop. These are the solid colors on the bottom right, and the natural on the bottom left. $8.65 per dozen + $2 coop fee + shipping. Approx. $25.
-1 dozen large flats, bought from a friend, originally through a coop. These are the tie dyed on the bottom middle. $12.85.
-Osocozy flats from Cottonbabies. They no longer carry these, but I found them here for $15 a dozen. I don't have a dozen left, but I did at one point.
-Alva pocket diapers. I have 14 total of these (some in the diaper bag) and they cost $3.50 each. This is the most expensive part of the stash shown. $49. (I haven't yet used one since starting the challenge, but since I can easily stuff them with flats or use them multiple times with a trifolded flat tucked in like a cover, it's definitely an option I'm keeping open!
-1 Flip cover from Cottonbabies, and 1 Econobum cover from Cottonbabies. $14.95 and $11.95 respectively, $26.90.
Not shown: a dozen gerber flats, they are AWFUL as diapers but work great as a doubler. I got them as a baby shower present, but for the sake of the challenge, let's count them in the cost. $10.94 a dozen from the local WalMart.
The total cost then for the diapers and the covers shown here: $139.69 - including the pockets I haven't yet touched. Without the pockets, it's right around $90, and this is a several days' supply. Living in Oregon, I'd DEFINITELY want several days worth of diapers, just because of the dry time. I dye wool and sometimes in rainy season, it takes close to a week for it to fully dry. Very very very reasonable for a stash of diapers!
So far we've barely made a dent in our flats, although I'm keeping on top of the laundry. A smaller load is easier to wash, so I'm not going to let it build up.
Here is the view of today at the clothesline. I went ahead and washed 2 of Elowyn's longies that needed it because it's so nice and warm out, they will dry up quickly.
So the question of today from Dirty Diaper Laundry is "What's in your stash and how much did it cost?"
Well I shared a stash shot before we started the challenge but I'll share the picture again:
-2 dozen regular flats, bought through a coop. These are the solid colors on the bottom right, and the natural on the bottom left. $8.65 per dozen + $2 coop fee + shipping. Approx. $25.
-1 dozen large flats, bought from a friend, originally through a coop. These are the tie dyed on the bottom middle. $12.85.
-Osocozy flats from Cottonbabies. They no longer carry these, but I found them here for $15 a dozen. I don't have a dozen left, but I did at one point.
-Alva pocket diapers. I have 14 total of these (some in the diaper bag) and they cost $3.50 each. This is the most expensive part of the stash shown. $49. (I haven't yet used one since starting the challenge, but since I can easily stuff them with flats or use them multiple times with a trifolded flat tucked in like a cover, it's definitely an option I'm keeping open!
-1 Flip cover from Cottonbabies, and 1 Econobum cover from Cottonbabies. $14.95 and $11.95 respectively, $26.90.
Not shown: a dozen gerber flats, they are AWFUL as diapers but work great as a doubler. I got them as a baby shower present, but for the sake of the challenge, let's count them in the cost. $10.94 a dozen from the local WalMart.
The total cost then for the diapers and the covers shown here: $139.69 - including the pockets I haven't yet touched. Without the pockets, it's right around $90, and this is a several days' supply. Living in Oregon, I'd DEFINITELY want several days worth of diapers, just because of the dry time. I dye wool and sometimes in rainy season, it takes close to a week for it to fully dry. Very very very reasonable for a stash of diapers!
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Flats challenge!
I'm finally doing it, after years of saying I would and chickening out. This year, I'm doing the flats and handwashing challenge.
Run by Dirty Diaper Laundry, it's a challenge to teach people diapering with the bare necessities. No washer, no dryer. Simple, cheap diapers. It's to prove that anyone CAN cloth diaper, regardless of income.
So why, other than being crazy, did I decide to do this challenge this year?
1. We sometimes use disposables camping. I get intimidated by laundry without a washer. I'd like to move past that, and this will force me to get comfortable with it.
2. This will make me figure out a dryer-free routine. The dryer heats up our house in summer and saving even one load will save on our energy bills in a bigger way. Bonus! This is forcing us to put up a clothesline and USE it.
3. It's a post-apocalyptic life skill. Zombies coming? I can outlast them WITH the baby.
Changing table is cleared up and ready!!
Pockets with flats for stuffing, for overnight or errands, flats in 3 different sizes for regular use.
Run by Dirty Diaper Laundry, it's a challenge to teach people diapering with the bare necessities. No washer, no dryer. Simple, cheap diapers. It's to prove that anyone CAN cloth diaper, regardless of income.
So why, other than being crazy, did I decide to do this challenge this year?
1. We sometimes use disposables camping. I get intimidated by laundry without a washer. I'd like to move past that, and this will force me to get comfortable with it.
2. This will make me figure out a dryer-free routine. The dryer heats up our house in summer and saving even one load will save on our energy bills in a bigger way. Bonus! This is forcing us to put up a clothesline and USE it.
3. It's a post-apocalyptic life skill. Zombies coming? I can outlast them WITH the baby.
Changing table is cleared up and ready!!
Pockets with flats for stuffing, for overnight or errands, flats in 3 different sizes for regular use.
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